Capt. Thomas Bishop (Mesa)
The Best Job in the World
Growing up in the 1960s, riding on an airline flight was a dream few kids got to experience. My dad traveled on Eastern Airlines every chance he could when on business trips, and I grew up idolizing Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, one of America’s greatest heroes. I didn’t get to fly until 1978, when I was in college heading to New York’s LaGuardia Airport on a nighttime flight. When the flight attendant checked on me and learned it was my first flight, I told her my only regret was that it was so dark I wouldn’t be able to see much outside.
I later heard the flight attendant returning from the cockpit and looked up. She was headed straight to me. She said, “Mr. Bishop, please follow me. Capt. Smith would like to have a word with you on the flight deck.” I wondered, “What did I do?”
She opened the flight deck door, and the captain introduced himself and the first officer. He then said, “Son, pull that jumpseat out and sit with us for a few minutes.” I was speechless for about 30 seconds. We talked about aircraft instruments, navigation, procedures, and aircraft specifics. I had the opportunity to watch these two confident professionals do their jobs and at the same time share a few moments with an interested young person. I felt so blessed. Before I left their office, I thanked them both and proclaimed, “You guys have the best job in the world.” The captain looked at the first officer, then at me, and smiled, saying, “Sshh, don’t tell anybody.”
Returning to my seat, I pondered quite a bit on his last statement, wondering what he meant. Did he mean, “Don’t tell anyone I let you up here” or was it, “Don’t let everybody know this is indeed the best job in the world”?
Those few moments I spent with them planted a “seed” within me. And, yes, being an airline pilot means you are blessed to have the best job in the world. Thank you captain. You and the legacy of Eastern Airlines will never be forgotten.