When Delta Captain Angelia Smith emerged from the flight deck shortly after landing in Atlanta, she was surprised to find passengers still on board, unconcerned about making their connections or heading home.
After 23 years at Delta, Angelia had recently been promoted from First Officer to Captain of an Airbus 320 – an accomplishment that Atlanta-based flight attendant Michelle Lovett knew was worth celebrating. The Captain is the commander of the aircraft and is the most experienced pilot in the flight deck, whereas a First Officer, also known as a ‘co-pilot,’ is second in command. To celebrate, Michelle asked passengers to write Angelia congratulatory notes on their aircraft napkins before landing.