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Sunday, March 14, 2010

Here's to you, Mr Hamer.

After months of procrastinating, the desired blog has finally been created. This is ashamedly 2 years in the making, and if it wasn't for an influential passenger I encountered on a flight on New Years Eve 2009/10 from London (LHR) to Dubai (DXB) it would probably have taken me another 2 years to get this this off the ground.

It was a dreary night to be working - another New Year's Eve spent without friends and family around me. London churned out its best London weather for the momentous evening with an oppressive gray sky that blanketed the city so closely you felt you were in bed under the covers even when you stepped outside. It doesn't help that the hotel The Airline puts us up in is in the middle of Heathrow, hardly an attractive face of London, so this Trolley Dolly stayed in, signed up for the overpriced in-room wifi Internet of 10pounds and skyped with the boyfriend who resides in Australia. I 'enjoyed' the 5pound buffet breakfast downstairs in the restaurant/cafe, and I am not ashamed to say that I had seconds of the pork sausages.

My mood was sour as I waited for the passengers to board the New Year's Eve flight. I was grumpy and tired, and very unimpressed that a girl in security made me throw out my MAC liquid foundation because I had forgotten to put it in a clear baggie. I was especially miffed because she was a girl, and damn-right knew how expensive makeup is to replace. Bitch.

However, 2 passengers came and sat in my area, in quite a jovial mood. The middle-aged men moved effortlessly in the cabin, stowed their items away in the hat racks with such ease that it was evident that not only had they frequented the skies, but most probably had done so together. They saw me watching them and English guy asserts me, 'We're not gay'. I smile for the first time that day.

I learn that the two men are a journalist and his Irish photographer partner-in-crime on their way to Kabul, Afghanistan for a two week trip. Fascinated, I rack their brains about their job, their lifestyle, and what this trolley dolly with aspirations in journalism can do to get into the industry.

'Blog' the journalist says. 'Newspapers are dying, and blogging is the easiest way to get your material out there. If a potential employer wants to see your work, it's easy for them to access not only your blog, but also your followers and their comments.'

I exchange a steady supply of gin and tonics (lemon and ice, please) for their anecdotes, advice and simply their company that night. I was so engrossed by the light-hearted pair that the flight literally flies by.

Journalist offers me his business card saying 'If you are really interested in getting into journalism, next time you're in London, give me a call and I can introduce you to some people. I, personally, don't know anything. I can introduce you to people who know more than me, and maybe show you around the office. Do you know where Canary Wharf is?' Now I know what you may all think this sounds like, but we aside from journalism, we also talked extensively about his wife and children and my boyfriend so this was in no way anything more than a kind gesture on his behalf.

Two weeks later, I come home from a flight and find the business card in my Moleskin notebook. Hmm, really must get in touch with that journalist, I think. I find him on facebook easily, but instead of finding his profile, a group created with his name and the letters 'RIP' pop up instead. I look closely at the photo, and after reading its information, I learn that the journalist and photographer were involved in a car bomb explosion in Kabul. The journalist died, and the photographer suffered extensive injuries, was in critical condition but alive.

Never did I expect that one of my passengers would be dead after two weeks of meeting him. To think that New Year's Eve flight was the last one he would ever take from London, that it would be the last time he would have seen his family before the flight is unfathomable. From the amount of posts on his wall, it was clear that he had touched so many people's lives through his kindness, generosity, and most importantly, his unyielding desire to do the right thing.

So, it is to Rupert Hamer I dedicate this blog to. I hope he knows that though it may just have been another flight for him, through his kindndess and generosity, he inspired this trolley dolly to finally organise her thoughts, and turn her thoughts into words.

For the purposes of this blog, I will remain anonymous as I want to leave my thoughts and observations uncensored as much as possible in order to give a wider and deeper perspective into this weird job, without compromising my position with the company. The airline I work for will be noted as The Airline, and where I live will simply be referred to as The Desert.

I hope you'll follow me along my last few journeys with The Airline as I see my time with the company ending soon.

Be safe,
Trolley Dolly

3 comments:

  1. Can't wait to read more! Have you posted a link on Rupert Hammer's facebook page? I bet his family and friends would be really touched to learn about your blog and how he inspired you.

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  2. I am so proud of you my miss. This is something I will look forward to reading every time there is a new entry. You are an amazing person and this will inspire many to do the same.

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  3. Your work article, blogs I mean over all contents is must read material.
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