We all might have travelled from one place to another on plane. I also travelled many times. Sometimes we enjoy, another time not. We demand something or the other when we are boarding on plane. We always think, we have paid the airlines money, we must avail all the facilities provided by the airline. We just press a button and one of the crew member within a few seconds is at our service, as if, we have rubbed Alladin’s lamp and a genie appears in front of us asking ‘ kya hukum hai mere aakka’ ( how can I help you). Then we ask sometimes for drinks, AC etc.

Recently I have the pleasure to go on vacation and while travelling I also like any other passenger was cursing the airline, this is not good, that is bad, comparing with other airlines. I was excited to reach the destination and nothing other than that came in my mind. Reached there, enjoyed the vacation and while coming back through same airline my thought process totally changed.

The AC was off, everyone was annoyed and asking to turn on the AC. One of the crew member came and said AC will be turned on once the plane take off. I was also feeling hot but stayed silent. One passenger from my behind said ” They are not switching on the AC will they give us refreshment also or not?”. I was thinking how stressful it is to calm down the passengers, no doubt passengers were also right. All this was being handled by one of stewards on the plane.

The plane took off well, passenger behind my seat was boarding on plane for the first time, he remembered God. Our plane’s captain was a female. I don’t know why I was happy to know this. I silently wish all the best to the female captain in my mind and slept. When I woke up, it was 4 o’ clock in morning and we reached at airport before scheduled time. The landing was also smooth. All the passengers including me were waiting for the doors of the plane to open so that we can exit. While coming out I saw the captain of the plane. In white uniform she was looking fab. She was in a hurry, took her baggage and exit just before me.

Driving a car might be easier than flying a plane I am sure. While driving a car,daily going through same route you become aware: where the speed breakers are, when you will approch a traffic signal, you can stop by the side, you are grounded, doing nothing against gravity. On the other hand, inspite of being on same route pilot don’t know when the plane has to go though thick clouds. Each day is new and unpredictable. And if the passengers are not happy with the services you just have one choice- to calm them. The training which crew members get is maybe more about how to be mentally prepared for any unforseen circumstances, how to remain calm if they have irritating passengers on board etc. All these thoughts in my mind made me silent and to respect the profession of a Pilot and crew members. A big thank you to the Captain of our plane.

This blog is very much in layman format describing the true journey on a plane. Hope you enjoyed reading it.

Ramneet Kaur