In my life since I was 7 or 8 years old, I began to travel on commercial aircraft to different destinations and some of those airlines now are no longer in service. I remember how excited I was to be going on a plane. I couldn’t contain myself. I was so happy. My first ever vacation was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We went with Royal Airlines from Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ. Since then I got hooked into travel, flying and enjoying every aspect of it. Since then I have flown many many times. I lost count.
Many years went by and in 2012 or 2013, I discovered on social media that there is a plane spotters / plane spotting club where people go close to the runways at Toronto Pearson Airport and aircraft enthusiasts like myself go out to spot different types of aircraft from different airlines, different models and knowing the specifications, taking videos, photos, being informed of what aircraft is landing at what time with special apps that track flights that are incoming and outgoing. Also, some people’s photographs are now used by the airlines itself and have gotten famous in the travel industry.
Plane / Aircraft spotting became a huge part in my life and a sentimental one too. It is also therapeutic, fun and so relaxing. I then met someone named Armen in 2014 and he and I already became friends from long ago and he saw me posting stuff about travel on my social media account. Then I remember in April, 2014 he had asked me out on a date. Now, this date wasn’t any ordinary date where it involves dinner, movies, and all that jazz. He surprised me to go and watch planes landing and taking off at Toronto Pearson Airport on Airport Rd which faces runway 23.
So, we spent about 2-4 hours there just talking and also enjoying the planes. (Now, we are married and loving life). So since then been to the airport so many times to fly out as well as watch the planes landing and taking off. So, then that was it. I knew something that I would spend the rest of my life with him. That was so thoughtful and so incredibly sweet of him to do that.
I just love the sounds, the speed, and even the jet fuel. In 2014 I found out there was a Toronto Pearson Airport street festival that was happening. So we decided to go. It was so much fun being able to be at the deicing facility area and to be up close and personal with aircraft. We got a lot of freebies too with luggage tags and amongst other stuff that I still have and kept. I am very sentimental when it comes to collecting stuff from travels, airlines, and stuff.
I even watch border security that involves airports and all that. You can say, I am obsessed. I have learned a lot about the aviation airline industry and all aspects of travel. I give tips, advice, and the know how to people who need the advice on what to do at airports, cruise ships, airlines, what to pack, and how to get through security, what to declare, so on and so forth.
If you have a chance and are interested in stuff like this, Go to your local airports and find a suitable area so you can go up close and personal with the aircraft, so you can spot too. It is pretty incredible and amazing. They are marvels of engineering. I am grateful for having travel experiences, spotting aircraft and building and creating memories that are so sentimental for me.
I have met some great enthusiastic spotters over the last 5-7 years. We discuss our passion with great lengthย They are great people and I am glad that I am part of the spotters club to share with each other our passion, dedication, and devotion to what we call plane spotters. I am grateful and thank them for accepting me. It means so much.
Talin Orfali Ghazarian 