Not a Airline Captain ?

From: Capt. R. Metz
Location: Fl.
email: dgmetz@aol.com
Remote Name: 205.188.116.73
Date: 12.30.07
Time: 05:45:58 PM

Comments

During the spring of 1981 the Soo River Co. had all of their Captains get fitted for new uniforms. I think my uniform cost about $450.00. In 1981 I was Captain of the Soo River Trader, just before we layed up for the winter in Toronto my uniform arrived aboard ship. My sea bags were already packed so I decided to wear my new uniform with all the brass buttons on the coat; each bottom has an anchor on it. Four gold bars on each sleeve plus the scrambled eggs on the hat visor. I looked pretty snappy in my new uniform. I flew from Toronto to Atlanta, then on to Melbourne, Florida on New Year's Eve. During the trip from Atlanta to Melbourne I was the only passenger aboard the plane. The stewardess was kind enough to ask me, “Captain would you like to sit in the front row with us?" I said OK and then one of the stewardess’ asked if I would care for a drink, another OK was said. During the trip I had several drinks and was not charged. We were all talking and one of the stewardess’ asked me where am I deadheaded from, I said Toronto. Then she said how long of a lay over will I have in Melbourne. I finally realized they thought I was a Captain of an airline. I said no I am a Captain of a ship. “A ship,” one girl cried? I said yes. The Stewardess said promptly, "That will be $12.00 for the drinks" I gave each one a New Year's Eve kiss and deplaned. I guess they never saw the anchors on my big brass buttons