Ode to the Relief Pilot

Your nickname is “The Eater”
And in case you wonder why
You sit through the in-flight service
While the other pilots fly
First salad, steak, then ice cream
Don’t forget the Key lime pie
Poor old relief pilot
You’re a food critic in the sky
R-E-L-I-E-F
P-I-L-O-T
There’s two seats in the cockpit
And you’re pilot number three
You only fly on long-haul flights
To destinations over seas
R-E-L-I-E-F
P-I-L-O-T
You’re the third pilot
On a two-pilot crew
After the in-flight movie
What is there to do?
Too junior for a landing
You only fly at cruise
Poor old relief pilot
You’re paid to take a snooze

Dozing for dollars
That is your resume
With both pilots in the cockpit
The rest seat is where you’ll stay
And every time you get up
You’re in the attendants’ way
Poor old relief pilot
Your turn will come someday

R-E-L-I-E-F
P-I-L-O-T
There’s two seats in the cockpit
And you’re pilot number three
You only fly on long-haul flights
To destinations over seas
R-E-L-I-E-F
P-I-L-O-T

Lyrics Copyright©2015 by Mark L. Berry

13,760 Feet–My Personal Hole in the Sky