On the weekend I made a same day trip to Vancouver to attend the ceremony for the internment of my mothers ashes.

Although she was cremated some time ago, it took a while for us to make the arrangements to bury the ashes in the same plot as my Dad so they would be together.

Air Canada Pilot Shares

After we boarded the flight to Vancouver, we sat at the gate for about 20 minutes until the pilot came on the intercom and shared some information.

First of course, he welcomed us on board.  He then advised the visual inspection of the plane had identified a dent in the engine cowling.  The plane probably hit some birds when landing in Edmonton.

He was not sure how long it would take to resolve and he would update us when he had more info.

In the continued vein of open communication and sharing he also noted the back-up generator in the rear of the plane was on the fritz.  This meant he would start the left engine at the gate per normal but not the right engine until they were on the runway.

About ten minutes later he updated us , the dent was of a size that a safety report was required and the paperwork wpuld take another hour or so.  (He did not sound too impressed)

Nervous Traveller

At this point I suggested to my wife we should get off the plane, we were probably going to miss the internment anyway.  I was advised “You are a nervous traveller, relax all will be fine”

And 5 minutes later the pilot came on with good news saying the issues was resolved and we would be departing in 10 minutes or so.  And we did.

We made it to the internment on time and returned to Edmonton safely (by plane against my better judgement).

Not sure if there is a point to the story, but I found living it interesting.  Also some people may think worrying about a dented cowling and faulty generator is silly nervousness, but I am not one of them.