My friend, the Air Canada pilot
"My friend, the Air Canada pilot." That’s how I referred to Robin when telling friends about him. I enjoyed the reflected glory of knowing someone who got to sit in the flight deck and fly those airplanes that were so much of my business life. Now, on reflection, Robin was much more than that.
We intersected periodically and memorably over almost 50 years and all of the memories make me smile.
Robin and I met when we both were students at the University of Saskatchewan and had apartments in the same building. My first flying experience with Robin was in Saskatchewan when he took me and another friend for some “touch and goes” at the Saskatoon airport. It didn’t take Robin long to show that he could fly other than level and straight. He demonstrated rolls and stall recoveries until my stomach begged for mercy and my ears rang from the sound of the stall horn. Robin demonstrated his early confidence and competence in the cockpit and gave me a flying experience story that I enjoyed sharing.
I moved to Toronto and a few years later, so did Robin. Robin bought two used cars from me – one that belonged to my mother-in-law and my 1973 Oldsmobile. Both were past their prime by the time Robin bought them but somehow he managed to keep them on the road for several more years. Robin could be very resourceful and frugal and these old vehicles played to his strength.
After Robin moved to Vancouver, we had less frequent contact but occasionally got together when I travelled there on business. We enjoyed wide ranging conversations over lunch or dinner. Robin was intensely interested in finance and economics and loved to share and debate his theories. Robin also shared stories of his growing family. He was especially proud of his boys.
Some years later, I was flying from Toronto to Montreal. As I settled into my seat with my business associate, the pilot announcement started. I recognized the Captain’s voice. “It’s my friend, the Air Canada pilot”. I gave the stewardess my business card and asked her to give it to the captain. She came back in a few seconds to invite me to sit in the third seat in the flight deck with Robin and his co-pilot. This was my second most memorable flying experience, although all the flying that Robin did was enter data into the auto-pilot. This flight was level and straight. Robin has grown up and was an excellent example of a confident and competent airline captain.
A few years ago, my wife, Erin, and I relocated to Victoria area and I finally knew exactly where Point Roberts was. I re-established email contact with Robin and caught up with the story of his second family, his airpark and his disappointment with not flying for Air Canada any longer. We arranged to have dinner in Vancouver one evening when Erin and I were there. Robin and Josh joined us and the years apart slipped away. Old memories and new stories flowed easily. We agreed to visit him in Point Roberts on one of our frequent trips by ferry from Vancouver to Victoria.
Each time that I saw the sign to Tsawwassen and Point Roberts, I reminded myself that I had to organize that trip. Alas, I waited too long. Now, all that remains for me are the many memories of the times we shared.