JIM ACTOR 1969 - 1986 PILOT DEN Jim was the ALPA Safety Representative in 1982. -Jake Lamkins (11/26/04) Posted at the FL Club: Subject: Re: FL Club Weight and Balance WET T/O???????????? real wet Last thought..... Anybody remember water on or water off, and having to put ballast in the tail of the CV-580s?? That was equivilent to drift down as far as what the heck is it. Oh do I remember wet t/o's. I was flying the 580 from Ft Smith to Fayetteville - Harrison - Ft. Leonardwood - STL ...... Hot summer time and we had a rule as I recall we could only use water for like 3 t/o's - I 'd had used them up. Got to Leonardwood (sp????) and the agent said he had a full boat and would have to leave some duffle bags off if I couldn't do a wet t/o, and you are last flight today. Being big hearted and stupid, I looked at my water gauge and it showed 5 gallons. So brain clinking - ok - the gauge goes up to full when they fill it, it makes sense it would show zero when it was empty. I have 5 gallons worth - smiling Away we go, for a wet t/o and when we turned off the water there was such a NOTICABLE change in engine sound and POWER. 2/3's down the runway it turned itself off. Too far to stop, so inched the throttles up to near overtemp and used up every bit of runway to get airborne. Climbing at about 2-300 feet per minute took an eternity to head toward St. Louis without cutting off the tops of all those damn trees. I thought, this isn't a forest - I must be going over tall grass - so many - so close (to my fanny). smiling We made it to St. Louis, and after I cleaned out my pants I called for the mechanic in STL to meet us at the plane. I was down that ladder and in his face - (one of the very few (only) time you/anyone ever saw Jim Actor mad or nasty). Fix that GD gauge. Explained the problem, and he calmly pointed out that is why we have the 3 or 4 t/o deal because the gauge will NEVER INDICATE BELOW 5 GALLONS. -Jim Actor (9/8/07 Posted at the FL Club About time for a War story Hi All, Only the facts are distorted to protect the innocent. Remember how in the biz, the rumor mill was more rapid than a speeding jet. smiling. The general timing is correct as it has been a while. I was a 3rd man on the B737 doing my "2nd officer" when the pilot union was having at it with the company. Being more than a little bored, I was on the night hawk from DEN to STL. Left late out of Denver, and sometimes we would just sleep on the plane and come back to Denver in the a.m. More sleep than going to the hotel. I decided one night to stir the pot. Picked up the mike and broadcast on company freq about 200 miles out of Denver at 30,000+ feet, so it was picked up by a lot of stations. "This is American 1, 747 Hawaii bound. Does any Frontier station hear me. (Duh) I just saw the Frontier pilot list on our bulletin board in NY and it looks like we are going to merge.". "Anyone know anything about that?" The radio just went a buz - didn't realize so many places still had anyone near the radio at that time. Next morning I flew back to Denver, went into the pilot room and the place was ablaze - "we are merging with American. Here is the kicker, for the 1st few minutes I got all warm and happy, "a merger with American!!", until I heard the source was an American 747, and realized the commotion I had created. Needless to say I didn't mention the real source. I would have been strung and quartered on the spot........ . -Jim Actor (12/27/07) Posted at the FL Club: Another story - down memory lane Up late and mentally taking a trip down memory lane. The names are omitted to protect the innocent and the guilty. Back around the 1st gas shortage - remember the lines to get gas? I ended up as a copilot on the 580 in KC. I was young once and a little slack on brains. So I ended up taking my Porsche 911 out to KC. Understand - "you got to know when to hold and when to fold them" - I think it applies to speeding also. I have had two tickets in my life and deserved ever so many more...... I filled some 2 gallon cans with gas and took off from Denver for KC, a rolling burning inferno. Got to the state line and found gas along the interstate with NO lines. Got the cans empty. Started out at 3 am on Sunday. So once I became a little less of an inferno - found that Porsche just wanted to go 130 - 135 mph indicated. I was road kill for any cop all the way. I know it seems bazaar, but I think I pulled into KC before 8 am in the morning even with a gas stop. Just in time to go to church and give Him well deserved thanks. So here I am with the other commuters - 8 or so of us in a 1 bedroom two bed, and two couch apt... Yup, the floor got the last of the too many show ups. A mix of capts and copilots. Bad mix. the capts. had that "tude". So of course you had to wash any dishes you were going to use before and after. Same went for the shower. We all looked forward to going out on a trip. You can well understand how frictions developed under these luxury conditions. Unnamed copilot - got into it a bit with a capt, bordering on nasty. Copilot established the "fact" that