Today
 

Today. 21 years.

This is a message to many friends, indeed comrades, who have shared skies with an aging Sherm or who have shared a common path these last 21 years though unknown personally to Sherm.

There is no spin to this note. No anguish or recrimination. No hidden message of reproach to those who have different stories, different values, different allegiances. No need for rolled eyes because it’s not your world. If there are lessons to be drawn…..draw them. Sherm neither preaches nor judges. I am, as always on this day, adding another stone to the little cairn I and many others have been building along the road these last 21 years saying to the traveler who takes time to rest and think “Many good pilots passed this way”. Many…… indeed too many, have not passed the other way yet to come home. And they will not. Remember them.

Home, Chez Sherm, now overlooks the South China Sea in tropic splendour. Though as a blessing today is spent on leave back in Australia. This anniversary has been spent in many places over the years. Deep into Arctic skies in Sherm’s beloved 777. In Asian markets, Scandinavian forests, Spanish resorts, New Zealand ski fields. At the Spanish Steps in Rome with some very fine friends and even finer cognac. Alone in Atlanta with room service and a beer. Even missed altogether on one occasion due to the vagaries of the Dateline.

As he moves inexorably to the day where his wings will be put away for the last time, Sherm wishes to have it known and reminded to all he has met along the road, or is yet to meet, and to those too young to know, that he remembers the one key fact of life. That aside from our family....(and a silent thanks to their forbearance these 21 years of distance and steadfastness)..... and the very depths of our souls where we commune only with our Maker, pilots have each other. In and out of the cockpit, only each other.

As the days ahead unfold, remember that. If you have time or reason to re-evaluate what you have done or what you might do in the mistier parts of the path forward yet to unfold….use your time well. Others will look after you less well than will your fellow aviators. I commend that thought to you.

Safe flying

Sherm

Lovely sentiments Sherm. After you've flown your last RPT sector you should consider turning your mind to writing. You have an eloquence that few others seem to possess.

Well said. I take my hat off to ya, Sherm. http://www.smilies.our-local.co.uk/i...s/hathello.gif

Gunbae, Sherm

Outstanding Sherm. :ok:

I met a bloke just like you in a pub in Perth one evening; same deal. I have also flown with many who were caught up in the war. He like you was an inspiration.

Yes,Sherm,if I was as eloquent as you,I would have writ what you did. I too went through the war & have my opinions,which I keep to myself. If the events of 'that date' were to have come out differently,I would still be flogging around Australia,same thing,day in,day out. As it was I got to fly to the most amazing places in the world,experiencing different cultures & challenging aviation environments. So,another year gone. "It'll be over by Christmas"....only thing was...Which Christmas??

What a well told story.
When the war began I was all of 6 years old. But over my short life I have sat beside a few who were involved, and what I have learnt from these folks is to enjoy the moment, as you never know what is around the bend.
:D

Huh???? What did that young bloke say?? We're all around the bend???

Hmmm,darn,he's prolly right :8

Thanks Sherm. I'd forgotten what day it was until I read your post.
My home overlooks the South China Sea as well, so I dare say we have crossed paths at some stage. Seems hard to believe that 21 years have gone by, but what a ride! Fortunately for me, and I dare say others, what seemed like a catastrophe at the time turned in to an opportunity to experience things I never would have dreamed of. I look back with great fondness at the people who have shared some of these great times. I would like to think that some lessons were learned from our debacle, but reading this forum I often wonder.

Nicely said Captain Sherm.

I was reading the Telegraph today and in the 'on this day' section it mentioned this was the day it all started. So it would appear the the 24th of August 1989 is forever a part of Australia's history.

Well said
Thank you

To those who have earned it... Sui Generis, gentlemen.

Yes, well said.:ok:

Yep Sherm, can you believe it, 21 years since after arriving in CBR I was told that I was not allowed near my aircraft, to remove all personal items (along with my FO) and find my own way back to MEL. Two stunned mullets we were. (For those interested, we got a bus) almost 25 years to the day from joining TAA, never to fly again for them. Looking back with some regret, some happiness, and believe it or not, still some disbelief. Some of the human toll was dreadful, some found new happiness in other countries, not me or my mob, we just found homesickness, but we did what we had to do, and learnt to stick together no matter what. Now I look over a Australian sea, happy to be a daggy old bloke, watching three of my kids doing the same job, and my hopes are for them and you out there that your future is secure, and us old timers, regardless of what you think of us, laid down a fairly good path for you to follow, (I am not talking about 89 here) the bid system, good pay, good conditions, now its up to you blokes and girls to keep it all going, because right now the companies are testing you again, but this time you have learnt from us, and good sense will prevail, stick together no matter what, and you will have it in the bag.:D

Teresa,your comments brought back memories of the day the war began. The AFAP warned us all to have a plan ready to get ourselves home in case of a sudden grounding overnight.

My last overnight was on the Gold Coast. Being Brisbane based,no problem,we could have walked home. As it was,we flew the next day Coolangatta to Sydney,then deadheaded home to BN. Upon arrival,met by AFAP & told to get all our gear & clear off home....and that,was that.

I guess a whole new thread could be "Where were you,when it all fell over?"

23 years old, just finished PPL, stars in my eyes. Didn't have a clue what was going on as I knew no-one in the industry. I didn't have a Dad or bro or sister in the industry that could guide me.

Learn't my aviation lesson about 2 years on after finishing CPL/Instuctor Rating. 'Fellows' were paying flying schools to instuct. That did it for me :yuk: my bad for not doing the research!

When flying is in your blood you find more ethical avenues to exercise the 'disease' eventually :D

Well writ Capt Sherm.

As an RAAF pilot I was involved in the "war" without choice. I recall that we had been following the events leading up to it quite closely, but were quite surprised (and suspicious!) at the indecent haste in which we were called into "action" (does that make me a s***?).
I don't want to sound harsh, but you guys didn't have a chance. You were up against a hostile government who were willing to use the ADF (wrongly, IMHO) and powerful business interests. The irony of the government at the time being a Labour one still gets me.

No more IRONIC than Oldmeadow being a former ACTU heavyweight in a previous life :yuk:

That individual is an oxygen thief of the highest order!!

Yes, is the answer to your question, sand dune.