Collin Ng's Blog

Since young, I know I can run but not the podium finisher type though.  In my school days, I liked to compete in the 1,500 metres and as far I could remember, I was among the top 10 finishers in one school competition.  The venue then was the National Stadium but too bad, there were no nice pictures of me running then.  We were too poor to own cameras. During my NS days, I remember I was always third in IPPT at company level.  My nemesis is an Indian army mate whom I have never beaten and without doubt, he had no match in his hey days.  If I happen to meet him today, I am not sure if I can still outrun him or not.  Anyway, we have lost contact for many years. I was in my early 20s, just completed NS and already started working at Changi Airport.  That year was 1983 when our company organised their first 5 km cross country run at Macritchie Reservoir.  I didn't train much for the run but still managed a creditable 5th position.  I have alw...

Sheepishly, I admit I packed a belly of fire in me when I was much younger, for the slightest provocation could ignite me.  It was my first job at Changi Airport after completing the army stint and I was probably 21 or maybe younger.  That year was either late 82 or early 83. We were the ground handling agent for Alitalia, a national carrier of Italy and I was tasked to assist with the check-in.  The flight was bounded for Rome with a stopover in Bombay.  That particular flight was delayed for some few hours and therefore, we were told by our superior to open the counters later.  However, an irate passenger called the airline office to insist that the check-in counters be opened as scheduled.  Rendered no choice, we then proceeded to prepare the check-in.  During our times, it was not computerised like the present days.  We had to do everything manually and therefore, some time is needed to get ready.  For each counter, we need to scroll t...