A Lifetime of Friendships

By Capt. Gerald Krueger (Northwest, Ret.)

My last flight—on Oct. 30, 1995—was a celebratory affair for sure. But what meant the most to me were all the people from throughout my career who commemorated the day in one way or another.

My wife Mary Ann was in the jumpseat behind me on my final flight and witnessed a 600-foot RVR takeoff from Spokane, Wash. (GEG), as we headed to Minneapolis, Minn. (MSP). As we taxied in at MSP, the fire trucks met the flight and watered me down.

Mary Ann and I were the last to exit the B-727, and we were met with a giant banner saying, “Congratulations Captain Gerald L. Krueger.” Music was playing, and our entire family was anxiously awaiting our arrival—even our newborn grandson. Mobs of people were there, all wishing me a hearty congratulations.

Suddenly the chief pilot stepped out from the crowd. He gave a short speech and handed me a plaque with my name and wings on it and a huge thank-you message, noting my 27 years of safe flying for Northwest Airlines. I was overwhelmed by all the fuss about my retirement.

The outbound flight was getting ready to board, so we all went to a local hotel for the remainder of my retirement party. The emotions ran very high, and it didn’t really set in until the next day, when I woke up and realized that I was actually “retired.”

That wasn’t the end of things, though. Over the next few weeks and months, I received letters and special packages from friends I’d made and folks I’d met throughout my career.

• I was given a photo of my airplane that was signed by my fellow pilots as a memento of my career. There must be about 150 signatures!
• Friends I’d made in the ATC tower in Billings, Mont., took photos of my last takeoff and sent them to me, along with a letter of congratulations and a thank-you for helping them out whenever I could.
• ATC also sent me a shadowbox of all the ATC strips for my last trip from GEG to MSP, nine in all, each signed with the name of the controller and “Congratulations, Captain Krueger.”
• John Dasburg, the airline’s president, sent me a congratulatory letter.
• I received a letter full of accolades from Bill Hunchiss, the chief pilot,.
• J. Randolph Babbitt, ALPA’s president, sent me a letter congratulating me on my retirement.
• I received a letter signed by the ATC chief in MSP along with an instant shot of the situation map of all airplanes heading toward MSP, with my final flight highlighted about 200 miles out.
• An employee from the training department where I was also a captain instructor sent me a copy of my last checkride, which was full of accolades.

But the most treasured possession commemorating my 27 years at Northwest was the gorgeous plaque with my airline wings and my name in big letters thanking me and congratulating me. My family can pass it down for generations.

The entire experience was wonderful and left me and my wife with a lifetime of memories.

I had a love affair with flying and an exhilarating airline career—and fortunately never experienced an incident of any kind. What a glorious trip through life it’s been! And since my retirement, I’ve been enjoying life in South Dakota, raising Limousin cattle and farming 2,000 acres.