“The Eastern Airlines Mechanics took the Pilots and Flight Attendants and the airline to its grave.”
I remember back in the ‘90s heavy jet Mechanics were being laid off, I had a friend who was a heavy jet mechanic in the military for 8 years and then 10 or 12 years working for an airline. He got laid off because they were only retaining heavy jet mechanics with tenure. He ended up fixing boat engines down in Florida. I was a little shocked that a master mechanic with about 20 years total was considered expendable. But... that’s a union for you.
I was a still a kid in ‘68. We lived in Brindisi, Italy (Dad was stationed at San Vito Air Base 68-71 - probably the BEST posting in the USAF as far as I am concerned). We would watch all of the NASA TV coverage on an Italian TV station and get the audio via a HAM radio link-up with other USAF personnel stateside.
I remember Apollo 8 better than any other - even 11. Hearing them read from Genesis and seeing Earth rise still gives me chills.
RIP Col Borman.