Al was Bubbie in school, and he does not care to be called that as an adult.
He went to Pensacola Junior College, then worked at Chemistrand, then back to PJC.
He joined the Marines as an Marine Aviation Cadet in July 1962. While in the Marines he flew the following aircraft: T-34, T-28, AF-9, TF-9, F11-A, and F8. While on final approach for a landing in an F8 Crusader jet fighter in Hawaii, the engine caught fire and exploded, and he had to eject. That was his only involuntary jump, but he also had recreational jumps in the local area before the Marines.
His VMF232 unit transferred from Hawaii to DaNang, Vietnam, and he returned to the civilian world in 1967,
He started flying with National Airlines in August 67 as co-pilot of 727�s , DC-8�s, DC-10�s and captain of 727�s. National was merged with Pan Am, and he flew with Pan Am as captain of 727�s and the 310 Airbus. He flew out of NY for five years, and was based in Berlin for one year.
Delta took over Pan Am in 1991 and he lost some seniority. He was downgraded to captain of 737�s, then captain of 727�s, 757�s and 767�s. He retired Sept 8, 2001!
He was married ten years to a former runner up of Miss Teenage America.
He has a son, Chris, that is in the Marines, and flies CH-46 cargo helicopters (similar to the Army CH-47).
As a pilot, Al has had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, South and Central America, and of course, Vietnam and SE Asia.
He is in good health except for the aches and pains of growing older.
He doesn�t miss the airlines, but loves flying and has built one ultralight plane (KOLB Firestar) and is building a twin engine aircraft (AirCam).
He owns the former Navy Kaiser Flying Field, has built a hangar, and is building an apartment in it. He will sell his house on Neumann Dr. (interested?)