JL Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Anne Margret (late 90's on a speaking tour)...YYC to YEG in a Dash 8...poor lady. She was very nice though; wanted to meet the fligth crew as her husbnad then was a pilot. She had the biggest diamond ring on her finger that I have ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melcrothers Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Well, I have a few from all the hours spent with an aircraft strapped to my butt.Sebastian Cabot YYJ-SEA on his way to LAX ( he lived in Deep Cove and I used to book and write his tickets at the YYJ CTO )Raymond Burr - YVR-LAX on his way to NANJesse Owen on a Pan Am HNL-SEA flight ( nice guy to chat with )Charlie Pride - LHR - BFSIan Paisley LHR BFS ( I was visiting family and thought boy if the IRA were going to target a flight - why did I choose this one)Rod Stewart - LHR YVR He was in 1 A and I had 1F - very quiet but friendlyBob Barker YYZ-YVR he was a nasty jerk with the FA'sPeter Lougheed GIG-YYZ ( RIO )Joe Clark, Preston Manning, Steven Harper ( 1994 ) YOW-YYCThat's the top of mind list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blues deville Posted June 21, 2013 Author Share Posted June 21, 2013 Interesting to hear how some of these stars treated cabin crews. "The price is wrong Bob!"http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=8QJiAK-s5a0&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8QJiAK-s5a0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Hm...Dief the Chief, (DC9 - YOW > YYZ), in F (when we had it on the '9) went back to chat briefly - nice - formal - stately.Whoopie Goldberg - visited us in the cockpit, very chatty, very friendly, very curious - a really fun visit - YYZ > LAXJohn Candy - when he came in I said to the F/O, Now I know why the trim was rolling back - John laughed - bright guy-he got it right away and was a good sport - spent time, again was curious and "ordinary", no airs - memorable visit - a sad loss. YYZ > LAXRod Stewart - same for me Mel...quiet, wanted solitude.Marshall McLuhan's daughter - who had a cold and came up front in tears because the guy beside her in J said he didn't want to sit near 'that lady with the cold' - so we were arranging a seat change. The guy could have said it wayyy nicer. You never know to whom you are speaking!...I'd have sat beside her just to talk! Met her Dad, Marshall at SFU in the late '60's.Had Gretsky on board - out of consideration for how often he must be interrupted, left him alone.David Suzuki - numerous times. In J.Henrik Sedin and family, YVR > OGG - all in Y.Margaret Trudeau, Justin, Alexandre & Michel all came to the cockpit before departure, (short flight, crowded in a DC9!) Very busy kids, inquisitive, active - Margaret was sanguine with all the activity - nice visitBill Unruh, Particle physicist, UBC - YVR > LHR to argue with Brian Greene on an aspect of string theory - really interesting guy - I listened a lot...Thinking about all this kinda reminds me how much I miss the flying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Powick Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Few movie stars between YYZ and LGA but I guess the top "celebs?" would be during my tenure with 412(T) Sqn in the RCAF................. HRH Elizabeth II and her husband. Princess Grace of Monaco. Personal pilot to His Excellency R. Mitchner, Gov General of Canada and also His Excellency J Leger when he took over Mitchners job. Loads of funny stories flying all kinds of VIPs.It was a fun tour with lots of unusual VIPs as well a good mixture of celebs. PE Trudeau was probably second to R. Mitchner as a great individual to fly and they both always ensured that they offered any empty seats for personnel just looking for a way home or to their 'new' base, (DND employees). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.O. Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Not sure if you knew Don, but Wayne Gretzky is another who doesn't like flying - at all. I've seen him ashen with fear prior to boarding a flight - and no, I wasn't the one flying him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Yeah, now that you mention it I had heard that about him and considered having him up front but thought the better of it. I've had a few others who were terrified of flying and perhaps helped a few as we all would in our own ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeker Posted June 22, 2013 Share Posted June 22, 2013 Few movie stars between YYZ and LGA but I guess the top "celebs?" would be during my tenure with 412(T) Sqn in the RCAF................. HRH Elizabeth II and her husband.That's it - Kip wins! Close the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conehead Posted June 22, 2013 Share Posted June 22, 2013 Yeah, pretty tuff to beat that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blues deville Posted June 22, 2013 Author Share Posted June 22, 2013 Agreed. Kip takes the prize.However, one more. Not mine but a good friend. Short story. He used to fly Gordon Lightfoot and his band. The pilots were considered their good luck charms and had to be near the stage before every show. Of course, the hard core fans were also there looking to get back stage. At one show somewhere in the northern US, a gal asked to get some autographs through the flight crew. She worked at a nearby US Air Force base and told the boys to come by for a tour. So the next morning