FriendlySkies

It's truly the end of an era. Sad to see Denny leaving UA.

halls120

I've been fortunate enough to fly with him twice - both transcons before the merger, and both were memorable - the second one even more than the first, as I was able to chat with him in between his greeting passengers at 2L on the 757. Later I woke up after dozing to see a copy of Age of Flight on my lap with a nice note included. What a treat....and when he retires, he will surely be missed.

SFOTerry

Okay, I will lobby for SFO-CDG 777 on 9 April.

rch4u

There are two sUA domestic 757s still in service, slated for retirement in early April. I believe they primarily fly LAX/SFO-Hawaii now. It would be amazing if he could pilot one of the noble fleet's final flights as his final flight!

Pat89339

It's been finally sorted out. I'll lay out the story so everyone knows what's been going on recently and how it is now on the way to resolution.

Denny's 65th birthday is June 5th and he was caught up in a "Catch 22" with the United and Continental 757-767 fleets. Because of the engine differences, Pratt and Whitney vs. Rolls Royce, and the cockpit navigation software, the FAA will not let the pilots fly each others' aircraft. United has been selling many of their 757s to FedEx and the remainder are having software changes to be more compatible with the Continental fleet. As of May 1st all United 757-767 flying will come to an end and the pilots will be on a reserve status until they are trained to fly the Continental 757-767 fleet.

As a result he had only one trip scheduled for April, an ORD-LHR-ORD on April 21st. Flight 938 to LHR and flight 959 return to ORD on the 23rd. It appeared that it might have been his final flight. He would not be able to fly even the sUA 757/767 aircraft during the month of May or June due to the cockpit software changes without the training.

Captain Denny accepted his situation with quiet resolve saying he had a great career at United and was very fortunate to be involved with the FlyerTalk and Inside Flyer communities. He said he will miss the smiling and energetic faces of those who have flown with him and have taken the time to share a meal. He wanted to thank all of you for being a large part of his flying career. Even though retirement is a destination for many, to him it was about the journey and he was proud to have met you along the way!

Yesterday, he received an email from the Denver Training Center scheduling his 4-day training starting March 28. After he completes the training he will need to have a check ride on a 767-400. If this happens prior to April 12, he will be able to bid on a May schedule. If everything falls into place he will return to flying domestic and hopes to meet as many of you as possible during his final flights. If his check ride is after April 12, he will only be able to fly reserve in May, but will bid on flights for the first few days of June. The April 21-23 flight has been taken off his schedule.

He wanted me to let the people in the Denver area know that he'd be happy to meet for dinner while he is in training (March 28-31). He can be reached by email: captdennyflanagan AT gmail.com

He will be sending me a poster size 767 photo that he would like everyone to sign, like a retirement card to him. I will be gathering signatures at DOs I attend and sending it on to others who will bring it to those I cannot attend. If anyone is having an event and would like me to mail it to them, just send me a PM with the details. He said he will give me 5 years to get signatures.

iluv2fly

Dang - I was going to schedule a trip on April 21 to LHR to be on the flight with him.

Several months ago I was on his outbound and return ORD-LHR-ORD. ^

riphamilton

i really hope we'll have the chance to do something like the JFK-LAX DO at some point in may/june!

rmadisonwi

Will he also qualify on the 757-300?

Pat89339

Yes.

FBWFTW

After booking with UA I've been doing quite a bit of reading up on UA/CO, the merger etc. and I came across articles/posts on Capt Denny only yesterday. Sorry to say my 767-400 flight is after his 65th birthday but I hope some of the captains and crews will take after him!

Pat89339

He also flies the 757. This thread will have his schedule posted in Post #1 when it is available. If BOS is on his schedule, he is always happy to meet for over a meal at his layover, even if you've never flown with him.

FBWFTW

That's awesome. Is his schedule somewhere around here?

Pat89339

When it is available, I will post it in post #1. At this point his next schedule will be posted after April 18, if he gets his check ride before April 12th. Otherwise it will be posted after May 18.

FBWFTW

Thanks so much Pat I appreciate it. I may shoot him an email to see if lunch or dinner might be possible at some point.

764toHI

Count me in for any FlyerTalk DO - I've never flown with Captain Flanagan and it sounds like it would be a real treat!