Ben - pilot

When you first heard that NZ was moving to Alert Levels 3 & 4, what did you think? How did you feel?

Anxious. Something was obviously changing so there was an element of fear but also assurance that our government was taking the best steps to keep us safe. Putting our health first and economy second seemed right. The government’s pursuit of safety resonated. I’m happy with the way they handled things.

How has your job and daily routine been affected?

After four weeks of not much flying during Level 4, I lost my job. I had hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. But with change comes opportunities. I’ve been flying jet aircraft for 12 years now and learned an immense amount to get where I am. Last week I handed my uniform back and started looking for a new job. Knowing that ‘in an emergency one should always consider the time available’ has been handy though not knowing when I might work again as a pilot, makes it hard to commit to a career change. But I also feel motivated to learn something new.

What have been the best things/hardest things about the lockdown?

In the usual hustle of everyday life, it has been freeing to have an excuse to take a break - to stop without feeling guilty. Where I lived overseas, Sundays were a day when everything stopped. The tranquillity of Level 4 was brilliant. When I opened the window, all I could hear was birdsong. I’ve enjoyed the chorus of nature in the green belt, rather than the noise of the city. And the beautiful weather helped keep our spirits up. The hardest thing has been not seeing and embracing friends and family. And knowing that some people are living in bubbles on their own or with people they don’t necessarily get on with.

What have you missed/not missed?

I’ve missed time with friends and the feeling of community you get when you’re in a bar or restaurant. I’ve also missed being able to venture outside our neighbourhood for walks.

What have you been thinking about more/less?

The lockdown has given me more space to think and dream. To sit down with a cuppa and think about the future and how I can help others e.g. elderly people living on their own. It has also made me think about the contribution my job (flying) makes to the level of noise pollution in our neighbourhood.

Have you learned any skills or formed any new habits during lockdown?

I’ve discovered a whole lot of different learning tools and platforms online, and have done some courses which will be useful as I look for a new job. There’s so much to learn when you have the time. I structured every day of lockdown e.g. I stuck to 3 meals per day, did some gardening, got a walk in. I’ve been meditating and stretching every day for the first time in years, and I started keeping a diary to maintain perspective.

Can you liken this time to any other time in your life?

It reminds me of before I first started school. I remember lamenting the fact that I could no longer stay at home every day and choose how to spend my time. I realised that it was a significant change; that things would never be the same again.

What have you appreciated during the lockdown?

I’ve been really grateful to have my wonderful wife as my bubble partner. The lockdown has no doubt revealed some cracks in some people and their relationships. I’m pleased I didn’t hear about my job loss until Level 3 kicked in. I might have lost the wind in my sails if I’d found out sooner. Having some good financial knowledge and budgeting skills has helped a lot and I’ve taken comfort in New Zealand being an island and also a country that isn’t divided. Knowing that everyone has been adjusting to change at the same time has made it easier, almost exciting. And I’m grateful for feeling open to change. As the saying goes ‘It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.’

In a word, how do you imagine describing this time when looking back on it in a year or so?

A gift.