'Don't burden yourself': Biggest mistake renowned pilot sees passengers make
She's the trailblazer who became the first female pilot for a major commercial airline.
Captain Deborah Lawrie famously took the now defunct Ansett Airlines to court in a landmark High Court battle when it said she couldn't fly as she was a woman - and won.
After an impressive career, she has gone on to win other major accolades such as being inducted into the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame and even has a flyover at Sydney Airport named after her.
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Deborah Lawrie famously took an airline to court for sexual discrimination. Supplied
She's still flying - these days she's a first officer for Virgin Australia - making her officially the world's longest-flying female airline pilot.
Since she started out in commercial airlines, things have changed a lot, both for passengers and crew.
"The introduction of extensive security checks has been the main change," Deborah tells nine.com.au.
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Other big improvements include not being able to smoke on board anymore but downsides she says are less leg room and less catering in economy.
She added that no more visits allowed to the flight deck and flights taking longer because of airspace restrictions and slot times are other things which are very different from when she started out.
Changes include not being able to smoke on board anymore, less leg room and catering in economy. Getty
Deborah says flying into her birthplace Sydney make it her favourite destination. Supplied
As she travels so much, Deborah has some tips on combating jetlag too.
And it's all about getting into the swing of the destination as soon as you can, she says.
"I try to adapt to the new time zone with meals and bedtimes as quickly as possible," she tells.
"Staying hydrated is a big help and if you wake up at odd hours then read or do something else to help go back to sleep."
As for what kind of suitcase a veteran flies with - she learned to fly aged just 16 - there's only one choice.
A soft bag with wheels is what you'll find her waiting for at the baggage carousel.
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Bringing too much stuff on the plane is a big mistake. Getty
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The former teacher, who grew up in Melbourne, constantly sees passengers make a mistake by bringing way too much on board with them.
"Don't burden yourself with too much hand luggage, have a book or something else to keep yourself occupied, wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes and always have an extra layer in case it gets too cold," she says.
She brings a change of clothes and her overnight toiletries in her hand luggage.
And while the views flying into her birthplace, Sydney, make it her favourite destination, she also loves the Dutch city of Amsterdam as she once lived there while flying for KLM.
However, it seems even airline captains can have travel mishaps.
"I once took my mother to the airport to catch a flight from Amsterdam back to Australia... except I took her a day too late," she confesses.
Deborah Lawrie's memoir ,Touching The Sky, is on sale now from ABC Books priced $35.99.
Deborah Lawrie's memoir ,Touching The Sky, is on sale now Supplied
