Memories from Stan Cook , ex Station Manager Palma and Birmingham.
Joined Dan Air in Load Control at Gatwick, and a couple of years later I was
promoted to Ramp Liaison to work under the best and most professional person I was ever privileged to work for, I am of course referring to Derek Smith. It was during my early years on the ramp at Gatwick that I met and worked with the most amazing collection of aviation professionals in the world. Dan Air always had the best Flight Deck and Cabin Staff of any airline and we all did our best to provide them with the back up they deserved.

Remember Joy Moore, (old eagle eyes,) who could spot a hatless hostie from her eyrie high above the rest of the mere mortals coming off of flights.
However no one dared to cricise her girls without the risk of incurring her
wrath!

The girls were the best in the world and I have been married to one of them, Celia Palmer (what was)! for 26 happy years! We have a tremendous son, now aged 21!

I have recently seen Denise(Mead) Hedger, who has not aged in 20 odd years! Still as immaculate as ever. Reminds me of Tatty Foden, another lady who had the gift of eternal elegance, very much like my own wife.

As a new ramp agent I had the experience of being petrified by the
formidable Gay Thomas and Reggie Fearn!

On one occasion I was called to sort out a problem on board a 727 where some passengers were fighting about seat allocations. I ran up the steps of the aircraft and was promptly pushed to one side by a diminutive Number One who told the passengers to 'Bleeding sit down and shut
up'.! Guess who? Masher Marsh! None other. Problem solved! No one argued with Pat Marsh.

Likewise Josie Tollow, whose vocabulary could make loaders blush! They were the best! Anna Dunkley, purveyor of cream cakes to the nobility, the Mafia twins, also known as Linda and Yvonne Rendina, (Linda's impersonations of all and sundry were wicked!) Bev Thomas, Suzie Calderwood, Jaqui Saunders, Gwen Babbington,Alison Green, etc. the list is endless.

Celia and I remember with great affection the late Chan Biss, such a loss to everyone. Likewise Tom Phethean and John Cook.

Gentlemen all, as are Keith Moody, Sport Martin, Jeep Jackson, Mike Russell, John Thurber, Dick Brownie, Jerry King, and many others too numerous to mention.

I remember very well a fancy dress party at Gwen Babbingtons house when a masked executioner arrived and would not speak all night. No one could guess his identity. Eventually revealed as Tony Kirk!

We in Ramp Liaison worked hard for Derek but were rewarded with a loyalty seldom seen but never equalled. When DS went to Cathay Pacific I took up the hairy post of Station Manager Palma, just in time for the worst ever ATC go slow in history. With an small but excellent staff of Jeanette Lindley de Hernadez, Paul Malone. Ramon and Anita Escobar and part time staff Armando and Caty we managed.

However my main memories of Dan Air were the wonderful people we worked with. The truly professional pilots: Capt Mike Russell, a truly one off figure, whose habit of always having the latest APS sheets, caused palpitations in the hearts and minds of all of us lowly Ramp Agents. It took me some time to realise that his erudite and some time wicked remarks concealed nothing more than a perfectionist attitude towards safe flying! Celia and I treasure very much his friendship and kindness.

Jeep Jackson, another character of note. Always believed to have four rings sewn onto every item of clothing, including pyjamas! We think of Jeep regularly when we use the Sangria jug he gave us as a wedding present.

On my return to the UK as Station Manager BHX, I was privileged to work with another bunch of great people, Sandy Awberry, Carol (The Lungs) Smith, Charlotte the Harlot, Chris Downie, Celia Wilkinson etc. Until recently I kept in touch with Carol Smith and Sandy Awberry, now Barrett but they have since moved away.

Celia and I wish everyone the best of luck. Keep the flag flying!

Stan Cook.