30 Years today a new life started
 

30 years. Thanks to those who were truly comrades along the way, in hundreds of far away skies, and hundreds of far away cities. I was fortunate. Many were. I remember that. Some were not fortunate....and I remember that.

For those who once chose different paths. I hope that life has given you what you wanted. I bear no grudge. I withhold no forgiveness..

And tonight, the first toast will of course be that which aviators remember when they meet...."To absent friends"

Sui Generis

We had quite a ride for the last 30 years, never regretted the move to quit and move on and on a few times

Capt Sherm
I attended the get together in Melbourne yesterday. A great day catching up with friends and colleagues and for the first time wives, partners and former hosties were there.

Your words as quoted above were read to the group ( about 100 plus participated ) and received a rousing cheer. It certainly was a life changing event all those years ago.

Thanks....sorry I couldn't get there but with a few others shared those same thoughts last night.

The families of the pilots to the tourist operators of the Black Dog statistics.

They think it a little deeper and more personal over the months and years to follow their own 30 year time frame of this event.

If you think that you probably weren't involved at the time……and I don't just mean as a pilot…….

Nice thoughts Sherm; from one who was close enough to know the personal stories and glad not to be one of them.

"Lest we forget"
A time in Australia's aviation history that will fade as the years pass:-(

RIP.

Can we keep the phrase "Lest we Forget" in its rightful place, as part of the Ode during times of remembrance to fallen servicemen and woman.

As the narcissistic collective bangs on about the glory days,i will reflect on those who lost their savings in tourist businesses in Darwin,Cairns and Hobart.You will reply so what,collateral damage only.There were suicides and divorces and some have never recovered.In that year the Baltic states stared down Russia,The Wall came down and Tiananmen Square occured i think the pilots strike appears more self indulgent 30 years on more than ever.

For crying out loud It wasn't a strike. they quit. Maybe people shouldn't be allowed to quit?????

Yes if you are going to comment at least get your basic facts correct. There's plenty of information out there.:ugh:

I can but agree.

I just missed 1989 (lucky me) and thus watched events unfold from afar. I knew all the "players", my impression 30 years later is that a lot of the angst is still there, hence I found Sherm's words particularly wise.

Nope. Nothing to see here.

Any angst and this thread will instantly disappear. :=

Don't hear much about the 1989 Airline Pilot industrial action any more.

No-one stopped them quitting- THEY then whinged about others taking the job they quit from!

After 30 years, anyone involved who was above the age of 35 at the time will almost certainly be retired or passed away and the younger ones will be in their 50s. Most of my co pilots weren't even born or were in kindergarten in 1989. Bob Hawke, Peter Abeles now dead. Those directly involved or affected are fewer in number every year, it's slowly passing into history.