Another story, from the days of Piston engined throttle consoles, with power, mixture, pitch, carb heat, reverse etc. some 16 levers ? One of the NAB's asked the F/Eng. why he was wearing white gloves, some sort of affectation, maybe trying to upstage the NAB himself perhaps ? Well Sir, ( not forgetting the Sir ) replied the F/Eng. when we have an engine failure approaching V.1, and you order an abandoned take off, I want to know which fuc***g hands are mine !
Tho' we're talking of NAB's, many F/Eng's were themselves a legend. I recall suggesting to one of them on an early trip of mine, that maybe I should consider learning Italian, or Spanish on the West African routes with their Rome and Barclona slip patterns ? No lad, he replied, you only need to know one phrase in any language, WorldWide. " 2 beers please, my friend will pay " !! Served me well.