As some of you might know, I had the honor and the pleasure of joining our good friend Boeing Boy on his last 3 legs as a Captain for US Airways. I'd like to share some of my recollections of the day with you..it was a day I won't soon forget.
I had arrived home Saturday night from a business trip which took me to BOS and ATL (connecting through CLT), so I was already a little tired when Sunday morning rolled around.
I got to LGA at 10AM for the 11AM shuttle to DCA, where I planned on meeting Boeing Boy who was flying his 737 JAX-DCA. As we boarded the shuttle, I noticed the gentleman in front of me looked somewhat familiar. My interested was piqued when I saw all the flight attendants give him a big hug, and he then proceeded into the flight deck to say hello to the pilots. As I took my seat, the gentleman came out and sat next to me. It turned out this was none other than Ed Colodny, the former CEO of US Air. We had a very enjoyable conversation, discussing a number of topics relating to the airline, and in particular the merger news.
As we arrived in DCA, we exchanged cards, and I thanked Mr. Colodny for the pleasant conversation. I left the airplane and proceeded to the club in DCA to wait for BB's flight (due in about 45 min later).
Right on schedule, Boeing Boy's flight landed and pulled up to the gate in DCA. Jim came off the flight and I must say that just about EVERY passenger debarking in DCA either shook his hand or hugged him and wished him well upon his retirement (turns out the FA's had been making announcements after landing that it was his last day with US Airways). He checked the paperwork for the CLT-DCA leg, and introduced me to his crew for the day--the FO and three lovely flight attendants, all named Susan!I was also introduced to Mrs. Boeing Boy, and a minute or so later, the boarding process was underway.
Before you knew it we were boarded, buttoned up and on our way to CLT. A short 55 minutes later, we were on approach to 36R and on the ground, and headed to the gate in CLT. Upon arrival at the gate, we found most of the rest of our entourage, which consisted of other FFOCUS board members, FFOCUS members, including Coachrowsey, Longing4Piedmont (can you believe it? and Dukeman, as well as JimCFS and Captain Jim's daughter. We had a nice early Sunday dinner of barbeque at CLT, and spent a while visiting before getting ready to head back for the historic last 2 legs.
Upon heading back to the gate for the final turn, we had our group assembled, and we boarded and settled in. This flight was just about full. We pushed back just about on time, and headed out for the trip to BOS. After an uneventful flight, we arrived on BOS 4R and taxied in to the gate (the BOS tour, as it's known), and arrived at B8, conveniently located next to Legal Seafoods--our group had expressed a desire for clam chowder, so it was a very convenient food stop.
On a day of many surprises, Captain Jim was surprised to see his friend Bob, who had flown DC3's with him for Pinehurst before he joined US (PI) way back when. Another reunion, and a chowder run, and it was time to get back on board for the final flight under Captain Jim's command.
This last leg is a late BOS-CLT running Sun only, and it was booked very light--I think 25 or 26 total and 12 of us were part of Jim's entourage (of course we included the rest of the passengers in on the celebration with snacks and candy provided by other FFOCUS members for the occasion). A short taxi out and we were on our way again--headed down to CLT and one or two more surprises.
Unbeknownst to Boeing Boy, I had arranged for some champagne to be at the gate upon his final arrival, and one of the others in our group had arranged for a water salute for the last taxi in.
We landed on 36R (picture perfect landing), and began to head in to the C gates, where we were greeted with the traditional water salute. The 737 passed through the water salute and on to the gate, where we arrived at a near empty terminal, toasted and cheered our friend, and headed off to my hotel for an adult beverage and to cap off this day's celebration.
Interestingly enough, thanks to my friend Jay in CLT, we discovered that the aircraft we flew on the last turn was the very first 737-400 delivered to any customer in the world, having been delivered to PI in 1988. Boeing Boy made the observation that the oldest -400 in the world was being flown by the oldest pilot at US Airways (for the day at least).
It was an honor and privilege to be part of Boeing Boy's last trip, and to his family, friends and especially to the crew that final day, I say thank you for including me and making me welcome.
