Celebrities: Good and Bad
#162
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2017
Position: Retired NJA & AA
Posts: 1,916
My experience flying celebrities was that they just wanted to be treated like regular folks. Most were very nice or at least neutral. It was the wealthy non-celebrities who occasionally showed their rear ends.
I've flown a well known news anchor who has moderated several Presidential debates. He was super nice, took a few minutes to tell me some stories. Also flown probably the most famous NFL Quarterback, again he was very nice and laid back. Later I flew his wife and she was the same. I was flying a famous novelist who's had his books turned into movies, his guest was a US Senator. The novelist came up front to mention something was leaking from the left wing. It was fuel venting as we were passing around 8K. Had to turn around and be met by the fire trucks. They thought it was exciting and got some photos with the fire trucks. Had a Nascar driver witness me spill my salad while up at cruise (box popped open suddenly). Neither myself or the F/O could reach it without getting out of the seat. The driver said I'll get it, we said no that was fine we could do it but the driver insisted and laid down on the aisle so they could reach under the center console and clean up my mess.
I never flew the well known homemaker mentioned in this thread but I did fly with others who had and thru them can confirm the stories.
I've flown a well known news anchor who has moderated several Presidential debates. He was super nice, took a few minutes to tell me some stories. Also flown probably the most famous NFL Quarterback, again he was very nice and laid back. Later I flew his wife and she was the same. I was flying a famous novelist who's had his books turned into movies, his guest was a US Senator. The novelist came up front to mention something was leaking from the left wing. It was fuel venting as we were passing around 8K. Had to turn around and be met by the fire trucks. They thought it was exciting and got some photos with the fire trucks. Had a Nascar driver witness me spill my salad while up at cruise (box popped open suddenly). Neither myself or the F/O could reach it without getting out of the seat. The driver said I'll get it, we said no that was fine we could do it but the driver insisted and laid down on the aisle so they could reach under the center console and clean up my mess.
I never flew the well known homemaker mentioned in this thread but I did fly with others who had and thru them can confirm the stories.
#163
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,294
My experience flying celebrities was that they just wanted to be treated like regular folks. Most were very nice or at least neutral. It was the wealthy non-celebrities who occasionally showed their rear ends.
I've flown a well known news anchor who has moderated several Presidential debates. He was super nice, took a few minutes to tell me some stories. Also flown probably the most famous NFL Quarterback, again he was very nice and laid back. Later I flew his wife and she was the same. I was flying a famous novelist who's had his books turned into movies, his guest was a US Senator. The novelist came up front to mention something was leaking from the left wing. It was fuel venting as we were passing around 8K. Had to turn around and be met by the fire trucks. They thought it was exciting and got some photos with the fire trucks. Had a Nascar driver witness me spill my salad while up at cruise (box popped open suddenly). Neither myself or the F/O could reach it without getting out of the seat. The driver said I'll get it, we said no that was fine we could do it but the driver insisted and laid down on the aisle so they could reach under the center console and clean up my mess.
I never flew the well known homemaker mentioned in this thread but I did fly with others who had and thru them can confirm the stories.
I've flown a well known news anchor who has moderated several Presidential debates. He was super nice, took a few minutes to tell me some stories. Also flown probably the most famous NFL Quarterback, again he was very nice and laid back. Later I flew his wife and she was the same. I was flying a famous novelist who's had his books turned into movies, his guest was a US Senator. The novelist came up front to mention something was leaking from the left wing. It was fuel venting as we were passing around 8K. Had to turn around and be met by the fire trucks. They thought it was exciting and got some photos with the fire trucks. Had a Nascar driver witness me spill my salad while up at cruise (box popped open suddenly). Neither myself or the F/O could reach it without getting out of the seat. The driver said I'll get it, we said no that was fine we could do it but the driver insisted and laid down on the aisle so they could reach under the center console and clean up my mess.
I never flew the well known homemaker mentioned in this thread but I did fly with others who had and thru them can confirm the stories.
Had the football player who allegedly murdered somebody from baltimore, he was super nice, big tipper. Wanted to take us to dinner. Ran into him years later at an event and he remembered me.
Had the people who own a popular donut chain, *******s.
#164
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2020
Posts: 1
Cool: Ted Danson, Danny Davito, Steven King, Lyle Lovett, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Duran Duran, Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush, Michael Phelps (super cool), Julius Erving (super cool)
Not Cool: Nick Cage (one of the worst), Julia Roberts (maybe a bad day), Future
Not Cool: Nick Cage (one of the worst), Julia Roberts (maybe a bad day), Future
Last edited by D1993; 10-01-2020 at 09:09 AM.
#166
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2015
Position: ERJ 175, CA
Posts: 39
#167
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Posts: 90
Allen Iverson. Total DB. Waited on the ramp till absolute last minute for him with the whole team on board. Over an hour wait. Eventually showed up and strolled across the ramp from the FBO as slow as he could with his gangster limp knowing he was making 25-30 teammates and support people wait on him. Also berated the flight attendant because she brought him the wrong flavor Snapple. Just a bad attitude.
