General Discussion of Piedmont Memorable Moments http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/list.php?3 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:13:15 -0500 Phorum 5.2.10 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1558,1558#msg-1558 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1558,1558#msg-1558 dendarnell Memorable Moments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:13:14 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1377,1377#msg-1377 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1377,1377#msg-1377 Don Shanks
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I started to work for Piedmont Airlines on the morning of December 24 1956 at RDU. Chester Nutt hired me and when I came in that morning Chester told me to report to Bill Jett and he would "show me what to do".

I spent the morning and half the afternoon handling baggage, talking with Bill and reading manuals. I think we had eight flights a day at RDU back then, and about 12-14 employees working at RDU at the time.

Everyone gathered around the teletype mid-afternoon when a message from Mr. Davis came off. As I remember I think we got an additional holiday granted for 1957 along with a raise as well as Mr. Davis' thanks for a good year and best wishes for the next one. I beleive my raise amounted to about $20.00, which was good money back then.

At five o'clock Chester told me to take two days off since Bill was going to be off two days and he wanted me working with him. In summary .... I worked less than eight hours before I got an extra day off each year, a twenty dollar a month raise and two days down time..

How could any one not like working for this company !!

It was MANY years before I got Christmas Day off again !!!!!

Merry Christmas to all of you left out there.........

Verne - Employee/Payroll #5002]]> Don Shanks Memorable Moments Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:05:23 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1350,1350#msg-1350 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1350,1350#msg-1350 Don Shanks

Ron,

After watching this great tribute to the SR-71, I must relate a much less exciting experience that I had with this outstanding aircraft.

Piedmont had a very small terminal, located at the end of a narrow taxiway, next to a graveyard, that extended from the run-up pad of runway 26. I do not remember the time or year, I believe it was about 1972, but I do have vivid memory of the SR-71 that we encountered that day.

After taxiing past the graveyard and approaching the run-up pad, we were told to hold for a priority departure. The blackbird was still short of the runway completing his pre takeoff checklist, with a fuel truck still connected. Fuel was pouring out of the airplane and running onto the ramp. The truck disconnected and the tower gave the Blackbird T/O clearance. He taxied onto the runway, immediately went into afterburner, after a surprisingly short run - he lifted into the air. As I best remember his initial angle of climb was (a guess) about thirty degrees, and immediately increased to about 45 degrees. He was out of sight within less than a minute, again that is thru the fog of time, but I don't believe I'm too far off. That was the most amazing show of brute power that I've ever seen.

I'm told that a tanker is on station, close-by the takeoff airport, because he will shortly run out of fuel after one of those amazing takeoffs.

Anyway, That was my experience watching the SR-71. She was indeed amazing.

Jerry

PS. I'll never forget that graveyard. I was not particularly fond of going into GSB, because the largest tombstone there had the name "WARD" on it.]]> Don Shanks Memorable Moments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:30:53 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1349,1349#msg-1349 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1349,1349#msg-1349 Don Shanks

I worked at GSB in 1966-67. I remember the graveyard and also the hog lot across from the terminal...it got intense on warm days !! I remember when Leon Fox landed there one nite and got lost of the taxiways. GSB was a SAC base at that time and security around the A Bombs was as tight as it gets. HE GOT escorted back to the runup pad by a "Follow Me" and got a royal ass chewing from the base duty officer. Since Capt Fox was pretty good at chewing ass himself we really got a kick out of that incident !! Another incident that I remember about GSB involved Capt Pappy Wilkes. GSB had a cable across a part of the runway that was referred to as the "Jet Barrier" They issued Notams... Jet Barrier Up or Jet Barrier Down We had just started to land there and Pappy didn't realize that Jet Barrier Down didn't mean it was removed from the runway only slacked and laying across the runwa y. He landed over the threshhold and short of the barrier. Either the First Officer or the tower alerted him and he did a touch and go and got airborne before he ran over it. This was on either an F-27 or an FH 227.....lucky to get it spooled up and back in the air !! This also brought about a visit from the Base Duty Officer Thanks for jarring my memories !!!]]> Don Shanks Memorable Moments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:24:14 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1250,1250#msg-1250 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1250,1250#msg-1250 Verne Crisp Memorable Moments Fri, 16 May 2008 19:06:31 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1171,1171#msg-1171 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1171,1171#msg-1171 I don't recall being much more tired than that over the years.
If you were there, please post a comment here.
I don't know how many of my CLT co-workers are logged in here.

Steve]]> stevelyons Memorable Moments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:52:05 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1169,1169#msg-1169 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1169,1169#msg-1169 I often tell people..... "Shake the hand of the man, who shook the hand, of James Brown!" And Billy Graham.... and..... (the list goes on).

