Hi! managers: Take some time… tick tock, tick tock...

My day, on the contrary, started at 10:00 pm. United Airlines flight UA9688 was scheduled to depart Bangkok and arrive in Los Angeles on Sept 11, 2001.

Eighteen hours straight on a plane makes for a long journey, and there was not one enjoyable moment.  I killed the time by reading a book.  What a coincidence!  The book was called "Take some time". 

Take some time to watch a sunrise … now and then a sunset too

Take some time to smell the flowers … as you walk the paths of your life

Take some time to hear the birds sing … as you are in the dawn

Take some time to count your blessings … you will find they are more abundant

Take some time to banish your hatred … when and where you are always able to

Take some time to ease your tensions … from the challenges and strife

Take some time to talk to your neighbour … every moment you are free

Take some time to help others … who you think might need a hand

Take some time to respect the rights of others … as equal to your own

Take some time to live by virtue … in the best way that you are aware

Take some time to make some changes … be the best that you can be

Take some time to appreciate … the fact that you are here

Take some time to love and trust yourself … without fear

Passengers were awakened by the announcement, "Prepare for landing." I opened the window shade to see the plane land.  Wow, look! Is this LA?

"Why, what's happening," everyone wanted to know. Unfortunately, no one had an answer.    

When the plane landed, the captain announced that we had been denied permission to land in the United States and asked all of us to listen to the radio.

UA 9688 had been diverted to Vancouver, Canada.

Sept 11, 2001 would become a permanent Memorial Day not only for the Americans, but for all of us.

In this unpredictable situation beyond anyone's control, everyone was required to stay calm and cooperate as much as possible.  I was stuck there for four days!

I realised that I would need to take some time to do…everything on the above list. 

Remark:  9/11 flashed in my memory upon seeing the recent events at Suvarnabhumi Airport.  How well people cooperated to ease the situation.

Chantana Sukumanont is executive vice president of Siam City Cement Plc. Her column is published on the second Monday of every month.