What lies beyond

This message is directed towards my colleagues, friends, family, and anyone with a connection to aviation and the aviation industry. The passage of time on the ground appears to accelerate when one is up in the air.

If you were to look back just a few years, you might realize that the cycle of life has completed a full turn, leaving you standing alone, yet not feeling lonely. It's akin to completing a long journey, where you are content with how well you managed every step - from the preparations before boarding of passengers, to the services during the flight and the arrangements made both before and after reaching your destination, plain simple smooth landing.

When one takes off and then lands again, they realize how much life has transformed on the ground. What I'm trying to convey is a job role where you are deeply involved in a professional, physical, and emotional capacity that aligns with the demands of the environment, leading to a significant impact on your entire life.

Keep the memories close to your heart. It's now up to each person to reflect on and appreciate the events that have occurred. Discovering the significance in the small moments and the abundance of memories we hold. The past has a special place in our hearts, and I encourage you to delve into the countless flashbacks where you can flourish, bloom, and enrich yourself. On the flip side, the journey wasn't all smooth sailing; it had its challenges, and even the landing was rough. Now, what do you see in those past glimpses? It might be surprising because the typical response tends to be passive, negative, and filled with regret. However, for a seasoned flight crew, that's not their nature. They have matured and been conditioned over time to maintain a genuine smile, as life is good with their positive attitude. They have learned to handle grief, loss, or setbacks in a constructive manner and move on quickly because the flight must take off. Every little thing was enjoyed, and now they hold such value, being closer to the heart as cherished memories.

The fundamental question is: What lies ahead? How will you navigate through life once your freedom is restricted? It's likely that many of us will find it challenging to adapt, as we have been so engrossed in the act of soaring. Is this a common experience for all retirees? I understand that flight crews lead a hectic, physically demanding lifestyle and follow a distinct set of regulations that may seem unfamiliar to those on the ground. It's almost like suddenly being surrounded by individuals who prefer leisurely afternoons, start their days slowly, and fully embrace the night. What does this indicate? Do you not fit into society, or is it the other way around?

I remember a visit to a court official who, with his head lowered, gestured for me to take a seat without raising his gaze. As there were no chairs vacant, I stayed standing while he concentrated on his tasks. With little else to do, I departed quietly, feeling more entertained than disappointed. This incident initiated my engagement with society, imparting a lesson on overlooking conventional social pleasantries.

An incident that I recalled while writing involves observing human behaviour in challenging situations. On a flight back to Delhi from Bombay, we had to change our route due to an earthquake in Bhuj and fly via Ahmedabad to accommodate passengers. As an extra landing was required, the airline requested us to allow new passengers to board without assigned seat numbers. Initially, passengers were understandably upset. However, as the boarding process progressed, the crew advised everyone to take any available seat. Amidst the confusion, someone may have mentioned to "sit anywhere," causing chaos in the cabin. I managed to navigate through and found a passenger sitting on the floor. When asked, he explained that a flight attendant had instructed him to sit anywhere, justifying his choice of seating. Both the crew and the passenger had valid reasons for their actions – the crew was overwhelmed with additional tasks, and the passenger encountered an unexpected situation, which explained his response. The irrational behaviour on his part was justified by him. Neither was he apologetic nor was embarrassed. Somehow, I feel that he was trying to draw attention towards himself as he was emotionally disturbed and needed to converse, whatever may be the conversation. Correct me, if I am wrong, maybe,

Events like this one have a profound impact, prompting immediate comparisons between situations on the ground and those in the air. It is interesting to observe how behavioural tendencies change, with distressing circumstances receiving leniency in one case, while the other is seen as standard procedure

Adapting quickly and efficiently is essential for long-term advantages, whether in the air or on the ground. Exploring the behavioural patterns of individuals in both environments could provide valuable insights. Transitioning to ground operations can be particularly challenging for flight crews who have been deeply immersed in their aircraft duties and are highly attuned to situational awareness. This could be an interesting topic of discussion.