In a few months I will begin my third year in the Southwest Airlines Adopt-A-Pilot (AAP) program—what a privilege! I want to thank the many Pilots and staffers who have served much longer than I have, and who have helped make AAP the great program what it is today. My AAP journey first began in 2012 when my daughter, Katherine, was hired as a fifth grade teacher at Painted Rock Academy in Phoenix. As I recall, participating in the AAP program was her idea. She thought it would be great to have “her kids” involved in AAP and would be especially fun if her father was the adopted Pilot. If my daughter still thought it was neat to have her Dad around, how could I say no? The 2012-13 school year was the opening year for Painted Rock Academy, and what a great way to introduce AAP—at a brand-new school with their first two fifth-grade classes. So, I agreed to be adopted by both classes. Though I’m only there one hour per class, per week for four weeks, I’ve found great joy in working with these fifth graders. Each year, during the first day of AAP, the students discover the connection between teacher, Ms. Christian, and the adopted Pilot, Captain Christian. Heads suddenly turn, smiles erupt, and giggles abound at the revelation. Luckily for Katherine, I left the baby pictures at home! Being an adopted Pilot, has been an interesting and fun learning curve—not only for the students, but especially for me. Like Art Linkletter and Bill Cosby used to say, “Kids say the darndest things.” Yet, listening as they express their dreams and goals is so fulfilling to me as it brings out an excitement and hope in them that I can see in their eyes. During the third week, I get to watch as their faces light up as we do experiments with balloons, hairdryers, and ping pong balls—it’s their favorite day and mine too. From paper airplane contests, to graduation day, I’ve learned a lot from these kids over the past two years, and I am excited to enter into my third year as their adopted Pilot. Adopt-A-Pilot is a wonderful program—appreciated by students, teachers, parents, and the adopted Pilot. For me, the experience is especially rewarding being able to “teach” in my daughter’s classroom. It’s a father’s pride to see, firsthand, his daughter’s success with these young kids, the dedication and love she puts into each day with them—and always the subtle, loving awareness when I am teaching in her class—that she, not Dad, is in charge. I’m a lucky man.