Born 9/1/1934
Hired by FTL on 4/10/1967 (#22592)
Retired  from FDX on 6/1/2001 (#96393)

Joe's Tiger Tales

Full life!  Happy life!  Few know it, but fifty years ago through the efforts of the Marriage Tribunal of Santa Rosa, I was released from my first marraige by Pope Paul VI, (himself)

Then, Deborah Shannon and I married in church.  We have 4 children, 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren . (Four of our grandchildren haven't even reached their teens).  Going to be one big family at the eternal banquet.

Again, with bulldog tenacity, I'm now using an older operating manual to concentrate upon getting Deborah, and each of our children to Heaven.  That's my, "by-the-book," end-game objective. -- --

To all you wonderful people of the Flying Tigers and FedEx, thank you, and best wishes.  You're truly the greatest!  It was a privilege to fly with you. -- --

No longer in print, but in 2003, I published "THE MIGHTY TIGER."  Sometimes you can find pre-owned copies on eBay.  Here's Col. Dickman's review:

"Having spent my first career in the Air Force flying the F4 Phantom and the F16 Falcon, I heard of many storied pathways to the cockpit; but none were more interesting than the unique approach used by Joe Brenner.  Joe has shown that a "can do attitude," coupled with hard work, perseverance, and a little luck can produce amazing results.  His stories: both of flying escapades and life's other experiences, reflect a special gift for problem solving which he has shared with us in this recollection of his journey.  His perceptions of the environment surrounding him are insightful and fun to read.  It is truly rewarding to me to know that the heart and ambition shown by the original Flying Tigers also beats within Joe.  Read this book; be enlightened and delighted in knowing that an individual with the "Right Stuff" still exists, and you can share in his experiences!"
Pat Dickman, Fighter Pilot - Lt. Col. USAF, Retired
(Col Dickman has won two TOP GUN awards!) TWO!

A brand new American Airlines Boeing 707 had just pulled up outside the terminal window. Its burnished aluminum shone like chrome. A set of stairs was quickly pushed up against the forward cabin door.
After all the passengers had deplaned, a young, good-looking captain appeared in the aircraft doorway with a gorgeous stewardess on each arm, and the three of them came bopping down the stairs together obviously in high spirits.

Now divorced, and being dissatisfied with my own present menial jobs, an intense desire for better circumstances seized hold of me. I did not then know where I’d wind up but I hoped for much improved circumstances, and from some newer, much higher plateau, acquire better things, a profession I could be proud of, and find an extraordinary woman to love.

I had taken my friend Frank to the airport so he could catch his flight. We were sitting at the airport bar when the American jet rolled up.
“Wow! Will you look at that!” Frank exclaimed, “That’s got to be the greatest job in the world. I’d give my right arm to have a job like that. But . . .” Frank sighed, “I’m too old.”
Little did I realize then, as I gawked at the merry trio exuberantly descending down the stairway, that the answer to my quest had just arrived. The missing piece had just fallen into place.  I know what I'll do, I'll become an airline pilot.

Heavy jet pilot, Joe Brenner, has flown around the world many times in both directions, to over fifty countries, plus logged more than 25,000 hours aloft, over 5,000 of which were, night or day, during overcast conditions: “in the blind.” His uncommon experiences and travels give him a perspective few possess.

A late-starting underdog who was once told he’d never make it because of formidable obstacles, he refused to accept discouragement or defeat. Instead, he’s probably among the record holders for having attained the greatest number of credentials in the least amount of available time. (7 licenses: private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, basic ground instructor, advanced ground instructor, and instrument ground instructor, plus 4 flight engineer exams, basic, reciprocating, turboprop, and turbojet, all in 183 days while working two non-aviation related jobs 65hrs. a week). (8-5 6-11) Studied and flew on the weekends.

Over his 30 year flying career, he flew the Flying Tiger 4-engine Lockheed Constellation, then their 4-engine, Canadair CL-44 turboprop (in photo above on ice 40 feet thick on the North Slope of Alaska, at the Dead Horse drill site.)  Continuing to soar among eagles, he eventually went on to fly the largest turbojets.

He is captain-rated in the:

DOUGLAS DC-8-63
DOUGLAS DC 10
BOEING 747

Also author of

THE MIGHTY TIGER
THE WARRIOR & THE ROSE
FLYING BLIND