Airliners International 2008 was held at the Sheraton DFW Hotel July 10-12, 2008. It was the annual gathering of airline and aviation collectibles enthusiasts from around the world. Of course, we had a table with all our spare slides (photographs) ready to sell and trade. Overall, it was a pretty nice show. Next year, the event will be take place in Orlando Florida. I will probably be making three trips to Florida in 2009! Here are some photos of our group and some at the convention. We all had a good time!!
L-R, Thomas Livesey (UPS Pilot - Michigan), Horacio Rubio (Eva Air Pilot - USA and Mexico), and Eddy Gual (Miami)
L-R Bob Trader, Ben Wang (San Jose), Jay Selman (Charlotte), and John Dzurica Jr (Los Angeles)
L-R John Dzurica Jr, Paul Minert (Fontana), and Milton Banas (San Antonio)
L-R John Dzurica Jr, Richard Black (San Diego), and Tom Kim
Mark Clark (Nevada), Matt Cornell (Los Angeles) and a Carter Gang security member, and Richard Black
Part of the notorious BNA (Nashville) plane spotting group
Michael Bludworth, Houston Texas
We arrived on Wednesday evening and found some of the characters already chatting and having a few beers!
Food was great every night. Here we are at one of the Texas Land and Cattle Company restaurants. It is a great steak house chain found in many large cities throughout the state. L-R, Bernard (from France), Michael, Paul, John, Myself, Jim, and Eddy. The steaks were GOOD!
Now to business, Julio Infante and Eddy Gual looking at slides!
L-R, Jason Meyer (Minneapolis), Tom Kim (Toronto), and Michael Bolden (Minneapolis)
Ben Wang wth Airliners Magazine Editor Dwayne Darnell
Myself with Airliners Magazine Editor Dwayne DarnellOne of the best parts of the show was the bus trip to the nearby CR Smith American Airlines Museum. Anyone interested in aviation and how a major commercial airline began operations, must visit this place, just at the south end of DFW International Airport. There are many displays, a gift shop, an Imax-style theater (must see the movie), and a full DC-3 for everyone to see. We had a BBQ dinner under the DC-3 and had a bit of time left to visit the displays.
Passengers arriving at the museum in style!
My mom, Delfina and Cousin Anthony Perez, who resides in nearby Haslet and is an US Air Force veteran and now engineer for Lockheed-Martin. We grew up together with the love of aviation and although we never became pilots, we are still involved with the industry in one way or another.
Paul Minert and Eddy Gual
J
oe Fernandez and Eddy Gual
Paul Minert
Delfina Fernandez exiting the DC-3
This year's honorary guest, Mr. Robert Serling. Mr Serling is a world famous novelist and aviation enthusiast. He has written many top selling books including many that deal with aviation and airlines. He is also the brother of the late Rod Serling, creator of the famous Twilight Zone television series.
Our catered BBQ dinner was right under the DC-3!
Eddy Gual is seen in the superb interior of the DC-3.
"Secret Service Blues Brothers" Steve Griffin and Joe Fernandez protecting the DC-3 from "bad" intruders. They are part of the Mike Carter aviation gang of Southern California, which has quite a reputation!
My little cousin Brandon Perez winning yet another airplane model for the day. He took home seven metal and display models on Friday. We needed to contract a construction company to build an extra room for his models alone!!!
After a great day and evening at the museum, it was time to go. Here, we were waiting for the tour buses which arrived shortly after this shot was taken. It was a hot but great day to share with family and friends. We drove back home to Austin the next day!
New Miami Customer (formerly of Las Vegas), Vision Airlines is seen testing the waters at Miami International Airport in preparations for Charter flights to Cuba with 737-300 service (N732VA seen here). It is pending DOT approval. (R Collazo)
Longtime workhorse goes down. The end of another Miami DC-8 classic. Arrow Air N661AV is shown being scrapped at Opa Locka. (R Collazo) 
The life of veteran Southwest 737-300 N674AA ended in early July at Opa Locka. (R Collazo)
Ex American-Eagle Skylan/Vicair Jetstream 31 N920AE recently at TMB...since gone. Tamiami is now a hotspot for Jetstream restoration. (R Collazo)
The life of veteran Southwest 737-300 N674AA ended in early July at Opa Locka. (R Collazo)
Ex American-Eagle Skylan/Vicair Jetstream 31 N920AE recently at TMB...since gone. Tamiami is now a hotspot for Jetstream restoration. (R Collazo)
