I came across this article in the Huffington Post where Rachael-Marie Prescott blogs about America’s scariest airports. I have flown into most every airport highlighted in her blog and I can tell you scary is not the word I would use to describe these airports, more like Extreme Fun.
I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones. Ever since I can remember I had always wanted to fly airplanes and today I fly airplanes for a living. Despite the seemingly constant and endless turmoil in the airline industry I still look forward to my next trip. One of my earliest memories of the airline industry was traveling from Minneapolis to Chicago as an unaccompanied 12 year old. The flight, if you can believe this, was on a Northwest Orient Airlines 747. What is even more remarkable when you consider how short of a flight it is from Minneapolis to Chicago; (about 50 minutes) the captain did was walk-through of the cabin and said “Hello” to everyone on board. That one act left an indelible mark on a 12 year old wana-be airline pilot. Since 9/11 for safety reasons, domestic cockpit crews have been bolted into their little flight decks. Rarely do present day airline pilots get a chance to have face time with their passengers and welcome them onboard.
The disconnect between me the Captain of my ship and the passengers I serve has always bothered me. This disconnect comes from a combination of the hectic nature of modern air travel and the never ending quest by airline managers to do more with less. There are many many good people in the industry, and I would have to say the vast majority of airline employees go above and beyond what is expected to serve the traveling public. However, there are times when the whole industry seems cynical and Jaded.
I know I can’t control anything that goes on beyond my cabin door, and in fact there are times when I have little control with what goes on behind my cockpit door. Yet I do, on every flight, strive to present myself and my crew in a professional and friendly manner. About four years ago I decided, when time permits, to reestablish a connection between myself and the passengers who board my flight. While I can not do a mid-flight cabin walk through I can stand at the cabin door and greet each passenger as they board. I enjoy answering questions, helping with their carry on bags and the idle banter that is often exchanged between myself and the folks standing in the jetway waiting to board the aircraft.
For the past four years this has gone, for what I assumed to be, unnoticed by the traveling public. Personally I do not mind being unnoticed. This however changed. Last week when a passenger was deplaning he handed me his business card and asked me to email him. He said he wanted to thank me for taking the time to make everyone feel welcomed. To be honest I was flattered and I told him when I had a chance I would drop him a quick email. Below is the response I got back. I guess someone noticed.
John –
Your flight was the single most enjoyable experience I’ve had with Delta in the past year, and your willingness to help travelers with their bags, while extending a friendly welcome in the jet-bridge went above and beyond all expectations. I’ve already responded to the Delta survey with this information, but intend to write a letter to Delta management reflecting praise for your uncommon service.
Again, thank you for showing that you care about passengers. Even if not openly recognized by all passengers, we appreciate you brightening up our day. I wish you continued success on what will certainly be a fantastic career.
With continued best wishes,
Mattp.s. Not certain if it was yours, but the landing was great too!
I came across this article Labour rates could prove disastrous in US | Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation – CAPA. and I am not exactly sure what to make of it. If you work in the airline industry you know more and more domestic flying is being shifted to the regional airlines. However there are two issues that loom on the horizon that I would guess will cause the regional airline industry to once again adapt. I am hoping the industry does not adapt at the expense of my job or pay.
The first issue that will shape the regional airline industry for 2011 and beyond is the rising fuel prices. We all now as fuel prices rise so does the cost of operating 50 seat regional jets. I would have to say smaller communities with already limited airline service will have to go. It makes no sense to fly a 50 seat regional jet from MSP to STC and back.
Second issue facing the regional airline industry is what is going to replace (if anything) all the 50 seat jets scheduled to come out of service between now and 2016? There is little to no chance, given the fuel prices, that you will ever see another 50 seat jet regional jet operating in the US in the next 8-10 years. Will the mainline pilots relax scope for pay and let the regionals fly a the more cost effective 76-100 seat jets? Doubtful.
One thing is for sure the next few years are going to be just as volatile as the last several years.
Post a comment and let me know what you think.
Labour rates could prove disastrous in US | Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation – CAPA.
I recently had an over night in Fargo N.D. The hotel we stay at is directly across from the airport and the Fargo Air Museum. Historic Aircraft at the Fargo Air Museum. I brought my Canon XHA1 along to practice my videography. As I have said before I am an amateur photographer, videographer and blogger in every sense of the word and this little edit highlights many of my mistakes. First off I need to be more careful and clean my camera lens before I shoot. I find it very annoying that the lens looks like I sneezed all over it. (I did not) During my first attempt at editing this video I made a cardinal mistake, I did not save my project. Consequently after hours and hours of work in Final Cut Pro and at about 2 am, one little mouse click sent my project into digital nonexistence. Yeah that was not so good! I recovered from my digital disaster and put together a better edit. This video is really only my second edit and clearly I have a lot to learn. For me this is a fun and challenging hobby. Enjoy!
You can also check this videos on Fargo Air Muesum on Vimeo on Vimeo
Canon XHA!
Final Cut Pro 6
It's A Plane Life Blog 
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