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Who are they? Meet: Joe and Margrit Fahan, the recently retired spouses who piloted the US airline Delta, have turned their Instagram account into a true travel chronicle.
After his last flight on August 13. The well-meaning couple agreed to speak to the editors of CNN’s travel column.
Captain Joe Fahan has been flying airplanes for more than 36 years. Airline pilots operating commercial flights retire at the age of 65, leaving Fahan with about a year to retire. Unfortunately, when COVID-19 was hit, flights dropped significantly, even almost stopped, and the entire air transport sector was in crisis.
“All airlines have suffered huge economic losses, so there is nothing left but to cut staff. He proposed to withdraw early and it seemed logical to us. We have decided to accept this proposal,” says Fahan.
Joe’s wife, Margrit Fahan, served as an assistant pilot and worked with her husband. Her flying experience is 35 years. The last six spouses shared a cabin. Margrit is also well aware of the devastating effects of the coronavirus in the air transport sector.
“I think airlines could only use no more than 5%. Potential available – work 5 percent. Capacity,” Margrit reasoned.
She had several years to retire, so she was not ready for the end of her professional career, but she agreed to retire.
“In Joe’s case, the decision was logical,” Margrit said, “but I was able to fly for another five years. It was not an easy decision to make: one day it seemed right to do it and the next it was sad.
Family tradition
The thought of having to get used to the rhythm of his retirement life caused Joe some anxiety.
“Pilot work is more than a profession. It is a way of life. We had to fly most of our lives and that life was really different from other professions. Therefore, when it comes to retirement, especially before it should have happened, so not being able to prepare psychologically for it implies sadness. I could compare this situation to the opportunity to graduate, ”Joe said.
Fahan has two grown children. They are both pilots. Peter Fahan is currently deployed to Bahrain with a unit of the US Navy, while Billy Fahan is piloting commercial aircraft, but is now on vacation.
Therefore, Flying Fahan is all four. Speaking about the son’s chosen profession, Joe mentioned that children were destined to become pilots from the beginning.
“It really was, although we also tried to get them interested in other things,” said Margrit.
Atypical Instagram influencers
Fahan’s account on the social network Instagram came about by pure coincidence. In Greece, the couple unexpectedly met a well-known friend of Joe’s from the time they were both serving the now-defunct Allegheny Airlines.
“I had never seen that character in 35 or 40 years. At first we didn’t even know each other. But we started communicating, a friendship started. I took it and said, ‘We have to keep in touch. Do you have a facebook account?” She didn’t have a Facebook account, but she did have Instagram. I didn’t even know what it was then, “Joe said.
The account, which has been running for several years, now has 15,000. followers. It’s a true adventure archive that includes a story about an association that continues to love aviation that infects every member of the flight crew. Fahan is willing to communicate with his followers: answer all kinds of questions, meet in person. Several followers eventually became true friends of the spouses.
“It’s amazing how many acquaintances you can make on Instagram,” said Margrit. – It is possible to communicate with people from all over the world who participate in as many activities as possible. Still, we mostly communicate with people in our field. We feel very close. Aircraft traction could be equated with some dependency. People who love to fly have a strong sense of community. “
Due to the popularity of the Instagram account, Fahanai has become something of a celebrity in the eyes of citizens who have chosen the route of aviation and are not indifferent to air travel.
“People recognize us at airports and come to speak. On the one hand it caresses self-love, on the other hand it is confusing, but overall it is positive, ”Joe admitted. “I think that’s what happened to Margrit, because I’m an ordinary driver, but since there are two of us, we are seen as a kind of singularity.”
While raising two children, Fahan had to take turns caring for them, but when the children began studying at the university, life changed drastically – the spouses began working together as captain and assistant pilot. Many years of great excitement have been spent on transcontinental routes on the A330.
The A330 is Joe and Margrit’s favorite plane.
“We had to fly other planes, but we flew this one for 17 years. He never lost his frustration,” Joe said.
“Airbus is the ideal choice for the pilot,” said Margrit. – The cabin is very comfortable. It is very quiet. It is equipped with all possible comforts. “
Whats Next?
Even after retiring, Farhan is in no mood to say goodbye to flying. A week after the last of the two flights, Joe teamed up with Julian Javor, the founder of Pet Rescue Pilots, a non-profit organization whose mission is to transport animals (such as dogs) from dangerous places to safer places where they can stay.
Mr. Javor met Fahan through a social media platform. A little later, he met them in person and they became friends.
Most recently, Margrit was involved in a rescue operation with her husband. I just had to fly from Los Angeles to Calgary.
“Canada has stricter rules for spaying and neutering animals, so there is less supply in that country,” explained Margrit. – That’s why animals fly from California to Canada. There are more people who want to become animal owners. “
After last August 13. Joe joined J. Javor on a flight in 2006 and cooperated in Operation Baghdad Pups. It was funded by the US Animal Abuse Prevention Community (SPCA), as well as international organizations and charities. The purpose of the operation is to transport the dogs remaining at the military operating bases to the hosts who returned to the United States after deployment.
Of course, shots of the operation can be found on Fahan’s Instagram account.
Fans and friends
“They are wonderful. They are unique. Now we are such friends that they know my mother and even her friends. It’s hard to believe that it all started with a simple account.” So Javor answered about Fahan.
When asked how he reacted when he learned that his friends would have to endure early retirement, Javor said: “When they said that would be the case, I was shocked.”
It is worth mentioning that Mr. Javor and Mr. Fahan flew 18 dogs from Baghdad. It took more than one trip to do it.
CNN asked Delta to comment on Fahan’s retirement in some way. Here is the answer:
“Delta regards the story of Captain Joe Fahan and Assistant Pilot Margrit Fahan as a true privilege. These people’s passion for aviation and their dedication to work was evident throughout their careers. It is interesting to know what adventures await them in the future “.
Whatever the Fahan awaits, there is one thing to doubt: he is far from willing to lower his wings.
“A little break may not work,” Joe joked, “but we’re waiting for suggestions anyway.”
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