The way we were - Ansett, TAA, Qantas
I have more empathy than any will know for 'the war' but let's put things into perspective. It was 30 years ago and it happened. No one can undo it and I recently read Chickenhawk for about the 5th time.
Can people please get back to digging up YouTube videos of lesbian Cabin Crew Training Managers and moustached gravelly voiced senior Captains who regaled us all with stories of the Wild West when there was nothing on the clocks but the makers name....
Dress code for First Class.
Back in the old days we did have to dress nicely if we wanted to be upgraded to First Class whilst travelling on a Staff Concession ticket. It was always nice to see nicely dressed people on board although there was one Check in guy in Adelaide who did take it a bit too far.
He always insisted on male Staff wearing a tie , if no tie no upgrade and he used to make a really big issue of it !!
This guy was a real pain in the ass and it used to give me so much pleasure to walk up to the desk when travelling on a " must ride " but in Civvies wearing a tie.
He used to smirk when he saw us approaching as he thought he had gotten his way but as soon as I handed my Must Ride ticket to him I removed my tie and it completely deflated this pedantic person. The look on his face was of absolute horror but there was nothing he could do.
This may all seem a bit petty but so was his attitude!!!!
It was just one of the little things that made flying wonderful and going to work a great pleasure.
We truly had the Halcyon days then.
Oh !! how things have changed and not for the better either!!!
He always insisted on male Staff wearing a tie , if no tie no upgrade and he used to make a really big issue of it !!
This guy was a real pain in the ass and it used to give me so much pleasure to walk up to the desk when travelling on a " must ride " but in Civvies wearing a tie.
He used to smirk when he saw us approaching as he thought he had gotten his way but as soon as I handed my Must Ride ticket to him I removed my tie and it completely deflated this pedantic person. The look on his face was of absolute horror but there was nothing he could do.
This may all seem a bit petty but so was his attitude!!!!
It was just one of the little things that made flying wonderful and going to work a great pleasure.
We truly had the Halcyon days then.
Oh !! how things have changed and not for the better either!!!
The standard of passenger dress of many who fly airlines today is no standard at all. Then you see the twits on certain popular TV shows where airheads come on and say that the only thing that matters is dressing entirely how you like with no tolerance of anyone who dares suggest otherwise, so there's no expectation that presentability will ever count for anything again. There are many retired airline pilots, engineers and cabin crew who would rather drive between cities than catch the squirter.
Seems the Italians in general have not lost their flair for style.
Seems the Italians in general have not lost their flair for style.
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Hunter Valley NSW
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can only thank Aviation for giving me the life I had. Joined TAA aged 19 years. Thought DC3 was huge. Learnt my trade from the returned bomber pilots, young men who were old men, and had seen to much. Went to PNG and flew the best years of my life, with some of the best pilots ever, returned to MEL, and sent with a former bomber command pilot Peter Kausman and VH MIN, to Boulia to work for the Govt via Mineral And Mining, to criss cross the country, for three years with Scientists and equipment aboard looking for minerals. Why oh why did I not invest what little I had! Sent back line flying, bought house in MEL, they assured me I was now staying there, then promptly moved me back to PNG, as a C and T Capt. Sold house in MEL, so they promptly moved me back. (you older blokes would know the story) do the right thing by us and we will stick the bat up, every single time. As far as I know nothing has changed. 89, saw me pack up the family for Europe, and a 747 endorsement, and finally back home to become one of QF's oldest S/O ever! Now watch the kids fly, and hear their stories, familiar stories, different A/C, different people, but the same complaints! Just be grateful you are part of it, you, me are the lucky ones.
TAA tail camera
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Hunter Valley NSW
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What a sad little person. Arrogant, rude, ignorant. This site brings back memories for many of us, it's hardly the site, for you to take out your frustrations. You are obviously not an a achiever. Shame. Any info about the age of pilots in those days, can be found at the TAA museum in Melbourne, in fact any info you require. Nineteen year old pilots were common, and let me state, showed maturity, even then. You would have failed miserably.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
Age: 69
Posts: 2,965
Received 92 Likes
on
53 Posts
Flyboat North; I have been a pprune member for quite some time now, but I can honestly state that I have never ever read a post with such venom, bitterness, hatred and twisted content such as yours.
