Do you love your job?

I sent this link to my son, knowing he would enjoy it:

Cactus Flight 1549 Accident Reconstruction (US Airways)

“The NTSB released the public docket for Flight 1549 on June 9, 2009. The docket contains a wealth of information that can be utilized in a full 3D reconstruction of the accident. Our work goes deep into the underlying framework of information and encompasses the entire spectrum of accident information. Integrating all spatial and temporal data allows us to approach this accident from a never-before-seen perspective. The ability to flexibly combine data, camera views and other visual elements is a key advantage in presenting an engaging real-time presentation of the accident sequence.”

He wrote back, “I love that during take-off he says, ‘What a view of the Hudson.'” and I replied, “That’s a man who loves his job.”

When you love your job and you’re confident in your abilities, you are mindful of the not just the routine tasks – pulling up the landing gear – but also the side benefits – the beautiful view of the Hudson River. And those side benefits can make you better at your job, too.

Air traffic controllers thought “airports” for landing. Capt. Sullenberger didn’t even try – he had immediately ascertained he wouldn’t make it to an airport and stopped thinking about it, while the towers kept scouring around for a runway. Instead, he started preparing for the difficult landing coming up. If he hadn’t admired the river earlier, would he have been so quick to identify it as a better bet than trying to reach a runway?

We all know about the landing gear parts of our jobs. But, what are the beautiful views in your job? And do you share them with your co-pilot(s), too?