As a pilot of Flight Crew 919 (Vietnam Airlines), after 20 years of pursuing the job of flying the "iron bird", Captain Vuong Van Tiep has also celebrated Tet many times with his colleagues in the sky.
Get used to Tet away from home
Being a pilot requires irregular hours. Are you used to spending Tet away from home?
In addition to carrying out production and business tasks, Vietnam Airlines also carries out political tasks. Therefore, we are always ready to carry out tasks at any time.
Captain Vuong Van Tiep has 20 years of experience as a pilot.
Since I started working, my colleagues and I have never had a full holiday break according to the State's schedule. During holidays and Tet, we are assigned and arranged to work and fly to ensure that each person can have 2-3 days at home to celebrate Tet with their family. Passenger service work must always be guaranteed.
Get used to being away from home, but do you ever feel sad because you can't be with your loved ones during New Year's moments?
If there was, it was probably only about 10 years ago. But now, my work is in full swing. On the plane, we always have to concentrate to ensure absolute safety, so there is not much time to be sad or homesick.
Luckily, my wife understands my work. She is a solid support system, always taking care of the housework so that my husband can work with peace of mind. Before Tet, I always arrange my time to take my family out, or when I come back, I also go on a spring outing with the whole family. Although we cannot enjoy the whole Tet holiday, in reality, we still have time to be with our loved ones.
Perhaps, you have had to sacrifice many things in your personal life for work?
Our job is to always prioritize work. However, I consider it a habit. Of course, everyone wants a complete vacation with family and loved ones. But we cannot ask for too much, because if everyone asks, who will do the work?
This year, I have flights scheduled for holidays like Hung King's death anniversary, Christmas, New Year's Eve and the upcoming New Year. My current mood is very comfortable. If I don't take a break now, I'll take a break later, it's okay.
Do you see what is special about Tet in the sky?
At the moment of New Year's Eve, the flight crew will wish the passengers a happy new year. For us, no matter what, we always have to do our job well and ensure the flight is safe. Therefore, there are not many celebratory activities on the plane. Only at the end of the flight, at the airport, can we gather together to celebrate the new year.
I love the moment when I take off on New Year's Eve. In the cockpit, I can see the fireworks light up below. It's a very strange and beautiful moment.
Vietnam Airlines pilots and flight attendants were happy to receive lucky red envelopes at the beginning of the year.
Happy to be working
What brought you to the pilot profession?
My brother is also a pilot for Vietnam Airlines, so since I was young, I had the opportunity to meet my brothers and uncles in the industry. Seeing them wearing beautiful and impressive pilot uniforms, from then on, my dream of becoming a pilot gradually grew. Later, I was determined to study and become a student of Vietnam Airlines' pilot training course.
20 years in the profession, what does being a pilot mean to you?
I think this job is in my blood (laughs). For my friends, if they don't do this job, they can do another job. As for me, if I don't do this job, I don't know what else I will do. Until now, I'm still happy to be a pilot.
In fact, in the eyes of many people, the image of pilots is always very shiny and sparkling. But behind that "halo" are things that not everyone knows.
My brothers and I often joke that "pilot is a profession that shortens life expectancy". The nature of the job requires flying to many different countries, time zone differences, and pressure differences that greatly affect the health of pilots.
I myself sometimes leave home at 8pm, take off at 11pm overnight, and arrive in another country the next morning with a time zone difference. These things often upset the biological clock of pilots.
Furthermore, the aviation industry is characterized by "one inch of error can lead to many miles of error". This job requires seriousness, high concentration and a lot of pressure. As professionals, my colleagues and I always have to grasp the problem to solve it, promote our own abilities to ensure all flight operations run smoothly and are absolutely safe.
According to Mr. Tiep, being a pilot requires seriousness, high concentration and the ability to withstand pressure.
So, is it a dangerous job?
Any job related to the pilot profession has risks. However, the civil aviation industry is currently very developed. Vietnam Airlines has used the world's most advanced aircraft, with a very high safety index.
The danger factor probably comes mainly from humans. It would be very dangerous if the pilot did not have good technical expertise.
After so many years working as a pilot, how do you see the aviation industry and the pilot profession changing?
20 years is a big step forward from human training, aircraft equipment and facilities, and airport cluster infrastructure. Not only the world aviation industry, but also Vietnam's aviation industry has developed strongly with precise access facilities, advanced technology applications, and faster problem and situation resolution.
The aircraft system is also safer, the warnings are more accurate. The airport infrastructure is also getting better, the whole system is accurate to every square meter. I think, the aviation industry is now absolutely safe, except for risks that are only from human factors.
Thanks for sharing.
Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/co-truong-vietnam-airlines-ke-chuyen-don-tet-tren-troi-192250127211304364.htm
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