When I was 5 Mom and Dad sat us kids down for a family meeting. Dad told us that we would be getting up to go in the car EARLY the next morning. We can't complain, and we can't ask questions. The next morning we got up early, didn't complain, and I didn't ask questions (I can't speak for the others, but I was still probably half asleep). I remember going to the airport and sitting in the terminal by one of the gates. Mind you this was back when any and everyone could go in to the airport. My bro came up to me asking if I knew what we were doing there. "Picking up Grandma?" No. "Picking up Aunt Bobbie?" No. (Both of which we did often.) Apparently my brothers figured out Mom and Dad's plan. We were going to DISNEYLAND!! ON AN AIRPLANE!! It was amazing! I still remember take-off. My stomach sank. It was just like a rollercoaster! I guess I couldn't contain my excitement when I blurted out "WEEEEE!!" at the top of my lungs. I do remember thinking it was silly that no body else thought it was so much fun. Anyway, after that we would fly places; here and there, not too often but often enough. I loved flying.
Living where they do, Mom and Dad's house isn't too far from a small airport and their house is right under the flight path for the commercial airplanes. So we would see airplanes in the sky a lot. It always amazed me.
I've joked around about learning how to fly and having my own private plane so I could fly myself to Disneyland whenever I wanted. I've had a couple neighbors who are/were flight attendants, my brother has a friend that is a pilot, back in college I worked with a couple guys that were in flight school and at work we always had to make the new pilot classes their student ID's. There is just something about flying that I love.
About 10 years ago I got word that a local regional airline was hiring. I decided to show up for the group interview. I got there and quickly realized my chances were slim to none. There had to have been at least 150-200 applicants and we only had 1 minute to sell ourselves to be invited back for a one-on-one interview. I didn't make it past the group interview and didn't think much of it.
I'm one that strongly believes that God has a hand in all we do. I believe that he puts people in our path at the times we need them most. He gives us our free agency, and we have to deal with the consequences (good or bad) of our choices, but He will never leave us alone. Sometimes we just have to not be so stubborn and listen or see what he has in store.
I've was asked to serve in a calling at church that I've absolutely been loving! The biggest perk is that I get to serve with some incredible people. One of those is a flight attendant for the company I'd previously interviewed with. In passing I'd mentioned my past experience and that it's still something I'd love to do.
Things were going great. Our Sport Clips store is doing well. I started working at the cosmetology school for something else to occupy my time and was actually just offered a teaching position. I was in training and was loving it. (Paul Mitchell Schools are wonderful! The culture and family at the school in Provo is unmatched). I loved what I was doing, and the ones I got to work with. Things were good.
Saturday night I get a text from my fellow church friend letting me know that this particular airline was hiring and they were having a hiring event on Monday. I called my former co-worker (one of the ones that was in flight school when we worked together), who is now a pilot for said airline, and asked him what I should do. I talked to my church friend. The anticipation and questions started to roll in.
Should I go?
Should I not go?
What about the school?
What about the students? I love teaching!
How would this work with the store?
But I've always wanted to do this.
Dad always says "Don't say no till you know what you are saying 'No' to."
What will it hurt if I just go?
If I don't go, I'll never know.
So I went. This time there was only about 75 people in the room. Still A LOT! I don't remember what I said, or why they picked me, but I was able to participate in the one-on-one interview. A few weeks later, on my birthday, I heard back.
I was offered the job!
AWESOME! Now do I really accept the job? All those previous questions, and many more started to flow. I literally made myself sick! I just couldn't decide what would be best, not only for me, but for so many around me. I had so many other responsibilities, people that were depending one me, other obligations. I really didn't know what to do.
Through the power of prayer, the priesthood, and a whole lot of faith, I decided to jump in head first! I started training the middle of February and haven't even had a chance to look back. I miss my PMTS Provo friends (both those I worked with and those I was able to teach). It's been an adjustment with the store. The lifestyle. . .is a HUGE adjustment! But I LOVE it! It's surreal.
I've only been flying for about 2 months, but I've been quite a few places, seen some amazing things, and I've been able to work with some incredible people!
Looking back I'm kinda glad I didn't get the job back when I first interviewed. I've learned a lot the last 10 years. Hopefully I'm better at my job now than I would've been then because of the things I've learned.
SIDENOTE: As I've been posting pictures to Instagram and Facebook, I've been tagging my posts with #lifeinflightnorm - it really might not be the norm for flying, but sometimes it is. :) Either which way, it's usually a great perk of the job! And I cherish my family history. Having been called Norman for a big part of my life by friends, throughout sports, and in college; I realize now how much the name really means to me. I've learned a lot from my family (both sides!!) and I know I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for the rich family legacy. Not only that but I couldn't come up with anything 'catchier' for a tagline.
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