Pilot Memorials?

[Kathleen]

I'm sure you all heard of the B-1900 that went down a few days ago. I know there probably aren't more plane crashes than there used to be, but I sure notice them a lot more now that my DH is training to be a commercial pilot. He also is pretty affected by them; feels almost a brotherhood with these pilots involved in the crashes, even though he hasn't actually known any of them.

I work a lot with law enforcement, and so am very familiar with how they react when they lose one of their own. Is it the same for pilots? Meaning, do they attend the memorial service, even if maybe they didn't actually know the pilot?

[TheWife]

I didn't hear about that plane, but a guy my dh went to school with survived a crash in Alaska that took the lives of his father in law and 3 other family members, and there have been several other crashes lately that have caused a few instructors at our FBO to quit.

[MQAAord]

We'll usually just attend the memorials of those from our own airline. We attend in full uniform, and will often sit together.

[Kathleen]

That's nice to know. I'm glad you all do that for each other.

[Kristie]

From what i've heard - if you are off and can attend them, the family really appreciates all the support...I've known quite a few pilots that do attend the memorials just for that - a show of support...

because like mentioned above - the airline biz is a lot like a fraternity/sorority or brotherhood/sisterhood in which each pilot feels the pain of the other, in most instances! Even at retirement, you'll see pilots at your party that you'd never event met - they just want to enjoy your happiness, fear and some cake!! (man.. i gotta work on those emoticons!!)

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]