Tower Return

A week or so ago I had a magic show for an Upwards Basketball program in Stockton MO. It was a Saturday morning and the weather was getting bad. By the time the program was over and I was on my way home, the road conditions were deteriorating pretty quickly.

Several miles on my way, I received a call that I had left my top hat at the gym. Rather than turn back, I called a former co-worker. (They're all former co-workers now!) Since he lives in Stockton, he picked up my hat (actually, his wife did) and brought it in to work. Today, I made the trip to the tower to retrieve my hat.

I can't say that I expected to be out there so soon (actually didn't really have any plans to return at all), but it was good to see a few of the controllers that were working.

It was a nice visit. I spent most of my time visiting with my old chief and discussing his plans for retirement! Like most air traffic facilities, SGF is understaffed and has a significant number of eligible to retire controllers. Four of us have gone this year! I don't think that anyone else is planning on going in 2015, but you never know.

I don't plan on making the tower a regular place to visit, but do have plans to get together with a few of the folks from there.

All-in-all, it was a good decision to go.
And a good time to go, as well.

John <><