Kobe Bryant kind of a DB. FA watched him proceed to finish a liter of Gray Goose on a trans con flight. He yelled at his assistant and berated her for not putting his hat on for him before he got off. He always laid down in the back, away from his team and didn't associate or conversate with anyone. Not that I blame him. He was beat after a game and didn't want to be bothered I'm sure.
Phil Jackson. Super cool guy. Leaving LAX for a road trip told us to go ahead and leave Kobe if he didn't make it back to the plane before we got our start clearance. Kobe walked off the plane to go get McDonalds cause he didn't like the Ruths Chris steaks and sushi on board. He made it back unfortunately. Ha.
San Antonio Spurs were the most respectful and polite basketball players we ever flew. Pop had those guys toeing the line.
Hockey teams seamed to be the coolest and most down to earth. Multiple players loved hanging in the cockpit asking legitimate questions about everything. Genuinely interested in us and our flying machine.
Michael Jordan Decent guy. Only issue was after landing we waited an hour for him and his dudes to finish a poker game. We of course couldn't get off or run the secure checklist until he was off. That cut into our beer time which was a minor inconvenience. ha.
Kevin Garnett. Flew his whole family down to Vegas once. Awesome dude and super friendly. Outgoing and happy with everything. Just a good guy.
Nicole Kidman and Tom Hanks at an FBO. Tom stayed on the plane. Nicole came in and shot the **** with us for over an hour. Super sweetheart.
Garth Brooks. Nicest of nice. Hung out and chatted and signed autographs and took pics with line guys. Genuine nice guy
Charlie Sheen. Another great guy. Delayed the flight to chat everyone up. Took pics with some guard helo guys on the ramp and wanted a tour of their Blackhawk. Took pics with everyone and couldn't thank the Air Guard guys enough for their service.
Kobe Bryant kind of a DB. FA watched him proceed to finish a liter of Gray Goose on a trans con flight. He yelled at his assistant and berated her for not putting his hat on for him before he got off. He always laid down in the back, away from his team and didn't associate or conversate with anyone. Not that I blame him. He was beat after a game and didn't want to be bothered I'm sure.
Phil Jackson. Super cool guy. Leaving LAX for a road trip told us to go ahead and leave Kobe if he didn't make it back to the plane before we got our start clearance. Kobe walked off the plane to go get McDonalds cause he didn't like the Ruths Chris steaks and sushi on board. He made it back unfortunately. Ha.
San Antonio Spurs were the most respectful and polite basketball players we ever flew. Pop had those guys toeing the line.
Hockey teams seamed to be the coolest and most down to earth. Multiple players loved hanging in the cockpit asking legitimate questions about everything. Genuinely interested in us and our flying machine.
Michael Jordan Decent guy. Only issue was after landing we waited an hour for him and his dudes to finish a poker game. We of course couldn't get off or run the secure checklist until he was off. That cut into our beer time which was a minor inconvenience. ha.
Kevin Garnett. Flew his whole family down to Vegas once. Awesome dude and super friendly. Outgoing and happy with everything. Just a good guy.
Nicole Kidman and Tom Hanks at an FBO. Tom stayed on the plane. Nicole came in and shot the **** with us for over an hour. Super sweetheart.
Garth Brooks. Nicest of nice. Hung out and chatted and signed autographs and took pics with line guys. Genuine nice guy
Charlie Sheen. Another great guy. Delayed the flight to chat everyone up. Took pics with some guard helo guys on the ramp and wanted a tour of their Blackhawk. Took pics with everyone and couldn't thank the Air Guard guys enough for their service.
#168
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Posts: 90
When I was a freshman in college (circa 1972) I was ferrying a C-172 while listening to an AM radio station. It was night time.. smooth as glass and I squeezed the cheapass headset as tight as it would go while listening to "Killing Me Softly with His Song" by Roberta Flack.
I knew right then and there I wanted to do fly airplanes for a living so I focused on doing just that.
Fast forward 40 years later I am the Captain on a B747-400 going from JFK to NRT and who is seated downstairs but Ms. Flack herself.
I write a short letter explaining how influential she and her music was in my decision to pursue this career path. During my break, I went downstairs and asked the Purser to deliver the letter when she thought it was appropriate.
After landing in NRT, Ms. Flack was waiting in the jetway with a cool gift and hand written response.
The circle was complete!
Fly safe,
OC
I knew right then and there I wanted to do fly airplanes for a living so I focused on doing just that.
Fast forward 40 years later I am the Captain on a B747-400 going from JFK to NRT and who is seated downstairs but Ms. Flack herself.
I write a short letter explaining how influential she and her music was in my decision to pursue this career path. During my break, I went downstairs and asked the Purser to deliver the letter when she thought it was appropriate.
After landing in NRT, Ms. Flack was waiting in the jetway with a cool gift and hand written response.
The circle was complete!
Fly safe,
OC
That's an awesome story!
#169
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Posts: 90
I'm sorry but after my experiences flying Kobe I wouldn't put it past him to have some part in the cause of his accident. It would be right in his wheel house to be frustrated with the delays and holding they had to do and to demand to get him "there" on time pressuring the pilots to cut the corner. I know that's still on the pilots but put a young guy up there and Kobe Bryant leering over your shoulder and a bad decision could have been made. ( all speculation of course)
#170
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