tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49309963971848720292024-03-05T10:58:25.539-05:00Best Forward SpeedCamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-4830047967185072382011-06-28T21:41:00.004-04:002011-06-28T22:05:22.847-04:00Summer Solstice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81pP3BQvoRvPMG3B8anF_fZSfgKU8ErChNUKQso43_VGithWAOoq5xRoTEFrlgMFCOdZ1p4_591m2pIGAkpmCjC3rg24XAFZcG80mXmA8Q2sneE5eMA8iYPHITKpSMo35hj_wRPJ8808/s1600/DSC00238.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81pP3BQvoRvPMG3B8anF_fZSfgKU8ErChNUKQso43_VGithWAOoq5xRoTEFrlgMFCOdZ1p4_591m2pIGAkpmCjC3rg24XAFZcG80mXmA8Q2sneE5eMA8iYPHITKpSMo35hj_wRPJ8808/s320/DSC00238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623451232503538162" border="0" /></a><br />Looking out the right window, the faint but visible northern lights are moving and changing as we progress northwest-bound into Canada. It's 11:00pm local time beneath us, somewhere over the northern reaches of North Dakota, but the sky is still bright. An hour earlier it was complete darkness, under cloudy skies as we departed Minneapolis with a "full boat" of Canadians and American tourists. The Captain gives the PA to the passengers, providing destination temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit... the Canadians will appreciate that, eh. Surprisingly, it's 20 degrees warmer than MSP. I'll take that. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUZk5Ds9VHt2EYxmZaei-9_VZMhyphenhyphenj5CduBdtv7UViEtFd8lcTymRZVJkZcwSITaR73KO8sgzNNlST08kzY_ZiIE_X6fp2vkvqJLjW8DNLjGpYLwKeIl_iGK_bXsCdgCDnByRxi3S7sCw/s1600/DSC00232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUZk5Ds9VHt2EYxmZaei-9_VZMhyphenhyphenj5CduBdtv7UViEtFd8lcTymRZVJkZcwSITaR73KO8sgzNNlST08kzY_ZiIE_X6fp2vkvqJLjW8DNLjGpYLwKeIl_iGK_bXsCdgCDnByRxi3S7sCw/s200/DSC00232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623453564896419058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9lo7V1C3Yk5qLdZZ3Cor73khxWuEfH4WYT351V3_IK38_RWbEHzPc9yVdUjHKV6KMo_dREMUJ9r5AncdQi7OihNftuPGKNF0Vszr_2uVY9JtbNhvn2MlIgwngGcWTXzFggrECGk1728/s1600/DSC00241.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9lo7V1C3Yk5qLdZZ3Cor73khxWuEfH4WYT351V3_IK38_RWbEHzPc9yVdUjHKV6KMo_dREMUJ9r5AncdQi7OihNftuPGKNF0Vszr_2uVY9JtbNhvn2MlIgwngGcWTXzFggrECGk1728/s200/DSC00241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623453859942595570" border="0" /></a>The top picture was taken almost 45 minutes before the bottom one. It's playing tricks on my brain, getting brighter and brighter as the clock ticks later and later. My body thinks it's 1:00am (east coast) but my eyes are playing tricks on me. The bright sky is helping chase away thoughts of sleep... or maybe it's the tall coffee sitting in my cup holder. Or both. <br /><br />Half an hour till touch down, on the longest day of the year....Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-15048030297855578672011-04-09T17:26:00.004-04:002011-04-09T17:59:21.625-04:00Thunderstorm season<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrPPYOxADW5Lh9_9r89PXVr3GByNydGtsb8MJxjFAu-xtHE4hK13u5TNVD4PyjyPVRe1HfnCS7Ig_kVyizYFt_gK_CBTdXxdjjo-eNlMS63xGybwwk-0kVzQDQUfQGSkCmt-GPYYZIhg/s1600/5687a.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-L71SouCgGVmwGiyHle-3Ahz_KvBbzC6xxn8zxUmHVhTmBtcXppHhzzthQQzJmeHM2CVz5WUY_Qp0Kk6bKINKU4-MZt1vxY1zVKSEL1RJcevyAQ5xGHiyzJdvSFbRhCXsW5hfHQ5MwA/s1600/DSC00155.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-L71SouCgGVmwGiyHle-3Ahz_KvBbzC6xxn8zxUmHVhTmBtcXppHhzzthQQzJmeHM2CVz5WUY_Qp0Kk6bKINKU4-MZt1vxY1zVKSEL1RJcevyAQ5xGHiyzJdvSFbRhCXsW5hfHQ5MwA/s320/DSC00155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593698674208113250" border="0" /></a>Position: Approx 50 miles south of Chicago<br />Destination: Jacksonville, FL<br /><br />It's starting to be that time of year again. Ice season is over (mostly), and it's now time to start dodging powerful spring and summer thunderstorms. The Weather Channel warned me of the chance of severe storms from Texas all the way up towards Michigan, as I got ready in the hotel room. Some cold front pushing across the country, lifting the warm, unstable air ahead of it resulting in thunderstorms. Sounds like fun.