#captain crieff

I have tried not to post on this blog quite some time.

After it became clear that Douglas intended on exposing this site, I decided to change the location of my recordings. Instead of this Journaling style, I decided to format my thoughts into a logbook.  Much about being a Captain is concerned with keeping detailed logs regarding your crew, and the performance of your airline (along with flight times, the duties of crewmembers, etc). I have since been recording events as they unfold in a manual using my own shorthand. 

First, I discussed how a certain co-pilot had taken advantage of a lovely young woman whom had decided that I was not her type. I then continued on a day-to-day update of events. I’ll give a small sample of how my entries were constructed.

 FLIGHT-

New York, US (The flight start)

London, UK (Destination)

TYPE-

Lockheed McDonnel 3-12  (GERTI’s modle)

NAMES-

M.C., A.S., D.R. (Some of the codes

RESPONSIBILITIES  

D.R.-Insulting- Home, Work, Pay,  Family  A.S.-Unintentionally Agreed

 (The events that occurred, not actual responsibilities)

 Of course, I had kept this all separate from the official logs. It was just my own attempt at maintaining privacy whilst keeping a log of events. As the Captain, I rarely get the chance to consider my personal thoughts while flying the plane. Some crewmembers seem to believe that sharing and criticizing one’s personal life while one is maintaining flight is perfectly suitable for a business.

I had decided that this way of maintaining my thoughts was safer than updating here for a while. Douglas was less likely to read my logs than this blog. He finds my attention to detail not to his liking. I suppose my plan would have worked… had I not simultaneously updated both logs at once while waiting for a layover. I had been exhausted from… a series of other odd jobs that I have independently chosen to accomplish during my time off, and I will admit I may not have been thinking about secrecy at the time.

Once Douglas got his hands on the log, it was not very long until the entire crew was mad at me. Carolyn found the representation of her character ‘entirely inaccurate’, and has refused to speak to me in a civil manner since its discovery last Wednesday. Arthur was appalled by what he’d taken my interpretation of him was, and has decided to alternate between angry and tragic on flights. Surprisingly, the one person whom I believed to have suffered the worst treatment (through perspective) has begun to act more professionally.

Perhaps Douglas needed a reminder as to what exactly it means to be a pilot, and has decided to act in a manner more becoming of a co-pilot. Respect towards one’s Captain is essential to a proper crew, of course.

Then again, perhaps he’s attempting to find a way to get back at me.

This is just one reason I am taking up writing here again. Although, there is something I I do need assistance in, beyond the grasps of an unruly crew.

I have a family reunion coming up.

Now, to the untrained eye, this call for help may seem like an over-reaction. Family is supposed to be loving, warm, and accepting of most (if not, all) familial situations. They certainly should not fixate on the low points of someone’s life, and constantly remind them of their shortcomings. Siblings certainly should not remind their loved ones about what aspects of life they see them as lacking in.

 People will be bringing their significant others, spouses, family photos, accomplishments, and a great plethora of things they wish to brag about to this gathering. Of course, I’m not about to ask someone to go with me to this gathering as a date (although, if you are interested, please message me). However, I am requesting advice on how to handle questions regarding all aspects of life. Questions that should be considered are as followed

- “What is your five year plan?” (Mother) - “How’s the van?” (Anyone) - “If you do date someone soon, do bring them by to meet us.” (Anyone) - “What ever happened to that girl you were dating? The one whose nose you broke when you tried to kiss her…” (Elder sibling ~I was very young at the time, but they never let me forget that.)

If you have a response, please share it with me. I’ll be trying to keep updated with responses between my next few flights. I still have some time before the day. I hate family gatherings, and any advice is helpful.

Until then, I’ll sign off.

Your increasingly worried man,

okay so there was a lot of emotional things going on in the final episode(s) but the part that I can't stop thinking about is this scene:

MARTIN: Apparently the perfect Swiss Airways pilot is calm, resourceful and decisive. DOUGLAS: Well, I can see now why they picked you. MARTIN: Hmm. DOUGLAS: I’m sorry, Martin. I-I-I didn’t ... MARTIN: No-no-no, it’s-it’s okay, it’s okay. The same thing had crossed my mind. DOUGLAS: So you haven’t been in the sim yet? MARTIN: Oh yes, once! Ah, Douglas, oh it’s amazing! The new 737s, they’re just incredible. After GERTI it’s-it’s-it’s like driving a Rolls Royce after years of driving a ...

Transcript excerpt from here

this scene just kills me.  for the entirety of Cabin Pressure, Douglas has made fun of Martin relentlessly, and he's generally pretty unapologetic about his sarcasm.  getting an apology from him was like pulling teeth. 

and now?? he says something sarcastic about Martin's abilities, which all things considered, is probably not the worst thing he's told Martin either.   but that doesn't matter.  He immediately apologizes.  he doesn't hesitate and genuinely feels terrible for being thoughtless.  Douglas at the beginning of the series would probably never have said 'sorry' so willingly. 

Not only that, when there's that awkward pause, Douglas asks Martin more about his conversion coursework, and Martin just lights up about it.  Douglas knows how passionate Martin is about flying so he redirects the conversation because he doesn't want Martin to feel bad about himself.