he walked in his sleep now and then. I was there as a witness to all, it happened. The two contras went to the beds in the bedroom and I was on the living room couch. About 30 minutes after lights out - heard the capt screaming at - copilot - "what are you doing??????? " Fearful they were about to get into fisticuffs I went in and the copilot was standing facing toward the corner of the room - where the capt had left his flight bag and was copiously urinating on it. The copilot stammers, "oh thanks for waking me up - what's the matter". Needless to say the capt didn't bring his bag back to the pad ever - and whenever I brought it up to the copilot - he just smiled. Aw, yes - young and dumb - we were all there one day - it seems it just went by in a heart beat........ Don't get mad - just get even - -Jim Actor (12/27/07) Posted at the FL Club Sacramento Layover - I have been a tea-totaler for like forever. Found out at 22 after a night of 6 rusty nails at the Elks Club, and an FAA physical the next day that I was allergic to hops, barley - anything that make booze. Understand in the pilot world that anytime you go on a layover and drink a Pepsi you are looked at initially with a bit of skepticism. But the attendants gave me total support..... ... smiling. At least they knew one clear head the next day was better than none. LOL You don't have to be a Sherlock to understand that one... The copilot and I and a really fun loving steward went to the Haufbrau (sp?) house on the layover. So of course the two of them tie into me about having a Pepsi. Up to and including my manhood. I go to the John, and notice they have half a Hires Root Beer wood keg at the end of the bar. The barmaid tells me in California they have strict drinking and driving laws - so they sell a lot of it for the desig. driver. The boys are drinking dark ale and it looks like the dark Hires in a mug. I gave her a big tip and told her when I raise my hand for a round, bring my buddies the dark ale and me a Hires root beer. You all know where this is going. Back to the table -- ok boys we are going to find out who the real men are and the girls - so to speak. Needless to say, over maybe less than 30 minutes we had chugged at least 5 rounds. Think about the time and quantity. I was ready to blow up or throw up - it was a fight. The boys - the copilot was getting bombed and the steward was starting to lay on the table. When he went under the table I demanded recognition that I was da man. Of course they passed on another round and declared me the "winner?" Before the cab got there - the steward had passed out, and had to carry him to the cab. That night I found out what a sugar overdose was - total misery. I should have gotten rid of it. Next day, I am mentally clear on slack sleep, but had a belly ache, burping out what few brains I had left. The boys were really hurting - so of course I banged the metal log book on metal at every opportunity. The steward came up and slept on the jump seat for half the trip. Every time I noticed him dosing off I made noise to interrupt. To this day, I can't stand the taste of Hires Root Beer. smiling. -Jim Actor (12/28/07) I just got off the phone with Capt'n Jim Actor .... as some of you may know, he has been on an oxygen tank for quite some time ... he told me that he is in Hospice care now ... he appears to be in good spirits and says (in his words), "I'm getting ready to take another flight before long and I'm ready." I would not recommend calling him because we had only talked for about 3 minutes and he had to hang up due to "running out of air" Let's keep him in our prayers this night ... -Phil Stallings (9/17/10) J M ACTOR Pilot seniority date of 7/10/69 on the 9/1/86 FL/ALPA seniority list. Only pilot with a 1969 seniority date since at least 1972. -Jake Lamkins (9/20/10) Sadly, Jim has found it necessary to start planning his final Flight West... I remember Jim coming with Frontier and bringing volumes of information from his stint with Boeing. You'll recall his having written "The Straight Word", helping a goodly number of pilots master the nuances of the Boeing 737. It is hard for him to speak now. However, I am sure, Jim would love hearing from his old cohorts at good ol' Frontier Airlines. -Billy Walker (9/20/10) Hi Billy, Your words were far too nice - I wasn't sure who you were writing about - smiling - Would you do me a favor? I don't know how to post to the group on ex frontier. Looks like Phil got things started by passing along information he got when I miss dialed a number on my skype account. Well, it did happen and is the case. Would you please pass this along to the group. Want to thank all of you for the nice notes you have sent to me. Biggest problem is - unless there is something to identify you with the group or what ever - you end up in my spam file. There I have the difficult choice of opening up a spam bomb or someone just being nice enough to say hello. IF I have not acknowledged your email with a thank you - then you got deleted as spam. I apologize in advance for those that