A salute to freshairborne--happy retirement
Nov 17, 2019, 10:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Northern California
Programs: UAMP
Posts: 33
A salute to freshairborne--happy retirement
If I've done my math correctly, today is the day frequent contributor and United pilot, "freshairborne" retires. I just wanted to give a shoutout and wish the best of luck.
Nov 18, 2019, 3:40 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 181
I was on a flight Saturday (Nov 16th) that the FA announced as the pilot's finale after a long & distinguished career, which generated a hearty round of applause upon landing. I wonder if this was "freshairborne"? The slightly embarrassing part is I took three flights that day -- PVG-SFO-DEN-AUS -- and they all blur, so I can't remember which included the announcement. I'm pretty sure it was PVG-SFO. Or a different retiring pilot entirely, which seems like an unlikely coincidence? Y/N?
Nov 18, 2019, 7:31 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,450
Retirement flights aren’t necessarily on the pilot’s birthday, but two pilots in the system hit the 65 mark yesterday, and suffice to say, one of them is not FAB!
Whether your last flight was yesterday or earlier, congratulations, Captain, and enjoy your retirement! I think I speak for many when I say I hope you choose to continue with your valuable contributions to the forum.
Whether your last flight was yesterday or earlier, congratulations, Captain, and enjoy your retirement! I think I speak for many when I say I hope you choose to continue with your valuable contributions to the forum.
Nov 18, 2019, 8:58 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
That's an average of 12 pilots retiring every week, so two on one day would not not at all be unlikely.
Nov 18, 2019, 9:25 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,842
Nov 18, 2019, 10:16 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: BDL/NYC/BOS
Programs: UA/*A Gold, Global Entry, Marriott Plat, Hilton+IHG Gold, Hertz PC, DL
Posts: 1,752
According to this article, "Close to half of United’s roughly 12,500 pilots will retire over the next 10 years".
That's an average of 12 pilots retiring every week, so two on one day would not not at all be unlikely.
That's an average of 12 pilots retiring every week, so two on one day would not not at all be unlikely.
Nov 18, 2019, 12:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: KEWR
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 794
Retirement flights aren’t necessarily on the pilot’s birthday, but two pilots in the system hit the 65 mark yesterday, and suffice to say, one of them is not FAB!
Whether your last flight was yesterday or earlier, congratulations, Captain, and enjoy your retirement! I think I speak for many when I say I hope you choose to continue with your valuable contributions to the forum.
Whether your last flight was yesterday or earlier, congratulations, Captain, and enjoy your retirement! I think I speak for many when I say I hope you choose to continue with your valuable contributions to the forum.