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Tom Scarlett prepares for take-off in 2016

Published:Sunday | November 3, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Outgoing president of the Board of Airline Representatives of Jamaica, United Airlines' Tom Scarlett cuts his going-away cake with American Airlines country manager, Yvonne Pearson, during a farewell party in his honour last Thursday night in Montego Bay.
From left: Tom Scarlett in a jovial mood with long-time friends, Phyllis Jones and Denton Campbell.
It's laughs all around for (from left) AJAS Jamaica's Carol Burke, Amanda Barrett, Renée Campbell, and Olive Brown, at a farewell reception for outgoing United Airlines manager, Tom Scarlett, last Thursday, October 24.
Airport personnel were out in their numbers to celebrate with Tom Scarlett. From left: Air Transat's Faith Lewis, Caribic Vacation's Anne Townsend, US Airway's Damion Vanriel, and TUI Aviation's Paula Townsend.
From left: AJAS Jamaica's Barry Byrne, Jamaica Dispatch Services' Paula Roach, and Virgin Atlantic's Eaton Hubbard share lens time at the farewell party in honour of Tom Scarlett last Thursday night in Montego Bay.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Tom Scarlett wants to be in Brazil next year for the World Cup. He has an insatiable appetite for sports and now has the time to indulge in his passion.

Scarlett spent the last 43 years making an impact in the airline industry, working at Air Jamaica, Air Guyana, Continental Airlines, Eastern, British West Indian Airways (BWIA), Caribbean Airlines, Caribbean Star, and United Airlines. He will retire within a week, turning over a new page titled 'retirement' in his book of life.

Retirement means a lot to the outgoing president of the Board of Airline Representatives of Jamaica (BARJ). Once told by his former headmaster that he wasn't going to make it in life, not only has he proven him wrong, but he is going to travel the world doing what he enjoys doing best.

"I am going to the French Open, the Super Bowl, and the Olympics in 2016," he said, placing his colleagues on high alert during a farewell function in his honour last Thursday night in Montego Bay. He added that, for years, he has been promising to retire, but now he has finally made the decision.

Love and admiration

The outpouring of love and admiration for Scarlett by those who turned out for the special occasion showed he was obviously going to be missed.

"He has been our mentor. For so many years, we have benefitted from his expertise," said Sherie Bailey, chairman of the Airline Operating Committee (AOC), after presenting a plaque to him with tears in her eyes.

For MBJ Airport's Elizabeth Scotton, Scarlett has been the epitome of high moral standards, someone she describes as a stalwart.

Scarlett's friend, Denton Campbell, spoke of a man who has been his ally, one with immense knowledge of the airline business, while the woman who steps into the BARJ shoes, Yvonne Pearson, warned him that they would all be calling on him.

"I can't fill your shoes," she stated, promising that she would continue the path that he had started.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

Photos by Janet Silvera