Booklover- a word of advice. Never ever ask a pilot what he flew (unless you want a very boring evening in nodding your head). Each pilot will answer 'he flew the best'. Well I was fortunate enough to really do it whereas all the others were pretending. I flew that Queen of the Skies, the ultimate in British aviation, the VC10 ('sound of fanfare' Some people call it the 'Iron Duck' as it was apparently carved out of solid stainless steel and as strong as a bus, but they are just common). Wicked. Any pilot that didn't want to fly either Concorde or the 747 has got to be something missing (widebody or supersonic experience). I did the 747- another Queen of the Skies. On the way, I took a wrong turn and went up a shorthaul cul de sac flying B737 which was not me at all- something about all that flying and ending up back where you started- I like a cool hotel room far from squawking babies. Back on the B747, but the GTi version (with FOUR engines, but rarely now and again 3) to see the time out flying to exotic hotspots (like Philadelphia).
Much as it seems arrogant, a wonderful career that I am exceedingly grateful for- there is not much I would have changed (except the time with the unfortunate KLM stewardess in Nairobi, but they are a bunch of absolute party nutters anyway and shouldn't be let loose on other crews.)