What? Wal-Mart has jets? Wow! A few years back when Mr. Sam was
still alive, I was in an FBO in Tulsa checking the weather when he and
a couple of other guys walked in. Sam was dressed in a plaid shirt,
plain pants and baseball cap. The "other guys" had white shrits and
ties and seemed decidedly nervous, constantly watching Sam and acting
like they didn't want to make any mistakes. After I was sure he was
who I thought he was, I went to the front to take a peek at his
airplane. In front of the FBO sat the ugliest, dirtiest, homeliest old
beat-up Aero Commander painted a God-awful light tan color with dark
brown stripes. At the time, I think Sam was rated one of the
wealthiest men in the world and I think I know how he got there. Sam
got on the phone, made a couple of calls then turned around and
announced they were going to Newton, Iowa. They were on one of those
unannounced store visits he was famous for to see how things were
really going on out in the field.
And off they went in a cloud of white smoke and noise in that beat-up
old Aero Commander.
Bart
