[BL] Rocket Science Love

Chapter 2

When the aircraft was flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet, I activated the autopilot. The co-pilot and I exchanged glances and turned off the seatbelt sign. Immediately, someone leaned their face into the camera installed outside the cockpit. It was the cabin manager. After confirming their identity, I opened the door for them.

"What kind of meal would you like prepared?"

"Oh, I prefer Korean cuisine... Captain, what about you?"

If the co-pilot chooses Korean cuisine, then I naturally have to eat something else. According to aviation regulations, pilots cannot eat the same in-flight meal.

"What options do you have?"

"Well, we have curry. If you prefer, I can bring you the economy class meal. We have fish or braised beef."

"I'll go with the fish then."

"Alright. What beverage would you like?"

"I'll have a carbonated water, please."

"Okay, and what about you, Captain?"

"I'll just have water and coffee."

She nodded and went out. Perhaps feeling sorry for choosing the Korean menu first, the co-pilot asked me how long it had been since I left Korea. When I answered, "22 years," he seemed relieved. And it was true. I wasn't particularly attached to Korean cuisine.

I also experienced sharing cockpit duties with Korean individuals while flying in Germany due to the operational schedule of the same airline alliance.

On one occasion, three captains were on board, subtly creating a tense atmosphere. As a relatively inexperienced pilot, I gave way to a fifty-year-old captain who had been flying Airbus for 20 years. I remember him sweating a little while sitting in the left seat of the cockpit due to severe turbulence that day.

The cabin crew brought the beverages first. It wasn't the cabin manager; she was one of the crew members who had ridden the limousine bus with me in the morning.

"I'll bring the meals shortly."

She went out again with neat updo hair, without a single strand falling. I drank the carbonated water on the tray and checked the instrument panel. We were flying smoothly.

"Captain, are you married?" The co-pilot asked.

"No, I'm single."

"I thought so. Considering your position as a responsible captain, you seem to be the youngest in the company... When did you obtain your ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License)?"

"It was seven years ago."

"Wow, it's definitely different from Korea."

I've heard Korea has a complex promotion system, even without considering the timeline of military service. They must distinguish between large and small aircraft models; whether you come from the Air Force or civilian aviation is also important.

Above all, it seems that the environment for young captains to accumulate flight hours freely is not well established. The co-pilot sitting next to me also appeared to be around the same age or maybe a year or two older.

"That friend who catered earlier. It seemed like she was interested in the captain."

He seemed to be misunderstanding.

"No, that's not it. We rode the limousine together in the morning, so I happen to know her."

Her face appeared again on the rear camera. I pressed the button located at the top to open the door for her.