A Nostalgic Journey Through the Skies: A Father-Daughter Pilot Bond Recreated with a Twist
A heartwarming journey of a father and daughter's shared passion for aviation From posing as a child on her dad's flight deck to becoming a pilot herself, Jasmijn and her father recreate the precious photo, symbolizing their unbreakable bond and love for flying
Jasmijn van Waalwijk van Doorn had an unforgettable experience when she accompanied her pilot father, Jorrit van Waalwijk van Doorn, to work for the first time.
In 2006, at the age of eight, Jasmijn joined her father on a KLM flight from the Netherlands to Uganda.
Pilot Jorrit operated the Boeing 767 for the round trip. Jasmijn and her mother, Ellen, were aboard as passengers. Just before the departure to Uganda, Ellen captured a moment in the cockpit where she took a snapshot of her husband and daughter.
In the picture, Jorrit confidently holds onto the controls while Jasmijn tightly clings onto her cherished lion toy. With one arm around her father, both of them have bright smiles adorning their faces.
In 2019, Jorrit and Jasmijn found themselves in an airplane cockpit once again, creating another memorable day. This time, Jasmijn was no longer a passenger but a certified KLM pilot, flying alongside her father for the very first time.
As Jasmijn prepared her suitcase that morning, she ensured to include her cherished lion toy among her belongings. Just before the flight departed, Jasmijn and Jorrit captured the same photo they had taken over ten years ago.
Once again, Jorrit gripped the controls while Jasmijn tightly held onto her lion toy, both beaming with pride. The noticeable contrast between the photographs? Presently, an adult Jasmijn adorned in a KLM pilot uniform. Immediately after the picture was captured, Jasmijn confidently positioned herself behind the controls, prepared to navigate the Boeing 777 towards Hong Kong. It was Jasmijn's mother, Ellen, who proposed the idea of recreating the 2006 photo, involving her husband and daughter.
Jasmijn informed CNN Travel that they have a photo of both individuals in the cockpit, suggesting that they retake the picture by utilizing the toy once more. "I was delighted that I still possessed the toy since that photo holds great significance," Jasmijn added.
Jorrit shared with CNN Travel that the endeavor initially commenced as a source of amusement. However, it turned out to be gratifying to observe the two pictures side by side, representing the past and the present.
Growing up with aviation
The 2006 photo was taken en route to Uganda. Jasmijn remembers being really excited to accompany her dad on a trip.
Jorrit van Waalwijk van Doorn and Jasmijn van Waalwijk van Doorn
Jasmijn's first trip to Uganda in 2006 marked the beginning of her numerous adventures accompanying Jorrit on flights. She vividly recalls the thrill of going on a safari and spotting lions that resembled her cherished stuffed animal. At the tender age of eight, Jasmijn developed a deep passion for traveling, which gradually transformed into a love for flying. "That's how my journey into this profession began," Jasmijn reflects.
During Jasmijn's childhood, Jorrit, her father, frequently embarked on intercontinental flights for KLM, leaving the family for extended periods. Whenever possible, he would take Jasmijn and her siblings along with him.
Jorrit believes in nurturing the parent-child bond by allowing his child to witness his work. "By involving her," he explains, "she can observe and comprehend my activities, making them seem more ordinary." He adds, "We always made a point to engage in enjoyable activities during our trips."
Jasmijns mother Ellen is a flight attendant, so flying for a living was "normal" to Jasmijn growing up.
"Its not only because of my dad that Im interested in aviation," she says.
Jasmijn had ambitions of becoming a pilot since she was young. She had her inaugural flying lesson at the age of 12 and enrolled in a gliding course at 14. In high school, she was determined about pursuing her chosen career path.
"Thats when it became serious," she says today. "I thought, This is my dream, I want to be a pilot."
Grandmother and granddaughter flight attendant duo hit the skies
Flying together
The recreated photo was taken on Jorrit and Jasmijn's first trip together. They were flying in a Boeing 777 to Hong Kong.
