FTX Southern Alaska

[dfarrow]

P.P.S. Wot was the bar called on the way to the [which ? ] Glacier ? Quite decorative as well ...

Dave f .

[speedbird591]

They say the ABC is still alive and kicking in Anchorage ! .... I'll leave you to explain to all about the Alaskan Bush Company ....!

Oh no! It was all going so well and then along comes bloody David bloody Farrow with talk of the Alaskan Bush Company. Oh dear oh dear oh dear. It was only the best damn strip club in the world, wasn't it? Even the hosties liked going down there because it was such a giggle. The 'dancers' were always good for a laugh and a bit of banter. One minute they'd be having a chat while dropping off another jug of beer and doing a lap dance, next thing you know they were on the stage totally starkers. Amazing that it's still going - hopefully they've got some new staff, though

Portage Glacier is where you're thinking of, down the Seward Highway. The bar, which was a compulsory stop on the return, I always remember as Ceil's Bar (Ceil being the lady with the 48 inch chest who ran it and who was more than happy to get them out for a photo opportunity) but it had a proper name too. Was it the Bird House - that seems to come into my head? They called Ceil 'The Upper 48' being a clever reference to the rest of the USA which was known as 'The Lower 48' (States).

Did you stay at the Captain Cook, Dave? We were relegated to the awful Travelodge for a few years - down by the freight yards with the mournful whistles of the locomotives keeping us awake all night (on the odd nights that we actually went to bed). But I think that may have been before your time. Anyway - thanks for the news about the ABC. My mate and I - another retired CSD - were reminiscing over a couple of pints (of Sauvignon Blanc, in Wetherspoons, unbelievably posh) the other night and I look forward to breaking the news to him. I think we might be planning a staff travel trip to Anchorage next year for old time's sake. Wanna come?

Ian

[petermcleland]

Takes me back a bit Dave...In my days in BA, ABC meant Arnold-Boakes and Carter after the two Captains that formed the Freightline ABC using Merchantmen, when they retired from BA!

[dfarrow]

Gents , sorry 'bout that .. not ! [ 2nd attempt at a reply .. 1st went I know not where ]
Ian , that's exactly right . We had an ex Northeast [ BKS ....Banaby, Keegan 'n Stevens ] purser on our trip ; she reckoned she could do as well as 't local gurls ... she did too and never bought a drink all trip !
Portage , that's it and to warm up in The Bird House ... was the ceiling filled with ladies apparel ? We met an Alaska Airways crew on a rare night stop from Portland , so most of our sleep was during the day ..
Your 1st photo on page 2 .. Elmendorf is where the USAF boys are from.. F22s ? Under the Cessna tail , the grass rectangle . Is it outside the town hall , where in summer 96lb cabbages grow ? Midnight sun etc. Return trip on staff travel , might have to be via SEA . Where we recently had to hop a 1000nm to , to get home ... [ LHR sent a 777 with 60 seats less than needed to DEN , so all staff were hitching elsewhere ] . Question is will the gurls be daughters or granddaughters of our old friends ?
Peter , that's right the short haul ABC . Didn't they start with Argosies ? Before the Merch' and finishing up with PEP at Brooklands ? Saw her on her last flt . Was driving to LGW for some post [epic ] flt paperwork [ seconded to Caledonian Tristars ! ] , with our little lad .... It is legal to stop on motorways , so long as you put the bonnet up and lean in ..... isn't it ? So we got to see 2 approaches and made his day with 4 Tynes growling past . I think there are some ABC liveries for the great Rick Piper Argosy and Merch'.
Signing of with a last Alaskan memory , managed to get to a rodeo ; where the PA in 1983 broadcast these 2 jokes .
'' Why does Dolly Parton shop at the Datsun dealers ? .... 'cos they're the only people in town who stock ..280 Zs.'' .. on a par with the upper 48 .
'' Why do cowgurls have bandy legs ? ...... 'cos cowboys never take their hats off ''
Definitely not normal USA pc humour

I'll get my coat ,
ATB Dave f .