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Posts: 440Location: Someplace north...Call it PAAQ to start.Occupation: Work wood, 38 years keeping phones working and flying all over with my best friend in the ordo aurorae septentrionalis, Order of the Northern Dawn.All-
This takes me back to the previous century/millennium/whatever you call it…But there was what seemed to be a tradition here in PANC with Delta flights that has been lost (maybe?) but showed amazing respect.
Every time my 67 headed out from what was gate N2 where DL came & went from PANC to either Utah or Georgia when there was no new-fangled shopping mall domestic terminal here, an odd thing would happen:
We would be pushed back, with the usual for then at least 5-man crew, spotters & drivers moving our 200 tons on her first waddling steps…Then everything would stop.
After the tow bar came off, all five guys would line up in the 0200 dark, stand tall, and snap then hold a salute next to the left flight deck as we turned both 1 & 2, then headed for the active. They all stood stock still, lights and hands in perfect position, until we made our way out and our tail cleared the ramp. It doesn’t seem to happen any more, but damn, it had class. That last final salute was incredible.
It was amazing to see. Not unlike in 2021 when my AS flight to KPDX blew out its APU, and we finally got underway with the help of the fart cart to light our CFMs. I still remember that one, if only for giving the ground tech a thumbs up in the window of 1F, when he looked straight at me, just busted out laughing and saluted me in return. There was more, but I knew what happened.
Regardless. Anyone else see this? (esp. on a regular basis?) outside of an honor flight, for which we all stood and shook hands at the gate?
Rob in AK
That which moves my soul will forever move my self.
I had a stop in Taipei a few months ago and noticed something similar to this. After we pushed back, I noticed all the ground crew lined up waving us goodbye as we taxied away.
I think this is standard procedure in Japan. Pretty cool.
Thanks,
ahmed
KSFO
When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace becomes a circus.
Posts: 440Location: Someplace north...Call it PAAQ to start.Occupation: Work wood, 38 years keeping phones working and flying all over with my best friend in the ordo aurorae septentrionalis, Order of the Northern Dawn.I’ve seen it elsewhere too but never in the US. Are we really that jaded now, after all these 122 years???
Rob in AK
That which moves my soul will forever move my self.
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