“While the C-5 was turning over its engines, a female crewman gave the G.I.s on board the usual
information regarding seat belts, emergency exits, etc.Finally, she said, ‘Now sit back and enjoy your trip while your captain, Judith Campbell, and crew
take you safely to Afghanistan ‘An old MSgt. sitting in the eighth row thought to himself,
‘Did I hear her right? Is the captain a woman? ‘When the attendant came by he said ‘Did I understand you right? Is the captain a woman?’
‘Yes,’! said the attendant, ‘In fact, this entire crew is female.’ “
” ‘My God,’ he said, ‘I wish I had two double scotch and sodas. I don’t know what to think
with only women up there in the cockpit.’‘That’s another thing, Sergeant,’ said the crew member,
‘We No Longer Call It The Cockpit’‘It’s The Box Office.’ “
This is making its way around the world in email. I received it this morning from dear Ann.
It just goes to show that – for good and ill – the more the world changes, the more it stays the same. One would think a female crew would not be surprising these days. One would also think that the news would not elicit insecurities with regard to competence and safety.
Awesome young women! Hooray! Having said that, the young men are awesome too. Here they are going off to Afganistan to fight and risk their lives for us, for what they believe in. I honor that despite my pacifism.
May human equity grow and survive on all fronts.
May compassion rule.
May all sentient beings find peace.
This post is dedicated to May in honor of her own flight career.
