There is nothing worse than hearing that a plane has gone down. Those few minutes clawing at any information you can get are gut-wrenching. Yet, somehow out on the Hudson river last week while floating along there were many people who managed to barely get wet. Call it what you will, a miracle, luck, act of God- at the end of the day we are all grateful that what was most probable to happen did not happen that day.
As I sit around the airports killing time and people watching, it is so nice to overhear conversations of thanks and gratefulness and respect- something we airline pilots have not experienced in quite some time. On one hand, it is really sad that it takes an accident like this one to earn some respect amongst the traveling public…on the other hand, I’ll take what I can get!
Today I am finishing up a four day trip and will hopefully make it back home tonight. Standing in my way? A winter storm in Boston, where I happen to be at the moment. Boston….love this town. The buildings, the history, and so much to do. Even the accent makes me smile. I love every chance I get to spend some time in this town.
At the moment, I am a dorky cliche’ sitting here watching the snow fall outside my hotel window with a cup of hot cocoa. Being a Californian, it is a treat to be able to experience the snow a couple of times per year. That is, until I am the one in my dorky pilot’s uniform (seriously, a suit? Can we please move on?) going outside in the ten degree or less weather to preflight the airplane. I trudge through the snow, sand, and sometimes de-icing fluid with the wind usually whipping at my face trying to pay attention to my duty at hand instead of trying to finish as fast as possible to get back to the relative comfort of my aluminum chariot. As I run back up the jetway stairs from my preflight adventure, I am reminded of why I don’t live back East and am appreciative of my mild California home. Once inside the chariot, I will proceed to make myself a cup of hot cocoa…obviously a big thing with me in the winter. Oh, and that would be on top of my coffee intake which of course, is a requirement to be able to do my job 
Wish me luck tonight!