Viral footage shows an easyJet pilot, who has been called ‘one of the best’, paying tribute to his colleagues and family during the final flight of his 40-year-long career.
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00:00As a training captain, I've had the privilege and pleasure to train hundreds of pilots in easyJet.
00:05And I just hope that a few of my words of wisdom and advice will stand them and indirectly yourselves, the customers, in good state going forward.
00:15I have to say flying it has been a blast. There have been challenges along the way.
00:20Storms of last weekend. Did you come out here last weekend?
00:23Storm, whatever they called it, whatever number we got to, was particularly challenging.
00:29And an old instructor once said to me that it's far better to be on the ground wishing you're in the air than in the air wishing you're not on the ground.
00:39And I think there were some people who felt that last weekend with Storm.
00:45As we move away from easyJet, I can comfort myself in the fact that the company is in great hands.
00:51Outstanding cabin crew, the unsung heroes of the airline.
00:55Highly trained, highly skilled in many things that you people don't know about.
01:01So moving forward, spread the word that they're really good people.
01:05They deserve to be treated with respect at all times. They do a fantastic job.
01:13And of course the pilots. We all keep you safe on your adventures.
01:18You're allowed to choose who you fly with on retirement flights.
01:22I'm lucky to have another training captain who's about to appear in a second.
01:25He's much younger than me, but I'm a lot younger than him.
01:31We first flew together nearly 20 years ago.
01:35Outstanding pilot and instructor, aren't you?
01:38That's what he told me to say.
01:41But more than that, he's a great friend and unfortunately we couldn't fly together.
01:45One more time. Just a second patient.
01:50If success is measured by the respect of your colleagues at work and the love of a publicly supported family,
01:58I'm truly blessed.
02:01My work colleagues have been most generous of late with so many kind words,
02:05but it's always been family and friends that get you through the difficult times.
02:09I wasn't expecting any of our friends to be here, but my good friend Julian Collin is sat here.
02:14It surprised me why I couldn't have tonight's rosti yesterday, just to be on the flight today.
02:18For one day only.
02:20It's a bit smashing that they're here, all a bit of clandestine.
02:23So it's one that I'm sneaking out in that telegram.
02:27My family are also on board here today for this special occasion.
02:30I couldn't be happier.
02:32The three children, Franklin, Edward and Albert, waving.
02:36I'm there together with my soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Nikki.
02:41I'm very proud of what they've achieved so far on their respective journeys.
02:45It's telling, though, that none of them have chosen a career in aviation.
02:50Finally, I turn to the power behind the throne, my darling wife Rosie.
02:55She's crying.
02:57She's been my rock and any success I've had in my career couldn't be achieved without her.
03:05She's been fully committed to it.
03:07She explains, takes you away from family and friends, and significant milestones which we miss.
03:14But that's all now history.
03:17I daresay they've got a long list of jobs waiting for me.
03:20I'm thirsty and I no longer have the excuse that I'm off to work.
03:25So, there's a saying in aviation also, that you're only as good as your last landing.
03:31I'll be landing in four hours' time from now.
03:33Let's just see how I get on.