But the best feeling of all was way back in 2004 when a huge hairy guy who looked like he hadn't washed in months walked silently into our crewroom in KAF, asked for Devil47, shook my hand and told me his patrol would have been dead had it not been for us.
... that and many variations of it in many theatres over many years. Got some beers on similar grounds a couple of months ago - dating back 30+ years......
Recalling the wise words of a JP QFI of mine many years ago - he was an ex Hastings co-pilot perpetual Fg Off (no B Exam) with a GSM, amongst many creamie and FJ QFIs (who in those days had no op experience):
"Remember that - fun as it is - you are rarely flying for your own benefit. It's usually for a bloke on the ground who's a bit smelly - and you'll probably never meet."
LateArmLive - you're lucky you did! And you might still get a beer off him in 20 years time!