JIM CURRIE 1973 - 1986 PILOT DEN Jim Currie (wife: Pam) E-Mail: aspentool@yahoo.com You guys might remember me, Jim Currie. I was flying for Combs Airways out of BIL when FAL handled Combs Highline flying. While there I met and married Pam Dillon, who was an attendant for Hertz and National there in BIL and is now Human Resource Manager with Argobex America, a synthetic paper company. When I was working for Combs, I also was a flight instructor for several FAL personnel working the BIL station (Lou Pecora and Jerry Zapp). I was hired by FAL as a pilot in May 1973 and flew out of DEN until the end. I was on a layover in MOT when we shut down. I went to work as a pilot for Piedmont in Nov. 1986 flying out of CLT (Charlotte, NC.) Due to a merger I am now at USAirways, again in bankruptcy. It’s a laugh a minute. I had a heart attack just prior to Sept. 11, 2001, so I am on medical disability, but feel good, doing woodworking and the honeydoo list trying to figure things out. I most likely will not fly again as a pilot. We live inTega Cay, SC, on the south edge of Charlotte, NC. We are proud to have had 2 marvelous sons. Stuart, our oldest, was recently killed in a motorcycle accident. He was a Capt. at CHQ and blessed us with a handsome grandson last year. Scott, the youngest, graduated from the US Naval Acadamy in 1999 and is a Naval Aviator. He just returned from the Iraq war. He also blessed us with a grandson last year. Pam and I both grew up in northern Wyoming with family still there. Montana and Wyoming hold a dear spot in our hearts. -2003 BIL Reunion booklet (5/10/05) Jake, I was trying to recall a funny storie I remember reading on the FAL Club group, but could not find it. Maybe you can help me. I am thinking that you might even have written it. It was about a management person or such who was in town (maybe FYV) and y'all went into a bar and it seems that it had no floor or was a dirt floor and this person went in and said somthing to upset everyone in the bar, but in the end he bought a round or everyone was friends by the time they/you left. Does this sound familiar or am I loosing it. ....Or maybe I was there and lived it and can't remember the details. Thanks, -Jim Currie (1/18/07) Hi Jim, Yep that's an old FYV story and I wrote it. It was posted at Phil Stallings' MKC/MCI Crews website, I think. It's a Jerry Parkhill story - he was the HRO manager for many years and quite a character. Here's a copy: BAR STORY #1: Somebody has to get this section started so I'll do it. The bar closest to FYV in CN days was The White Star 'bout half a mile north of runway 16. It had a dirt floor in those days and was really rough. I've driven into the parking lot and seen the "boys" having fun throwing rocks at some fool under his truck where they had chased him. Jerry Parkhill, the HRO manager, came visiting one day so Don Enos, the FYV manager, and agent Dick James took him to the White Star for some fun. When the three walked in, the place was jammed with rowdy trade just off work from construction sites, chickens plants and such. Jerry looked around and yelled over the din, "I can whip any sonuvabitch in this place!" Both Don & Dick confessed later it scared the spittle outa them. There was a dead silence, then the biggest ugliest one of the bunch stood up and said, "There ain't no sonuvabitches in here, mister!" Jerry started bellowing that in that case drinks were on him. You have to know Jerry to appreciate this story. Jerry's the guy who held a Bowie knife to a FL VP's throat at a big conference in DEN and forced him to drink moonshine. After he drank a big glug which nearly killed him, Jerry gave him the knife and said, "OK, now make me drink some!" I don't think I've ever sent you a FL newsletter, have I? If not, send me your postal address and I'll get the Winter 2007 issue off to you. -Jake Lamkins (1/18/07) Jake, Thanks for the quick reply. That is one of the funniest stories and it is even funnier when your somewhat familiar with the players and the place. I was telling my son, the Navy pilot, about it and he didn't believe me, but I assured him it was true. No Jake, I have not received the FAL Newsletter due to severe procrastination. I would love to have one and remind me what $ the subscription is and the archive disk. Give me your postal address as well and I have something I'll return the favor. -Jim Currie (1/20/07) Lisa and Family, You and Paul are two of my favorite Frontier people. We spent many happy hours together in the 580. God bless you. -Jim Currie Jun 30, 2009 (Posted at Paul Haynie's funerary guestbook.) Merry Christmas Jake, I have several photos of FAL friends I want to send to you if you don't mind sharing your physical mailing address. Best, -Jim Currie (12/21/12) Hi Jim, Great hearing from you. You can email them to me or use the pony express. Merry Chistmas to you too and thanks in advance for the photos. -Jake Lamkins (12/21/12) Last FAL DC3 flight Jake, Hope you and your family are doing well. Just heard from Captain Verne Carlson today and he said....... "Today is the 50th anniversary of the last DC three Frontier Airlines flight. Roger Johnson and I flew it from Billings to Williston and back." He is still very active. Thanks for your hard work on our behalf. -Jim Currie (6/30/18) Hi Jim, Great hearing from you. I fear Verne may be off on his date of FL's last DC-3 flight. See the attached article from Oct 1968. Regards, -Jake Lamkins (6/30/18)
Well Jake, what can I say? Maybe it was the last DC3 flight on the Montana High Line. It was before my time. I flew a lot with Verne on the 580 and 737. -Jim Currie (6/18/18) Roger Jensen FLight West Jake, Don't do Facebook and having trouble with the reply function of the group. I just wanted to send Roger's family my condolences on his passing. He was a true gentleman and good friend. As I recall, I first met Roger in the late 60s in SDY and OLF when he was a relief agent. I flew the mail then prior to my getting hired at FAL. We contracted with FAL to use their radio and weather observer. Roger was one of our wx observers. We continued our friendship when he came to BIL. -Jim Currie (4/21/20) Thanks for the remembrance, Jim. I added it to Roger's webpage. Hope you are well. -Jake Lamkins (4/21/20) George Fay on FLacebook 12/4/22 I received some sad news from John Duncan yesterday that Jim Currie has flown west. Jim was a member of the pilot class of May 1973 along with John and myself. I have no other details, but if someone else does I would appreciate them posting it here. Jim was a good friend and a skilled aviator; a quiet and unassuming gentleman who was a true credit to our profession. May he Rest In Peace. My sincere condolences to his family and may his flight west be smooth with clear skies and tailwinds. Fred Watson R.I.P John Linda Hatzky Hartzell So sorry. Sending prayers to Jim's family and friends. Alice Pinkham RIP Ginger Treptow May Jim Currie Rest In Eternal Peace and my Condolences to his Family! Pam Coffman Ellis Prayers for his family and friends ?? (12/4/22) He's not on the FL/ALPA Roster. J M CURRIE Pilot seniority date of 5/3/73 Per the Sep 1986 pilots seniority list. He may have Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/james.m.currie.9 but can't be sure - not much there. -Jake Lamkins (12/12/22) FLacebook FLIGHT WEST POSTED JIM CURRIE 1973 - 1986 PILOT DEN http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Jim_Currie.html Still need a photo of Jim from his Frontier days. Post your remembrances of him. -Jake Lamkins (12/14/22) Pam Coffman Ellis Prayers for his family and friends Alice Pinkham RIP Fred Watson R.I.P Captain Karen Berry RIP Carl Lorenzen A real gentleman! Miss his visits to Oshkosh and stops back and forth to Wyoming. Our sympathy to Pam and family. Steve Tidler Never had the pleasure of working with Jim ….Rest in Peace . Trish Swanson-Hawk Sending prayers to Pam, family and many friends. Kayla Pfeiffer Naima My condolences to Jim’s family and friends. (12/14/22)