Our neighbors, Tom Story and John Gerken, are retired government workers. For decades, they served this nation by directing airplanes safely over the country's web of sky ways. Huddled unseen over radar scopes in a cavelike room in Farmington, they faithfully labored days, nights and weekends to protect travelers from danger.Now deemed too old and befuddled to continue in this exacting role, the pair has been pensioned off, yes, but not tossed on the heap of retired rubble. Yet, anyway.
Monday through Thursday Tom and John teach the skills of air traffic control to young men and women, who are eager to follow their lead, learning to guide planes through safe air space. This they do at the nearby Aviation Center at Flying Cloud Airport. In the photo, above, Tom and John fake it in a multi-million dollar simulation lab that provides realistic experiences to the apprentice.
Prof. Tom only recently joined Prof. John in this post-retirement pursuit. Tom has held other part-time jobs. He also has his own business as a tax preparer.
But his favorite line of work is, (gulp) driving a bus. Yes. Tom drives one of those big long haul charter Jefferson Lines buses. He trained, qualified and got his license. Not surprising that he qualified, of course. Tom flew helicopters in Vietnam so he knows navigation. But why? Why would anyone, with all of Tom's talent, want the hassle of driving a bus through traffic, waiting for seniors to board, and killing time in a cheap hotel until the party is over and everyone wants to be driven home in the middle of the night?
Tom has never fully explained his yen to anyone. It is just something he has always been passionate about, since he was a lad, seated attentively right behind the bus driver, watching him work the controls. When asked why a distinguished air traffic control veteran would wish to wander the highways in his dotage, his partner just throws up his hands in despair. His wife just shrugs and laughs that "there is something sexy about a man in a uniform."Today Tom stabbed at explaining his passion. He forwarded an Associated Press clip with the simple note: "This speaks for itself."
Prime Minister longs to drive bus
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago says the one remaining ambition he wants to achieve in life is to drive a bus.
Patrick Manning, who has held the post twice, made the confession during a speech to the People's National Movement.
"I don't know if I ever told you all a secret desire I have, and I'll do it before I die, is to drive a bus," he said, according to the Trinidad Express Newspaper.
"I haven't made it yet, but one day I want to drive one of the long ones, you know the articulated ones."
The nation’s Public Transport Service Corporation’s Chief Executive Vincent Lynch however said it takes at least a month to qualify to drive a bus, Prime Minister or not.
Mr Lynch also said the PM must have a heavy-T driver's licence before even applying to become a bus-driver.
"You must have some feel for a heavy vehicle. There are laws governing the operation of public service vehicles," he insisted.