<br /><br />Heading to KJAX, the storms are fighting to gain strength and form a huge line as we easily pass above and north of the weak cells. Well that was easy... I wonder what it will be like heading back tomorrow.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrPPYOxADW5Lh9_9r89PXVr3GByNydGtsb8MJxjFAu-xtHE4hK13u5TNVD4PyjyPVRe1HfnCS7Ig_kVyizYFt_gK_CBTdXxdjjo-eNlMS63xGybwwk-0kVzQDQUfQGSkCmt-GPYYZIhg/s1600/5687a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrPPYOxADW5Lh9_9r89PXVr3GByNydGtsb8MJxjFAu-xtHE4hK13u5TNVD4PyjyPVRe1HfnCS7Ig_kVyizYFt_gK_CBTdXxdjjo-eNlMS63xGybwwk-0kVzQDQUfQGSkCmt-GPYYZIhg/s320/5687a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593701165151600306" border="0" /></a>A typical flight between KMSP and KJAX... fairly direct.<br /><br />Today the Weather Channel is talking again about the cold front and the associated storms. But today they are much more organized and severe. A quick glance at the radar shows an amazing line, seemingly without breaks, all the way from Louisiana to New York. The weather section in our dispatch release talks of thunderstorms with tops as high as FL500... 50,000'! No way we can top those... <br /><br />Dispatch has filed us to the west, then turning north towards MSP. I guess that's probably shorter than heading northeast first, then cutting across. We have a couple thousand more pounds of fuel than the normal route requires... hopefully that will be enough. <br /><br />Airborne: Our radar can only 'paint' thunderstorms a couple hundred miles away (still pretty impressive!) giving us a limited view of the overall picture. A quick call to ATC confirms our doubts: They suggest flying all the way to Alexandria, LA before hanging a 90 degree right turn and heading north to MSP. Ok... after entering it into the computer, it adds almost 300 miles to our flight. We'll be 45 minutes late, and landing with just a few hundred pounds above our minimum required landing fuel, IF we can even find a way through the line near Louisiana. No thanks.. <br /><br />Another call to ATC, and we get news that the tops are lower up near Nashville, and a few planes are picking their way through the line there. Ok, that sounds better.. change of plans, let's head towards Nashville and hope we can get through the line there. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dal4rd_NtE5APU-AhtimKTwmOMu1HvAPLSmB42401RfTOvxAPBth19qfDiAlETpbxgN3zRdvKz-FjfDAbqtqdoah3IFvu0OMBB1GbMPZIdji6X7TvwIPzLikze7dombJznl7BcGpHrA/s1600/5687.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dal4rd_NtE5APU-AhtimKTwmOMu1HvAPLSmB42401RfTOvxAPBth19qfDiAlETpbxgN3zRdvKz-FjfDAbqtqdoah3IFvu0OMBB1GbMPZIdji6X7TvwIPzLikze7dombJznl7BcGpHrA/s320/5687.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593701821917078274" border="0" /></a><br />ATC was right. The tops are much lower, in the 30's.. allowing us to pick our way between and above the weaker areas. As we approach the line, the Captain calls back and has the flight attendants take their seats; this could get bumpy. A few faint flashes of lighting illuminate the clouds as we start to enter the area, but our radar is showing weak returns. We're able to top most of the storms in this area... <br /><br />After a surprisingly smooth ride through the line, we turn direct to the arrival fix into MSP, and arrive 10 minutes behind schedule. Not too bad. Wonder how many more times we'll have to do that this summer... let the fun begin!Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-68783283178450303442011-02-17T20:36:00.004-05:002011-02-26T20:05:16.964-05:00Cat II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGQgtVe8TfVqQAty-gFCCuncIukV4Dc3sw0XEveGR4DdZNnIxp2jTYDQBzQcwgCFGrQg4uiJcxHyQQ2-1AOrGWnKGfEaboWb7c-J2AeSPFaoQZFrxOHxk-aJ4rDD1KryunTA-rJenXlQ/s1600/IMAG0122.