As the new year approaches it’s time to evaluate accomplishments from the past year and set goals for the next. While I succeed each year with many of my Xbox-related achievements, I think 2013 will be more about work and what I bring to the cockpit.
Across the aviation industry, morale is low and tempers are quick to flare. In order to ease relationships between us, the flight crews, and our liaisons in the company, dispatchers, I resolve to do what I can to ease the tension.
One of my 2013 New years resolutions is going to be to send all ACARS messages from the cockpit to dispatch as a haiku.
Weather has gone down
Fuel burning onto reserves
Round and round we hold
Before social media, hidden panels in the cockpit were our Twitter. Still, those panels are a private place where people anonymously gossip about coworkers and spread rumors.
In 2013, I Intended to erase all the graffiti on the flight deck and replace the negative passages was positive messages.
Something like, ”There is a pretty good chance a kid is back in the cabin who thinks you are awesome.”
Another resolution. I know what you’re saying, “Three! Don’t set the bar too high.”
Although the manual is pretty specific on verbiage during checklists it leaves a little flexibility on other cockpit chatter. During those areas of flight, I’m going to replace those calls with movie quotes. In 2013, rather than asking my first officers to ”start engine one” I’m gonna ask them to ”Roll on one” Green Mile style.
And when I brief the crew before a trip as to what to expect over the next few days I’m gonna summon my best William Wallace, “Now tell me, what does that mean to be noble? Your title gives you claim to the throne of our country, but men don’t follow titles, they follow courage. Now our people know you. Noble, and common, they respect you. And if you would just lead them to freedom, they’d follow you. And so would I”
May not be the most productive 2013 but I hope to at least keep myself entertained.