Thread: Sobering moment

I'd like to pass on a story that happened to me yesterday.

We were on the last leg of a nasty 2-day airline trip. My buddy and I were pushing the B737 hard on its return leg from Cozumel to DFW. Once deplaned, we'd have to go through customs and immigration. We were anxious to finish - the trip had been a bad one, we were both very tired.

As we approach DFW, we learn that American 71 Heavy, a B-767 from Europe, was also in the arrival pattern. "Oh no, if we don't arrive first, we'll be in line at customs behind a wide-body crew, and it'll take at least 45 minutes. We've got to beat him in." So we continue to push. We land and taxi in.

"Damn it, he's already at the gate. He's beat us in." Grumble, grump, whine.

As we taxi by him - "What's going on?" There is a squad of soldiers in formation on the ramp, and there were a few civilians present. They are unloading a casket from the belly of the 767. Suddenly, it hits us. One of our honored dead is coming home. All our petty concerns seemed trivial.

It's very easy to get distracted with everyday life. Sometimes, a good kick in the ass is necessary to remind us of what's important.