It was a pleasant surprise for passengers and the pilot of the Air India flight from Port Blair as it touched down Chennai on Thursday. The Air Traffic Controller instructed the pilot to "turn into a particular taxi track". Moments later, water from two fire tenders hit the flight for a water cannon salute, honouring the pilot, Captain Sebastian Joseph, who would retire the next day after a 33-year-long tenure with the airline. It was his sign-off flight.