Flying the extra mile

SIR – Full credit to the pilot who helped keep the show on the road by loading baggage (“The hero pilot who put lazy homeworkers to shame”, Comment, June 4). I was a pilot for British airlines for 42 years. It was the norm for most of the crews to do all they could to get passengers where they wanted to go as quickly as possible. We were very conscious that they paid our salaries.

I loaded passenger baggage and freight pallets, refuelled, cleaned cabins and toilets, serviced engines and generally did everything legal to keep to schedule. Calming disturbed passengers and dealing with drunken hooligans on board were other duties.

We never expected, and rarely got, recognition from management, but at least I knew I had done my best.

John Eagles

Hopwood, Worcestershire