Seatbelts are for Safety

Wild Encounter

My work campus is home to some beautiful natural areas, including serene wooded sections and even a creek that winds through the property. With such a scenic setting, it's no surprise that local wildlife occasionally makes an appearance.

The other day, I came across a turtle trying to cross one of the trails. It looked startled and froze up as I approached, so I gently picked it up and placed it safely in the bushes on the side it was headed toward. Hopefully, it continued on its journey without too much stress.

What really caught me off guard was its size—it was nearly a foot long and about seven inches wide. Definitely one of the largest turtles I've encountered here in Texas!

Community of Wings

Polly Gessell’s glass etching is truly remarkable. She transforms an ordinary medium into a breathtaking work of art, rich with depth and movement. I still remember the first time I saw this piece on display at what is now the Skyview 5 training facility on the American Airlines Robert L. Crandall Campus. I stood there for hours, captivated, trying to unravel the mystery of how she achieved such precision and fluidity. All I knew was that if I had attempted it, I would have shattered the glass instantly. Her ability to breathe life into something so fragile is nothing short of extraordinary. 

 

Vultures

These might not be the birds you’d hope to see outside your window on any given day, but they’re undeniably fascinating. I’m not entirely sure, but I believe one is a black vulture and the other a turkey vulture. They spent quite some time dancing around the roof before finally taking off into the sky.

 

Red and Blue

Red stands out vividly against the blue sky as an American Airlines plane descends toward DFW. This 300-foot-tall oil derrick, introduced to Six Flags Over Texas in 1969, isn’t just a landmark—it’s the only observation deck in Arlington, TX. From the top, you’d get breathtaking views of both Dallas and Fort Worth, along with the mesmerizing sight of planes landing and taking off from DFW. 

I’ve always dreamed of making it to the top, but somehow, it never seems to be open whenever I visit.

Soaring Spirits

The obelisk crowned with a kiwi has always captivated me. It stands proudly at the Skyview 5 Training Center, formerly known as Flagship University. This unique monument was placed by the Kiwi Club—a group of former and current flight attendants from American Airlines, its subsidiaries, and merged companies.

Over the years, I’ve come to admire the strong bond among flight attendants. They are a remarkably close-knit group, always looking out for one another and bringing an infectious sense of fun wherever they go. It seems fitting, in their playful spirit, that they chose a flightless bird to represent them—despite soaring through the skies like eagles themselves, always with a smile.

 

Dark Castle

Glowing in the dim light of the early morning, this office building looms with an eerie presence, evoking the ominous aura of Frankenstein's castle. Its towering silhouette and stark illumination create a haunting contrast against the darkness, as if hiding secrets within its walls.

 

Also linked to: Sunday Best. 

Firsts

Being the first to accomplish something takes courage, and I always appreciate when a company recognizes the moments they led the way—especially when their choices were once uncommon or even controversial for no good reason. Though not open to the public, the American Airlines Robert L. Crandall Campus features a sculpture honoring the many 'firsts' the company has achieved—a true point of pride for every AAer.

 

Wild Blue Yonder

Small against the vast expanse of the deep blue sky, Japan Airlines Flight 11 ascends from DFW Airport, bound for Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The sleek Airbus A350-1000 appears almost minuscule as it soars over the Robert L. Crandall Campus in Fort Worth. It never ceases to amaze me that we have the power to send people thousands of miles across the sky to distant destinations.

It reminds me of this moment from Cabin Pressure: 

Arthur: I'm just so excited about the trip!

Carolyn: Arthur, you've been on hundreds of trips. Hasn't the novelty worn off a little?

Arthur: No, never! It's just always exciting, that amazing moment when twelve tons of metal leaves the earth ... and no one knows why!

Carolyn: Yes, we do... There are four forces at work on the plane and as long as two of them are bigger than the other two, the plane flies.

Arthur: Mum, I don't mind that no one knows.

Fort Worth

Fort Worth, as seen from the iconic Coyote Drive-In, is a vision of understated grandeur. The sky, awash in a golden hue, casts its radiant glow upon the gleaming windows of the downtown twin skyscrapers, transforming the cityscape into a shimmering masterpiece. Though often overshadowed by its larger sibling, Dallas, Fort Worth stands as a proud testament to resilience and individuality. It is the smaller of the two cities that form the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, yet it possesses a charm and character all its own. 

Fort Worth is a city that refuses to be forgotten, a place where the spirit of the West meets modern sophistication. Its unique culture—rooted in cowboy heritage, vibrant arts, and a thriving culinary scene—sets it apart from its sister city just a county over. Here, the Stockyards echo with the footsteps of history, while the Cultural District boasts world-class museums and galleries. Fort Worth is not merely a shadow of Dallas; it is a beacon of authenticity, a city that offers its own rich tapestry of experiences, inviting all who visit to discover its distinct and enduring allure.

Memoriam

  When the events of the world grow too heavy to bear,
and fear grows deep inside.

Seek out kinds words to hear,

words to comfort and guide. 

In memory of those lost on American Airlines 5342 operated by PSA and the Army Black Hawk on 1/29/25. 

Skies in the World of Covid

A cargo flight takes off to parts unknown.  The sky is usually full of planes carrying people and goods all over the world.  In the new world we live in where COVID-19 is the reality; the skies are full of cargo more than people going to parts unknown.  We can only hope that soon the skies will be full of joy again.  

Making Tracks

Sometimes the tracks are clear and you know what you have to do… other times you have to make your own tracks and do what must be done.   The trick is to forge ahead with confidence….