Be Generous
http://www.sleepinginairports.net/
Airports intrigue and fascinate me – they have ever since my pre-teens. Our family home was within easy cycling distance of an active regional airport. Several aeronautical companies were based there and generated a fair amount of flight activity.
Photographing the mega-Brabazon aircraft as it lumbered into the sky with my camera precariously perched at the end of the runway was the height of excitement as you can imagine. The "mighty bird" nosily soared directly over our young heads.
Later, when at College, I spent holidays working for one of the aircraft companies at the same airport. Lunchtimes were eagerly awaited, as we explored the aircraft in the hangers. Although my assignment was in the finance department and fairly routine i.e calculating the costs of all the spare parts used in overhauls of oil magnates' aircraft - the anticipation of being able to actually view the various planes close up was a definite plus.
The same company began to import Cessna light aircraft, which would arrive in crates and then be assembled for testing and sale. These experiences instilled a deep appreciation of the aeronautical world. While at school I also had the privilege of being in the Air Cadets and even learned to fly a light aircraft – a twin-engine Provost. Little did I know that I would be flying international for some 35 years.
Significant waiting is inevitably part of such extended international flying. At least, that is what I've discovered during such intensive travel. While waiting for connecting flights, I've developed a habit of making friends with the Public Relations personnel at airports and spending some time sharing ideas with them.
Some of you will understand the potential such interludes of positive input from the travelling public. They can be most welcome as such officials often move rapidly from one difficult customer challenge to another….. On one occasion, the PR person and I spent an hour or so over coffee. Amazingly, he took some three pages of notes. His airport was well organised, in fact one of my favourites – if not the best I have encountered.
A few months later, I was seeking to assist with a travel complication. This involved one of our staff transiting through my PR friend's airport from New Zealand to South Africa. Of course, I phoned him to see if he might be able to assist. After cultural pleasantries, the response was immediate and decisive: "David, your colleague, as of this moment, is confirmed on her onward flight. I will personally meet her at the exit bridge of her incoming flight and escort her to the connecting flight". As he spoke, I thought yes and you will no doubt invite to some refreshment and even upgrade her. Networking, generosity, friendliness and partnership had all combined to enhance the travel of a staff member and enrich an airport community.
I met up again unexpectedly with this staff member after 10 years and she confirmed that everything had worked out well. She was delighted to be able to say "Thank You" in person and I was pleased to hear that one's networking is effective.
Generosity is a quality virtue and much appreciated in the area of sharing ideas and networking.
[Photo: courtesy Wikipedia: airports]
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