by Cassi Matos

At the Massapequa diner they are known as the Wednesday regulars, a group of former American Airline employees who gather each month to talk over old times and keep each other updated on the latest happenings.

This week, the group stands outside waiting for their final member, Al Bauer of Wantagh, "The Butterfly."

The group of 12 has gotten together each month for more than a year. The number attending the reunion varies, but it’s always the same time and place.

The tradition started when Otto Mygland of Huntington decided to call up Pete Pellegrino of Westbury, and some of his other buddies from his American Airlines days. Slowly the group grew to become what it is today. They travel from Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.

When Bauer the Butterfly finally arrives, the men head to their regular station in the diner and quickly the first round of coffee is served. At the same time, the banter begins and old friends laugh at comments, and remarks that take on special meaning as a result of the history of camaraderie and friendship the men share.

There is talk about the new car Hank Bergmann of Plainview recently helped his friend pick out, and how American Airlines has updated its policy regarding employees and retirees purchasing airline tickets. In general, according to Bill Senia of Plainview, and the one responsible for organizing the meetings each month, the monthly meeting is a way of keeping everyone informed about what is going on.

"It’s a way for us to update each other about things like employee benefits and about our lives in general. It’s our way of keeping history alive," he said.

And history there is. The men have been friends for the better part of 35 years. And, with the exception of Roland Hunt of Brooklyn, also known as "The Irishman," all got their start working for American Airlines at LaGuardia Airport. However, after a few years, they all transferred to JFK airport where they spent the rest of their careers.

They all began working for American back in the 50s, in the days when airplanes had propellers they recall, laughing

"We’re all old timers," Senia says as the others chuckle. "From the days when you worked together and it wasn’t every man for himself. It was different back then."

The men all worked in the same department, where according to Bauer, "I was the boss."

In fact Bauer did run the automotive shop where he was responsible for a team of men, and for buying parts. Although the others laugh when Bauer calls himself the "boss", they all agree he was always there looking out for his "guys."

Many in the group worked the midnight shift. After finishing work early in the morning, they would sometimes get together and play a game of softball or just hang out, strengthening the bonds that have kept them in touch now for so many years.

There were other events that brought the men and their families together. In those days, American Airlines would host dances so the employees could socialize. There were also large family picnics and every holiday season a party—complete with Santa Claus and presents—was held in a large hangar for the American Airline families. Senia was one of the guys who did a lot of work organizing the party each year he said, and recalls that about 1,500 children attended and got presents.

While there are no holiday parties anymore, employees still hold reunions every five years and the group is thinking about reviving the annual Christmas party this year.

That starts another whole topic and the group gets involved in heavy discussion. It’s clear, they share a common, and long history.

"We worked hard, and we played hard too," confirms Senia. "We worked as a family."

The others agreed.

"That’s right," said Bauer, "like a family."