Robert (Bob) Rogers

I remember 1966, so I guess I wasn't there as the saying goes or something like that. But indeed I was, with fond memories of what our fair city and our majestic country once were at a far different time when we had our innocent lives ahead of us. After CPHS graduation in 1966, I tried to attain my ambition to enter the airlines in my chosen area as an instructor, however all I was able to do was work the ramp. I enrolled in GSU to become a teacher to better qualify me for my goal as I also sought my pilot and instructor credentials. In the meantime, through my Delta connections, I designed new pilot wings and hat insignias and employee service pins which were all incorporated in 1968. Graduating from GSU (Magna Cum Lousy) in 1974 smack dab in the OPEC fuel crisis, I had to put my budding aviation career on hold to serve as a full-time "sub" in every Atlanta school district for about six years. After spending the summer after graduation in the UK, I later returned (as I would many times in my life) to wind up getting hitched for a while in Bristol. For the next summer I taught ground school in Miami and a navigation class for Libyan students again back in Atlanta. My big break came with World Airways in Oakland, as Head of Station Training. After we ceased operations, I moved to Sierra Academy of Aeronautics where I headed a flight dispatch training department, teaching contract African and Middle Eastern airlines students for several years. Missing traveling, I assistant-managed another flight school and got to see both Hawaii and Alaska (awesome!). Eastern Airlines contacted me to teach DC-9s, so I (reluctantly) moved back East and went with them until they ceased operations (see where this is going? ha). During a previous umpteenth trip back to England, I developed another relationship and later moved to Derby where I taught school and managed an office. After that, I moved back to Miami where I taught aviation and conversational English until I went with TWA. I moved to St. Louis where I became an MD-80 instructor. Again, I spent most of my weekends back in 'Old Blighty', London. After we (TWA)were absorbed by AA, I chose to return to Miami where I again taught conversational and written English until I went with Pilot Training College Ireland as an ATPL instructor until I was laid off. Now back in Atlanta, I am managing two pilot crashpads while also serving as a docent with the Delta Museum and a proud member of the Delta Pioneers. I am still sitting on the runway awaiting clearance to another career adventure.
It is now July 2017 and that adventure has already begun. I am now an Embraer 175 pilot instructor with Mesa Airlines d/b/a United Express in Phoenix, AZ.
It is now March 2018 and I am still at it in my career and still involved with the British community also in my cricket sports interests and related endeavors.

Random memories:
1) When President Johnson rode down Virginia Avenue
2) The pep rally announcement that the Governor of Texas had been shot (and President Kennedy too, as an afterthought)
3) The indoor pep rally when Mr Hutchinson tried to sing the Alma Mater but forgot the words, illiciting the usual massive hissing
4) When Herbie was pushed through the window during History class
5) The auditorium assembly featuring a drunk guy performing with snakes. He was arrested afterward after one got loose.
6) The B-17 bombers buzzing the school spraying insecticide
7) The day Jackie accidentally slit her wrist with a matte knife in Ms Drew's class. Everyone just stood there in awe of the gushing blood before someone made a tourniquet.
8) The time after a football game my date Melanie lost her heirloom pocketbook which I had to look for in the dark while she yucked it up at Shoney's (never found it)
9) All the bragging I did to Mel about how fun bowling is to have her later massively outbowl me with her own bowling ball and outfit!
10) When the then current Tarzan, Gordon Scott, made an appearance at the East Point Theatre
11) Shoney's after the game
12) The time someone (who will go nameless) got hold of the school PA system and did a spot-on impersonation of our new principal, asking several pupils to be sent to the office. All immediately left school property to have lunch!
13) The etching someone carved into the desk of poor Ms Williamson (Geometry)
14) Ms Josie Snow
15) The bottle of Air Wick Mr Bostardi kept in his office due to reeking student visitors
16) Our coaches; especially Coach Badgett who taught me how to swim as a child
17) The day I accidentally knocked Sgt. Sievewright's treasured award plaque off his desk
18) When the new ROTC sergeant got shot on the firing range in the basement
19) The 'Beat the Bellhops" football stick-ons given out at the CPHS-GMA pep rally, which were summarily confiscated by staff
20) The 1966 senior party at the Atlantan Hotel where $3,000 worth of damage was done that night after the band quit playing just an hour or two after they started

Janice Rogers Benton
Susie Rogers Stuck