Inspiring Flight

[GottaFly]

In the late 90s i was a passenger on a WestJet flight from YYC-YXX when this route was first introduced. At the time I was quite young but somewhat keen on airplanes. In those pre 911 days, i was able to visit the flight deck during cruise and i guess i somehow impressed the captain enough to score a ride in the jumpseat. This was a key moment for me as it inspired me to pursue a flying career. A few weeks later, my parents apparently called to followup and thank the pilot. They were told that this individual was either a CEO or President or Chief Pilot.

Anyone have any idea who this person may have been and how i could get in touch with them and thank them for the career inspiring opportunity?

[twinpratts]

Nice story... but the details might be a bit vague. We have over 100 pilots, with many more retirees.

[GottaFly]

I'm guessing my mystery pilot is someone somewhat high up. So my question is, which upper management personnel in the mid-late 90s flew the line as well?

[twinpratts]

All middle managers fly the line, and many pilots have left to company since then... I'd say that narrows it down to about 50 guys...

[hotwings56]

I'm guessing my mystery pilot is someone somewhat high up. So my question is, which upper management personnel in the mid-late 90s flew the line as well?

The most likely two would be, Don Bell, he was our guru of culture, and Tim Morgan who would have been either the Director of Flight operations or the VP of Ops at the time..old brain is tired. They were both co-founders of the company have since left. I have contacts for both if you'd like to PM me. I could then contact them and ask if they minded if you contacted them...they're both great people who moved on to other pursuits and I'm sure they wouldn't mind an email.

[LisaS]

Wow, you're not coming across very WestJetty there Twin CFM 56-7's

[railker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENVKa1CuMeg#t=4m32s

Brief moment in a news report from 2002 showing Don Bell Captaining a flight