Playing Hooky From School

Back in 1952 my friend Tom and myself were trying to figure out our future as graduation was right around the corner. It seemed that there was little variety in our possible choices. If you did not go to university or college there were few options. Join the Army or Air Force , RCMP or Teachers College. As we hung out at the light post we looked up into the blue sky and there was a jet trail. It caught our attention as we just read about an Air Show at the Reserve Airport the next day.

Our minds clicked at the same time. We decided to skip school and go to see the jet planes firsthand. There were to be a number of Saber 86's. But how could we skip school and not get caught. We had never missed a day of school so it would be risky. In any case our mind was made up.

We would have to get our hands on some coin to buy lunch but asking Mom would make her suspicious. I managed to find $1.35 and Tom about the same. Next morning we left for school as usual but hid our books at the Jubilee, a abandoned coal mine only a few yards from where we lived.We did not know where the air port was as neither of us were ever there and actually we only were to Sydney a few times.

We dressed warmly as there was a cold wind and as we held out our thumbs hoping for a ride we lucked out and got a ride in the back of a half ton. We huddled down and after quite a few miles were left off to begin again. We were not so lucky this time so we walked to keep warm. Finally we got a ride with a lady who was going to Sydney so were arrived in the city not knowing how to get to the airport.We asked a policeman and he pointed us in the right direction and we walked what seemed like miles before we were picked up again.

This man drove us right to the airport entrance. As we walked up the narrow road to the terminal we could see a crowd of people looking at the Saber jets. It was so exciting for us. We rushed the last steps to stand in front of this jet plane with a real live pilot explaining the facts about the craft. He saw us and asked if we would like to sit in the cockpit. We jumped at the suggestion and what a thrill to be part of this day. Following that we had to clear well away as the planes were going to put on a demonstration for the crowd.

For the next 30 minutes we were spellbound as the planes flew at great speeds and made what we thought were dangerous maneuvers. It was over all too soon. We had to find our way home so we asked people who were leaving if we could get a ride to Sydney Mines. No one was going there but one took us to Perry Louis's corner. It was a long hike home and we had no idea of the time.

All our talk was of the planes and the pilot and the show. We both made up our mind that we would join the Air Force together and become jet pilots. Well we arrived home and already the family knew I never attended school. It was 6.30 pm and supper was over. What was I to say.

I was so excited I told the truth and the family were so caught up in the story I was forgiven for playing hooky. It was the first and last time I did this and I am not sorry as it was one of the best days of my life. I went to sleep that night dreaming about flying about the skies in my very own Super Saber. I never joined the Air Force but I did go to Normal School. I never regretted that decision.