The late, great Harry Mills, forced to retire at 55 from the job of Captain of a BA VC 10 went to Abu Dhabi to fly a BN2A Islander for Gulf Air. At that time (earlyish 1970s) Abu Dhabi has a nice new airport with a glass wall between the apron and the departure lounge. Harry, who had grown a long white beard, had the habit of emerging from the traffic office next to the departure lounge to tap his way slowly across the apron with a white stick over to the the Islander while his passengers watched in horror. We had the task of persuading them that they were quire safe, before they would agree to board, and it wasn't easy..