Perhaps you always suspected. Maybe you've always known it to be true. Fact is, it IS true. The CEO is a big baby. Your baby. At least that is the mindset that should prevail in your flight department. Every time you place that CEO into the aircraft, the standard of care and the attention to details you give should leave you feeling completely at ease knowing your baby and other members of your company family will arrive safely.
But that's not the only baby you need to care for. Your aircraft is your baby as well. At least that is what some maintainers feel. Don't just keep her clean. Maker her shine. Show her off as the little apple of your eye. It doesn't matter so much her size or her title. What matters is that she is your responsibility. A reflection of your care.
In a fast paced world where people have many distractions, it is easy to become complacent. To perpetuate latch key kids. It's easier to let the safety of our passengers or the care of the plane be someone else's responsibility. It is easy to pacify ourselves with the thought that others are OK with mediocrity so we might as well join them. But mediocrity isn't becoming. It's not becoming to our industry nor to a flight department and it's certainly not attractive to our personal and professional reputations.
It's time we wake up and take back the responsibility that is rightfully ours. The next time we walk into the hanger and see the aircraft, let's whisper to ourselves "That's my baby". Then love on her. Polish her up. Check her over for any areas that need attention or care.
When the CEO and other passengers arrive, whisper VERY QUIETLY to yourself, "That's my baby" and then be sure that every risk is mitigated and every safety procedure is followed. As you look back at your precious cargo, remind yourself that they have put themselves in your care and that you are going to do whatever it takes to get them safely to their destination.
Taking care of babies is hard work. Sometimes we all forget just how important it can be. So let's not be neglectful. Let's take pride and joy in our position knowing that the care of passengers, cargo, and the aircraft reflect our professional and personal character.