My Dad took his final flight today

[DairyAir]

After 37 years, 4 airlines, 18,000+ hours, my Dad hung up his wings in Miami today when he flew his last flight from DEN to MIA. I was able to ride in the cockpit with him for that final ride in the scarebus, and just want to say because of that stupid age 60 rule the industry is losing who I think is the finest aviator out there. Of course I am biased a little. The incredible thing during his entire career in the airline business he never had one engine failure, airborne emergency, incident, or accident. It was pretty sad to see him walk off the plane for the last time and eventhough we never got to fly as a crew I thank my lucky stars I was able to be in the front office with him as he literally rolled it on to rwy 30 in Miami. I could only hope that my last one is half as good as his.

He has been through more industry turmoil than I,m sure most of us will ever see,and one thing he said during that flight helped me put things in perspective about our chosen profession. He said that as long as he has been flying there has not been ONE day that he did not want to go to work. Even after he went from being a 747 captain with Pan Am to plumber on a 727 for United he still thought it was the greatest job in the world.

Cheers Dad and good luck!

p.s. the best thing to come out of his retirement is that I get his leather Jepp binders that he started out with at National Airlines in 1969.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Congratulations to your father; it sounds like he had a wonderful career.

TA

 

[PropTrash]

I can think of no better place for my first post. You have the roll model I always wished I had. Best of luck to your Dad in his retirement!

 

[nosewheel]

I had the opportunity to work the last flight for a few of my Captain's and freinds. I also felt sorry that these very highly experienced and healthy individuals were forced to hang it up so young. It also pisses me off when they move into my seat afterwards.

Good Luck to your father.

 

[LearLove]

Congrats to your father, best of luck to his years in retirement.

Now we just need 5 or 6 thousand more to hit 60 and we'd be lookin alot better.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Congrats to your father, best of luck to his years in retirement.

Now we just need 5 or 6 thousand more to hit 60 and we'd be lookin alot better.

True...True

 

[Fast8945]

congrats to your dad.

 

[stingray]

Congrats to your Dad. on retirement from the airlines.
I was also lucky enough to be in the jumpseat on one of my dads flights in the DC-9 for Eastern. I was 9th grade in high school at the time 1981. I'm glad I did it then, because we all know he was forced into early retirement some years later. It is a ride you will never forget!!!

 

[DTWFO]

I cam only hope that someday I'll have such great memories to share with my family as well.

These are the kind of posts that this board needs, instead of a bunch of whinning and bitching.

Congrats to your dad on a great/safe career!!

 

[Flying Illini]

Congratulations to your dad! It's great that he passed his passion onto you. I hope to pass it on to my kids someday...when I have them...which won't be anytime soon!

 

[350DRIVER]

I will never forget when Barry Schiff flew his last flight with TWA after many many years there and guess you his first officer was on his last flight ever on the 121 level.? His son Brian, what a "last flight"..... It was in the AOPA mag a few years ago- wish I would have kept that issue.... Sure he felt quite "proud" after that flight... The plane was filled with many family and close friends who I am sure added to the "honor"..

STL > LAX


3 5 0

 

[bobbysamd]

Hanging up the helmet and goggles

Excellent story. Best wishes to your Dad.

Perhaps with his experiences he might write a book?

 

[DairyAir]

Thanks everyone

I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind words. Despite all the bitchin and moaning I think we all pretty much alike in the end, we just love flyin planes. I am just now realizing how lucky I was to be in the cockpit to share the momnent with my greatest hero. Also my thanks go out to the Miami Airport Fire Dept. for a fantastic water salute and to the UAL station who arranged the gate passes for all of my fathers friends and family to come out to the gate and give him a round of applause as he walked up the jetway a final time. Did I forget to mention the Jepp binders cool!

Thanks again

DairyAir

 

[Dieterly]

I'm sure your "hero" can tell you a great deal about nailing FA's on layovers, back in the days.

 

[Chunk]

Nice, Dieterly, nice.

 

[DIAMONDDD]

Hey, just a thought.........you may want to make sure that your father knows how you think. I don't want to seem all "mushy" but fathers don't last forever and this is something that you may one day wish you would have told him.

 

[TurboS7]

It is midnight and I just got back from Miami as I drug my 10 year old boy through the 737-800 and the 727-200. I tried to explain to him that by the time he can fly the 727 will be long gone. He loved the O2 mask on the 737. Congrates to your Dad, I have 12 years left and do not look forward to that day.

 

[justApilot]

Congrats to the old man.


Hey...if it wasn't for the age 60 thing alot of us would be f'ed.

 

[Eagleflip]

Hey...if it wasn't for the age 60 thing alot of us would be f'ed.

And because of the age 60 thing every single one of us is going to be hosed--eventually.

My heartfelt congrats to your dad as well!

 

[AeroBoy]

Hosed?! Hardly, especially when you're pulling in a pension that is 60% of your pay at retirement (which is routinely at the highest tiers). Also, you're not banned from flying for charter, fractional or corporate operators when you turn 60. I know many "retired" airline pilots flying the line at NetJets, and they're having a ball...