Aviation for Women

MAR-APR 2016

Aviation for Women is the flagship member publication of Women in Aviation International. Articles feature women who have made aviation history, professional development ideas, and current-topic articles.

Issue link: https://afwdigital.epubxp.com/i/638688

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 85 of 92

W H E N W O M E N H A D N O B U S I N E S S F LY I N G , S H E M A D E FLY I N G H ER B U S I N ES S . NBAA enables business aviation, helping you trail blaze your way to new frontiers. Join us at nbaa.org/join. D E D I C A T E D T O H E L P I N G B U S I N E S S A C H I E V E I T S H I G H E S T G O A L S . ly canceled. If you are unfortunate enough to have only one or two options a day, you have my sympathies. Although there is little enough (besides moving) that will alleviate the problem, there are some things you can do to at least dial the stress down a little. Have an interesting traveling hobby. Nothing has gotten me stranger looks than when I am sitting quietly in uniform at a gate area doing needlepoint. Counted cross-stitch actu- ally, and there is something very enjoyable about making eye contact with and smiling at someone who is unsure what to make of you. If that is not your style, perhaps furthering your educa- tion may be. Taking up a course of study at least keeps you from feeling like the time you spend either on a plane (and not working) or at a terminal gate has not been wasted. And of course, when all else fails there is traveling in plain clothes. It may not cure the fact that you take days out of your life—or even your month—to back and forth to work, but it will relieve the feeling that you are doing volunteer public relations work during your off time. Whether you are stressed out by your commute or take it in stride, the outcome is pretty much the same. Either all of the legwork you did to get from A to B will have a successful out- come, or it won't. You can obsessively check the loads and lists yourself on 14 different fights, or pick just one and stick with it. Most of the time it will all work out. Every now and then though we are not so lucky and have to make the dreaded call to scheduling. It won't really help to stress out thinking that today might be one of those less lucky days. One of my all-time favorite books is the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, partially because it has the words "Don't Panic" written in large, friendly letters on the cover. As an aviation hitchhiker myself, I fnd these words to be a gentle balm on the frazzled chaos that is airline commuting. In the tense and wary moments that often precede a commuting fight, I gener- ally need to be reminded that the world will not end if I don't get on the plane. Hey—stuff happens, right? Right. Let me just check those fight loads one more time. ✈ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Devan A. Norris, WAI 13890, is an avid observer of people, and has had many wonderful opportunities to both watch and inter- act with them in her current roles: as a captain on the EMB145, and as an apprentice air show air boss. For the last six years I have commuted to work using a variety of methods: airplanes, of course, as well as cars, trains, and on one memorable occasion even an infatable boat. Anything but ordinary. Extraordinary opportunities on a global scale. Dream big and make a diference helping families Save Money so they can Live Better.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Aviation for Women - MAR-APR 2016