Almost sounds like the life of Forrest Gump :)

Steve]]> stevelyons Memorable Moments Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:15:07 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1168,1168#msg-1168 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1168,1168#msg-1168 It was a DCA flight using a relatively new Boeing 737-300.
It was a slow and quiet morning. Not many passengers in the boarding lounge.
After all the passengers deplaned, I did what I often did when no one was up at the counter when we took turns pulling tickets while the other agent in our two person team was working the seat assignment checkin desk, I walked down to the plane for a walkthrough to see if any crewmembers I knew were working the flight.
When I got down there, the cabin was empty, all except for Reverend Billy Graham.
I offered him my handshake and told him what an Honor it was to meet him.
We spoke for a few short moments and then I made my way back up the jetway, seeming like a dream, as it was hard to believe that I actually got to meet him after all these years.
We often got to meet famous people while working at Piedmont.
It was one of the many little purks.
We knew that it was equally important to be discrete and not make too big a deal of it so that their trip would be pleasant and to respect their privacy.
He was one of many I met at Piedmont that I will treasure the memory!

Steve]]> stevelyons Memorable Moments Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:19:41 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1163,1163#msg-1163 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,1163,1163#msg-1163 But you'd never know it by the weather we were having at TRI.
The snow was deep and it was around -20 (20 below -0-).
I had to get to TRI to work and I was not so experienced at driving in snow.
My Dad, Herman Lyons, volunteered to drive me to the airport in his ole
1972 Dodge maxivan. It was one of my favorite vehicles Dad had.
I called it the Piedmont van. We had it painted up in shades of blue.
Dad drove through the two lane winding roads of sullivan country from Bluff City to Blountville via I-81 to the airport. It was a slow drive as the roads were iced over and hazardous. Dad braved the night weather for me so I could get to work.
We got there and all was well. I spent the night aboard the 727 as I had done
and continued to do on many occasions, sometimes going in to classes at ETSU the next morning.
I kept the bird warm so that the pipes did not freeze over.
I will always remember those times, just the 727 and me.
The aft airstairs and that cold breeze and snow blowing.
When it's that cold, you can't stay outside very long and you have to
take quick short breaths.
I will remember my parents dedication to my job long after they are gone.
Dad is now 77 and Mom almost 81.
God Bless them both.

Steve]]> stevelyons Memorable Moments Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:38:07 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,962,962#msg-962 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,962,962#msg-962
I was working in the media in August of 1989 when the Piedmont 737 made that incredible landing in Greensboro. One of the landing gear was jammed and I remember the pilot making several passes before finally touching down safely.

This was only days before the name change... Does anyone remember any details of what exactly happened? What was the result of the investigation? I can't recall.

Anyway... many thanks for letting me read all of your memories. Piedmont was, and in myopinion, will always BE the very best. The model of not only what a good airline should be... but what a good COMPANY should be.

All my best,
Chris
]]> Chris Runge Memorable Moments Sat, 24 Nov 2007 08:13:40 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,934,934#msg-934 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,934,934#msg-934 Ronnie Ellis Memorable Moments Wed, 23 Nov 2005 10:59:12 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,603,603#msg-603 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,603,603#msg-603 Among the passengers who died aboard Flight 230 was 10 year-old Barbara Swiggett of Hampton VA. She had been visiting an aunt in Cincinnati, and her parents wanted her to experience the marvels of her very first flight on her return to VA, which was supposed to terminate uneventfully at ORF. She was the daughter of my oldest sister's English teacher at Hampton High School. I started into the 9nth grade of junior high school in September 1968. On one gray, overcast day, this dark-haired woman wearing sunglasses entered my English classroom and spent several minutes chatting with my English teacher at the front of the classroom. After the friendly conversation ended and this woman had left our classroom, our teacher announced to us that she was the mother of that 10 year old girl who had died in a plane crash in August.]]> Chip Memorable Moments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:31:30 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,593,593#msg-593 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,593,593#msg-593 "I never thought that I would ever see it come to this", and there was a tear making its way down his cheek. I always had a great deal of respect for Mr. Cartwright, but his sharing of this personal moment of sorrow and sadness with with me made an impression on me that I shall never forget. I was very sad at his passing, but I am also glad that he didn't have to witness what has happened to "His Piedmont Airlines" in the years since his death. I have had many memorable moments during my career at Piedmont, but this one seems to stand out above them all!!!]]> Jack M. Taylor Memorable Moments Sat, 14 May 2005 01:41:18 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,573,573#msg-573 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,573,573#msg-573 Jim Miller Memorable Moments Wed, 19 Nov 2003 07:27:27 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,555,555#msg-555 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,555,555#msg-555 Piedmont would pick up the cost of everything but not the drinks if he chose to have a couple with us in town. He couldn't believe he started off on a 75 mile trip and was endiing up in Ohio.

