Pacific Cockpit: True Stories of a Pan American and United Airlines Pilot

A provocative first hand account of life as an Air Force and Commercial Airline Pilot during the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. From graduating with the second class of the United States Air Force Academy in 1960, through the heyday of Pan American Airlines and on to United Airlines where he assisted the ALPA in United's ESOP, Lester's journey is action packed. Before his retirement in 1999, the author was involved in fending off both union and management plans to hand the Pacific rim to outsiders. As a USAF pilot he flew the C-54 Skymaster, T-Bird (T-33), Convair T-29, C-124 and DC-4 among others. His military career was followed by decades of flying for the Hawaiian Air Patrol, Royal Hawaiian Air, Pan Am and United, where he flew the Cessna 310 and the Boeing 707 and 747 in the capacity of Captain, Flight Engineer and First Officer. His uninhibited memoir is wise, and sometimes bawdy. His observations have been sharpened by tragedy and good fortune. From surfing in exotic locations to exploring tropical atolls with adventurous women, the author recounts a thrilling and passionate ride.