I enjoy reading posts from ppruners such as Ida down and Teresa green (where is he these days?)
If you do not, feel free to skip over them, but do not denigrate such people.
I enjoy reading posts from ppruners such as Ida down and Teresa green (where is he these days?)
If you do not, feel free to skip over them, but do not denigrate such people.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: New Zealand
Age: 71
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Please no more
C'mon lads, this thread has been running for some time. I started it originally not for fighting purposes nor to make individual arguments. I'm just an old timer reminiscing about the old days and the absolute joy the flying brought us. We flew for a living, earned good money and absolutely loved handling the yoke every day possible. I'm getting old now, ill, and living on borrowed time. Can't we just enjoy some great memories while sharing them with some of the younger bucks? Please no arguing, snipes, or anything personal.
Para
Para
Speaking of which:
On my first trip out as a trainee S/O, early 70's on a 707, the F/E introduced himself "G.day, I'm Jim. I'm the stage coach driver". Not wanting to appear ignorant, or anything, I kept my puzzlement to myself. Perhaps he had an unusual hobby?
<You old blokes know this, but I'll continue>
Days later up the track, in the bar at The Gulf in Bahrain, I broached the subject with him about his unusual hobby.
"Nah" he said, "when I go to work, I have to sit all day between two arseholes."
God bless the Purple Empire. They always knew the location of the darkest bars and the cheapest beers.
On my first trip out as a trainee S/O, early 70's on a 707, the F/E introduced himself "G.day, I'm Jim. I'm the stage coach driver". Not wanting to appear ignorant, or anything, I kept my puzzlement to myself. Perhaps he had an unusual hobby?
<You old blokes know this, but I'll continue>
Days later up the track, in the bar at The Gulf in Bahrain, I broached the subject with him about his unusual hobby.
"Nah" he said, "when I go to work, I have to sit all day between two arseholes."
God bless the Purple Empire. They always knew the location of the darkest bars and the cheapest beers.
FBN
I have been in this industry all my life having lived on an airport while growing up and having been an Aircraft Engineerfor 50 years. I count myself as old school and, having most likely worked with some of the posters here, I have the utmost respect for the views and sentiments expressed here, but I do not necessarily agree with all.
I find it sad that you have used this forum to denigrate all the professionals here whether they be engineers or pilots and continue all your vitriolic attacks on us.
Your experience in this industry????? I do believe is none. I do think EWL has summed you up in a very eloquent manner. Please remember respect is earned and is a two way street.
I have been in this industry all my life having lived on an airport while growing up and having been an Aircraft Engineerfor 50 years. I count myself as old school and, having most likely worked with some of the posters here, I have the utmost respect for the views and sentiments expressed here, but I do not necessarily agree with all.
I find it sad that you have used this forum to denigrate all the professionals here whether they be engineers or pilots and continue all your vitriolic attacks on us.
Your experience in this industry????? I do believe is none. I do think EWL has summed you up in a very eloquent manner. Please remember respect is earned and is a two way street.
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Hunter Valley NSW
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fellas thanks for your support. Normally our profession, does not indulge in that sort of behaviour. On a happier note, may I bring to you attention a book many of you would enjoy, in fact could well find yourselves in it. It's called " Taking To The Skies" by Jim Eames. Available on line or in most bookshops, it's a great read, and brings back memories for many, in fact for those who flew from the sixties on, it's a must read. Around twenty dollars on line it's worth every cent.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
Age: 69
Posts: 2,965
Received 92 Likes
on
53 Posts
Thanks for that Ida. It is on my `to get` list.
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Hunter Valley NSW
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Talking about the EW fokkers, I was one the gang of eight who delivered them to Exeter in the UK. We flew out of Tamworth To Darwin, up thru the Far East, Italy (or was it Crete) onto the UK. It was an incredible trip, but most of us had been burnt by 89, hated them leaving Oz, especially the ginger beers who were with us, and used the opportunity to find overseas jobs. There were three aircraft, three LAMES' and eight Captains, all of whom were more then ready to piss on Abeles grave. The job had been given to Aircruise Australia, who were a charter company not involved in the dispute, but it was a crew of very mixed feelings who delivered them. A few of us obtained positions thru Parc Aviation, and stayed OS for some time. Including the Engineers.
