Father’s Final Words: Jet2.com First Officer’s Emotional Flight Experience

Saturday, April 6, 2024

A recent flight from Glasgow to Antalya left a lasting impression on Jet2.com First Officer Lauren Gott and her father Ian. Ian, who had been an Air Traffic Controller for 41 years, made his final transmission to his daughter during the flight.

On Ian’s last day at NATS’ Prestwick Centre before retiring, Lauren, 29, was piloting a busy Jet2.com flight to Antalya. Thanks to the collaborative effort of colleagues at Jet2.com and NATS, a dream moment unfolded for father and daughter.

As Lauren navigated the Boeing 737-800, her father had the opportunity to transmit his farewell message to her aircraft, marking the end of his decades-long career controlling aircraft over the UK skies. Ian expressed his pride in sharing this moment with his daughter, while Lauren reciprocated by wishing him a happy retirement.

Other Jet2.com pilots on the frequency also extended their well wishes and congratulations to Ian during the transmission. This heartfelt exchange was a proud and emotional moment for Lauren, who credits her father as a guiding influence in her aviation journey. Since joining Jet2.com as a Pilot Apprentice in 2020, Lauren has been serving as a First Officer from Glasgow Airport since 2022.

Lauren said: “Since I started my flying career, my Dad has always dreamed about when the time came for him to retire, how special it would be if I could be the last person that he transmitted to over the radio. I’ll miss hearing his voice over the radio at work (and getting some great shortcuts!) but it’s been an absolute pleasure to share these final moments of his career in such a fitting way.” 

Ian Gott said: “I remember taking Lauren down to the airports in Glasgow and Prestwick when she was a young girl, and she would sit on the roof of the car mesmerised, shouting “jumbo” at everything! It sparked her interest in aviation early and by the age of seven, she was determined to become a pilot. I never would have thought all those years ago, that I would be making my last ever transmission from Prestwick Centre to my daughter as a First Officer for Jet2.” 

He added: “It’s an emotional time for anyone leaving a job after so many years, but this has made it truly special for me.”

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