ATC History
More than just an ATCO
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 1
From: Up someone's nose
Anyone remember Stan Boyle from Prestwick or Brussels.
We used to hide behind doors, trying not to laugh when some poor foreigner was trying to get info out of him
He had a broad Glaswegian accent, compounded with a cleft palate, and although he was a great bloke he should never have been in ATC. I was his translator in Brussels as none of the Belgians understoood a word, surprisingly. One day, in mid summer, Stan asked our Supervisor, Luc v.d. Auwera, "Can I a aa oo eek ee?" Seeing I was busy Luc said, "Should be OK" I'd heard what Stan asked and kept well out of the way for the rest of the shift.
Next morning, " Where's Stan, Lon?"
""Glasgow. He asked politely and you gave him two weeks leave.
We used to hide behind doors, trying not to laugh when some poor foreigner was trying to get info out of him
He had a broad Glaswegian accent, compounded with a cleft palate, and although he was a great bloke he should never have been in ATC. I was his translator in Brussels as none of the Belgians understoood a word, surprisingly. One day, in mid summer, Stan asked our Supervisor, Luc v.d. Auwera, "Can I a aa oo eek ee?" Seeing I was busy Luc said, "Should be OK" I'd heard what Stan asked and kept well out of the way for the rest of the shift.
Next morning, " Where's Stan, Lon?"
""Glasgow. He asked politely and you gave him two weeks leave.
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 31
From: Herefordshire
Reminds me of a co-pilot on Hercs once; doing a radio check.
For some reason 'twiggy' decided to go all the way from 1 to 10, fine but on the way down went ' 10,8,7,9 5,4,6.2,3,1.
Wondered why the rest of the crew were in hysterics.
For some reason 'twiggy' decided to go all the way from 1 to 10, fine but on the way down went ' 10,8,7,9 5,4,6.2,3,1.
Wondered why the rest of the crew were in hysterics.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow
Stan Boyle
I remember Stan Boyle, and enjoyed the story about his two weeks leave.
I used to know Stan when he lived near Newton Mearns and was a member of the old Whitecraigs Rugby and Squash Club on the Southside of Glasgow, now since "redeveloped". In 1987 I was friends with and the same age as his daughter Julie and always wondered if he really was an ATCO, now 24 years later I finally know that he was - stone the crows. Haven't spoken to his daughter since the last time I saw her in 1996 and lost all track with the family back then. Really nice people.
I used to know Stan when he lived near Newton Mearns and was a member of the old Whitecraigs Rugby and Squash Club on the Southside of Glasgow, now since "redeveloped". In 1987 I was friends with and the same age as his daughter Julie and always wondered if he really was an ATCO, now 24 years later I finally know that he was - stone the crows. Haven't spoken to his daughter since the last time I saw her in 1996 and lost all track with the family back then. Really nice people.
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 31
From: Herefordshire
Well the fairer sex memories seem to have died, well the ones that are printable! How about a new theme.
Who had Licence Number 1, over to you JP, and what's the earliest number that any ppruner has?
Who had Licence Number 1, over to you JP, and what's the earliest number that any ppruner has?
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: escaped from NERC
When I joined ATC as a fresh-faced ATCAIII at Gatwick, the Board of Trade Chief Officer was John Graham. I recall being told that he held ATC licence #2. In his life prior to joining ATC he had been, amongst other things, a pre-war racing driver at places such as Brooklands. He retired in 1968.