I was mean to a little old lady

[CA1900]

I'm usually very patient and nice to people when they come up and ask me questions while I'm in uniform. After all, I'm seen as someone who should, at least theoretically, be able to help them in an airport. So I try, as best I can. But the following happened off-duty, before work...

I finally lost it in the hotel the other day. I woke up later than I wanted -- I had about half an hour to shower, get dressed, pack, get downstairs, and hopefully have a little time for a quick breakfast in the hotel. I rushed, and got downstairs with 7 minutes until van time. Just enough -- or so I thought.

As soon as I get downstairs, I run into my FO and two little old ladies at the table next to ours. I politely said "good morning" as I headed to the cereal dispenser, and the questions started.

"Where are you going?" "Where'd you fly in from?" "Oh, that's a nice place; our bus will be going through there today." "Who do you work for?"

I made small talk as I made my cereal and poured a cup of coffee to go. Then I sat down and took a bite. About 5 minutes until van time. Bite #2, one chew, and the questions continue.

"So, do you fly the big planes?" I shake my head no and keep chewing.

"Is it one of those puddle jumpers?"

"So, what kind of plane do you fly?"

I can't take it anymore. I finish chewing my bite as she stares at me, waiting patiently for my reply. "Ma'am, I'm not trying to be rude, but I have exactly 4 minutes before I need to be on my way to work. I got four hours of sleep, a long day ahead, and this is the only food I'm going to get to sustain me for about 6 more hours. I just don't have time to talk right now."

Eyes go wide. "What, so you don't want me to talk to you, then?"

"Uhhhh... no. Sorry."

The more I thought about it, the madder I got. First I was mad at her for interrupting me, repeatedly, when I was very clearly trying to eat.

Then I felt bad for snapping at a little old lady.

Then I got mad at myself for feeling bad, when she was the one who couldn't take a hint!

I'm going to start putting my shoulder boards and ID on in the van. Sheesh.

 

[100LL... Again!]

Don't feel too bad. Although they probably need a little interaction, you really have no choice. Old folks can be a little trying at times.

I never tell anyone I'm a pilot. I HATE the ensuing 30 minutes of questions.

And it's always the same d-mn questions every time.

"What route do you fly?"

"Do you want to be a commercial pilot someday?"

 

[chperplt]

What route do you fly... Must be in a 20 questions to ask a pilot book.

 

[shamrock]

You've worked at ***censored*** for what, 7, 8 years? I'm surprised you're just now losing it.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

"I got robbed by a sweet old lady on a motorized cart, and I didn't even see it coming!"

 

[atrdriver]

I'll never forget, I was filling up my plate with crab legs at one of the now grounded floating casinos when a little old lady ran into me with one of those silly go carts. Then ran over my foot, all trying to bump me out of the way to get to the crab legs. I really wanted to lift the front wheel off the ground. From then on whenever I saw an old lady coming for food I just ran...

 

[Fly_Chick]

Poor little lady, she was probably so taken aback that she was 'sharing' breakfast with a pilot. Just remember to smile when you tell them you are too rushed to spend more time. You handled the situation diplomatically.

 

[pilotmiketx]

Should have told her you were still drunk from the night before. At least she didn't drop her dentures in you milk.

 

[rvsm410]

You should have pretended to be deaf, and used sign language....then aht kind of face do you think she would have had??? Ha! Now that would have been funny....Dont be to tough on you're self....

 

[Av8rPHX]

Like someone posted on a thread quite some time ago... just tell them you are in the high speed aluminum tubing industry.. but then again, that may incite more questions than "what route do you fly" or "when do you get to fly the real planes"