Vietnam Airlines captain tells story of celebrating Tet in the sky

As a pilot of Flight Crew 919 (Vietnam National Airlines - Vietnam Airlines ), Captain Vuong Van Tiep, having pursued the profession of flying "iron birds" for 20 years, has also celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year) many times with his colleagues... in the sky.

Getting used to celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) away from home.

Being a pilot always requires irregular hours. You must be quite used to celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) away from home, right?

Besides fulfilling its business objectives, Vietnam Airlines also carries out political tasks. Therefore, we are always prepared to perform our duties at any time.

Captain Vuong Van Tiep has been a pilot for 20 years.

Since starting this job, neither I nor my colleagues have ever been able to take the full duration of a state-mandated public holiday. During holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), we are assigned and scheduled for shifts and flights to ensure that each person can spend 2-3 days at home celebrating with their family. The job of serving passengers must always be ensured.

You're used to being away from home, but do you ever feel a pang of sadness when you can't be with your loved ones during the New Year?

If anything, it was probably only about 10 years ago. Now, my work is running smoothly. On the plane, we always have to focus on ensuring absolute safety, so there's not much time to be sad or homesick.

Luckily, my wife understands my work. She's a strong support system, always taking care of the household chores so I can focus on my work. Before Tet (Lunar New Year), I always make time to take the family out, or when we return home, we all go on spring outings together. Although we don't get to enjoy the entire Tet holiday, we still have time to be with our loved ones.

Perhaps he had to sacrifice many things in his personal life for his work?

Our work always has to be our priority. However, we've come to see it as a habit. Of course, everyone wants to enjoy holidays and vacations with family and loved ones. But we can't demand too much, because if everyone demanded it, who would do it?

This year, I have flight schedules for holidays like Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, Christmas, New Year's Day, and New Year's Eve. I'm feeling very relaxed right now. If I don't take a break now, I can take one later, it's fine.

Do you see anything special about celebrating Tet (Vietnamese New Year) in the sky?

At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, the flight crew will offer New Year's greetings to passengers. For us, the priority is always to do our job well and ensure a safe flight. Therefore, we don't organize many celebratory activities on the plane. Only at the end of the flight, at the airport, can we gather together to wish each other a Happy New Year.

I love the moment of taking off on New Year's Eve. From the cockpit, you get to see the fireworks light up below. It's a very unique and beautiful moment.

Vietnam Airlines pilots and flight attendants were delighted to receive lucky red envelopes at the beginning of the year.

Happy to be doing my job

What led you to become a pilot?

My older brother is also a pilot for Vietnam Airlines, so since I was little, I've had the opportunity to interact with the senior pilots in the industry. Seeing them in their pilot uniforms, looking so handsome and impressive, my dream of becoming a pilot gradually began to take shape. Later, I decided to study and became a trainee in Vietnam Airlines' pilot training course.

After 20 years in the profession, what does being a pilot mean to you?

I think this job is in my blood (laughs). My friends could do something else if they didn't do this job. But I think if I didn't do this, I don't know what else I would do. To this day, I'm still happy to be a pilot.

In the eyes of many, pilots always project a glamorous and polished image. But behind that "glamour" lie things that not everyone knows.

My colleagues and I often joke that "being a pilot shortens your lifespan." The nature of the job, which involves flying to many different countries, with time zone differences and pressure variations, greatly impacts the health of pilots.

I myself have had times when I left home at 8 PM, took off at 11 PM, and arrived in another country the next morning only to be jet-delayed. These things can disrupt a pilot's biological clock.

Furthermore, a characteristic of the aviation industry is that "a small mistake can have far-reaching consequences." This job demands seriousness, intense concentration, and the ability to withstand significant pressure. As professionals, my colleagues and I must always proactively identify and solve problems, utilizing our abilities to ensure all flight operations run smoothly and with absolute safety.

According to Tiep, the job of a pilot requires seriousness, high concentration, and the ability to withstand pressure.

So, is that a dangerous job?

Any job related to being a pilot carries risks. However, the civil aviation industry is currently very developed. Vietnam Airlines uses state -of-the-art aircraft with very high safety ratings.

The main risk factor probably comes from human error. It would be very dangerous if the pilot lacked good professional and technical skills.

After all these years as a pilot, what changes have you seen in the aviation industry and the piloting profession?

Twenty years has been a major leap forward in terms of human resource training, aircraft equipment and facilities, and airport infrastructure. Not only the global aviation industry, but also Vietnam's aviation sector has experienced strong growth thanks to its precision-oriented facilities, application of advanced technology, and faster problem-solving capabilities.

Aircraft systems are also safer and more accurate. Airport infrastructure is also improving, with precise systems down to the square meter. I think the aviation industry is now absolutely safe, except for risks that stem solely from human factors.

Thank you for sharing.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/co-truong-vietnam-airlines-ke-chuyen-don-tet-tren-troi-192250127211304364.htm