EXCERPT FROM THE EPILOGUE...

On September 11, 2001 while writing the chapter "Electric Jet," I watched in horror as 19 evil men attacked the United States of America. They chose as their weapons the very aircraft I was writing about, the Boeing 757 and 767 transport aircraft. Fully understanding the genius wrought by the Boeing engineers, these misfits of Islam used that creation in a diabolical display of inhumanity.

When the Boeing Aircraft Company hit upon the idea to build two completely different aircraft with identical cockpits, it did so with the notion it would save lives, not end them. It did so for reasons of efficiency and safety, not heinousness and depravity.

The world's airlines will adapt to this new reality. No longer will crews be taught in silly hijacking ground schools to use cooperation with terrorists on board, so as not to alarm the passengers. And no longer will passengers stand idly by as evil marches them toward certain death. And finally there is great debate about allowing the airline pilot to carry a fire-arm.

Those against allowing guns in the cockpit feel they will go off "willy nilly," that only people trained in the proper use of the fire arms can be trusted with them. Well, let me say that a handgun is the ultimate point and shoot device. It does not take any more training than what you get from a good western movie. In no more than ten minutes anyone can learn to fire a handgun. What is required, however, is that the person in charge of the handgun be a responsible, educated and mentally stable individual who is constantly scrutinized and tested on frequent occasions and who maintains a record of stability over a long period of time. This sure sounds like the Captain of an airliner to me. After all, isn't this the same person that all passengers trust with their life every time they board an airplane?

"I read your book. It was great! In fact, I couldn't put it down. It reads like a novel, but a philosophical one-like Jonathan Livingston Seagull. (Except you don't do barrel rolls in a Delta Airlines passenger jet.) I belong to a reading club at Georgetown College, and several of the members of our group would like copies of the book."
-Dr. Jean Ippolito

"My friend Tom Kanaley gave me a copy of your book "Leaving On A Jet Plane." I have the dubious distinction of having read almost all of the English language airline captain books and yours is one of the best. You have done a very good job of succinctly describing the making of a modern airline pilot in a way that should interest lay people as well as professionals. Most people who fly can't write and most who write can't fly and you are certainly the exception!"
-Norman Floyd McGowin Jr

"I picked up a copy of your book yesterday...I just wanted to tell you how very much I am enjoying it..it brings back some wonderful memories of the past 33 years. I just wanted to thank you for putting some of these memories down on paper for us to enjoy. I read a lot now, since retiring in '99, probably a book a week at least, and this is one of the most enjoyable and meaningful books I have read in years..."
-Captain Joe Moraine

"My wife, who is also a pilot, and I just finished reading your very entertaining book. We both thoroughly enjoyed it, especially so for me as our careers were parallel other than I was in the lead by about ten years and I never played the piano in the air or on the ground."
-Captain Lorin L Wilkinson

"Bravo, outstanding book...the emotions you describe and your general observations on flying the line I thought were mine alone. You have put to paper thoughts and feelings I could never articulate. Thank you. The next time anyone asks me about my life at Delta, I'll just toss him a copy of your book."
-Captain Glenn Staley

"Book came last week. I'm enjoying it immensely. You did a great job on the writing part. As a former National Airlines pilot hired in 1978 and bought by Pan Am in 1981 and bought by Delta in 1991, it is especially interesting to read how you made your way to Delta in the early 60's, and what Delta was like in those days. A missing piece to a complex puzzle. It helps me to better understand the Delta corporate culture. Thanks"
-Jimmy Johnson

"I've just finished reading your book and what a delight! I'm not a big reader -- mostly nautical or scientific types so I wasn't sure how I'd like reading yours. My big disappointment was that it had to end! No kidding...I'm still at FL370.

When I was on active duty, I had two tours on Radar Picket Ships. Their mission (8 ships on each coast) was to track and report on all incoming overseas flights to the US; Russia, of course was the big concern. There were four stations about 250 miles off the coast. As Combat Information Center Officer, I headed up the radar surveillance group and also functioned as an Air Intercept Officer. I was qualified to control both navy and Air Force interceptors whenever an incoming plane couldn't be identified. We were loaded with, at the time, state of the art electronics. To make a long story short, your time of flying overseas brought back memories of when, on occasion, we would lend assistance to an incoming flight that was having mechanical difficulties."
-Cmdr. Vincent Kneizy, USN Ret

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