The Cayman Airways alumni reunion brought together current and former staff members who have worked for the airline over its 40 year history.
Some of the members of the CAL Reunion committee. Front, from left, Shelly Miller, Debra Broderick, Judy Ann Ebanks, Rose Gadsby, Ellen Peguero and Marva Reid. In the back, from left are Berkeley Wicker, Chelsea Rivers and Debora Powery. Photo: Shurna Robbins |
Flight attendants, pilots, managers and ground crew attended the reunion at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort on Tuesday, 11 November. Former CAL employees travelled from as far as Thailand and Dubai to attend the reunion with other alumni.
The reunion included a candle lighting ceremony that honoured former employees who had passed away.
Numerous fun awards were given out such as who had travelled the farthest to attend the reunion and who has changed the least.
While many of the former CAL staff had moved on to a broad spectrum of careers, the airline industry always stays in a person’s blood, says Norman Bodden, former managing director CAL and its predecessor organisation from 1954 to 1980.
‘Aviation gets into your bloodstream and never gets out of your system,’ said Mr. Bodden. ‘From that moment on, no matter what you do, no matter where you go, the airline business is always with you.’
Former CAL airline pilot Bing Thompson was proud of his flight crew number, 0001. Even after leaving the business years ago Mr. Thompson still feels compelled to watch the jets fly overhead.
Ellen Peguero was also proud of her flight crew number – 007 – referring to the adventure loving fictional character James Bond. She worked as a CAL flight attendant from 1979 to 1983. She learned some of her best professional and people skills at Cayman Airways that she has carried with her in other jobs.
‘Our primary job was always safety,’ said Mrs. Peguero. ‘But another important part of that job was making people feel comfortable and at the same time, making them feel that we cared about them.’
Many people still feel there is significant mystique and glamour surrounding flight attendants, said CAL flight attendant alum Rose Gadsby.
‘The best thing I love about being a Cayman Airways flight attendant is you can go to work and do your thing and there is no paperwork afterwards,’ said Ms Gadsby.
While the airline industry is going through a lot of difficult changes, it is here to stay said retired CEO Mike Adam.
‘It is a mode of transport that the world cannot do without,’ said Mr. Adam. ‘We just have to make it work whether it is making planes more fuel efficient or other changes.’
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