What I like about this job.
 

Normally, when we log in, the top half dozen threads are full of complaints and angry flamers etc. Go on, see what's there now.
So I thought I'd start a thread about the good things in the job.
The question, basically, is:
What is the nicest thing that people have done for you while at work?
(Prurient posts will, I'm sure be moderated!)
Here's a couple to start off:
PMI. Swiss a/c on next stand. One of thier cabin crew arrives at foot of our steps on turnaround clutching some chocolate money (you know, the sort of thing you get under the Christmas tree). Thought we might like some. Why, I dunno. Nice, though, eh?
PMO. Dispatcher turns up, not only with paperwork, but little glasses of cold espresso for all the crew. More warm feelings etc.
I am happy to be trumped by your tales of goodwill....

Grateful pax. after being allowed to sit on flt. deck for landing -- looonng before 9/11 - - turned up next day at the crew hotel with stretch limo. and chauffeur, took the crew on a day trip around New England - in the fall.

Mexican pax. thrust his way on to the flt. deck at disembarkation, insisted that I accept a full, unopened bottle of Tequila ( complete with drowned insect inside ). Cost me a fortune to London Customs 30 mins later !

The best part of the job is for me was the people, felt like it was us vs the rest of the world for the 3 to 5 days we were together, very rare that I didnt meet a great person and sometimes a great friendship came of it.

Once upon a time, as a newly minted MEL pilot, I talked my way into the jumpseat of an Air France A310 to ORD. The crew were awesome, pointing out that "We both fly 310's" (mine just happened to be a 1966 Cessna), and after we got to Chicago, took me out carousing. I only wish I could return the favor to a kid these days.

Seeing the sun every day.

A long long time ago when I was a wee lad, I was with the family on the way back from holiday on a flight operated by Britannia flying into MAN. The Captain had been a bit of a banter merchant on the PA as soon as we had boarded... Joking about this and that... The pre-flight announcement had most of the passengers in stitches.

About 30 minutes into the journey, the skipper came back on the PA and said
"Ladies and Gents; I'd like to announce that unfortunately we cannot accomodate any visitors to the flightdeck during our flight, however, we do have a spare seat up here which one lucky child can sit in during the landing back at Manchester. If you would like to sit in the spare seat, all you need to do is draw a picture of my colleague, First Officer XXX, the child who draws the most realistic picture, will get to sit in the flightdeck"

Now, this was a dream for me as a 6 year old plane fan, so I began drawing what I thought the FO would look like - we hadn't seen him all flight so it was obviously a guessing game... To cut the story short, I didn't win, but I thought it was a great idea and I'll never forget that flight. It's such a shame (as the above poster has also stated) that I won't be able to do such a thing for a passenger one day.

'Cold'? You sent them back?

Nice thread, but not R&N. Was it your fault Pprune went down this morning?

Brit crew in LAX hire car and driving along freeway. Behind large Rolls Royce which starts swaying with a flat and pulls over. The crew stop behind the RR and one goes up to driver's window and puts on best British accent 'Good morning Sir! We're from Rolls Royce! We see you have a problem and we are here to deal with it!'. Guy sits open mouthed in disbelief, crew set to work putting him back together. Great laughter all round, crew well looked after.

Aah, Rainbow.

We were all having such a nice dreamy time, just then. For once it was that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Down to earth with a bump! :ugh:

It was the comradeship, being a member of the family.
Some friendships have never ended. Thank God.

Charter to Heineken Cup final. Two complimentary tickets appeared from the back.

"Was it your fault PPRuNe went down this morning?".

Yeah, that was me. I think the servers' bonhomie filters were overloaded..

Seeing the sun every day. Yes, like that one.

...And being treated as a professional, rather than just the driver. (Wait, good feeling's going...);)

How about enjoying the sun set over a period of several hours when flying west chasing the sun... :):):)

Or the sun rise over the western horizon climbing to altitude just after sunset.

Good memories
 

En-route from Berlin to The Canaries, I mentioned that we had recently flown over Lourdes and were about to overfly Fatima. Don't ask!
Soon after, the No 1 asked if a woman and her two boys could visit the flight deck. She told me that she was a Catholic and had always wanted to visit both shrines.

I explained that we were six miles away from Fatima as we passed overhead. She insisted we all join hands and said a very heartfelt prayer for us, the crew, the passengers and the airline.

Moments like that made the difference!

I also remeber the Spanish Omlette brought out to us on the turn around in Kavala, of all places, in Eastern Greece throughout the summer season. The agent would never accept a drachma, as it was in those days, for the quite substantial meal.

I also well remember a pretty young Spaninsh agent in Ibiza who went above and beyond the call of duty one summer in the early 90s, but that is not really a suitable anecdote for a public forum!

I hope this stays in R&N for a while, we need some light relief!

Eating Caviar everyday :E

Amen to that! I wonder if it's an internet forum thing that breeds such gloom? If it's any consolation, the same factors are at work in every profession I know anyone in.

Makes me think twice about taking this flying thing any further than the current training stage! More happy thoughts please :)

Whilst not a pilot yet, I like to think that when I am a pilot what I will like about the job is:

1. 75K+ salary
2. Looks of admiration as I walk through the airport
3. A different air hostess every night

Sadly, it seems what I will in reality get is

1. 25K salary
2. Dirty Looks on par with what a white-van driver gets when he cuts you up
3. Nagging from mum every night as I'm living back with her

:ok:

Good thread
 

After a particularly smooth (ie lucky) landing on the A321 a few years ago, a passenger disembarking stuck head in and said, "that was so smooth I'm not sure we're on the ground yet!"

Of course that happened only once in seven years :} ...

What I like about being retired from this job -
xxx
Knowing that next Xmas, or Easter, or other holidays, I will be home.
And that I can make any plans I want about going places or see friends.
Knowing that I can say YES to a dental appointment on next 16 June.
That I can enjoy a glass of wine anytime.
Scheduling department does not call "as I am the only pilot available" on a day OFF.
That I can be in F class, still travel free, and enjoy lobster dinner and cognac thereafter.
And still get a crew rate in hotels.
And have extra/oversize carry-on with no objections.
And make a long conversation with good looking flight attendants in the cabin.
No need to offer a round of beers/drink to 2 cockpit crews and 12 flight attendants after landing.
(They now offer me one... "Long time no see"... "How is retirement")
I no longer have to carry my bags and carry-on to the airplane.
I can be first out of the airplane on arrival.
No need to show-up 90 minutes before ETD for departure.
And at my age, learning to fly an aeroplane (???) called Airbus.
I dont miss my colleagues - They visit me at home for parties.
Sure - Just retirement pay - But I only spend one/half of what I used to spend on the road.
xxx
:D
Happy contrails

I still enjoy the job despite of all the crap.

So many things one could say. I think it says it all that whenever my holidays are coming to an end and no matter how good they have been, I'm still quite pleased to be going flying when I get back home.