回美國的路上，第二、三程飛機都是 United Airlines 的航班，當中長的一程 NRT-IAH 使用 77E 執飛。這是我今年第六次坐 UA 的 777、第三次 77E。本來以為沒有甚麼特別。但原來這是機長退休前最後執飛的一個航班，感性不言而喻，這個航班的記憶也將長存我心中。
8/2023
Narita International Airport (NRT) -> George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
United Airlines / UA6
Boeing 777-222ER / N229UA
16:45 - 14:55, 12 h 10 m
剛乘坐 NH812 從香港飛抵，完成簡單安檢後，即來到 NRT Terminal 1 的候機區
ANA 的告示版，指示乘客下一程航機的登機閘口編號。如果是其他 ANA 的聯營航班，則要自行從客運大樓其他位置的顯示屏尋找
"... He obtained his pilot certificate while in night school and college in Eastern Washington. He moved to Guam to fly throughout the Mariana Islands, Micronesia, and the Western Pacific, for several local airlines, and eventually the Boeing 727 and the 57 for Continental Airlines in Micronesia. At Continental he flew several Boeing aircraft including the 727, 757, 767, and then the Triple-seven and the 787, out of which he performed his duties as line check airman, helping to qualify other pilots. He was selected to be a simulator instructor in the flight training department in Houston, as well as an air crew program designee issuing pilot certificates on the 757, -67, Triple-seven, and the 787. He was a member of the Boeing 787 initial contrary team, and was a fleet technical management pilot who introduced the Boeing 787 to United Airlines. He's currently based in Houston flying the Triple-seven for United Airlines, which you're flying on today. Overall, Captain Cooper has accumulated over 28,000 hours of flight time. Captain Cooper's other interests include traveling and building his manned RV-type aircraft at his hangar in Conroe, TX, which he hopes to start flying soon. Captain Cooper wishes to thank his family for their sacrifices and dedication throughout the years, and to our United family for a memorable career, and to you, our flying public, for your trust and support of this fine airline. Joining him on his flight today is his wife, Toluca Cooper. Thank you for being a part of Captain Cooper's final flight as a United pilot. Join us as we salute him for a career that has been marked with both personal and professional achievements, as well as dedicated service to our customers and our company. Captain Cooper, we thank you."
之後乘客報以熱烈的掌聲。原來 Cooper 機長自從 Boeing 727 年代已經是 Continental Airlines 的一員，而且後來成為 UA 的教官，培訓新一代的機師，兼且是把 787 引進 UA 機隊的技術人員之一，地位舉足輕重，可想而知。長達三十九年的飛行生涯，可謂大放異彩。今天終於要退休了，可以想像對機長是非常感性的一天，也無疑是人生的其中一個大日子。
為紀念 Cooper 機長榮休的大日子，UA 與機場方面特別安排消防車執行射水禮 water salute。機組人員也再一次廣播，祝賀機長榮休，乘客再次報以熱烈掌聲。
落機了，只見前方 Cooper 機長已掛上桂冠圈，接受機組人員與其他聯合航空人員的祝賀。三十九年飛行生涯，就此畫上完滿句號。為了飛行事業，奉獻了自己的一生，取得卓越成就，今天終於要退下來，得到大家的致敬，心底裹肯定百感交集。這一幕也著實令人熱淚盈眶。如果不是因為只得不到兩小時轉機時間，要趕著辦理入境手續，我肯定會親自上前向機長道謝與祝賀。
回到美國這片自由的土地了，首先要辦理入境手續
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8/2023
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) -> Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
United Express operated by CommutAir / UA4900
Embraer ERJ-145XR / N17169
16:36 - 19:58, 2 h 22 m
這次旅程也總算讓我一嘗 UA 的 757-200 與 All Nippon Airways 的 767-300ER，這些飛行體驗也算是為這次旅程，帶來一些慰藉。All Nippon Airways 服務周到不在話下，但最意想不到的卻是回程的機長榮休之旅，很榮幸能參與其中，成為 William Cooper 機長的最後一批座上客之一。祝願他退休生活愉快。
機長榮休航班 water salute，據我所知至少喺 UA 同 DL 係例行安排，AA 好似都係。當日航班機長廣播無特別內容，反而係 FA 廣播左兩次，介紹機長生平，降落前仲叫大家準備定相機影 water salute。但 Captain Cooper 除左日常飛行職務外，仲做埋教官，亦係將 787 引入 UA 機隊既團隊成員之一，喺 UA 入面肯定係地位超然
值得一提，美國三大航空公司入面，同樣係機長（或者 First Officer），人工同機種直接掛鈎，愈大架機人工愈高，同一款客機再按年資調整人工。UA 計 77W/77E/787/764 係同一個 pay scale，而 IAH base 最大架係 77E。而三大入面，選擇飛咩機種，以至選擇飛咩時間同航線，亦係同年資掛鈎，年資愈高自由度愈大，而年資係按同一航空公司（以及合併前組成部分，所以 UA 計埋 CO）服務年期計算，其他航空公司服務年期唔計。所以雖然會有資深機長為左更多時間陪屋企人，而選擇飛內陸窄體機短途線；但飛得長途線既機長，年資個個都肯定有返咁上下，喺長途航班上面碰到 water salute 機會亦最多，雖然都唔係成日有
IAH 計 77E 除左係最大架之外，可以飛 NRT LHR AMS FRA 普遍亦被認為係最好玩、最舒服目的地，唔係做返咁上下年數都唔使旨意
First Officer 就係另一個故事了，武肺後大把人提早退休，搞到而家人手短缺，三大 cockpit crew 大洗牌，甚至有廿幾歲副機長一入到去就揸 767，呢種事情早多幾年係聞所未聞，例子可以 YouTube 搵 Swayne Martin
當然榮休航班 water salute 聽就聽得多，但碰到機會極少；第一次親身體驗，感受的確好唔同，別有一番感觸
