A few months ago I joined Facebook. Initially, I did it only because I wanted to see more secrets every Sunday at PostSecret. Soon, it became obvious that this application was very useful for my recruiting career. My interest was further piqued when I was "friended" by one of my cousins in South Carolina (Hey, Georgeanne!) and started adding other cousins and pals from high school to my friendbank. A little Googling unearthed my cousin Jim, a pilot in Florida, and he and I started to correspond every few days. I laughed when I got his first email with the greeting "Hey Amos!", I had completely forgotten that he and his sister called me that back in the day. Jim is a private pilot for the owner of the Miami Dolphins, a far cry from the kid I grew up with in small town Ohio. Click here for a thirty year old photo of me and my cousin.
Fast forward a month. Jim and I were IM-ing on this past Friday night when he suggested I give him my phone number. Too much was lost in translation, let's just talk the old fashioned way. We chatted on the phone for an hour, and I suggested that surely he must fly into Minneapolis from time to time. He told me to hold on for a second, he'd check his flight schedule. Surprise! He was scheduled for a trip to Minneapolis on Monday for an overnight stay! I told him we lived only ten minutes from the airport and would love to see him.
Late last night, I drove to a private airfield, and found my cousin taller, balder, but still the same old Jimmy. I got the private tour of the plane, much to my surprise, and regretted not herding the family into the truck to see how the other half lives. I brought Jim back to the house and we gave him a tour of Steve's office and shop and just chatted about what we'd been doing for the last twenty years.
In spite of the fact that I was having minor surgery this morning and pressed for time, the twins wanted to see that plane. I asked Jim if it was okay with his boss if we took a little tour of the aircraft. He was happy to accommodate. It was a beautiful morning on the airstrip and the twins whipped out their cell phones as soon as the plane was in sight.
Jim popped open the stairs and the tour began. Oh, and the hams came out.
Now THAT's a field trip!
Jim's knowledge of the plane and his ability rattle off statistics was amazing to my 12 year old twins as well as their mom. I couldn't believe this was the same kid who swapped Star Wars trading cards with me in our youth. I'm always impressed at the knowledge of math and physics required of pilots and I know Jim could have entertained the kids for hours.
Thanks again, Cousin! Hope you'll be able to stop in again soon!
