Father-son duo pilot UPS flight together for first time

Photo from UPS/Aerocrewnews

When he started his career at UPS over 33 years ago, Capt. John James never dreamed he would fly with his son as the co-pilot. This father-son duo completed a trip together, landing at the UPS Worldport facility in Louisville on Thursday.

This was the first flight for James Jr. and the pair flew a Boeing 767 from Louisville to Las Vegas and back. James Jr. first went through the UPS FlightPath Internship Program, according to WDRB.

James has been with UPS since 1990 and his son, First Officer Johnmark James Jr. was hired ten months ago. Wave3 reported that the pair plan to try international flights next.

Johnmark James Jr. in cockpit

”It went as smooth as silk,” James said to Wave3. “Having traveled the world, flown many airplanes with many different people. But today was the best flight of my life.”

As a child he dreamed of growing up to be his dad, trying on his uniform and forming an interest in aviation. Now, the pair can fly together as father and son and captain and first officer.

“I felt like I won the lottery three times in my life,” James said to WDRB. “I won the lottery when I got hired by UPS. I won the lottery when Johnmark got hired by UPS, and this flight today is like my third lottery.”