My worst experience was again in first class on a TWA a/c, this time flying out Dayton early one morning. Even before he sat down in the aisle seat one row up and across from me, I recognized Chuck Yeager. In response to the flight attendants greeting, he demandingly said only, "Get me a bourbon". Once we had reached cruising altitude, one of the coach class stews came forward and said, "General Yeager, there is a young man back in coach who would like to come up to meet you, and get an autograph. Would that be okay?" Without even looking at her, he growled, "Hell no, and get me another f*#@~^g drink". Seated directly behind Yeager, and across from me, was a very distinguished looking gent who spoke for most of us that morning when he said in a loud, clear voice, "What a dick". Yeager didn't react.
Honorable mention goes to a very drunk Greg "Pappy" Boyington who, while signing books in a tent at the Chino Airshow, lunged over the table in an attempt to rip the throat out of a guy. He had had the audacity to ask Boyington to sign a copy of a book written by a Japanese pilot who claimed to have shot him down in WWII.
Just kidding. Cool meeting and good inside info, Duke.
