There's nothing like a cute father-son moment to warm your heart, and today that moment comes courtesy of two pilots who both work for Southwest Airlines.
Ruben Flowers, 30, began flying as a first officer for Southwest Airlines earlier this year, but it's been years since he stepped foot in the cockpit for the first time.
When he was growing up, Flowers tagged along to the airport with his dad - also called Ruben, and also a pilot. Before he chose to follow in his dad's footsteps and make a career out of flying, then-toddler Flowers joined his dad in posing for a photo in the cockpit of one of the planes.
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As a kid, Flowers got to enjoy spending time with his dad at the training centre and taking turns on the simulators, so it was only natural that he chose to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Southwest Airlines pilot himself.
He'd forgotten all about the photo taken when he was a child, but he rediscovered it this year, just as he prepared to start flying as First Officer.
The timing of the discovery was ideal, as it came when dad Ruben was preparing for his final Southwest flight as Captain before he retired.
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There was a brief period of time when both men were working for the airline, and Flowers was determined to take advantage of it.
Speaking to CNN Travel, he explained: “It was a dream of mine to make it to this point to fly with my dad, it was probably my number one aviation goal."
Flowers' dream came true in March 2023, when it came time for his dad's final Southwest flight. The son joined his dad in the cockpit as first officer, and the opportunity was perfect for them to recreate the photo they'd taken all those years earlier.
“It was just great to be able to recreate that moment,” Flowers said. “It was a dream come true moment.”
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His dad said it was an 'awesome feeling' to have his son next to him as they came into land, though he admitted 'some tears came down' as they pulled the plane into the gate.
“It went really well, it was nice and smooth,” the dad said. “And it was an awesome feeling - making a PA to the passengers, and they find out there’s a father and son up there in the cockpit. Everybody clapping…”
Having achieved his dream of flying with his dad, Flowers is now looking forward to flying with his younger brother, who has just recently completed pilot training.
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“That’s what I’m looking forward to, is to be able to fly in the plane with my brother,” he said.
He's already had the pleasure of flying with his sister, who is also a pilot.
Commenting on the legacy continuing after him, the dad said: "It’s unbelievable. It’s an awesome feeling to know that my son is flying, and my daughter and my youngest son, all three of them are flyers.”
Emily Brown