Captain Calvin “Cal” Flanigan (pictured) retired from Delta Airlines last Friday, after devoting 45 years of service to the airline. Thirty-seven of those years were served as a pilot for the company. And, to top off his incredible career, he never missing a day of work, according to KTFW-TV Fox 4 News.
Flanigan told Fox 4 that he knew from a very young age that he wanted to be a pilot. “Even as a little kid watching airplanes take off when I was 9 or 10 years old, I knew I wanted to fly,” he said. When he began his career at Delta, Flanagan started from the ground floor as an airline mechanic back in 1968. But he knew that one day he would be sitting in the cockpit. Eight years later, Flanigan achieved his dream.
In 37 years as a Delta pilot, Flanigan flew more than 12.5 million miles and landed in nearly 100 countries. Flanigan also had the most seniority out of all of his fellow pilots and an exceptional performance record. He reportedly never missed a day of work, making him a role model to fellow pilots.
“He’s been the number one guy for almost eight years now,” Steve Dickson of Delta Airlines told Fox 4. “I don’t think that’s something that will ever be replicated, certainly in my lifetime.”
Unfortunately for Flanagan, Sixty-five is the age that Delta mandates for their pilots to hang up their wings. Though retirement will be hard for Flanigan, he says that he has plenty of plans in place. Flying is one of them.
He and his wife plan on traveling the world. Though Flanigan will let someone else do the flying going forward.
article by Ruth Manuel-Logan via newsone.com
Delta Pilot Retires After 45 Years, Never Missed Day Of Work
Published in Commemorations, Community, Records/Prizes and Seniors
Reblogged this on preneedfuneralplan and commented:
Wow, What an awesome story!
Well Done. I have a son who is following your path, now 15. Thank you for being a man of excellence and for allowing this story to be told for others just like my son.
thats unblelivable, i did”n know any pilot had not missed any time, u must have had a lot of friends, (other pilots) to have that kind of record
Yes that man got me over the ocean and back safely so many times! Thank you sir the best of the best.
Great article! The only part I would suggest editing is that the FAA requires a mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots at 65 years of age. The article seems to suggest Delta is forcing him into retirement.
Anyone older than 65 can still be a Flight Engineer but no civilian passenger airlines in the United States fly any aircraft that requires them any more. The last aircraft in the United States civil aviation system (I believe) were the Boeing 727, DC 10 and older versions of the Boeing 747. These aircraft are all retired from the fleets of US airlines.
How many other pilots did this guy get sick because this guy never called is sick ??
How do we know for sure that he ever got sick? Are you also a pilot for Delta Airlines? I know that my fellow airline crewmembers and I have more occasion to become ill… but my grandmother has never had so much as a common cold until she was well into her 90’s. She thought she was dying! Ordinarily, I would agree with you but what a negative comment to post on an otherwise very cool story!
Well said, John!
I agree, well said John
He is a great pilot, flow with him many times to dubai…., congratulations to him, best wishes to you sir….
Great work. You’re a role model for young pilots.
Congratulations Captain Flanigan! Delta is my favorite airline and I’m sure you have flown me to one of my destinations. Enjoy your retirement as it is well earned.
Congratulations. Enjoy your retirement.
Congratulations Captain! Enjoy your retirement, you have certainly earned it!
Cal, enjoy your retirement you have earned it with a class. Next time I see you I will be serving you in a seat.
God Bless. This is great. Remember how proud I was every time I walked onto a plane and saw a Black Pilot or other crew member.
Very impressive Mr. Flanagan. Job well done. Hats off to you sir!!!
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Well that’s nice. I wish hiM. Great more accomplishment
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What a passionate man? I wish him much success in whatever he chooses to do…Delta should have kept him
Congratulations Mr. Flanigan
That is Awesome. Congratulations.Wish you and yours all the best.
CONGRATULTIONS MR. FLANNGAN. I PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!
Well done, Captain. I always feel right at home on Delta flights.
Thanks for all the rides.
That’s pretty outstanding dedication !!
BRAVO, Cap’n!!! Blue skies and tailwinds from here on out!! Oh… And get an RV. Y’might want to see some of the places you’ve been flying over all these years!
Just a suggestion. 😉
Amen, What a fine exsample for our youth, boss you captain, I pray your retirement will be blessed and fulfills all your dreams.
Thank you and congratulations~
Great job Calvin. You set a path of excellence for all to follow.
HE DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A “FLANIGAN”!!?? BUT I AM WILLING TO CUT HIM SOME SLACK!!☺☺
Stop with the microaggressions if you don’t mind.