Human Interest - HL 258

Humorous Human Interest:

From: Buck Stevens

Date: 7/29/2016 12:14:55 PM

To: Undisclosed recipients: ,

Subject: Loyalty

Jerry Clower about Delta. 

Less than 4 minutes in length. Years ago I was sitting at the counter for a fast lunch in Shreveport before we took off again in our DC9 and sat down in one of the few vacant seats. Turns out I was seated next to the great man himself. Bigger than life and just a funny in talking about anything as in some of great short messages. Dressed very nice with a big gold Rolex on his wrist. He paid for my lunch and left a big tip for the waitress. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hI6j2TPGho

Buck Stevens  

Editor: I was privileged to fly Jerry on a few occasions and one stands out as being very memorable.  I will say Jerry was a regular on Delta he himself was VERY loyal along with being very personable.  He always seemed to get VIP boarding and then made it a point to stop in the cockpit and chit chat for a while.  On this warm summer day,  we were parked, in our DC-9, on the remote pad at the old ATL terminal when a van drives up which lets out Jerry to walk across the ramp for preferential boarding.  The Captain (who will remain anonymous) recognized Jerry and said he doesn’t like him.  In fact he despises him.  Then he came up with a plan and I being the cooperating FO went along with it.  When Jerry does his cockpit stop-by, let’s pretend that we don’t know him and never heard of him.  Well…ok, this should be fun….I think.  Well, Jerry came in and said something loud and bombastic.  The Captain said,  “excuse me sir can I help you?”  Jerry responded with something again very boisterous.  To which the Captain said, “I don’t know you!” Jerry replied,  “its me…. Jerry Clower!”  “Never heard of you,” the Captain said.  “I star at the Grand Ole Opry.”  Jerry disappointedly said.  “Grand ole …..what? Never heard of it,” the Captain barked.   And that was it.  The ego of the man destroyed, his tail between his legs, he sheepishly went to his seat in full wonder that these two southern Delta pilots didn’t know him.   He was a funny man, and loyal to Delta and to this day I regret having a part in knocking a little chip off his shoulder.  Rest in peace, Mr. Clower.

 


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