Originally Posted by
gmitchs
I flew on CA 1502 today from SHA-PEK. About halfway through the flight the crew made an announcement that it was the Captain's 60th birthday today and that this would be his final flight (at least at the controls). There was a loud ovation. A few minutes later the Captain came downstairs and the entire cabin stood up to receive his way up and down the aisles. He then proceeded to shake the hand of every passenger as he made the rounds. He was treated like a hero. There was also a gathering of company officials and a few photographers waiting at the arrival gate. It was great to see.^
Anyone else have a similar experience?
Similar but different. I was on an AC flight that was the last flight for that aircraft (before being flown to Marana, AZ to be mothballed and probably resold) on a 727, one of AC's last..upon landing at YYZ, the firetrucks came out and gave the airplane a ritual hosedown, two per side as a kind of ceremony. The pilot advised us before landing not to worry about firetrucks hosing down the plane, it was a ritutal for planes that are being retired. There were a bunch of AC employees standing around taking pics outside. I really miss the 727,s...low to the ground, long takeoff runs..but roomy for a smaller plane. This one had the front seats that were backwards with a card table.