ANYWAY....fast forward to the next day and we hit every stop until we got close to RIC and it went down too. He was good natured about it though.
On landing, back in ORF, he jokingly said it was the last time he'd fly with us.

I wonder how many former ORF pursers from those days are out there.
Would like to hear from any of them...Jim....1951 ti 1955.]]> jim daniel Memorable Moments Sat, 08 Mar 2003 20:55:44 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,549,549#msg-549 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,549,549#msg-549 The Jan/Feb copy of Airliners Magazine has a six-page in depth coverage of Piedmont,s ill-fated flight 349.
N55V, one of Piedmonts DC-3,s crashed outside of Waynesboro, Va. October 30,1959

Rember Piedmont,s Buckeye Pacemaker! Flight 349


J.R. Culler]]> J.R. Culler Memorable Moments Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:44:55 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,542,542#msg-542 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,542,542#msg-542
My name is Paul Houle. I live in Spartanburg, SC and I have been researching the mid-air collision of Piedmont Flight 22 with a Cessna 310 over the skies of Hendersonville, NC in 1967. During my research, I discovered that there was NO marker, memorial or monument dedicated to the victims of that crash. I have organized an effort to raise money to get a memorial in place by next July 19, 2003, the thirty-sixth anniversary of the tragic crash.

I have been assured that if the money is raised, the memorial will become a reality. Please forward any contributions you wish to make to:

The Flight 22 Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 681
Inman, SC 29349

If anyone knows the whereabouts of any relatives of either crew of passengers on the flight, please let them know this news. If anyone needs any further information from me concerning a contribution, please e-mail me at HoulPau@aol.com or call me at (864)814-4659.

Thanks!!!!!]]> Paul Houle Memorable Moments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:45:18 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,536,536#msg-536 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,536,536#msg-536 Randy Memorable Moments Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:17:04 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,535,535#msg-535 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,535,535#msg-535 H. W. Robinson Memorable Moments Thu, 18 Dec 2003 15:19:40 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,512,512#msg-512 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,512,512#msg-512 The air was crisp with the sun out.
The little picture that appears on the front of the homepage here now, was in the inside first page of PACE magazine at that time.
The picture reminded me of the feeling I had.
The feeling was not only one of total heartfelt joy, but one of security.
I KNEW that the company I worked for CARED.
Not only for myself, but the thousands of other Piedmont People and the Passenger the planes carried to their destainations.
Wouldn't it be GRAND?!
If there was still an airline like that around.....
Close enough for us to get back and forth to work there today?
I know that I would make a path to their door and beg to be a part of that!

