SPIRIT

“I am never alone wherever I am. The air itself supplies me with a century of love. When I breathe in, I am breathing in the laughter, tears, victories, passions, thoughts, memories, existence, joys, moments, and the hues of the sunlight on many tones of skin; I am breathing in the same air that was exhaled by many before me. The air that bore them life. And so how can I ever say that I am alone?”?

― C. JoyBell C.

08:55 Well, it’s that time of year again.

And, as we work for an airline, we’re all doing our very best to make it through the maelstom that every Christmas season seems to be. Santa along with his support staff is certainly gearing up his sleigh for his one big night. However, the contemporised versions that we operate upon, have been “hauling through the skies” for the past 365 days and nights. Pilots just like Captain Jamie, (depicted here in command of this Airbus A330 and awaiting pushback in Perth), have been navigating the skies vigilantly, reliably and assuredly every day since last year’s festive season.?

They’ve safely transported all year, our passengers across this our:

“Sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains”,?

????????????- (Dorothea Mackellar).

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Christmas time is a whole lot different in our part of the world. We don’t enjoy the Northern Hemisphere, picture postcards that snow-laden conifers, coloured lights twinkling within and upon, provide. Generally it’s hot. And sometimes unsympathetically so! We “enjoy” a scene more representative of a Russell Drysdale painting. A parched and often desolate landscape and a realm as a consequence, considered so inherently “Australian”. Nevertheless, an antipodean “Spirit” of Christmas permeates here just as it does anywhere else within the world.

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When referred to and in the sense of all this, what then does the word “Spirit” actually mean? - A quick check on google revealed for me the following:

“The non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.” /?"The non-physical part of a person regarded as their true self and as capable of surviving physical death or separation.”

When you fly on aircraft for a living, as either a Pilot or as Cabin Crew, you’re all responsible for the safety and security of all on board and none more so than the aircraft’s Captain. More than this however, it’s our shared ability, (and duty), to draw on skills honed and practiced over many years to facilitate this. Highly developed technical and people skills accrued from multitude of life experiences.

Maybe Simon Sinek articulates it best when he says:

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"People don't buy what you do or make, they buy WHY you do it"

I guess then what he’s saying is it’s our emotions, our character or our “soul” that defines our “Spirit” both as a corporation and more significantly, as people and as human beings existing anywhere within the world. I’d like to believe it’s your passionate belief in what you do that people are drawn to and why they want to associate with you. That's why people trust you, that's why people believe in you & that's why people will ultimately cherish the experiences they share with you.

So speaking of experiences, I’d like to use this occasion to thank a few people whose interaction, advice and assistance I’m so sincerely appreciative of. Especially now as 2017 draws to a close and with all that 2018 and it’s challenges and opportunities will present.

- First off and of course most importantly, my ever loving, tolerant (and in so many ways, long suffering), wife, - Leanne.?

Thank you for all you do for me. Thank you for putting up with my passionate obsessions, undertakings and projects. You've always been there to pick me up, dust me off and to get me “back into the ring to take another swing!”??Truly, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me!

- My Brother Paul. You helped me a while back when I really need some support, I’ll never forget you for that.

- Robbie, Belinda, Katie and Marita down at the training school. Your dedication and passion belief in the value of training I so genuinely admire. You have inspired me.

- Ed K, Ben, Brad and Chris. Wonderful to facilitate alongside you. You are all so good at what you do. Thank you for the experience of working alongside you all, I'll cherish it always!

- Ed B and Nat. You're always there for everyone, (even me during some at times incessant rantings!)

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- Sarah, Priscilla and Lauren. Your faith and support for all I’ve sought to undertake I’ve never taken for granted. Your collective ability to encourage and “manage” my obsessions has taught me much. I’ve learnt so very much from you and will never forget the depth of your support and encouragement.

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- John, Bob and Dave. (Friends and former wonderful colleagues from “another life”). Chatting with you at a critical time made a difference the 3 of you will never probably realise.

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- David. Thank you for your incredible support and kind words earlier this year. I so enjoyed meeting you on board. You are indeed a man of immense character, intelligence and dare I say it, - Faith! I wish I possessed that which you are able to articulate. Please know I so value the assistance you sought so kindly to provide.

- Mike. "Our man in Hong Kong" and "The man who's wise and flies the skies!" Thank you for your friendship and always saliently delivered advice. I am truly indebted and will value our friendship always !

- Chris. You provided me with an opportunity in community radio to develop in an area I was completely new to when you hadn’t even met me before! You are so genuinely a “Stalwart” of our community. I’m blessed to have met and learnt from you this year my friend! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You genuinely make a difference!

Recently, I was at the self-serve checkout at my local supermarket. I looked across and would you believe it, there to my right filling up his shopping bags was Captain Jamie! I walked across and said hi, simultaneously introducing him to Leanne. I was indeed surprised, as it had been my understanding that Jamie was based out of Brisbane. We struck up a conversation and Jamie set me straight, explaining that he indeed did reside in Brisbane but commuted to Melbourne, his designated base. We chatted for a little while about his daughter and her studies in Brisbane. In due course we then went our separate ways. On the way home I explained to Leanne that when endorsed prior with a command upon the 737, Jamie had been my Captain on many an occasion.

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And so finally, I would like to thank Jamie. A quiet man, yet a man possessive of so much that the “Spirit” of Christmas represents. Santa may be delivering presents to all tonight, but its Jamie and so many like him that deliver people safely every day of the year. He doesn’t seek the limelight. He has a family and he does what it takes to get the job done in an always cheerful and ultimately professional manner. He’s an unsung hero and someone who will stop and chat to you after 4 long sectors just to see you're ok.

Thank you Jamie. Where ever you are today, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year mate!