Griffin Speaks

A WATERSHED EXPERIENCE

On Tuesday, February 3, 2004 my wife Debra was the guest speaker at the Capital City Club’s new member orientation. It was at that meeting where we met Rob Tate and his beautiful wife Minerva. I had no idea this new friendship would lead to my most recent watershed experience.  

Rob Tate and I became fast friends. I was very impressed with his ability to do something that I could never imagine doing.  Rob is a pilot for the greatest airline in the world, Delta. I was amazed at Rob’s coast to coast flights. So amazed was I with what Rob did for a living that Rob decided it was time for me to experience what it felt like to pilot a plane. 

On, Thursday, December 1, 2005 I called my good friend the owner of Montgomery Jet Center, Ron Mays. I told Ron that I was enroute to Atlanta to pilot a 767-300 Jet with my good friend Rob Tate, Rob’s wife Minerva and Rob’s new found friend Tuskegee Airman Mr. Carroll S.Woods. I also asked Ron to be on the lookout for a used airplane for me to purchase if I liked flying. Ron agreed to teach me how to fly if I decided to pursue the hobby. 

Two Delta officials greeted us when we arrived at the Headquarters of Delta Airlines. They were very pleased to meet the 86 year old Mr. Carroll S. Woods. I must say he is an amazing man. He was very energetic and enthusiastic. 

Douglas A. Troy, Manager of Delta Fleets Resources and Flight Operations joined us on the flight. There were no other passengers making the trip to New York, New York. The moment arrived and we were all in the cockpit. I was very nervous, but Rob a seasoned pilot was at the other set of controls. 

Mr. Woods was given the first opportunity to pilot the plane. You could immediately tell that he was a pilot. He enjoyed every second of the flight. When it came my turn to take off. I panicked a little but soon regained my composure and got into the air without incidence at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. In New York, I flew around the statue of liberty and over New York City. It seemed like a piece of cake. When I landed the Boeing 767-300 at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport I looked back at Douglas Troy and asked, “How well did I do? Doug said, “Well let me put it this way, If Rob was not Co-Piloting the plane we would all be DEAD NOW! 

When we exited the flight simulator I was amazed at how real it all seemed. The simulator was one of the ones that Delta Pilots train on. Doug Troy sitting in the cockpit at a computer could simulate snow, rain, turbulence and any major City skyline and airport. It was truly a watershed experience.

However, I’ve decided to stick with the practice of law and leave the flying to my good friends Rob Tate, Ron Mays and Delta Airlines! (GOOD GOES AROUND) 

In the words of my dad, “If you don’t have money at least have class!

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com