Jorrit van Waalwijk van Doorn and Jasmijn van Waalwijk van Doorn
Jasmijn completed her training at the KLM Flight Academy and obtained her qualification in 2018 at the age of 20. Since their inaugural flight in 2019, Jorrit and Jasmijn have flown together a total of 17 times.
This pilot duo, consisting of a father and daughter, swiftly mastered the art of transitioning seamlessly between familial camaraderie and professional conduct. For instance, Jasmijn made the deliberate choice to address her father by his first name while they were working together.
Jorrit describes their experience of flying together as "incredibly natural" and highlights the presence of a delightful and harmonious dynamic between them. In addition to carrying out their duties diligently, Jorrit and Jasmijn consistently infuse their flights with a sense of enjoyment. They actively seek moments of amusement and happiness while soaring through the skies.
As the more junior of the pair, Jasmijn also appreciates the opportunity to learn from Jorrits experience and watch him at work, but Jorrit says this education goes both ways.
Jasmijn and Jorrit say they both learn from each other when they fly together.
Jorrit van Waalwijk van Doorn and Jasmijn van Waalwijk van Doorn
"She is a pilot of the new generation," he mentions. "Her perspective differs slightly from what I was taught."
Prior to every flight, the airline staff receives a crew manifest, which includes a list of the individuals working on that day's flight along with their respective photos. Colleagues often identify the connection between Jasmijn and Jorrit through their shared last name, but if this goes unnoticed, it is the crew manifest photos that reveal their relationship: Jasmijn and Jorrit use a cropped selfie featuring both of them as separate portraits. They always take pleasure in observing who is able to make the connection.
When fellow KLM employees discover that they are related, Jasmijn mentions that they are always filled with enthusiasm and excitement.
A child captured a photograph with his father, who was a pilot, inside an airplane. Nearly three decades later, they recreated the same picture.
Quality family time
A perk of Jasmijn and Jorrit's job is they get to explore the world together. Here they are pictured at Machu Picchu, Peru.
Jorrit van Waalwijk van Doorn and Jasmijn van Waalwijk van Doorn
Jasmijn and Jorrit's partnership extends beyond work as they have the opportunity to explore various destinations worldwide together.
On occasion, they are accompanied by their family members as well. During the past summer, Jorrit and Jasmijn treated Jasmijn's mother, brother, and sister to a remarkable family vacation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
As Jasmijn, now 25, enters adulthood, she acknowledges that cherishing quality time with her father is a remarkable privilege. "I recognize that being able to explore numerous destinations solely in each other's company is truly exceptional," she expresses. "It is building a treasury of cherished moments."
"Take full advantage of the chance to engage in such activities together and simply savor every moment."
Jasmijn appreciates her father's support in her decision to pursue a career in aviation, as it continues to be predominantly dominated by males. Additionally, she envisions a future where the aviation industry becomes more inclusive and diverse.
She expresses, "The increasing number of female pilots is something I greatly appreciate."
Jorrit strongly encourages individuals, irrespective of their gender or background, who have a passion for aviation to contemplate pursuing a career in the industry.
At the age of 10, when she expressed her ambition of becoming a pilot, people would often react with amusement or find it adorable," he remarks. "Yet, if one truly desires to accomplish something and pursues it diligently, it is indeed feasible."
Now 55 years old, Jorrit is nearing the age of mandatory retirement. Currently, he is also employed in a distinct department at KLM compared to Jasmijn, which suggests that the days of them flying together as a father-daughter pilot team may be limited.
"I will miss flying with Jasmijn, but I cherish the wonderful memories we made together in the sky," he shares.
Furthermore, Jorrit's retirement does not mark the end of our family adventures. Jasmijn is currently working towards becoming a first officer, which will enable her to independently handle takeoffs and landings. She believes that this upcoming milestone will create yet another unforgettable experience."
"One of my dreams is to take my dad on a flight with me so that he can see my landing," she says.
