Time to say goodbye.....

It all started in MSP and it was fitting to celebrate the end of my career there as well on my last layover in the Twin Cities. Upon entering US airspace on our flight from Amsterdam, the Air Traffic Controller in Minneapolis Center asked us if there was a Captain Freeman onboard today. Well, yes there is (and who's asking??).  "Congratulations, Captain Freeman on your 33 years of service and all of us here in Minneapolis Center wish you an enjoyable and well deserved retirement."  That was nice.  (Thanks, Ted).  On the arrival to Minneapolis we were obviously being given priority handling (again, thanks to Ted) and we were cleared for the straight-in approach to runway 12R where my landing was greeted by cheering that even I could hear. Apparently, the off-duty First Officer, when I asked him to "kiss them goodbye" on the descent, also told the passengers that I was on my last flight into MSP and to not be alarmed if they see a fire truck at the gate squirting the water cannons in salute (all set up by Ted, thank you).  Ted also arranged for an upgraded suite in our downtown MSP hotel room where we celebrated with friends (a few airline and RAGBRAI folks) with champagne and cake.  After a nice bike ride along the Mississippi on an ideal Labor Day Sunday, we had dinner in the Captain's Room (yes, that's right) at the Nicollet Island Inn and then headed to Nye's Bar where Tracy sang a karaoke song in my honor, King of the Road!  She followed that up with Leaving On a Jet Plane and then we called it a night.  I think we may be seeing Tracy on stage in the future - she has a very nice voice and the crowd loved it.  All in all, a very memorable evening.  Retirement looming at the end of the month - don't want to hang it up but the package was too nice to pass up.  It's been a great career, but it went by much too fast....thanks for the memories!  Click here for the photos.