Enthralled Admiration: Airline Captains Continue to Earn Unwavering Admiration and Respect
For those captivated by heroism, aviation has long been a source of admiration. From a young child mesmerized by Peter Pan's flight to the first star, to watching Sky King's UC-78 Songbird grace the skies on television, to experiencing the awe-inspiring Grumman F9F Panthers and McDonnell F2H Banshees in The Bridges at Toko-Ri, the allure of aviation heroes has been ever-present.
The iconic phrase, "Where do we get such men...?" encapsulates the sentiment shared by many. Years later, the writer was blessed with a close friend who had flown early jets off the USS Bonhomme Richard. His experiences, marked by high accident rates, were a stark reminder of the risks these aviators faced. Yet, the bond between these pioneering pilots was unbreakable, as evidenced by the heartwarming gesture of five friends flying to say goodbye to one of their own decades later.
In a later exploration, the writer delved into the experiences of retired airline pilots from the 1960s to the 1990s. He asked them what they missed most since retiring. Steven Shanks humorously admitted missing the paycheck, albeit somewhat jokingly. He fondly reminisced about landing a 727, an experience akin to opening a box of chocolates; you never knew what you would get. Shanks also penned down his cherished moments breaking out of stratus layers, hand-flown ILS landings, and the camaraderie that could only be found in a cockpit.
Other retirees shared similar sentiments. They missed the thrill of flying, the adrenaline rush of breaking out of clouds, and the unique bond they shared as fellow aviators. The cockpit, for them, was an escape from the mundane world, a place where everything felt right. Being a pilot was not just a profession but an integral part of their identity.
One pilot, Kevin Uppstrom, nostalgically recalled the sights he had witnessed from the sky, such as the beauty of Orion's Belt over the Saudi Arabian desert and the majestic cumulus clouds over the South China Sea. While many aspects of his former life had changed, the memories and friendships forged during that era remained unyielding.
In his reflections, Barry Schiff spoke of the absolute dictatorship of captains during his time, the socialization with passengers, and the pride that came with being an airline captain. He missed the camaraderie, the good-natured banter, and the at-ease interactions with stewardesses. Above all, Schiff missed the people of TWA, who had become an integral part of his life and memories.
The affectionate bond between the writer and these retired pilots remained strong. They continue to be his heroes, and even years after retirement, their titles as 'Captain' remained etched in his Christmas greetings and gifts.
First appeared in our magazine's April Issue 957. Subscribe now to access more exciting content in print or digital format.
- The writer's friend, a former aviator, had trained on early jets off the USS Bonhomme Richard, reminiscing about the risks they faced and the unbreakable bond they shared with other pioneering pilots.
- Acknowledging the risks, many retired airline pilots from the 1960s to the 1990s missed the thrill of flying and the camaraderie they shared as fellow aviators, finding the cockpit an escape from the mundane.
- For some pilots, the memories of aerial sights like Orion's Belt over the Saudi Arabian desert and majestic cumulus clouds over the South China Sea remained vivid, despite changes in their lives post-retirement.
- Barry Schiff, a retired pilot, reminisced about the dictatorship of captains, socializing with passengers, and the pride that came with being an airline captain, missing the camaraderie, banter, and interactions with stewardesses most.
- The writer holds these heroes in high regard, even years after retirement, addressing them with their titles in his Christmas greetings and gifts, and is still inspired by aviation's allure, a source of admiration since childhood sports and tales like Peter Pan's flight.
