Bonnie Dahl asked me to forward this to you. 
A tribute to Capt. Jim McGhee.
Best Wishes,
-Ace Avakian
(2/24/06)
 
On Reflection: A Perfect Day
 
Parking brake on, beacon light off,
Checklists put away,
Chocks are set. jetway's in place-
The end of a perfect day.
 
The wind was stiff, but the sky was smooth,
The sun warm on my skin.
I could even smile about the landing
As we slowly taxied in.
 
"Speed's at your discretion,"
Cracked the controller's crispy voice,
"Let meknow when you have the field in sight-
"The runway is your choice."
 
That's when the wind subsided
And the glare of the sun went away.
There could be no further doubt
That things were going my way.
 
The lineup couldn't be better,
The VASI was red over white,
The visibility was just perfect-
It was almost a heavenly sight.
 
Easily gliding above the runway,
Just inches now to go -
I'll spare the bragging if you like,
Because I think that you already know.
 
Are you wondering when I figured it out?
When I knew that I was done?
They say that you should be able to tell
From the setting of the sun. 
 
But it wasn't that way, as it often is,
As they would have you believe.
I didn't find out 'till I got up to go
And gave my flight case a final heave.
 
It was empty, you see, and so was the plane -
I didn't even have a crew.
Though I had my doubts all through that day,
I think that's when I knew.
 
The terminal is empty as well -
Misty, damp, and gray.
Maybe that's when I really knew,
That this was the end of the day.
 
The concourse seems much longer, too,
Lonely, dark, and cold,
And I can't help hearing the old refrain -
Son, never, ever, grow old.
 
So I start to walk the final walk.
This time, my pace is slow.
There is no crew van waiting for me.
Now - I finally know.
 
And I wonder if I'll be remembered
When pilots speak in a hall.
Perhaps it is best, like most of the rest,
If I'm not remembered at all.
 
One question remains as I walk away,
As I steal my last glance at the sky -
Could my time here have been better spent
Had I not been able to fly?
 
The answer is beyond me,
The question comes too late.
Would I have done things differently
If I had known this would be my fate?
 
My years were filled with silver jets,
And sunsets at the end of the day,
Bad coffee, good pilots, and lonely nights,
Spent very far away.
 
Over white-capped seas and snow capped peaks,
My jet and I did roam,
Splendid days among thunder and light,
But days away from home.
 
Moonlit clouds and distant stars,
Became so familiar to me -
The people I met, the people I missed,
And the world that I did see.
 
Now here I stand, looking for the truth
In a life framed by wonder and grace,
While I know in my heart how few there
Who would not have taken my place.
 
So finally the answer comes -
It will be easier now to go.
I'll spare you the bragging if you like,
Because I think that you already know.
 
Look quickly now if you care to do,
And maybe you will see,
The fading of my shadow as I walk,
To eternity.
 
F/O Steve Parrella , vice-chairman of TWA Council 2, wrote this for a friend who died several years ago.