it happened too. I would really appreciate your sending it again - BUT be sure and put Jim & Frontier in the subject line. That way I know it is safe to open. As to my condition - the smoking didn't help - but turns out I got pneumonia (4 times last and this year) last year after I ended up with severe osteoporosis (SP?). The 7 cracks in my spine were hard to deal with - but a whole lot easier than the big P. I got lucky and got a strain they can't find a killer for. Doing things I never dreamed I would do to my self. As in home infusion - with an IV in my arm and stretching (inside) down to my heart. Then giving myself about 2 hours of antibiotics twice a day. Enough for all that technical crap. I really did try to make all of you lives a little better or easier - when it pertains to getting a typed in the B737. I did understand that yawl wanted to fly it - not build it. If you will recall I did take on the FAA to make the orals a lot more sensible....... This is NOT back patting time on my part - but I really did make an effort to make you guys as knowledgeable about the 37 as I could and if you will recall (most didn't - because you so excited about down grading from the 27 - smiling). How many instructors started off by saying if anyone was really worried or bothered about the tests I would give them to you in advance. Sorry I have shot my mouth off but it is now or never - so to speak. Hospice has put me on morphine and it really is easier to breath - but muddles the brain a little/lot.......... Put a smile on your face. Did you hear about the Mexican fireman whose wife had twins. He named the 1st one Jose, and the 2nd one HOSE B. Jim Actor - I approve this announcement (9/20/11) Jim's attitude and outlook on life's situations continue to show his great character ... If you send Jim an email, note his instructions .... be sure and put Jim & Frontier in the subject line. -Phil Stallings (9/21/10) I'm a former Frontier copilot who remembers using your 737 manual. You might not remember me because I wasn't hired at Frontier until January 1978.... but I remember you and appreciate your efforts on my behalf! I flew about 20 years for UPS and am now retired in Tennessee. My brother Wayne Beardsley recently retired from Boeing, not as a pilot, but as a manager in the computer training department. I enjoyed your joke about the kids named Jose and Hose B. Thanks! -Al Beardsley (9/21/10) Hi Jim, Sorry to hear you're ailing and I hope you get well soon. I posted your note to the FL Club which Billy forwarded to me. I'm sure you'll be hearing from lots of old FLriends. Best regards, -Jake Lamkins, senior station agent 1964-86 (9/21/10) Re... I really did try to make all of you lives a little better or easier.... You sure did, Jim - and I still have your 737 study/reference book sitting here on my library shelf! Your hard work in that regard is always remembered and much appreciated, every time I see it. Hang in there! -Mark Ingram, former FL and CAL B-777 (9/22/10) Posted at FL pilot Chick Thomas' funerary guestbook: I flew co pilot for Chick many years ago. We had a layover in Madison Wis. that gave us about 2/3 of the day off. It was decided Chick and I would rent the sailboat and the girls would buy food/lunch at the grocery store. The lake was good size - as in miles of shoreline - so when the wind came up it was choppy and I made a beeline for a cove. By the time we got there I noticed Chick was a little/lot blue around the mouth - but true sport he was - "oh, no problem - let's keep going" - as if we had a choice. We ate lunch and Chick drank a soda pop. I was truly impressed how he was able to face adversity and survive it so well..... Chick, I will be coming to join you in a a little while. -Jim Actor (10/17/10) Great seeing your post, Jim. Hope you are feeling lots better now. BJ Blackerby came by and gave me 8 boxes of FL maintenance and flight manuals. I'm trying to find a home for them - either the university or air museum. Anyway, a copy of your 737 flight manual was in them and I was very impressed. You did a great job on it. -Jake Lamkins (12/3/10) Thanks for the kind comments - I did two manuals - one a small one of 60 pages and another one of filling a 2 inch binder. I put it out in color - but a lot of black and white copies showed up - pilots can be cheap .... - smiling- well, you know....... IF you see BJ - be sure and tell him hello from me. I really liked BJ - really a great guy.... I had COPD - with two bouts of pneumonia in the last 10 months it really knocked me on my a.... you know. I am in hospice and have started taking morphine - (Dilaudid) - it really helps my breathing. I improved enough I thought I would get off Hospice - but they say another 90 days to see what happens. smiling - If I croak they were right - if not we shall see.. Again, thank you for you kind remarks, -Jim Actor (12/5/10) DEN Captain Jim Actor has died Just a couple of minutes ago, Don Actor, Jim's son, called and said Jim had passed away around 3 AM Seattle time. Will pass on to the group any information about