Sir Freddie Laker Dies
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: LISBO/DUFFY-ish
Freddie Laker
If you subtract the harm that he did to the established order, from the good that he did to the future of commercial aviation, IMHO that he has a balance in heaven - in the aviation dept.
R.I.P.
R.I.P.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Over Mache Grande?
Still remember when I was 7 (In 1980!) seeing a Skytrain at Manchester and being in awe. Clearly before my adult time, but a true pioneer. Only now an I starting to realise my dream, but if I could time-shift 30 years, I'd have loved to work for Sir Freddie!
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Englands newest City
dwshimoda
I worked for Fred at Manchester in 1980. I was in awe also. DC10 was first widebody I had worked on. Loved the airplane and the company. It was a fantastic time to be in the aviation industry. Every day I loved going to work. Never been the same since February 5th 1982.A truly sad day today.
I worked for Fred at Manchester in 1980. I was in awe also. DC10 was first widebody I had worked on. Loved the airplane and the company. It was a fantastic time to be in the aviation industry. Every day I loved going to work. Never been the same since February 5th 1982.A truly sad day today.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 2
From: In a far better place
After and early airline in endeavor in England… After Sky Train brought to ruin by BA and members of MP... After Laker International... Sir Freddy Laker, with the energy and enthusiasm of a young kid, created Laker Bahama Airlines a Bahamian airline based in Fort Lauderdale.
I had the pleasure of first meeting Sir Freddy in 1999 in “Aviators” a restaurant on the west side ramp of Fort Lauderdale International Airport (KFLL). My impression of Sir Freddy from day one was that he was a man of class and a true gentleman. Occasionally, we would have lunch together from time to time. I was very intrigued by his exploits in aviation from the 1940s up to Laker Bahama Airlines. While I was with a charter airline, I had the pleasure of providing short call sub-service with our 727s for Sir Freddy from time to time when one of his aircraft were out of service. In 2001, I had the pleasure of having our airline providing sub-service for Laker Bahama, while his aircraft were undergoing “C” Checks. I remember Sir Freddy as a hands on owner/operator. Sir Freddy, himself, personally made sure my crews were taken care of while on layovers in Freeport. On several occasions, he would ride our aircraft and personally greet the passengers and talk to them while on route. Sir Freddy’s, generosity was extended to the employees of our airline from day one. Sir Freddy provided our crews with gratuitous unlimited hotel/food/vacation vouchers at the hotels he was affiliated with in the Bahamas along with free transport on his airline too.
Sir Freddy’s demeanor was no different whether at lunch, at the bar, or at the office. In my opinion, Sir Freddy Laker’s hand shake was just as good as his signature on a contract… I will always remember Sir Freddy as a true gentleman… a class act… and an undaunted pioneer in low cost commercial air travel.
I had the pleasure of first meeting Sir Freddy in 1999 in “Aviators” a restaurant on the west side ramp of Fort Lauderdale International Airport (KFLL). My impression of Sir Freddy from day one was that he was a man of class and a true gentleman. Occasionally, we would have lunch together from time to time. I was very intrigued by his exploits in aviation from the 1940s up to Laker Bahama Airlines. While I was with a charter airline, I had the pleasure of providing short call sub-service with our 727s for Sir Freddy from time to time when one of his aircraft were out of service. In 2001, I had the pleasure of having our airline providing sub-service for Laker Bahama, while his aircraft were undergoing “C” Checks. I remember Sir Freddy as a hands on owner/operator. Sir Freddy, himself, personally made sure my crews were taken care of while on layovers in Freeport. On several occasions, he would ride our aircraft and personally greet the passengers and talk to them while on route. Sir Freddy’s, generosity was extended to the employees of our airline from day one. Sir Freddy provided our crews with gratuitous unlimited hotel/food/vacation vouchers at the hotels he was affiliated with in the Bahamas along with free transport on his airline too.
Sir Freddy’s demeanor was no different whether at lunch, at the bar, or at the office. In my opinion, Sir Freddy Laker’s hand shake was just as good as his signature on a contract… I will always remember Sir Freddy as a true gentleman… a class act… and an undaunted pioneer in low cost commercial air travel.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Blighty - On secondment
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: UK
Freddie Laker
Sad news about Sir Freddie. I would also like to pay tribute. Obviously he was a great pioneer, by succeeding, against the odds, in defeating the cartel of long-established high-charging airlines. The disgraceful behaviour of people in high places conspiring to get rid of Laker opened my eyes to the ways of the world. Working for Laker Airways was by far my best job, because apart from the satisfaction of being part of something new and hugely popular it was a happy company, as shown, I think by the many well-attended re-unions. As said by others Sir Freddie was a very honourable man, and I am ashamed of the way my country treated him.
Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,383
Likes: 169
From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
That twinkle in his eye came from his ebullient enthusiasm for life and of course, his lust for searching for new windmills to tilt at.
He did not waste a minute of that extraordinary life.
He did not waste a minute of that extraordinary life.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: London UK
Sir Freddie
As a kid, I had a little blue fluffy mouse on a bit of string that I would 'fly' around my house. His name was Freddie Laker.
A true pioneer.
Thanks Freddie, the world is smaller place because of you.
A true pioneer.
Thanks Freddie, the world is smaller place because of you.
Sir Freddie
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere between here and there....
I had the pleasure of meeting him when I flew on one of his then new A300's on a jolly round the Bay of Biscay. What a very very nice man, a true gentleman.
These pictures are posted in his honour - Sir Freddie Laker : RIP
These pictures are posted in his honour - Sir Freddie Laker : RIP
Buzz off with BAF!!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Essex England
I had the pleasure of working for Channel Airbridge/ British United Air Ferries
at London Southend Airport in the early 1960s. Sir Freddie was busy
ensuring that Aviation Traders were converting DC4s into Carvairs ( his idea)
at their Southend facility.
We always knew when we saw his Rolls Royce arrive that we were in for
an exciting day!
He inspired staff and received affection and loyalty like no other employer
I have known. He also used to throw some wonderful Christmas staff parties!!
The airline world has lost a great man.
at London Southend Airport in the early 1960s. Sir Freddie was busy
ensuring that Aviation Traders were converting DC4s into Carvairs ( his idea)
at their Southend facility.
We always knew when we saw his Rolls Royce arrive that we were in for
an exciting day!
He inspired staff and received affection and loyalty like no other employer
I have known. He also used to throw some wonderful Christmas staff parties!!
The airline world has lost a great man.