Do you know a Delta Pilot ?
Dec 26, 2010, 9:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Georgia
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Amex Delta Reserve + Platinum MR. Y, I book.
Posts: 158
Do you know a Delta Pilot ?
Personally, I'd never paid any attention to the pilot of the plane unless the landing was problematic. Then I felt it my duty to give the pilot of look-see on my way out.
Then a few years ago I met a retired Delta Airlines Captain. Leon Norton based out of Atlanta. As a 30 year pilot with Delta - he had plenty of stories about flight times when flying was fun. Before the age of computers running everything. He was an egomaniac with a thirst for adventure, a quick wit, and by the time I had met him ... a fairly big heart. He flew the GA to Cali route mostly on 747's or alternately the L1011 ... as he termed them 'A bucket of bolts'
He retired up to my neck of the woods in the north GA mountains.
The first time I met him - he was pasting a 'Fly Delta' sticker on his mailbox.
Over the next few years he told me stories of buzzing the golden gate bridge and making un-scheduled low passes over the grand canyon for his passengers. And making successful passes at the Flight Attendants. I'm pretty sure you'd get fired for that these days ; )
He was struck by lightening a few months before eligibility for full retirement - and he decided to make the most of that experience - by retelling it to everyone he met. All his correspondence included the signature ' Captain Lee Norton' ... he was so proud to fly Delta and over time - endeared me to the airline as well. As a highly experienced Delta captain - he received priority seating vouchers every year - and offered them freely to friends ... and to me-the-neighbor whenever a need arose. I never took advantage of the generosity ... though now I'm thinking about how dumb I was at the time. : D
He had a dog named Boo Boo and when the news came that he didn't have long to live - he asked me if I would take his dog and love her like he did when he was gone. When the time came - of course I did. She's still with me. I took this image after she stole a stack of oatmeal cookies when I wasn't looking - and then pretended I couldn't see them in her mouth.
In attending the funeral I was surprised to see several current and former Delta airline pilots show up in Uniform. It was a very impressive show of respect for their former friend.
In the aftermath - the family asked if there was anything of Lees that I might want before they closed up his home and put it up for sale ... I did take one thing. One of his fellow airline pilots had taken up painting as a sideline - and Lee bought one of the paintings in the 70's. It's entitled 'Heading West' - and it's what he wanted -and got- inscribed on his memorial plaque.
This was hanging on his wall through the entire time I knew him. Now it's hanging on mine. I took it down for cleaning today and I thought I'd share it - and the story behind it with my fellow FT'rs this holiday.
Captain Lee Norton was a seasoned and proud Delta Airline Pilot - and a friend of mine.
Lee and his dog Boo Boo taken at his home in Rabun Gap, GA.
Then a few years ago I met a retired Delta Airlines Captain. Leon Norton based out of Atlanta. As a 30 year pilot with Delta - he had plenty of stories about flight times when flying was fun. Before the age of computers running everything. He was an egomaniac with a thirst for adventure, a quick wit, and by the time I had met him ... a fairly big heart. He flew the GA to Cali route mostly on 747's or alternately the L1011 ... as he termed them 'A bucket of bolts'
He retired up to my neck of the woods in the north GA mountains.
The first time I met him - he was pasting a 'Fly Delta' sticker on his mailbox.
Over the next few years he told me stories of buzzing the golden gate bridge and making un-scheduled low passes over the grand canyon for his passengers. And making successful passes at the Flight Attendants. I'm pretty sure you'd get fired for that these days ; )
He was struck by lightening a few months before eligibility for full retirement - and he decided to make the most of that experience - by retelling it to everyone he met. All his correspondence included the signature ' Captain Lee Norton' ... he was so proud to fly Delta and over time - endeared me to the airline as well. As a highly experienced Delta captain - he received priority seating vouchers every year - and offered them freely to friends ... and to me-the-neighbor whenever a need arose. I never took advantage of the generosity ... though now I'm thinking about how dumb I was at the time. : D
He had a dog named Boo Boo and when the news came that he didn't have long to live - he asked me if I would take his dog and love her like he did when he was gone. When the time came - of course I did. She's still with me. I took this image after she stole a stack of oatmeal cookies when I wasn't looking - and then pretended I couldn't see them in her mouth.
In attending the funeral I was surprised to see several current and former Delta airline pilots show up in Uniform. It was a very impressive show of respect for their former friend.
In the aftermath - the family asked if there was anything of Lees that I might want before they closed up his home and put it up for sale ... I did take one thing. One of his fellow airline pilots had taken up painting as a sideline - and Lee bought one of the paintings in the 70's. It's entitled 'Heading West' - and it's what he wanted -and got- inscribed on his memorial plaque.
This was hanging on his wall through the entire time I knew him. Now it's hanging on mine. I took it down for cleaning today and I thought I'd share it - and the story behind it with my fellow FT'rs this holiday.
Captain Lee Norton was a seasoned and proud Delta Airline Pilot - and a friend of mine.
Lee and his dog Boo Boo taken at his home in Rabun Gap, GA.
Last edited by runCMD; Dec 26, 2010 at 11:45 am
Dec 26, 2010, 12:36 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: Formally TPAbound/Delta Diamond 1MM/Hilton Diamond/Marriott Silver/Priority Club Gold
Posts: 270
Amazing story....Thanks for sharing it with us!
While reading your story, I smiled the entire time. Thanks for the touching details. It's not often we have a friend like yours.
About 5 years ago our flight crew announced that we were the Caption's last flight. They announced at 12:01am he would no longer be able to fly (due to his age).
The final taxi was bitter sweet. However, pulling under the two fire trucks with water spraying was very cool.
May your friend rest in peace. Oh....make sure you keep spoiling Boo Boo with oatmeal cookies.
Travel safe
About 5 years ago our flight crew announced that we were the Caption's last flight. They announced at 12:01am he would no longer be able to fly (due to his age).
The final taxi was bitter sweet. However, pulling under the two fire trucks with water spraying was very cool.
May your friend rest in peace. Oh....make sure you keep spoiling Boo Boo with oatmeal cookies.
Travel safe
