He was beating his way to the Coast, and was waiting to hit a freight.
They'd dumped him off there.

It was just pure luck.

I had some stuff for repairing mine, and he saw me undo it and started talking.

I saw he knew the game" (Johnny's tone would have amused the birdman!) "and when he showed me his pilot's license, I got him to help me.

That's where Bland Halliday comes in--just helping me get 'er ready to fly.