How Time Flies!

I wrote this Blog a year ago, but I'm only getting around to posting it here now.

It may be a cliché, but time does fly. It does not feel like 23 years ago, on June 16th, 1997, the first date when I made the journey from Dun Laoghaire, to Dublin Airport by Bus, to begin a chapter of my life at Aerlingus, when I was handed a 3-month contract to sign. Accompanied by the Manager of the TAB and Gold Circle program, Colm Smyth, I was introduced to a group who were affectionately known as the Tabettes. The area was made up of about 15 women, and 3 blokes. Girl power was very much alive in the 1990’s. This group of people took me under their wing straight away, and showed me exactly where the canteen, or the Canner as it was called was. This, and the 41 bus to work, were 2 places where most of the friendly banter I enjoyed so much in my early days took place, and where I made many good friends.

The first person I was introduced too on arrival in the Canner, introduced himself to me as Rory. “I’m the man who takes your money” was his opening words. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you I thought, keep on his good side. I could be on to a winner here, and indeed I was. “Do you sell Fig Roll Biscuits in your fine diner”, I asked, when I got to know him a little better. “I don’t, but I’ll order them in for you” he said. Some say the Chief Executive is the most important person in Aerlingus, but for me, it was the man who ran the Canner. He knew everyone, and everyone knew him, he is the real Gaffer.

One of the things I will remember most about my time in Aerlingus, is the people I met, and the friends I made. From the Tabettes I mentioned earlier, the people I worked with in the Helpdesk, the people I worked with In QA and others I met about the place, lots of them always looked out for me. “here comes Brian and his crew” I heard someone say once. To them, I was always Brian, one of the lads, who was fond of a good night out, well able to give and take a slagging and enjoyed life. This is exactly how it should be.

In terms of work, I didn’t expect anyone to hand things to me on a plate. That’s not how the world works. I worked with Managers who believed in me, and gave me my chance to prove myself. Colm Smyth, who I mentioned earlier offered me my first job when he met me in Roches Stores, after hearing about me from a lady in HR who interviewed me. John Harford, offered me a job in the Helpdesk after I blinded him with science, about the technology I used. Seriously, John was very instrumental in moving his volumes of Helpdesk procedures from paper to an online format that I could used to access just like everyone who worked in this area. The Helpdesk, was a great area to work in. It was the place where I got to know and meet lots of people from all over the airline, as it was the first level of I.T support for all airline staff.

From the Helpdesk, I moved to QA, and into Accessibility testing. Technology was a big part of my life. It was my way of getting information, and made me a lot more independent. I could shop for things I wanted, book concert tickets and flights too. The big obstacle was, is the site I want to use accessible. There were often parts of it that weren’t, and stopped me in my tracks. One day I went to buy a Phone, only to find that the Buy Button was not accessible, so I had to call on a pair of eyes to assist me.

I was very glad to get the chance in my work, to play a part in the Accessibility of the Aerlingus website. I learned a lot and met some good people too. It is nice to know that lots of people know what JAWS is now, compared to when I joined Aerlingus in 1997.

On Friday, November 20th, I will leave Aerlingus, with good memories and a lot of experience. Thanks to everyone who has shared a laugh and a joke with me, wiped the Dog Poo off the wheels of my Wheelchair and looked out for me in my work. I had tuns of fun and learned lots.

I wish you all the very best of health and happiness.

Upwards and onwards.