The best birthday present I ever got was a trip with my Dad down to DC when I was in 2nd grade to go to an airliner memorabilia convention. On our way out of DCA we were supposed to fly on a Dash 7, my favorite airplane, to PHL. Unfortunately there was a maintenance issue with the Dash 7 and we got rebooked on a US Air Shuttle up to LGA. Needless to say I was bummed out about not getting to fly the Dash 7, I still haven't gotten to fly on one yet, and my Dad knew this. He got me a visit in the cockpit of the 727 and the pilots let me make a PA announcement to the FAs to raise the aft stairway. It may have been just a couple minutes long, but it's been something that's added to my love of aviation that's gotten me to where I am today.

It's really cool how through all the BS associated with the industry, that pilots are in a position to have a positive impact on aspiring pilots.