Bermuda accompanied by his wife.

Captain Don McConachie, a long-time pilot with Air Canada and former Canadian Air Force pilot, chose Bermuda as the destination for his final flight.

But unknown to him, Air Canada's Bermuda office staff and Tourism Director Mr.

Gary Philips had prepared a special welcome with a water arc, cake, cards and presents.

Captain McConachie, 60, admitted he was a little "misty eyed'' but pleased by the surprise.

"I thought I was going to sneak in and sneak out,'' the captain said. "I have very mixed emotions today. I am going to miss the people and the job.'' Captain McConachie's career with Air Canada spans 27 years. Before that he flew for 14 years with the Canadian Air Force.

"It's amazing,'' he said. "I started off flying a Chipmunk and ended up with a state-of-the-art A320 Airbus.'' Having travelled "virtually everywhere'' except Australia and New Zealand, Captain McConachie said he picked Bermuda for his final flight because he flies to the Island regularly and vacationed here last year.

And even though he spent just a few hours here on Friday before taking the plane back to Toronto, he claimed he would be back on holiday.

Over the years, Captain McConachie has clocked up more than 27,500 flying hours. But he has not yet decided how he will fill his retirement days.

He admitted, however, he would miss the excitement of flying.

"Every day is different and every flight is different because weather conditions vary all the time,'' he said.

Asked if he had experienced any frightening moments in his career, Captain McConachie admitted he had lost a couple of engines but "nothing very serious''.

"There has been nothing to get the adrenalin going,'' he said.

Co-pilot Mr. David Holland said he was impressed by the welcome at the Civil Air Terminal on Friday.

"It was special,'' he said. "It shows the individual down here is important.'' HAPPY RETIREMENT -- Air Canada pilot Captain Don McConachie (centre) opted for Bermuda when asked to choose the destination of his final flight before retirement. And Air Canada staff arranged a surprise welcome, including a water arc, presents and a cake, for his arrival on the Island, Also pictured are Air Canada crew members and local staff as well as Capt. McConachie's wife Shirley who accompanied him on the flight.