(This "old fart" always has a "long time ago" story)
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With PanAm 707s, we made flights to Moscow... pronounces Moss-kvah...
And the Aeroflot "provided" us with a "navigator-radio operator/interpreter".
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We seated him behind the captain... They boarded the flight in CPH...
These guys were always dressed with a long coat, and all looked like Brezhnev.
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So we made friends with them, always same guys, 4 or 5 of them.
SOP for us was simple. After passing Kaliningrad, they handled the radio.
And told us, "left one zero degrees, descent 4,350 feet" (yes they converted to feet for us).
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Our best looking flight attendant was instructed to be provide friendly cockpit service.
She was instructed to wear her skirt as short as possible.
Never forget to serve Ivan Ivanovitch Ivanov with "tshaii" (tea) and cookies.
And to bring him a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka (Kapitalist Vodka) compliment of the captain.
And a carton of papirossa (cigarettes) "Marlboro" (compliment of PanAm)...
Then we had our cockpit manuals (latest Playboy magazines) he could roll into his coat.
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These gentlemen were flabbergasted by our 2 LTN-51 INS with 9 waypoints.
They were (almost) as accurate as his vectors.
Sometimes he would admit their IL-62s had better "INS" than ours...
But of course, that was privileged information. We agreed their technology more advanced, yes...!
Our pledge was not to inform the CIA about the fact.
And, of course, these good people were not KGB employees... never...!
And after landing, was the big "bear hug" - American captain and Rusky navigator.
Otcheenn spassibo Ivan... y dosveedanya, tovaritchi...
Next week will get the new Hustler magazine for you...
I miss these good old days of "MOCKBA" flights, in a sense.
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The lady (KGB) "floor supervisor" always appreciated 1/2 tube of Colgate and used toothbrushes.
The maid cleaning the room always asked for some shoe polish.
For her, no Playboy, but a Vogue fashion magazine.
I remember a wonderful gift I once gave, a Berlitz Russian/English conversation book for toutists.
She hugged me when she left the room - never saw her again...
Door always wide open, in case of suspicion of making some little Vladimirs or Natashas together.
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Happy contrails