Unburdening

Since I have seen both side of this coin, I do feel for the mechanics. This happened to me plenty of times in my younger years. The pilot landed and walked away while I was there all night fixing the helicopter. And now, almost exclusively working as a pilot, I try not to be “that guy” for that exact reason. Yet there are times, after flying a noisy helicopter all day, looking into the sun, on a busy fire with many aircraft to watch out for, and no air-condition in the aircraft, when you just have to walk away at the end of the day because you would probably do more damage than good if you stuck around trying to swing tools. Also, and this might be an age thing or the fact I have a far better and prettier half, I don’t go chasing girls after a day like that anymore but rather seek a cold beer and then a clean bed pretty much right away.

There is one thing I have always thought is funny about aviation seminars. It’s the difference between mechanic seminars and pilot seminars. I have been to both. On a mechanic seminar, when it was said that it starts at 8 am, it almost always started right at 8 am with everybody sitting down, pencil in hand. On pilot seminars, … not so much. At 8 am they would still be trickling in, find other pilots they know, catch up on the latest rumors, grab another cup of coffee, stand around chatting, until around 8:20 the speaker would try to get everybody to shut up and sit down so we can get started with the meeting 😉