Already mentioned this on another thread, but what the hell - I get this stupid big grin every time I recount the story. . .
Buzz 146, STN > AMS. I was one of the first to board & just handed the FA my log book and a short note to the captain, explaining who I was & why I would love to see the flightdeck.
5 minutes later, the FA returned & asked if I wanted to "go up for the take-off?" Did I??
And so it was, strapped in with my own headset all the way from pushback to arrival at the gate (including a CAT 3a landing). The crew could not have been more welcoming or encouraging, and I was grinning like a half-wit for a week.
To all you airline drivers from all us wannabes, thank you for every chance you give us to experience flightdeck life. It's a very long & expensive road to an ATPL, but moments like that make it all worth it.
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Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit pruning.