THE PILOT AND THE BUS DRIVER...

...and ad orientem worship

In a letter written to Fr. Z:

BTW, people loved the analogy of the airplane pilot and the bus driver. [Good tip for priests.] Are they turning their backs on the passengers OR are they facing the same direction as everyone else in the hope of arriving at the same destination?
(The red is added by Fr. Z.)

I like it!

Another reason why the driver/pilot would face the same direction is that if they faced the people (the passengers), they're very likely to crash. By facing the same direction as the people while saying Mass, the liturgy is being steered in the right direction.

Peace,
BMP