Networking 30,000 feet in the air

“This is the final boarding call for WestJet flight 699 with service to Toronto.”

With ID and boarding card in hand I make it to the gate just in time and jog my way down the long walk-way to the aircraft. Most passengers are already seated, but I manage to find one small space in the overhead bin for my rather large winter coat.

Seat 2E. (I always make sure that I get a seat as close to the front as I can. I say it’s because of the noise, but really it’s to be as close to the captain as possible. That way, if there’s trouble, I’ll be one of the first to be warned – as if there is something I would be able to do.) I’m usually a window kinda gal, but the last window seat was in row 18. I decide that the flight from Halifax is only two hours so I can bare the middle. There is already a 30-something, business-looking woman sitting down. I give a closed-mouth smile and buckle up.

As well as window seats on planes there is also the “window of opportunity” moment in which you have to decide whether or not you’re going to start a conversation with your flying buddy. This window usually only exists from the time you sit down to the time of take-off. Otherwise, you’ve lost it and you better hope you remembered a good book or have money for headphones. The decision on whether or not you are going to talk depends on the mood you’re in and upon the chance your willing to risk talking to someone you wish you hadn’t started talking to.

This morning, I decided why not.

“So, heading home?”

“Yep. Just getting back from business. You?”

“Me too. Well, not from business, but heading home.”

After you break the initial, “we’ve both agreed to talk” stage, the conversation has the ability to go anywhere. I heard about her business, clients, trips, weddings, fiancee’s children, travelling, getting mugged – you can learn a lot about someone in two hours. Most significantly, I networked. The woman owns her own company that develops health care systems in other countries based on Canada’s system. Listening to her was fascinating. Perhaps it was the journalist in me, but I couldn’t stop asking questions. She then asked about my interests and future ambitions. I told her about school and career options, but was honest in that I was eager to practice in various areas of PR.

“We’re starting our decent into Toronto. Please ensure that all seats are upright and all luggage is stored away.”

I told her how gracious she was to answer my questions and hoped that I wasn’t too forward. She smiled and said not to worry and handed me her business card. “Give me a call once you’re done with school.”

I’ve thought about our discussion since we parted. The conversation we had would have been better than any interview or resume I could have sent her. I thought about the power of networking and how it can happen at any time – especially when you least expect it. It goes to show that on top of the CPRS or IABC events we attend, networking is a full-time part of the PR world. So talk away and hopefully you’ll get lucky!