Amazing Flight Crew!!!
01-04-2013, 06:39 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Home with my family playing with my daughter as much as possible
Posts: 591
Amazing Flight Crew!!!
Saw this on Facebook today...thought I would share this. Hopefully it will make your day better.
Letter from an airline pilot: He writes:
My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. On this flight." (H.R. Stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I asked.
'Yes', she said.
'Is there an escort?' I asked.
'Yes, I've already assigned him a seat'.
'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said..
A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.
'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ,' he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.
I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.
We completed our pre-flight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia .
The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do. 'I'm on it', I said. I told her that I would get back to her.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a
Secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I
Saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft.
The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans.. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.'
I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'
Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told
That all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the co-pilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to
make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.
When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was
clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane.
They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.
Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.
I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these USA, Canada, Australia New Zealand, England.
Foot note:
I know everyone who has served their country who reads this will have tears in their eyes, including me.
Please send this on after a short prayer for our service men and women.
They die for me and mine and you and yours and deserve our honor and respect.
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us..bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.. In Jesus Name, Amen.'
Just send this to people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very best one.
GOD BLESS YOU!!! Bring the rest home safe and sound. We need to be there for them now more than ever.
Letter from an airline pilot: He writes:
My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. On this flight." (H.R. Stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I asked.
'Yes', she said.
'Is there an escort?' I asked.
'Yes, I've already assigned him a seat'.
'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said..
A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.
'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ,' he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.
I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.
We completed our pre-flight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia .
The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do. 'I'm on it', I said. I told her that I would get back to her.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a
Secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I
Saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft.
The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans.. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.'
I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'
Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told
That all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the co-pilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to
make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.
When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was
clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane.
They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.
Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.
I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these USA, Canada, Australia New Zealand, England.
Foot note:
I know everyone who has served their country who reads this will have tears in their eyes, including me.
Please send this on after a short prayer for our service men and women.
They die for me and mine and you and yours and deserve our honor and respect.
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us..bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.. In Jesus Name, Amen.'
Just send this to people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very best one.
GOD BLESS YOU!!! Bring the rest home safe and sound. We need to be there for them now more than ever.
01-04-2013, 07:12 AM
#4
Underpaid...
Joined APC: Nov 2010
Position: French-Canadian
Posts: 2,101
Often it seems that we have lost touch, I remember when fallen military member's pictures were in the front pages of the news paper. Now it sort of has become the norm, it's like people have become accustomed to it and the media doesn't place as much emphasis on it. It feels great to hear this story as a Pilot, as someone who served over eight years on Active duty and now as Guard member. It is great that we have people who depart the norm, forget about political correctness and do the right thing. This is what made this country great and is the only way we are going to bring it back!
01-04-2013, 07:22 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,258
Jesus. My wife just asked me what was wrong because I started tearing up reading this.
I have not served, but know many that have.
Salute to the fallen soldier, the escort, and the family. My hat off to the crew that went above and beyond for the soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice.
I have not served, but know many that have.
Salute to the fallen soldier, the escort, and the family. My hat off to the crew that went above and beyond for the soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice.
01-04-2013, 08:42 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: KCCO
Posts: 767
I've read this before, but that was a while ago. Reading it again still gave me chills.
I can recall seeing a flag-draped coffin being unloaded some time ago at a large airport, with a full escort and seeing the entire ramp stop. Truly humbling.
Found this from some time ago when an AA crew helped to bring one of our soldiers home:Fallen Soldier returned home Nov. 12, 2008 - YouTube
I can recall seeing a flag-draped coffin being unloaded some time ago at a large airport, with a full escort and seeing the entire ramp stop. Truly humbling.
Found this from some time ago when an AA crew helped to bring one of our soldiers home:Fallen Soldier returned home Nov. 12, 2008 - YouTube
01-04-2013, 11:18 AM
#7
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
If you guys haven't ever watched the HBO Productions movie "Taking Chance" with Kevin Bacon, it's a fictional yet insightful look at the process of returning fallen warriors to their loved ones.
01-04-2013, 12:03 PM
#8
Banned
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,134
Originally Posted by FlyerJosh
If you guys haven't ever watched the HBO Productions movie "Taking Chance" with Kevin Bacon, it's a fictional yet insightful look at the process of returning fallen warriors to their loved ones.
01-04-2013, 12:47 PM
#9
Banned
Joined APC: Oct 2012
Position: 36N15
Posts: 323
We have a formal policy and procedure for transporting HR so the flight crew is never caught unaware. The system works pretty much like the above story, but is formalized so the entire flight is arranged and monitored from start to finish.
Its the least we can do for our fallen.
Its the least we can do for our fallen.
01-04-2013, 01:24 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,176
Me too, with the tears. I brought many soldiers home on their last flight.
Many years ago, first trip out as an AC, we were recut into Rota to fly home 5 Marines who killed in a helo accident. Our future V-P, Sen Biden had raised some kind of hell about a delays in bringing home the bodies. We had on a large-ish Marine Honor Guard. Arrival at Dover was impressive with loads of dignitaries, including said Senator.
The Wing DO boarded as we blocked in--all 5 late Marines left expecting wives, who with families were waiting. By the time all were unloaded, to the sound of marching Marines bearing them off the cargo floor, there was not ONE dry eye upstairs, even guys who'd been thru Vietnam. I have tears thinking of these trips.
GF
Many years ago, first trip out as an AC, we were recut into Rota to fly home 5 Marines who killed in a helo accident. Our future V-P, Sen Biden had raised some kind of hell about a delays in bringing home the bodies. We had on a large-ish Marine Honor Guard. Arrival at Dover was impressive with loads of dignitaries, including said Senator.
The Wing DO boarded as we blocked in--all 5 late Marines left expecting wives, who with families were waiting. By the time all were unloaded, to the sound of marching Marines bearing them off the cargo floor, there was not ONE dry eye upstairs, even guys who'd been thru Vietnam. I have tears thinking of these trips.
GF
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