Funny thing about my job. I rarely fly with people that I have flown with before. As soon as I meet them though, I am putting my life in their hands as they are putting theirs in mine. It’s a ‘I’ve got your back’ kind of job. Everyone has their strengths and to recognize them and use them is a good thing.

‘Can I do anything to help?’

‘No. That’s my job’.

Basically, stay in your lane.

Not what I’m used to hearing.

To crosscheck is to double check that you’ve done the thing that you’re supposed to do. We crosscheck ourselves and each other. And you want that…in this job you want someone to double check you. As much as I trust that your equipment is checked, another set of eyes making sure never, ever hurts. We’re supposed to lift each other up…support and help each other. The days are long, the overnights are often short, and distractions are many. So, please…crosscheck me and I’ll crosscheck you.

So…’No. That’s my job’…huh?

Yesterday, I started to try to find the good in this experience. What could I be grateful for in this feeling of being looked down on? I realized that it’s this…I do know my job. My job is to have your back while getting my shit done. We can, and do, have our differences, but none of that matters at work. At least it shouldn’t.

So why sit there and exude judgement? To show one face to one group of people and another to the other. You have your beliefs…and that’s great. Doesn’t make you right…or wrong. Just as mine don’t make me right or wrong. We have so much to learn from and teach each other…but when you stay only in your lane and not let anybody else in to help, you’re only hurting yourself.

Over the past few years, I have changed. Before, this attitude that I am encountering would have destroyed me. I would have shrunk away and added it to the definition of who I thought I was. Not anymore. If anything, it makes me louder…makes me be even more, well, me.

So, I will recognize and admire your strengths, your talents, and your work ethic. But, I won’t change who I am…I refuse to shrink. And I will always crosscheck…just as I hope you do too.