A Bad 'Hair Day

The clock was ticking, the alarm didn't trigger, and I was dead to the earth. Then a sudden inner rush woke me up and as I open my eye I was shocked to learn that I overslept. Quick as cat, I rushed to the airport and I was around 15 minutes late. As expected, my phone rang just before I reach the airport and I told them I was about to reach. They then told me the captain was waiting for me. There wasn't much time for us, pilot and cabin crew, to linger around, and we all were rushing to ensure that we weren't late. The boarding process (passenger board the aircraft) ran unusually smooth, and we managed to depart on time, despite the fact that I was late.

The flight took off at 6.45am, heading towards the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, on a brand new day and brand new morning. Everything and everyone seemed alive in this lively morning especially for those holiday-makers who were travelling abroad. The crew, however, was the exact opposite of those holiday-makers, as this brand new day was kicked off with unexpected and unforeseen circumstances due to the fact that I, the second person in command of this aircraft after captain, was late for flight. Knowing that the company will take disciplinary action against me, I was terrified, and yet felt so helpless because it wasn't my intention to be late. Unaware, when the flight settled down at its cruising altitude, the first index finger was about to point on me. The phone inside the cockpit rang, it was the purser (chief cabin crew) on the line, she said she wanted to come in and talk to us.

"I just wanna know what's happening just now, what was the cause of the late arrival of both of you (me and captain) to the aircraft," said the purser in a challenging voice tone. "We weren't late! The schedule departure was 6.30am and we arrived the aircraft at 6.10am! I thought it's pretty usual to arrive at this time, that's what I do everyday. Moreover, we departed on time, so what's the big deal?" said the captain. For me, the captain was right because we normally reach aircraft 20-30 minutes before schedule departure time, probably slight 5 minutes late today, but it seemed ok, no big deal. The purser then added, "yeah, I know the flight departed on time, but didn't you know that before you reach the refuelling process (putting fuel to aircraft) was running and without either one of you in the aircraft, I couldn't initiate the boarding!" In an slight angry tone, the captain then reply "so you are blaming us for coming in late? I just don't understand, as far as I'm concerned, we departed on time and so it doesn't matter what time we come in to aircraft". The atmosphere started to get tensed and uptight! "Captain! I know the flight departed on time, but the thing is, I could have started the boarding earlier, and according to the regulation, boarding must be started at least 25 minutes before departure, which in this case, is 6.05am. Yes, I could start the boarding without your permission, but the problem is the aircraft was having refuelling earlier on which according to regulation, one of you (me or captain) must be present in the aircraft. And yet you people show up at 6.10am and so the boarding started late, although we managed to complete and depart on time. And now I'm hold responsible for my department, they'll enquire me as to why the boarding started late, despite we were on time. In my report, I need to jot down the timing and reason for the delay of boarding. Can you give me a strong reason why you were late?" The captain replied, "ok, you write whatever you want in your report, and I'd write what I want in mine". "Fine!" she replied.

The captain still couldn't understand what the purser want and stubbornly he told her that as long as the flight departed on time, everything is fine. Knowing that I was the troublemaker, I quickly admitted it was my fault that caused the late arrival. Surprisingly, the captain didn't see it as an issue. The captain then went to toilet and the purser was standing behind me, she asked" Why your captain like that one? Why he want to provoke me???" I answered, "Maybe he is new and he didn't know what you're asking for. But I know that I was at fault!". She kept quiet.

The remaining for the three hours flight was tensed and stressed out for every party involved. There were zero communication between cabin crew and pilot. Apparently, the purser was provoked, so as the captain. We landed at Hanoi safely, and as I stepped out from the cockpit to submit the document to the airport authority, the purser said to me "actually, what I want is just a valid reason as to why you guys were late, it could be any reason, and in the past, I have captain who showed up late also, and we discussed and we made up a story, to cover each other and to back each other up, instead of accusing each other." I soon realised her good intention and was pretty amazed. But she could have persuaded the captain, if she could be more gentle.

After the failure of first round discussion, the matter didn't just leave untouched, as we eventually are hold responsible for our respective department. The flight departed from cold and misty Hanoi in early winter morning, resembling each of our heart's feeling. Before long, the second round of discussion took place. The purser seemed to be more polite this time. "Captain, if I've done anything wrong, being rude or straightforward, I apologize, and I still respect you as the commander of this flight. We're working as a team, and we try our best to cover each other. I know Wong (me) was late, I could have just blamed him if I want to. But it will harm his future, and I just want you to give me any reason to cover up this matter". Captained then added, "I don't want to blame Wong either". What an impressive remark! She then took out her report and explained everything to him. In the end, we all agreed to put the blame on immigration clearance at KL due to the fact that it's congested and only one personnel jaga the counter.

I knew we all were lying, but neither party wanted to be blamed, and I did admit my mistake. But they were helpful enough to save my ass, to cover me up, in order not to ruin my impression and future. Kudos to the captain and purser! Even though the purser has got some attitude problem, at least she has a heart of flesh. She could have just stabbed me at the back, like what she said.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God...(Roman 8:28). Recently, I came across this shoutout from my friend, which says "never a failure, always a lesson". I know that God wanted me to learn few lessons in today's event.

SELF DISCIPLINE: I've always had the bad habit of showing up late, in every occasion. Today I learnt a painful lesson of punctuality.

TEAM WORK: After all, it isn't about who is more superior, it's about the safety of the flight, the atmosphere of working environment, and the spirit of helping one another, to cover and back each other up. Mutual understanding is also important.

NORMALITY IS MIRACLE: Have you ever asked yourself why your life seem boring and uneventful? You admire your friend who has a lot of things to do and handle, so many activities, and they have lots friend, while you're sitting at the corner doing nothing, living a normal life, no friend, no event, and feeling pity for yourself. You feel like everyday is the same, going to work or school, not much changes and you want something interesting. In fact, if you have this sort of thinking, you may be wrong. There are a lot of people longing for a normal life, but they just cannot, you know what I mean. People used to tell me that everyday, as long as you are breathing, it's a miracle from God. I wasn't convinced. But now I know why everyday is a miracle, the moment you go to bed you are expecting a better tomorrow, but you will never know what will happen the next minute. You may be sicked the next morning, overslept, or you'll never get up forever. I couldn't believe I overslept, and yet, it happened.

Friends, I hope that you have learnt something today. Give thanks in all circumstances, because every breath you breathe, every step you take, and every minute you spend isn't an accident, it's God who enables you, and watching over you.