What a great article!!! I had two similar experiences pre 9/11, both times sitting in the jump seat for a landing into BNE. Once was from Christchurch in the 90's and once from Hong Kong, some 6 years later. The amazing thing was it was the same Captain (name escapes me) six years apart. I guess some Captains just loved being able to delight us with the experience, and this was one of them.
Shame my kids now can't experience the same thing in the new world we live in.
Hats off to all the pilots who used to take us into the cockpit.