Let's see if this works (it did, yay!!) . Fr8Dog has finally retired!
I started my final trip on 4/09, in a very good mood, as we learned on 4/08 that FedEx and the pilots had tentatively agreed on a new contract that will bump my pension up 30%. đ¤ It was a great trip, with an awesome First Officer, that had us fly west 3/4 of the way around the globe and then back - Memphis-Anchorage-Guangzhou-Bangalore-Cologne-Frankfurt-Paris (MrsFr8Dog surprised me and flew in for the 2 days)-Narita-Anchorage-Memphis.
I flew my final flight, FDX5163 ANC-MEM, on 4/22 ending a 40+yr aviation career (8+yrs US Navy, 31+yrs FedEx), 20 yrs as an international wide body captain with over 15,000hrs of flight time. MrsFr8Dog and DaughterFr8Dog were there for my final landing, and as I set the parking brake one final time. There was a water cannon salute from Fire and Rescue, a couple shuttle bus loads of friends and colleagues also met me at the gate, management had a small presentation for me in Flight Ops, and my girls threw a big party for me in Memphis that night. It was an awesome day and I'm a humbled and lucky man.
I officially retired on 5/1 (also started SS/Medicare that day), and turned 65 on 5/5 - it was a Cinco de Mayo/Birthday/Taco Tuesday trifecta. đ˛đŊ/đ/đŽ We have been busy as heck since my last flight, including DaughterF8Dog graduating from college last week (starts a summer internship in NYC on 6/1), traveling and visiting friends, and we'll be attending a BTS concert in Las Vegas this weekend as a gift to my daughter.đŗ
Not a bad run for 2.45 GPA dude that graduated Cum Pardi Laudli. đđ¤đģ
1st two pictures are 20 yrs apart - first MD11 captain flight and last B777 captain flight. My daughter cried the whole time đĨ°
** Edited by B777Fr8Dog at 5/19/2026, 1:32:57 PM
** Edited by B777Fr8Dog at 5/20/2026, 9:02:07 AM
45 Replies
2mo
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
Wilson...
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
By the way, what aircraft did you fly while in the Navy?
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
about 18 months behind you in calling it a career.
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
Wait? My pension is going up by 30%. How much of a notice do I need to give?
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
18 yrs and just sold my business in August to a $5B 3PL that is filling for an IPO next month. 27 months to go and I think I can finally call it a day
Enjoy the time and make the most of it
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
Chapter 2 will be long and prosperous. Donât be a stranger!
It is great that your family and coworkers and even corporate recognized your achievements in such a way.
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
And best wishes in navigating the new career under a new full time boss.
** Edited by IB4TECH at 5/19/2026, 5:02:00 PM
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
than bad over the years! đđđģ
(In response to this post by IB4TECH)
2mo
Congratulations! Enjoy sailing the 7 seas and whatever else retirement brings you.
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
Was the first picture intentional with a plan to pay it off on the back side? So awesome....
** Edited by JoesterVT at 5/19/2026, 1:53:44 PM
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
Memphis to Denver on the flight. I knew my wife and daughter were coming down from Steamboat and meeting me in Denver, my wife had asked the local ramp manager where would be a good location to watch my landing. He brought them the into station and she ended up standing next to the marshaller, holding my daughter, as I parked the jet, and then he escorted them onto the plane. It was pretty cool, especially since the manager was considered by many to be a pilot "hater". đ¤Ŗ
(In response to this post by JoesterVT)
2mo
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
not mine). đ¤Ŗđ¤đģ
(In response to this post by Coach McGuirk)
2mo
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)
2mo
I know it all from "No Irish need apply" to Robert Emmet.
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
(In response to this post by Coach McGuirk)
2mo
... impressive young woman. Cheers to your next chapter!
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
E
EDGEMAN
2mo
:)
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
E
EDGEMAN
2mo
...with a few stops in the Pacific area...
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)
2mo
plan, now it's going to be over to St Martin, down the eastern Caribbean to the Grenadines, then over to the ABCs and back up to the BVI by the end of Oct. Not a bad back up plan. đ
** Edited by B777Fr8Dog at 5/20/2026, 1:25:09 AM
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
2mo
awesome stuff. Very cool to replicate the photo. Did you have that in mind when you did the first one?
** Edited by JoesterVT at 5/19/2026, 1:36:16 PM
(In response to this post by B777Fr8Dog)
2mo
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