Chapter 4

So I loved the energy of working with a junior crew. Things are still exciting. There are still so many places to see, so many things to try. It’s a fun job that they know they were lucky to get, especially these days, so they try hard to get it right, and when we get where we’re going and the work’s behind us, they’re ready to party. To try new restaurants, to sight-see—it’s all new for many of them, and they’re up for whatever. And as long as World Wind is paying to interview, hire, and train them, how broke could we really be?

And so I offered my new flying partner a hearty handshake and a warm hello when we boarded the airplane. “Hiya,” I told him. “I’m Fox.”

“That’s a funny name for a redhead,” he cracked, then said with a completely straight face, “I’m Thumper.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Thumper,” he repeated.

“That’s a funny name for anybody,” I felt permitted to observe. “Is that your real name?”