they showed up in suit and ties to see the base. A car met them at the main gate and took them around to see the place. After sitting in the cockpit of some stealth bomber the officer guiding the tour asked which division of GE engineering they were from. There was a long pause and finally my buddy said, " ah, we're Gordon Lightfoots's pilots". They were immediately removed from the top secret stealth bomber cockpit and driven back to the main gate. The officer told them "you were never here and you never saw me!"Wrong tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rozar s'macco Posted June 22, 2013 Share Posted June 22, 2013 Dan AykroydChris NothWilliam H MacyKevin OLearyMolly ShannonAndy SambergSelena GomezJustin BieberKendra WilkinsonAlex AnthopulousJoffrey Lupul and Corey Haim's body LAX-YYZ in the cargo hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moeman Posted June 22, 2013 Share Posted June 22, 2013 Standing behind Alice Cooper on the escalator at LAX, I asked him "How's the golf game these days Mr. Cooper?" He turned, had a huge smile on his face, and we chatted about golf for a few minutes at security. He was heading off on tour and as he left he said "Now you know why I'm starting the tour in Scotland". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted June 22, 2013 Share Posted June 22, 2013 is one very special, really interesting guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryon Mask Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Flew the L-1011 when we flew YYZ-LAX. Had many celeberties onboard. Trying to remember them all but here goes:Glen CampbellChris Kristofertson(sp?) a Rhodes ScholarChristopher ReevesEric Estrada( CHIPs fame, F/A's did not like him)Emma Fitzgerald( what a lovely lady)Burt Renolyds and Lonnie AndersonFlip WilsonBill CosbyLorne Greene ( amazing historian)Barbara Eden ( what a sweetheart)Wayne Gretzey( My son still has his autographed picture from the Edmonton Oilers)Mari Andretti ( is he evey tiny for a race car driver)Many politicians and wives including Mila and Joe ClarkMike DuffyFrank MahovlichBobby HullBobby OrrGreat Big SeaGordon LightfootHally BerryNumerous hockey teamsCFL Football teamsNumerous politicians etc.Others whose names escape me as I reach my golden years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IFG Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Flew the L-1011 when we flew YYZ-LAX. Had many celeberties onboard. Trying to remember them all but here goes:... Chris Kristofertson(sp?) a Rhodes Scholar ....Kris Kristofferson was not only a Rhodes Scholar, Bryon, he was also a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army (and subsequently off of oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico when he wasn't janitoring record companies in Nashville ). Very interesting dude, I had the chance to chat with him and Rita at a coffee house in Ottawa many moons ago ...I'm a cargo dog now, no self-loading freight, celebrated or otherwise, but I put in a few years doing sland-hopping charter in the Caribbean to a couple of exclusive islands, and "met" some well-known folks back then. I can't match Kip, but we did fly HRH Princess Margaret, with Roddy in tow (& was there no protocol geek in 412 to teach Kip that HM the Queen ranks above HRH? )Biggest Rock star: Mick Jagger, with Jerry - Bianca flew in a couple of days after he left.Richest: Adnan Kashoggi, at the time Forbes' wealthiest person ...Assorted other entertainers and politicos. Mostly these folks are fairly down-to-earth; I particularly enjoyed spending some time with Peter Ustinov, for instance. I think most of the complaints about "celebrities" flow more from the expectations and images that people carry than from the person. JMHOCheers, IFG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Powick Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Richest: Adnan Kashoggi, at the time Forbes' wealthiest personReminds me of the time I had to do a 6 day cross Canada trip with the ranking passenger being Sheikh Zaki Yamani who, at that time, was the Saudi oil Minister. There were about 6 in his party, including his lovely wife, plus Mil Security. In YZ his wife went shopping and of course the Mil security went along as well. In Hudson Bay the young lady bought about 6 pairs of shoes and the Sheikh pulled out his American Express card to pay.The clerk, a male guy who was noticeably nervous, took the card and and giggled a bit and said, " Are you sure this card will cover all this?"Zaki Yamani just looked at him and said very seriuosly, "How much do you want for the store?"I was tasked a few months later to go to Saudi and fly him and the Canadian Minister of Natural Resources from Riyadh to Jeddah. It was about a 10 day trip with lots of time off at each place as well as 2 days off in Tehran. We were put up in a compound in Riyadh and as long as we stayed in the building, and even though the world was led to believe that the Saudi's don't drink, there was free booze galore and the Sheikh actually came to our section and presented each of my crew with a bottle of Champagne.IFG.......see..http://theairlinewebsite.com/topic/399556-embraer-175/#entry1604944 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Not sure if you knew Don, but Wayne Gretzky is another who doesn't like flying - at all. I've seen him ashen with fear prior to boarding a flight - and no, I wasn't the one flying him.My uncle was a