Retirement of ATCO John "Sid" Siddell (EGLL & VHHH)
 

Saturday 16'th March was ATCO John “Sid” Siddell’s last day on the job in ATC. He has given the aviation sector thirty nine years of loyal and professional service. Please indulge me as I write to honour one of the finest ATC's to have ever served.

Most pilots flying through Hong Kong would not have heard Sid much as he was usually listening in as he instructed the next generation of controllers. When he did work he was excellence personified. Diligent, prepared and precise. Never demanding and always helpful, nothing was ever too difficult. Always calm, and possessed of that wonderful Heathrow ATC radio manner.

As for the man himself; Sid is the epitome of an English gentleman. Tall and slim, he is blessed with George Clooney good looks (the girls made me write that) well mannered, intelligent and caring. Born and raised in London, Sid's boyhood ambition was to be a pilot. In search of a flying background he joined NATS in 1974. After finishing college in Bournemouth he trained at Border Radar and Gatwick before being transferred to Heathrow.

ATC was now his undoubted career and he served as a Tower and Approach controller at Heathrow from 1977 to 1997. During this period he furthered his flying interest achieving his ATPL in 1986 and he flew charters part time with Gama Aviation.

In 1997 Sid left London and joined Hong Kong ATC where he worked Tower and Terminal Radar. During his illustrious HK career Sid maintained the same high standards that he brought with him from Heathrow. Many, many, local trainees will attest to Sid’s excellent guidance and all are most grateful for the vast knowledge he has shared with them. Sid’s influence is going to be greatly missed.

This Monday evening Hong Kong ATC's will be gathering to wish Sid farewell. Please join Delta crew in saluting this remarkable man. Wherever you are in the world; ATCO’s, ATCA’s and pilots please stand with us at 12:34:56Z on the 18'th March, raise whatever is in your right hand and say, "Cheers, Sid.”

Thanks Guv'ner, it's been a pleasure and a privilege.

Best Regards,

Everyone in Delta (& the rest of VHHH)

I was on the same course as Sid at Bournemouth, and worked with him at EGLL. He is a legend! I wish him all the best for a long and happy retirement, and look forward to meeting up with him somewhere in the Far East soon. Cheers, Keefy.

I worked with John at EGLL; a quiet gentlemen, to be sure. Cheers, Sid, and enjoy your retirement.

I worked with Sid at Heathrow for 15 years and a nicer bloke it would be difficult to find.

Please pass him my very best wishes for a long and healthy retirement.

Brendan McCartney

I worked with Sid in Hong Kong 98-01.Please pass on my best wishes to him and I certainly will toast him on his retirement.JMc

Who translated 'is Lunnen accent?
I 'ad enuff truble wen I went Norf.
We could at least understand each other at LL

Cheers Sid :ok:

I knew Sid in the early 90s & was fortunate enough to be flown around restaurants in Florida by him in 1992!
I've met a few of his old colleagues here in the sandpit who also speak very highly of him!!
Congratulations on your retirement John, if you're ever passing through DXB, look up the other "Norn Irish" controller you knew!x

Congratulations, Sid. We could have done with you downstairs a few times at Honkers.

Welcome to the land of "pipes and slippers". :ok:

Ho wan.

On the beach aka RC

I, too, worked with Sid at Heathrow. A genuine 'good guy' - always a pleasure to sit alongside in 'the pit' and learn a bit of tic-tac at the same time haha! (33-1, double carpet!) A day at work when the 'Sid, Hobbsie and Bunter' roadshow was in town was always entertaining - ahh, happy days..

Rarely, if ever, did Sid give the ATSAs a hard time; always courteous enough to acknowledge our input into the job, and our efforts to help keep the ball rolling when days were tough.

enjoy your retirement, Sid ! :ok:

andy (ATSA2)

(ps - why am I reminded of 2 Whiskey?? ;))

Sid
 

First met John when playing football at London Airways in the late 70s - I should clarify that John was very good at it and I was there just to make up the numbers.

Worked with him at LL from '86 to when he deserted in '97. My favourite Sid story - Some sort of Gizmo was introduced over the road at LATCC that could spot if there had been a 'technical' loss of separation, but generally LL didn't get told until 3 or 4 weeks after the event.

Manager ATC, one Doug Bush, calls John into his office and says,'There was a loss of separation on Approach 4 weeks ago; I've listened to the tape and it was your voice John on the RT, what have you got to say to that?'. Where upon they both listen to the tape.

Cool as a cucumber John says, 'That's not my voice, Doug'.

'Yes it is' says Doug.

'No it isn't, you prove it was my voice' replies our hero, departing the office with a smug smile on his face ( I guessed that last bit about the smile).

Have a great retirement, Sid!

John Siddell
 

I knew John when he worked at LATCC as an ATCA on B Watch in the 70s & played for London Airways. Thereafter, I met him several times in Jersey when he was flying for Gamma.

Great bloke. Remember me to him, please; & wish him well on my behalf. It comes to us all, regrettably, in the end John.

Keith Cockayne

Here's to you Matey
 

A diamond geezer . . . Well done fella . . you made it . . . and a great pleasure to have served with you "Old Bean"
(LL D&B in the good old days)

Take care and very best wishes for a long and fulfilling retirement . . . you deserve it.

ps I can't believe that CMc is still pushing the tin at TC whilst exec flying in his spare time !!! and . . . whatever happened to JCa ?

Cheers

Geoff Nash
India 99 :cool:

I99
 

Still patrolling the mean streets of Wiltshire, Geoff?

Kripes - I am so old i did some of his training at Heathrow. Sailed through, great kid! retirement -jeez I must be ancient.
ALL the very best for the future. I M C

Oftenflylo

Yep, you are, indeed, ancient. But don't let that stop you. Nice to see that you have finally tackled the black arts of the computer. Kettle easily boiled here if you're passing.

John, you are a real gentlement. It was my honour to be your trainee once. You were respected and would be missed by the locals.

You mean 'clicking machine', 'Mister'...

State your problem?:D