Pictures can be found at www.ffocus.org, follow the link "Boeing Boy's Last Hurrah" under the photo.
My best to you all.......
I had arrived home Saturday night from a business trip which took me to BOS and ATL (connecting through CLT), so I was already a little tired when Sunday morning rolled around.
I got to LGA at 10AM for the 11AM shuttle to DCA, where I planned on meeting Boeing Boy who was flying his 737 JAX-DCA. As we boarded the shuttle, I noticed the gentleman in front of me looked somewhat familiar. My interested was piqued when I saw all the flight attendants give him a big hug, and he then proceeded into the flight deck to say hello to the pilots. As I took my seat, the gentleman came out and sat next to me. It turned out this was none other than Ed Colodny, the former CEO of US Air. We had a very enjoyable conversation, discussing a number of topics relating to the airline, and in particular the merger news.
As we arrived in DCA, we exchanged cards, and I thanked Mr. Colodny for the pleasant conversation. I left the airplane and proceeded to the club in DCA to wait for BB's flight (due in about 45 min later).
Right on schedule, Boeing Boy's flight landed and pulled up to the gate in DCA. Jim came off the flight and I must say that just about EVERY passenger debarking in DCA either shook his hand or hugged him and wished him well upon his retirement (turns out the FA's had been making announcements after landing that it was his last day with US Airways). He checked the paperwork for the CLT-DCA leg, and introduced me to his crew for the day--the FO and three lovely flight attendants, all named Susan!I was also introduced to Mrs. Boeing Boy, and a minute or so later, the boarding process was underway.
Before you knew it we were boarded, buttoned up and on our way to CLT. A short 55 minutes later, we were on approach to 36R and on the ground, and headed to the gate in CLT. Upon arrival at the gate, we found most of the rest of our entourage, which consisted of other FFOCUS board members, FFOCUS members, including Coachrowsey, Longing4Piedmont (can you believe it? and Dukeman, as well as JimCFS and Captain Jim's daughter. We had a nice early Sunday dinner of barbeque at CLT, and spent a while visiting before getting ready to head back for the historic last 2 legs.
Upon heading back to the gate for the final turn, we had our group assembled, and we boarded and settled in. This flight was just about full. We pushed back just about on time, and headed out for the trip to BOS. After an uneventful flight, we arrived on BOS 4R and taxied in to the gate (the BOS tour, as it's known), and arrived at B8, conveniently located next to Legal Seafoods--our group had expressed a desire for clam chowder, so it was a very convenient food stop.
On a day of many surprises, Captain Jim was surprised to see his friend Bob, who had flown DC3's with him for Pinehurst before he joined US (PI) way back when. Another reunion, and a chowder run, and it was time to get back on board for the final flight under Captain Jim's command.
This last leg is a late BOS-CLT running Sun only, and it was booked very light--I think 25 or 26 total and 12 of us were part of Jim's entourage (of course we included the rest of the passengers in on the celebration with snacks and candy provided by other FFOCUS members for the occasion). A short taxi out and we were on our way again--headed down to CLT and one or two more surprises.
Unbeknownst to Boeing Boy, I had arranged for some champagne to be at the gate upon his final arrival, and one of the others in our group had arranged for a water salute for the last taxi in.
We landed on 36R (picture perfect landing), and began to head in to the C gates, where we were greeted with the traditional water salute. The 737 passed through the water salute and on to the gate, where we arrived at a near empty terminal, toasted and cheered our friend, and headed off to my hotel for an adult beverage and to cap off this day's celebration.
Interestingly enough, thanks to my friend Jay in CLT, we discovered that the aircraft we flew on the last turn was the very first 737-400 delivered to any customer in the world, having been delivered to PI in 1988. Boeing Boy made the observation that the oldest -400 in the world was being flown by the oldest pilot at US Airways (for the day at least).
It was an honor and privilege to be part of Boeing Boy's last trip, and to his family, friends and especially to the crew that final day, I say thank you for including me and making me welcome.
Pictures can be found at www.ffocus.org, follow the link "Boeing Boy's Last Hurrah" under the photo.
My best to you all.......
