Delta #1 retires

That really is a great story. As the industry changes do you think people will still have the same pride in their career as they did such as this captain and many others that flew though the glory days?
 
Going from a mechanic, to serving for our freedom and fulfilling his dream to fly. Awesome story and a great way to retire. Wish I could have the opportunity to meet him some day. I am sure he has a vast knowledge base to share from.
 
Great story. I know a few UA mechanics that jumpers over to pilots in the 60's. My Dad looked into it, but decided ti not do the jump.

I hope that his extra time to 65 allowed to makeup his losses due to mgt.
 
ATLANTA (AP) - From inside the cockpit, Cal Flanigan watched Delta Air Lines grow over the decades from a Southern regional carrier to a global airline that assigned him to pilot its inaugural flights to Dubai and other cities worldwide.

Now, after 37 years, Delta's longest-serving pilot is hanging up his captain's stripes. Flanigan is turning 65, which is the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots.

LOCAL REPORT: Senior Delta pilot retires after grasping dream (The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

He landed his final flight - a Delta 777 widebody returning to Atlanta from Los Angeles - on Friday. His plane received a water-cannon salute and Flanigan was met by Delta employees with a celebration at the concourse gate at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

"It's a career that has exceeded my wildest dreams," Flanigan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I've been preparing myself mentally for the last year, knowing it's coming and I couldn't do anything to stop it."

Flanigan first joined Delta as a mechanic 45 years ago, with hopes of one day flying. A year later, in 1969, he was drafted into the Army for two years. Using the GI Bill and money saved from his Delta wages, Flanigan managed to pay for pilot training at a time when few other African-Americans were flying commercial airliners. He realized his dreamin 1976, when he became a first officer flying DC-9s for Delta.

Flanigan is retiring after 25 years as a captain and a record eight years as Delta's senior pilot.

Delta says Flanigan has logged more than 26,000 flight hours and flown roughly 12.5 million miles. He's landed at 95 destinations on six continents.

In a message to employees, Delta CEO Richard Anderson called Flanigan "a hero of mine at Delta."

"We are honored that you have been part of the Delta family for so many years," Anderson said.

Those he's retiring from commercial flying, Flanigan said he plans to keep his pilot license active and fly his own plane.

He's not the only one facing a big transition. At Delta, Flanigan has been senior flight instructor, line check airman and international chief pilot in Atlanta.

"He epitomizes the principles of servant leadership," said Steve Dickson, Delta's senior vice president of flight operations.

I think I also read that he never called out sick. Any of you Delta guys flown with him?
 
Looks like Doug gained a number.

Looks like he was management for a while. A regular line guy wouldn't even be noticed. I'll have one year less than him if I go to 65 (which I won't). I want to be the guy when they look at the retirement list they say "Who was that guy?".
 
Dang. I just found my new role model. I never missed a day of school from pre-school to high school. This guy... Talk about good health!
 
Damn, he must have an incredible immune system. How he could manage to never get food poisoning or some intestinal virus or something from a pax, or whatever is amazing! lol Marvelous career. I bet he was a helluva mentor. I hope he lives a good long life and gets to relax and travel with his wife and he'll have plenty of time to fly his own plane around for fun. Good for him!
 
"I'm number one! I'm number one! Well, I'm tired and I uhh, only have a few months left. I waited all my life for this and now it's time for a nap. Meh" :)
 
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