The People You meet in First Class is a compilation of over forty years as an airline traveler in both Coach and First Class beginning in 1974. The stories provide unembellished observations in the airport and on the plane as well as some insight into deep conversations that occurred between the author and other travelers and airline employees. Through observation and a willingness to engage with total strangers, Eric Pearson experience unexpected conversations, insights into the lives and troubles of perfect strangers and often shared ideas and solutions creating life changing conversations. Eric is a motivational speaker and storyteller who magically brings to life these conversations such that the reader feels they are sitting in the plane listening to the conversations. The stories are funny, interesting, some quite deep and Eric is careful to keep the tome as lighthearted as possible as he shares his thoughts and experiences. As the airline industry changed over the years, the stories and the people remain the same.
. NOTA: El libro no está en español, sino en inglés.
After many careers and numerous short and long journeys, Eric Pearson has become recognized not for his accomplishments rather for the accomplishments of the people he has impacted during his many journeys. It started as early at Elementary School where Eric and his sister spent their lunch recess periods helping other students in the school wing where the severely disabled children received their education. It seemed only natural to Eric that a world of diversity and inclusion would lead to a kinder / gentler place to live. This attitude of helping others continued through the Boy Scouts where immediately upon earning his Eagle Rank he volunteered to become a Jr. Assistant Scout Master thus share his knowledge and teaching skills to others. Doing what he loved in the service of others. Eric knows no boundaries, loves extreme challenges and works tirelessly to help others discover that through failure, success becomes sweet and everlasting. Eric sees opportunity as a challenge, not a closed door. He played Varsity Soccer in college having never played a sport in high school, coached swimming in his local community having never swum on a team himself, and also coached high school lacrosse and basketball having never played either game. He taught Middle School Science with a Physical Education degree; developing his own curriculum and teaching high-talented seventh graders in a Prestigious Private School setting. Eric continued to strive for success through others and after completing a BS in Education at Bowie State University, and an MS in Technical Management at the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering. He became the Radar Antenna Manager for the most sophisticated Fighter in the U.S. Government inventory; accomplishing this feat having had little formal training in engineering or electronics. In addition, Eric later became the Sector Director for Cross Sector Program Initiatives for Northrop Grumman becoming the highest ranking Physical Education Major in the corporation. As a child Eric had two dreams; 1) to be a short-order cook and 2) to be a comedian. Eric has perfected his love for cooking and was even interviewed for an opportunity to compete on the Food Channel's Show - "Chopped for Non-Professionals". Eric injects his ability to tell stories and his love for humor in every motivational speech and leadership experience he leads around the country. Though his wife says, "Eric, you are not as funny as you think" Eric is able to keep an audience entertained while sharing valuable life experiences through his stories and personal stories. His volunteer accomplishments have been recognized as he served as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and on several Industry / University Board of Directors: National Association of Colleges and Employers, Southern Association of Colleges and Employers, America Society for Engineering Education, and the Cooperative and Experiential Education Board for ASEE. In 2008, Eric Pearson completed and self-published, "Ryan's Stories: Gods Perfect Child" as his grieving process for the loss of his fourteen-year-old profoundly disabled son and as a tribute to his wife Kathy who gave up her career to raise and nurture Ryan. Eric developed a nationally recognized New Graduate Engineering & Manufacturing Rotation Program and then a Cross-Country Leadership Training Program (LTP) where the graduates of these programs have become highly successful in own careers.