senior captain at PWA back in the day and they flew the oilers often. Gretzky was terrified to fly but he preferred to be in the flight deck and was much calmer there.A real gentleman from what I heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadbiker Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 - Wayne Gretzky's Dad (can't remember where to, really nice guy)- Bobby Hull (to YYZ-ALB to open some arena, biggest hands ever. I kept a photo of my gf (now wife) in my hat and asked him to sign it. So I now have a photo of my wife, signed on the back: "Thanks for the ride, Bobby Hull" - Canadian Brass (chartered for a concert in Burlington Vermont. Landed the C208 in a snowstorm, and the airport went below limits right after that and closed. Tipped me $100US and said, "have a nice night, we won't need you 'til noon, plan your activities accordingly!" )- took a CRM course at Flight Safety Wichita and Kurt Russell was in the class. He is a lot smaller than you would think. Saw him at the Shell in YYZ a few months later with his C421 getting gas, clearing customs and smoking outside on his way to Muskoka- Various hockey players, CFL players- Took Lyle Lovett and his band etc to STL from YYC after a concert in the middle of the night. Nicest guy ever. His GF (post Julia Roberts) was also really nice. Manager was a bit of a jerk though. I came out to see how they were doing and he comes up to me and shakes my hand and says, "Hi, I'm Lyle". <smiling> "Uh, yeah, I know..."- Had the guy who played the captain on PanAm on a flight from YVR-LAX. Really nice guy, also a pilot in real life.- Had the girl from Flashdance (forgot her name) and various other minor celebs on same route- a few Canadian bands, Fallout Boy, couple others- Cleared US Customs behind Robert Smith and The Cure after they played YYZ. Also a very nice guy, chatted for a few mins.- Preston Manning (also a very nice guy)- Buzz Hargrove YYZ-YQG back in the day (a little gruff)- Some Toronto Raptor (forgot who) was a crazy nervous flier. Sat down with him before takeoff (post 9/11) and explained all that would happen. Thanked me afterwards- Avril Levigne. Wouldn't make eye contact with FA's, all comms thru her manager or handler or whoever.I'm sure there are others, but these are who I remember off the top of my head that stand out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryon Mask Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 Re Wayne Gretzky: Had him on numerous flights on the 727 and he would sit up front for most of the trip and get us a cup of coffee or two. He also gave me an autographed picture of him with the Oilers addressed to my son who now is 35 and has it proudly framed and displayed in his home. I was at the Sandman Signature hotel a few years ago in YYZ at breakfast and his dad was there making the rounds in the restaurant. There was some sort of fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. He sat down at my table and I told him I had the pleasure of meeting his son on numerous occasions. He asked who I was and I replied an Air Canada pilot. I will never forget his words. " Thank you for helping my son get over his fear of flying"Walter Gretzky...a nice man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.O. Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 I went to elementary school with Wayne and spent some time around his dad. A nicer man you cannot find. I have seen him escort a whole bus load of kids from Michigan from the arena in Brantford to his house, where he then proceeded to give each kid a signed piece of Wayne's memorabilia. He's been know to buy new sweaters for an entire kids team from Brantford when they're going to a big tournament out of town. Walter's only flaw is his incessant need to hunt for golf balls in the rough whenever he plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo32a Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 . Walter's only flaw is his incessant need to hunt for golf balls in the rough whenever he plays. Hey, who says that's a flaw?!!!!Every pilot I golf with unconsciously walks up the right side of the fairway poking around in the rough as they go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.O. Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 If you haven't seen him in action, you can't fully understand. He's been known to find 40 balls in one round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thebean Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 Hey, who says that's a flaw?!!!!Every pilot I golf with unconsciously walks up the right side of the fairway poking around in the rough as they go. Reminds me of the old joke: what's the difference between looking for golf balls whilst playing a round and Lady Godiva?You can google the answer...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.O. Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 ... and into the gutter we go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blues deville Posted July 29, 2013 Author Share Posted July 29, 2013 One more added to my list.....The Cure (rock band) with all five members in first class from LHR to ICN for concerts in Korea, Japan and Hawaii. They told the cabin crew they were "the legends of rock". Not sure about that but apparently still popular enough to pay top price for air travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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