Conversation Between Gearhead Jim and glennhl

You had an excellent career. United will survive, but they will never be that wonderful Airline that did everything. They flew all the routes and they did a great job of maintaining their own aircraft. There was nothing they could not do from a maintenance standpoint.

Thanks,
Glenn

Glenn-

You are correct about turbines. In my younger days, I thought that real men flew only tailwheels and recips. After spending a few years in jets, I thought they were the greatest thing ever. Kinda like the difference between my old '67 Corvette and the C6.

During 36 years at United, I never shut down an engine and never declared an emergency; except for couple of passenger illnesses.

The good days in the airlines are gone, at least for our lifetime. I had forced retirement at age 60 in 2005. A friend was right on the edge of age 60 retirement when they were planing to extend the age to 65, he was very worried they might make him fly to 65.

I loved the flying and the people but intensely disliked what the industry had become.

The people who work "behind the scenes" deserve far more credit than they get, for making flying so safe today. Thanks for your service, and tell all your buddies that you know one retired pilot who's grateful for all the help he received.

Jim

My Dad had a golf buddy that flew for TWA, his name was Jim Miller. Jim told me that he thought turbine engines revolutionized aviation and I have to agree with him. He said in 30 years of flying 707's, 727's, and 747's, he only shut down one turbine engine and that was because of a faulty oil pressure gage. However, he said the last flight he did in a Super Connie he shut down two engines!

It's hard to see the Airlines struggle, I've done business with United for years (I work for Honeywell, was AlliedSignal, was Garret, was AiResearch) and I've always had a lot of respect for United.

Thanks,
Glenn