Mother’s day touching message from an American Airlines Captain-Thanks, Mom

“You’ve probably heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child.” That was certainly the case for me growing up. No doubt, if it weren’t for my family, I wouldn’t be flying today.

I got the work ethic necessary for the job from my father, Bernard, and my great-grandfather — who we called “Papa.” But as we celebrate Mother’s Day, I am especially reminded of the important role my mom, aunt and great-grandmother played in helping me become a captain at American Airlines.

To say I fell in love with flight at an early age is an understatement. Some of my earliest memories are of my great-grandmother, affectionately referred to as “Nanny,” taking me on the city bus in Washington, D.C., to what is now known as Reagan National Airport, where we ate lunch and watched planes take off and land. My mother, Adele, also fostered my sense of wonder for aviation. When I was seven, we went on a family vacation to Orlando. While boarding, I remember looking left and seeing all of the buttons and switches in the cockpit. I asked the pilot, “You know what every one of these switches does?” The captain responded, “Absolutely!” Right then, I knew I wanted to fly for an airline.

My mother sacrificed so much to allow me to pursue that dream, even stretching our finances to send me to the best private school in the city, while my great-grandmother was there to empower me along the way. My aunt, Wadelle, made it her priority to be the first family member on one of my early flights as a first officer with American. It was through the steadfast support of these women that a little kid from D.C. achieved his dream of flying for the world’s largest airline. And now, 20 years into my career, I work each day to honor them by ensuring that the people I work with, and you, our customers, know how important they are. I also take pride in supporting the next generation of aviators through the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals.

Although my mother and great-grandmother have passed away, I think about their sacrifices and unwavering support each day. Every time I put on my uniform, I’m still excited about what I get to do for a living, and appreciate the responsibility I have to ensure your safety on every flight. So during this special time, I offer my sincere gratitude to all mothers, as well as to others who have served in that important role. On behalf of American and my more than 100,000 colleagues, thanks for flying with us today, and Happy Mother’s Day.

Bernard “Jamie” Jameson
LAX-BASED CAPTAIN
Airbus A320

 

Credit: American Airlines