View from the 23rd Row
Starting today, till the end of my tenure with non-descript airline, I shall begin a weekly column of my advice, tips, anecdotes, gossip and general rantings about the world of commerical aviation.
I love working for an airline, a job I've wanted since I can remember - the one outstanding perk of free flight benefits makes up for all the crap associated with a desk job (a la Dilbert). Besides which, I've always had a passion for flying, starting when I was eight and went with my family to India. Everything to do with airlines excite's me - airports with busy people rushing here and there (even now when I'm depressed, I'll go to the airport and just watch the planes). Its neat to think of all the places people are going and coming from. I adore the rush of when the plane takes off, speeding down the runway, the rise in your stomach as you leave ground. I love the feeling of authority as one walks with assurance down the jetway to the plane or vice versa. I always feel cool when I do that :) Watching the luggage wheels turn, determining the fate of the passengers - if their bag comes the experience was good, if not, it was bad, very bad.
Therefore, I am now going to impart all of this zeal in my blog - really who better than a frequent flier - airline employee to provide airline and/or flying advice, no?
So for the first post, I'm suggesting a primer, a good book to read about how airplanes work, the safety standards behind commercial aviation and some of the basic mechanics about the airline industry.
Ask the Pilot by Patrick Smith. I just finished it and found it very informative, relatively easy to read, short and only biased in certain areas (very pro-pilot, go figure as it was written by a pilot).
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=mZ1F3mqB0c&isbn=1594480044&itm=1
Check it out and enjoy - more from the 23rd row next week!
posted by Virginia Gal @ 8:56 AM
6 Comments:
Hey, VG:
How do you feel about the whole Independence Air thing? I feel so horrible for all of their employees . . .
I am really excited about hearing your advice . . . I have a feeling I may be doing a bit more traveling this year, and I'll need all the help I can get!
your post brings to mind a song by Jefferson Airplane callled, simpy enough, "Planes"
I love planes jet aircraft
I love planes jet aircraft
He was just a little boy and he sat there in his school
And the little girl in the very next chair she thought he was so cool
And she watched him draw and draw planes and wings and flying things
Even during tests he'd keep on drawing
And his mother didn't want him and his father was always working so he
Just set his head to the center of the sky and dreamed of
Flying at first like a leaf floating in the air
Now like an eagle soaring there
Flying great roaring engines now will lift my wings
Rockets now and spacecraft to the center of the sky
I'm getting ready for a great leap forward ready for a leap in the pool
Ready to touch the stars again ready to go back to school
Puttin' the pieces together put on your wings and come with me and
Fly fly fly to the center of the sky let's go flying
I love planes experimental aircraft
I love planes jet jet jet aircraft
Breaking through the sound barrier
Into into the light
And the little boy is still like a little boy and he met another
Little girl and they made another little boy
And the new little guy still loves planes and flying things
And both his mother and father love him and
Hold him and hug him whenever he needs it and
Soon will send him lovingly to the center of the sky
And teach him
Flying and dreaming and visions true flying
I love planes jet aircraft
I love planes sensual aircraft
I love flying, too. Take off and landing, especially. I will NEVER sit in the last row again, however.
Random Kath - Independence Air, that is so sad, those poor employees. Glad to hear you'll be traveling this year and hopefully I can help!
Laurie - I love the smell of jet fuel (am I a freak?)! ps, I do the same thing (volunteer to pick people up and drop off at airport).
Pax - Thanks for the song - hadn't heard it before. I think someone from that band had to have loved airplanes also, cause the words are so passionate.
Merci - last row near the bathroom right? It sucks! Take off's and landings, best part of the flights!
Yeah, the row with the seat that does not recline and a few inches less space. And the person in front of you always puts their seat in full recline and keeps it there for the entire flight. But I love everything else.
Looking forward to future columns! Thanks, VG!
Where did you find it? Interesting read » »
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