I was one of the real lucky ones.
Got to sit on the old man's lap in a Dragon at eight and chase a Dingo across the Morney Plain. Throttled back at about thirty feet we stayed on his tail for what seemed to me to be a long time.
Went on many a test flight after aircraft came out of maintenance with him too.
When I had my time, all kids got to come up to the cockpit. Heard later the hosties thought I was a pain in th earse... interfered with the cabin service.
Old kids and young kids.
Told the F.O. that the pax will tend to gravitate to one of us with the questions. Whoever wasn't being talked to would mind the ship.
Lotsa old blokes were as wrapt as the little kids.
Occasionally I told the last poor bugger who'd waited and waited, to strap 'emselves in the jumpseat for the approach and landing.
Never had a complaint and the faces told me a story.
The most thrilling cockpit visitor for me was Douglas Bader... in a Nine. Me captain and I were madder'n hell that it was a bloody Sydney - Canberra. He was a funny man and said "COULD I" when the capt asked if he'd like the jumpseat.