DaKine747
Tom, This was sent to me by an airline colleague (initials C.J.F.) and I was very moved by your account. I had no means of contacting you to seek your permission to reproduce it on this site. If my doing so has caused you any grief, please let me know and I will have it deleted immediately.
You will have seen, by the replies, that you have struck a profound chord with a large number of people who are so full of admiration for you and all your support teams. I hope, for this reason, you will allow it to stand in the hope that it will be of inspiration to others who have yet to read it.
I also apologise for reassigning your gender - aah, the dangers of assumptions.
With my sincere best wishes to you and all your colleagues.
žMT 