:)]]> Steve Lyons Memorable Moments Tue, 03 Sep 2002 21:44:08 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,500,500#msg-500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,500,500#msg-500 If you liked that one, You will LOVE this one!
As Boeing is my all time favorite, it is NOT the only aircraft I have ever loved.
Take the Fokker for example.
Now here, for all you foreign manufacturer defenders.......
is an aircraft totally made in Holland!
Yes, Fokker, the aircraft company that produced the F27 and more importantly for Piedmont lovers......
The F28!
I flew countless miles also on the Fokker F28-1000/-4000 models over the years with Piedmont/USAir.
And I cleaned them, and rode jump seat in them.
I truly Loved the Fokker F28 and F100.
Although the F100 in the USAir fleet (USAir was the only of the two that had those, recieved the first in 1990) was difficult to climb into it's bins, it was not that hard to work them.
Just roll a cart of bags under the belly and stand on it, while the guy inside
slides the bags easily across the hard clear plastic floor liners.
This little jet served us well.
And it's a shame to see them all retired!
Piedmont got it's first in 1984 which were bought from Fokker as rebuilt formerly owned Garuda Airlines jets.
You see, Piedmont owned most of it's fleet. And although today most airlines frown at that and say it isn't cost effective, we need to remember that owning aircraft IS cost effective if you don't change aircraft as often as your Dad trades cars!
Piedmont bought alot of aircraft used! Ooooooo.
Bad word?
Not really. Used 727s from Delta and PSA and All Nippon served us well, very well over the years!
But Piedmont also purchased many F28-4000s NEW.
I have a question for those still at USAirways......
Why did USAirways retire their entire fleet decade old Fokker F100s and then want to turn around and buy Regional Jets?
Let me tell you what is happening in the airline industry that perplexes me.
Tri-Cities, Kinston NC, and simular communities are LOOSING flights that used to be MAINLINE PIEDMONT AIRLINES.
Those are being replaced by commuter code share companies.
I have one answer.......the passengers don't matter anymore.
I read alot on the net, and read about business people who depend on getting from smaller towns to large ones who can no longer ride anything but weed eaters to their hubs cause the big iron doesnt think their town is an important part of their network anymore and is not profitable.
I hear times are changing till it makes me scream!
But know this, major airlines are throwing away customers and running them off to others and effecting the bottom line that way too.
You can make anything look good on paper.
Getting it to work in real life takes vision.
Tom Davis had the vision to serve the smaller communites when no one else would.
It is getting to the point again where no one else will.
Again.
History repeats itself.
The future of the airline industry belongs to those who will gladly serve their customers. Period.
All others can file for bankruptcy.]]> Steve Lyons Memorable Moments Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:04:27 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,482,482#msg-482 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,482,482#msg-482
It has occured to me over the past few months, reading about so many old Piedmont aircraft being retired from USAirways as they try to recover from years of losses and try to slim down, complete, survive or what ever you want to call it..........
As I read on the internet about the aircraft they have retired in recent months/years, and look up the tail numbers on a search engine to find that these have been either cut up, set on display, used for training exercises in a non-flying capacity, sold to other airlines and are still in flight etc......
I realize that there are FEW actual Piedmont Airlines aircraft still in service.
When I say few, I am saying maybe less than 100? Maybe even less than that!
USAirways has retired all or most of the following at this point or has plans to retire them........
737-200
727-200
MD80 all series all from PSA!
F100 (these were not that old, almost new)
DC9
Fokker F28-1000 and F28-4000 (years ago)
BAE146 from PSA!
And, at this point, I would imagine, that the ONLY old Piedmont Jets they still have were all delivered after May of 1985.
That was the month that Piedmont took delivery of it's first 737-300!
I remember that day well!
The -300 was a state of the art and hard to beat aircraft.
But it would likely be the oldest jet in the fleet now.
Imagine that! A 737-300 from May 1985 as the oldest aircraft in the fleet.
Former Piedmont Jets still in use would likely be
737-300
737-400
767-200
And that about does it folks, unless they still have a few old ones around that are scheduled for retirement but havent made it out yet.

I know that DC9s are history there already and I think 737-200s are.
And that is sad. It's sad to hear that 737-200 and 727-200 aircraft are not fuel efficient enough to "make it" in the real airlines these days.
Cause I remember a few short years ago when they were the mainstay of the Piedmont fleet.
Do any of you join me in sheading a few tears over these fine aircraft that served us so well for so long?
If so, email me!
Also, if there are those of you out there who enjoy flight simulation on microsoft flight simulator, please contact me.
We still fly those old birds in flight sim!
All the way back to the YS11s and Martin 404s!

God Bless,

Steve Lyons]]> Steve Lyons Memorable Moments Wed, 16 Nov 2005 13:28:12 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,480,480#msg-480 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,480,480#msg-480
Oh, the good old days!!!!!!]]> Pam Wilson-Masone Memorable Moments Sun, 30 Jun 2002 13:17:10 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,477,477#msg-477 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,477,477#msg-477 H. W. Robinson Memorable Moments Thu, 01 Apr 2004 20:24:53 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,474,474#msg-474 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,474,474#msg-474 bigbirddaddy@hotmail.com]]> H. W. Robinson Memorable Moments Sun, 19 May 2002 01:54:06 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,471,471#msg-471 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,471,471#msg-471 ** Accommodating **
.
.
... a regular passenger who I will call, “Mr. C”, came from LGA down to FAY every other weekend. He would buy 26 round-trip tickets at one time every year, usually in January. He always brought me a Christmas or New Years present, depending on his schedule that particular year. “Mr. C” was unique. The only thing he ever wanted was seat 3C, to board with the pre-boards, and to visit with us for a minute or two when he walked up to the gate. We kept up with his travel cycles. We would always pull his “3C Sticky Tab” long before he would get to the airport.
** Best Customers **
.
.
... I held the start valve open with a long screwdriver on a balky engine of a 737 for the first time. To be an operations agent and have your face only about a foot away from the side of a JT8 engine when it started was, how best to put it, “exciting?” We got the flight out on time! My heart returned to normal later in the day!
** Resourceful **
.
.
... there was a little nut shop in the old gate area in LGA that had the best cashew nuts in the world. I was working in FAY one evening and got hungry for some “New York Cashews.” I called operations in LGA and asked to speak to whoever was the captain of flight 359 that would wind up in FAY about three hours later. I asked the captain if he would spot me five bucks and buy me some cashews. I said I’d pay him on arrival. He did and I did.
** Trust and Respect **
.
.
... I met Mr. Davis the second time. He remembered my name from the first time.
** Class **
.
.
Andy Ray
FAY/BWI/INT]]> Andy Ray Memorable Moments Sun, 30 Jun 2002 13:19:36 -0400 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,469,469#msg-469 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,469,469#msg-469 N68650 Manhattan Pacemaker was departing AVl en rt to ROA.
Aboard was a crew of five and seventy four pax. Flt. 22 was departing rwy 16 and climbing for the freedom that only altitude would provide. at the same time a Cessna 310 was in bound for AVL and for some unknown reason the C-310 had deviated off course at 6,132 ft. over the city of Hendersonville, N. C. the C-310 slammed head-on into Piedmont flight 22.
Parts of both aircraft rained down on the city. a rather large section of the fuselage had came to rest in the middle of a street, mostly upright. she was still strapped in her seat, every bone in her body was broken. Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines In Pieces On the Ground still echo through my mind.
She had so much to live for. The last time I saw her was a few months earlier, she was boarding a YS-11 at INT.
At this time each year I say a little prayer for the Flight Crew and Seventy Four Passengers of Piedmont Flight 22.
And remember a Girl I once Knew.