arrangements -Mike Hampton (6/7/11) My Father Jim passed away on Monday (6/6). He was in the hospital with double pneumonia and water on his lungs. He was a tough Son of a Bitch, and has been enduring these problems for multiple years (10-15 yrs). My Dad was able to pick up the phone in the Hospital and listen to me the night before he died. My Dad had always been there for us, and I know he didn't want to pass until he knew we were ok. I told him how much I loved him, and I was proud to be his son. I told him that I was not coming up to watch him suffer, rather I would remember our last dinner together last year at this time at the assisted living center. I told him we all are doing well, and it was time for him to get some rest or go to sleep, and I would see him soon. I went on to say he raised three great kids, that have gone on to have families of our own and we are thankful for his guidance. My Dad always had a tough time telling us that he loved us (But always showed us he did with his help and advice), but I heard him say I Love You, and Focker (the male nurse, which I am sure my Dad was giving shit to for 3 days or so) got on the phone and said to me that your Dad said Goodnight. My Dad passed away 4 hours later. Thank You to Everyone for being part of my Dad's Life. Respectfully, -Don Actor (6/8/11) I am a man with 3 adult sons. I really appreciated this story shared by the son of Jim Actor............. it tells a similar story for many of us. R.I.P. -Darren Weeks (6/9/11) Please accept my condolences. -Al Beardsley (was F/O at Frontier 1978-1988) (6/9/11) Nothing yet on Jim's obt. I know he was hired by my old boss from Lake Central, Bob Clifford. Bob went on to be the president at Air Cal, and Jim flew for A C before he came to FL. -Otto Smith (6/9/11) Sorry to hear about Jim's death. I really enjoyed flying with him. -Mike Daciek (6/10/11) I had a call from Jim several months back, he was not doing well and in the final stages of Emphysema. My Dad had that and it is a tough way to finish up. Like with you, I enjoyed flying with him. He helped a lot of folks in our business with "The Straight Word" series on the 737. -Billy Walker (6/12/11) OBITUARY James M. "Jim" Actor Actor, James M. Jim, 71, of Parker, CO passed away June 6, 2011. The former Frontier and Continental Airline Pilot, Home Builder and Inventor is survived by his three children John (wife Erin), Don (wife Tara) and Julie (husband Stuart); five grandchildren, Olivia, Julia, Collin, Reagan and Bennett, his brother, Donald, sister Patsy and former wife Marilyn. At his request, a private service will be held. Jim was a smart and caring man whose family always came first. We will miss you Dad and we are thankful for everything you did for us and our family! -Denver Post on June 12, 2011 FL Club: Subject: Pilot Jim Actor's obituary is at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/denverpost/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=151\789248 -Jake Lamkins (6/12/11) All Jim's many friends at the Old Frontier Airlines are saddened at the news of his passing. Our condolences to his family. -Jake Lamkins (6/12/11) Jim was a great guy to work with. He took the job seriously and and was a nice guy all around. Smooth flight west, Jim. -Frosty aka Jack Frost (6/12/11) Thank you for the kind words about my father. -John Actor (6/13/11) Hello John, My personal condolences on your loss. Info on Jim's passing has already been posted at the online Frontier Club. I will be posting his memorial webpage at the Frontier website soon. The URL will be http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Jim_Actor.html I badly need a photo(s) for it if you can email one along with anything else you wish added. And the next issue of the Frontier newsletter will also have an article on him. -Jake Lamkins (6/13/11) Please give my condolences to Jim's family. He was a delightful person. I met him several years ago through the International COPD Group, EFFORTS. He will be much missed. -Ann Lornie (6/13/11) Jim was one of those unforgettable characters, so full of talent and enthusiasm. His books helped many understand the complexities of the Boeing 737. I will miss our occasional phone visits, he was a great friend. Blue Skies & Tailwinds... -Billy & Cheryl Walker (6/14/11) July 14, 2011 Our sincere condolences to Jim's family. We wish you peace. -David M Peek and family (6/14/11) June 15, 2011 I'm so sorry for your loss. Jim's warmth came through even in emails. We will miss him on EFFORTS. -Barbara Knowles (6/15/11) Jake, Here is the picture for my dad. Thank you, -John Actor (6/16/11) Thank You So Much for this tremendous tribute to my Father. I cannot thank you enough, this really means a lot to me and my family. -Don Actor (6/17/11) Thank you so much for your time and efforts on this. This makes my family extremly happy, we will save and look at this for years to come. -John Actor (6/17/11) I think of Jim often. His 737 manual looks out from my book shelf and Im reminded of how much he gave to aviation! -Billy Walker (6/5/19)