'BACK-SEAT BERNIE' ... (An update from our favourite cardholder...)
'(Hi y'all...') ... Yesterday marked the anniversary of my last flight before being grounded due to the events that have wreaked havoc around the globe. I have been one of the fortunate ones who has been able to keep working from home. My work brings me into daily virtual contact with colleagues from various parts of the world, so I have managed to maintain a degree of social contact. However, it made me think I should pause and spare a thought for those who have suffered so much and indeed continue to suffer and I wanted to let you and your amazing community know that despite the passing of time and the appearance that they may have been forgotten, in fact the polar opposite is true. I have been able to swap the face to face banter for emails and texts. The fun of sitting in my favourite back seat and having a laugh with the crew for swapping daft photos online. (Galley FM was never as juicy as some would make you believe....) And I've been privileged to have some serious conversations too in an attempt to raise the spirits of people whose lives have been changed immeasurably and irrevocably. I've also made new friends. Crew who I have never met have become what we used to call pen-pals through email and social media. So to all of you I say a heartfelt thank you for continuing to be a force for good in my life and a very special thank you to all those who have turned their hand to caring roles in the community such as Project Wingman or helping in the vaccine rollout. To those who still struggle I say keep going, hold your head high and be proud of what you have done in the past as you look for a brighter future. Let's hope that the promised relaxation of restrictions will happen and that we can enjoy a summer of sunshine and warmth. Who knows, it may even come close to the warmth of the reception I always received as I stepped on to a BA plane! With my very best wishes, Paul (aka 'Back Seat Bernie') ...'