Remember Piedmont Flight 22]]> Joe Culler Memorable Moments Fri, 22 Nov 2002 10:41:36 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,468,468#msg-468 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,468,468#msg-468
The poor ramp agents were sloshing around, caterers, cleaners, boarding agents all trying to make a quick turn-around in that mess. We boarded a FULL LOAD of pax going to CLT, I was getting the final headcount, when a guy pointed to the window by his seat and asked if that crack was supposed to be there. HUH? Sure enough, it looked like a crack that zigzagged from the top right corner to the bottom left corner.

Go get the captain; yep, looks like it's cracked. Whichever station this was didn't have PAI-M, but eventually a mechanic from whoever provided maintenance there showed up and confirms that the window is indeed cracked. The nearest replacement is in GSO. The flight is cancelled.

By now, it has gotten rather late. All those pax had to be rescheduled, rerouted, put in hotels, etc.

The plan was for the replacement window to be flown in from GSO on a small plane, the repair made, and we'd take the ac back to CLT (GSO?) at 0-dark:30 the next morning.

After a few hours at the hotel, we showed up for the flight east; the captain asked the mechanic about the repairs. The mechanic said the new window had arrived, but as soon as they started loosening the broken window to remove it, the "crack" drained right out! Somehow, rainwater had gotten inside and fooled everyone!]]> Margie Kye Memorable Moments Sat, 23 Feb 2002 16:44:26 -0500 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,462,462#msg-462 http://www.jetpiedmont.com/Phorum5/read.php?3,462,462#msg-462
On November 24, 1971, passenger D. B. Cooper, aboard a Northwest Airlines flight, hijacked the airplane. He was given a $200,000 ransom when he threatened to detonate a bomb. Cooper then parachuted from the plane with the $200,000 and was never heard from again! The plane's pilot was William "Scotty" Scott and he died this week of prostate cancer, in Green Valley, Arizona, at the age of 81.

Piedmont Airlines bought the airplane from Northwest. At Northwest it was numbered N407US. Piedmont renumbered it as N838N and flew it in passenger service. The plane was eventually retired and later leased to Pratt & Whitney who flew it after placing a plaque in the front of the plane stating that it was the plane from which D. B. Cooper parachuted. Piedmont later sold the airplane and Key Airlines renumbered it as N29KA.

Piedmont sold the airplane in September 1984. After we sold it, Ronnie says there were many aviation historians trying to trace it. They wanted to know if it was the "real one"! There were many people claiming that they had the airplane and that led to much confusion.

Ronnie says that there is an entry in the log book in N838N about the hijacking and the bail out through the rear steps of the Boeing 727. After this particular hijacking, the airlines moved quickly to prevent the opening of the 727 steps from the inside of the plane. A “vane”, (an air foil) was installed on the outside of the airplane just to the left of the air stairs as you enter the 727 through the rear steps. After takeoff the wind would hit the “vane” pushing it up and locking the air stairs preventing them from be opened while in flight. A very simple - - but very effective fix. After Cooper, there were no hijackings that used the rear steps of the 727 to jump from the plane.

Ronnie says that the airplane was scrapped for parts in January 1993.

The plane’s parts, probably like D. B. Cooper’s “parts”, are scattered around the world! Is it possible that the two of them. . . . . . naw! . . . . .well maybe!]]> Don Shanks Memorable Moments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:21:11 -0400