A retiring captain once remarked that the adult world is basically divided into two: Pilots, and those who wished they were!
Now, I don’t want to sound like the resident guy with the big ego and agree to that. But one thing I’m pretty much assured of, at least, is that our children ARE basically divided into two groups – those who came into the cockpit and those who wished they could! What I don’t get, however, is what’s the big fuss whenever a kid wants to take a peek into the cockpit?
I have flown thousands of kids since. But I can count with one hand the number of times they were actually allowed into the cockpit after making that humble request. And even that only after landing.
Since 9/11, everyone seems to have morphed into kera kena belacan (equivalent to “cat on a hot tin roof”, but I prefer the Malay expression!) the second a guest, any guest, requests entry into the cockpit.
A quick peek into the cockpit must now be “pre-approved” and even that, accompanied by a long litany of written approvals from just about everyone. Now, I can understand if a suspicious character brandishing religious slogans requests entry. But my Transformers’ T-shirted son or a little girl decked in Hello Kitty apparel? Hello? Nope, they were brushed aside before you could even say “cockpit!”
The classic excuse “safety procedure” was used and I must admit it’s getting to be a tad embarrassing, especially when I just had nasi lemak at a bumpy 39,000 feet in there but too scared to let a little boy or girl in just because they “might accidentally push some buttons”.
Guys, I don’t know about the rest of you but I think it’s high time airlines the world over became more child-friendly. No, I’m not talking about creches, diaper-change assistance from cabin crew or pilots learning how to juggle balls to amuse a child throwing a tantrum. It’s the simplest gestures that make a child’s day, i.e. that two-minute smile, nod and photo opportunity during a smooth, weather-free cruise. The brief chat and inspirational advice can come later.
Let’s face it, folks. We all fear children, especially when it’s easy to blame them in what feels like an uncomfortable MRI tube with wings. It’s always the little ones, isn’t it ... yes, that terrible army of tots who whined, screamed, squealed, screeched, wailed and worse, kept kicking at the back of your seat throughout your 14-hour flight to London?
But then again, how about the chap whose body odour was so bad you almost pulled the oxygen mask out? How about the over-friendly auntie who asked you embarrassing questions loudly throughout the flight? And how about Mr iPhone who kept texting during take-off? Or Ms Snob who refused to budge when you wanted to go to the loo? We easily accommodated them, right?
A travel writer once wrote that children and air travel shouldn’t mix since they supposedly tend to bring out the worst in both.
Maybe so. But then again, consider this: Since families take up a lot of seats in economy class and hence, fill our planes and pockets, how about cutting them a little slack?
As a pilot for the past five years, one of my chief pleasures IS to accommodate and inspire my child passengers – and believe you me, they have left a lasting impression on me as I hopefully have made on them.
So how about it, folks? Let’s give our kids a break-lah ....
This article reflects the personal opinion of the author and should not be misconstrued to reflect the policies and/or procedures of the Flight Operations Department of any Malaysian or foreign airline.
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
