Allowing Time and Success to Intersect
Over the years, I've taken several flights with Qantas Airlines, Australia's national airline. Let me share some information about Qantas Airlines and Australian culture that you might find interesting. After each flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form called a "gripe sheet" that reports any issues with the aircraft to mechanics. The mechanics fix the problems, log the repairs on the form, and then the pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.
Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas pilots, along with the solutions recorded by the maintenance engineers. Qantas is the only major airline that has never had a major accident in the jet era of flying. Never let it be said that Aussie ground crews lack a cheeky sense of humor.
Pilot: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement. Maintenance: Almost replaced the left inside main tire. Pilot: Test flight was okay, except the auto-land was very rough. Maintenance: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft. Pilot: Something loose in the cockpit. Maintenance: Something tightened in the cockpit. Pilot: Dead bugs on windshield. Maintenance: Live bugs on backorder.
Pilot: Evidence of a leak on the right main landing gear. Maintenance: Evidence removed. Pilot: DME volume unbelievably loud. Maintenance: DME volume set to a more believable level. Pilot: Suspected crack on windshield. Maintenance: Suspect you’re right. Pilot: Number three engine missing. Maintenance: The Engine was found on the right wing after a brief search.
Pilot: The Aircraft handles funny. Maintenance: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious. Pilot: Target radar hums. Maintenance: Reprogrammed the target radar with lyrics. Pilot: Mouse in cockpit. Maintenance: Cat installed. Pilot: Noise coming from under the instrument panel sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer. Maintenance: Took the hammer away from the midget.
If you’re a seasoned air traveler, chances are you've had numerous gripes about airlines and flying. However, there are many life lessons to be learned from the inconveniences and holding patterns of flying. Like flying, sometimes life puts us in holding patterns. Holding patterns, though frustrating, are meant to allow timing and success to intersect. The primary objective is to have a successful, completed journey. That’s called making the main thing, the main thing. The secondary objective is to be on time. Putting the second objective first can kill you. That’s a hard lesson to learn in our self-gratification-obsessed culture that majors in the XYZs rather than the ABCs. Seize the day, then, let it go.
Here are some truths that I have learned, which have allowed me to remain reasonably patient (although I still experience occasional flashes of frustration) when stuck in a holding pattern. I call this Getting a Grip on Your Gripes.
First, understand the reality of this verse in the Bible. “And it came to pass” (Gen. 8:6 KJV). When you find yourself in a holding pattern, it’s not just about having enough faith to receive His promises; it’s also a matter of having enough spiritual staying power to stay in a holding pattern until those promises come true. The Bible states, “Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage…” Another verse says that “The Lord works for them who wait for him.” “And it came to pass” starts at the ending, rather than the middle or beginning. To get a bigger perspective, start at the finish. Holding patterns will come to pass. They may pass like a kidney stone, but they will pass.
Second, allow time and success to intersect. Please understand that life’s timing and our timing are often two different things. Sound familiar? The delay is not a denial. Usually, it’s a trial, meant to bring a smile, in a while. God may not be there when you want Him, but He’s always right on time. Let’s be imitators of those who, by faith and patience, inherited God’s promises, despite the perceived delays. After all, when we get impatient, we only start to worry, get in a hurry, and begin to scurry. Sometimes, the right path is not the easiest one.
Third, remember that patience comes from the Lord. How do I know that? “For we, through the Spirit, are waiting…” Galatians 5:5. You might be thinking; How do I get the power to be patient, when I’m going to miss that appointment or meeting? It’s easy. It’s not your power. It allows God to give you the power to be patient, at peace, and to know that everything will work out; perhaps even better than you expected. God’s Spirit will take care of both business and life when you can’t.
Life is an adventure. In your journey through life, it pays to have enough spiritual fuel and emotional intelligence to handle delays and wait for clearance to land. The Bible states, “Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage…”
After all, you were only waiting for this moment to arise! By the way, Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it.”
Ed Delph/July 21, 2025/CCC