Capt. 'Cal' Flanigan Never Missed A Day Of Work

His flying career spanned 37 years, 12.5 million miles, 27,000 hours, and 95 different cities. And on Friday, Delta Captain Calvin "Cal" Flanigan hung up his captain's hat.

Flanigan was Delta's most senior pilot. He began his career as a mechanic in 1968, and went on to earn his pilot certificate. He worked his way up to pilot in command of Delta's airliners. Fox News reports that Flanigan never missed a day of work through that entire career.

While he'd had other opportunities to retire, Flanigan said that he wanted to fly until the very last day he was eligible. Delta's rules state that a pilot must retire at age 65, and Flanigan's 65th birthday was celebrated the day after his final flight.

He was greeted on arrival at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on a flight from Los Angeles with a water cannon salute as he taxied to the ramp.

Flanigan said that he approached his retirement with mixed emotions, but that he recognized that it was time to "pass the baton." Delta Airlines spokesman Steve Dickson said it was unlikely that his long tenure and attendance record would ever be replicated. Meanwhile, now that they can, Flanigan and his wife plan to do more traveling ... together.

FMI: www.delta.com