08/08/2023
A pre-mile high life moment
Theres nothing better than those day to day moments where you hear or see someone turn the routine and or pro-forma “going though the motions” kinda details into something that stands up, pushes back and says hey Ive got some signature and funk going on right here where you least expect it.
Yes I hear the corporate and or insurance driven voices justifying that these are the rules and this is all about OH&S , these exchanges of information are a necessary part of doing business . Yeah yeah whatever and people go though the motions and do whats necessary and carry out the obligation and on the other side we kinda listen like good puppies with one ear to the rhythm of the words and the contractual responsibilities that come with all sorts of day to day responsibilities.
So whats my context you may ask. Ok. Here we go. For anyone that goes on an aeroplane you know the drill. “Please take your seats promptly, listen to the instructions of the cabin crew particularly if you are near an exit “ and tickety boo we are taxiing down the runway ready to crank the engines and get airborn. At that point as you wait for final clearance the Captain comes on and she or he will introduce themselves and the cabin crew and give a bit of a weather update, flight times and expected arrivals etc. You can pretty much repeat it word for word and just replace destination names and flight conditions and times where necessary.
Well this was all very different the other day when i was returning to Sydney and flight captain Gary turned the standard and somewhat ordinary into an extraordinary life moment filled with anecdotes, personal spark and genuine signature that made the announcement sing from the heart. Im not talking it up, it really did have this whole different energy and feel as it cast a sense of inclusion and engagement for everyone on board
Being an evening flight some passengers may have been a bit switched off and missed it but I can tell you for sure that it was one of those little moments that spoke big.i cant paraphrase the details nd they are not the point of this share. I suppose the point is that it was a case of the mundane routine being resuscitated to life through some thoughtful priority and patience to make it relevant. Add to this the fact that people are stressed and a little uptight so Garys yarns bring a calm and distraction from thte pending roar of take off.
I mentioned my take on it all with one of the cabin managers who said “Oh yeah he is a cracker, that is what he does and it always rings true with the passengers. I then stopped at the exit and took the chance to thank Captain Gary. I walked up the aerobridge and was torn about taking a pic but then thought no way this is a moment that deserves to be shared so here is the pic from the moment.
Its the very heart of my “life moment” posts because it shares that opportunity taken in the moment to make something different, to breathe life into routine and make it dance. Thanks for the heart you share with all those around you Gary.
Have you got any examples of where people have taken an everyday routine and given it a supercharge of story telling and connection that captured your attention. ?
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