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGQgtVe8TfVqQAty-gFCCuncIukV4Dc3sw0XEveGR4DdZNnIxp2jTYDQBzQcwgCFGrQg4uiJcxHyQQ2-1AOrGWnKGfEaboWb7c-J2AeSPFaoQZFrxOHxk-aJ4rDD1KryunTA-rJenXlQ/s320/IMAG0122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574837506567860274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Position:</span> KPVD (Providence, RI)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Speed:</span> 0 kts<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Temperature:</span> 37*F<br /><br />The ground is wet with Type I de-ice fluid, sprayed onto our cold-soaked airplane by the ground crew before we arrived. Maybe it had frost on it, maybe they just wasted a bunch of money. Who knows. The sun is starting to rise in the east. That's cool- most of my morning pre-flights are done in the dark. The fuel gauges read 19,800lbs... just 1,000lbs shy of the max quantity of 20,785. Must be a long flight, or bad weather in MSP. Or both.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Two hours later:<br /><br /></span>We're light enough to climb out of the light chop at FL340, up to FL360 where it's reported smooth. The Captain is happy, as he sets a faster cruise speed. He wants to get in early so he and his family can catch a flight for a vacation. The faster speed eats up more gas, but the higher altitude means lower fuel burn. Works for me...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1,000 miles and nearly 3 hours after takeoff:<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span>Turns out it was a long flight, and bad weather. The visibility in MSP is hovering around 1/4 mile in dense fog. It was forecast to have lifted by this time to 3 miles, but the weather doesn't always listen to the forecast. Tisk Tisk. Our alternate is KDSM (Des Moines), nearly 200 miles away. A quick check of closer airports: Sioux Falls, SD- just as bad. La Crosse, WI- nope. Rochester, MN- even worse. Guess we'll stick with DSM if we don't get in...<br /><br />We brief and setup for a Catergory II approach, the lowest our aircraft and airline are certified in doing. A couple of Radar Altimeters mounted on the underside of the tail constantly measure the distance between the ground and the aircraft. Using these, we can shoot an approach down to 100' above the ground with as little as 1200' forward visibility before we see anything. Fortunately, the RVR (Runway Visual Range) for 12L is reported as greater than 2600'... and at 200' above the ground we get the Approach Lighting System in sight, followed by the runway as we descend through 150'. The Captain manages a smooth landing on the wet runway, pulling into the gate 15 minutes early.<br /><br />That was fun.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-74296190607303248672011-01-11T22:23:00.003-05:002011-01-11T22:52:51.312-05:00Winter flying<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotj48rwR3Yef9sA3mquU4oHD3tjlRcf92zD4oLfbJqiIYyOFk4_CvW8YzavoqREMdBn5daH53qsBHPoUKPdZlx767R9UHtu5WaRZsUhyphenhyphenOgoCRm_20sZW4ZC-m1YKU95CLLfhbmjzZEgw/s1600/DSC00057.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4m3LncXGqYP7zLXf6-AJ_O85pPNxNQHGybyuS1lZpu_PFGougSQv3casz_tRTEqk1TrXDkFGladmFoIRZuGqDojLyfk21zdeDTwi51cMqsRIIHCdNwzrQGsIN78OwNs0z7GKJRbhaIU4/s1600/DSC00054.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4m3LncXGqYP7zLXf6-AJ_O85pPNxNQHGybyuS1lZpu_PFGougSQv3casz_tRTEqk1TrXDkFGladmFoIRZuGqDojLyfk21zdeDTwi51cMqsRIIHCdNwzrQGsIN78OwNs0z7GKJRbhaIU4/s320/DSC00054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561135296066690962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Position:</span> Turning an 8 mile final, runway 30R @ MSP<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Speed:</span> 170kts and slowing<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Outside Air Temp:</span> -20 C (or -4 for those who speak Fahrenheit)<br /><br />The first rays of sunshine are starting to fall on the frozen city of Minneapolis as we descend through the smooth, cold air with 76 sleepy passengers on board. It's 0815am, and I've been on duty for 13.5 hrs. 7 hours on the ground in ORF (Norfolk, VA) yielded about 5 hours in the hotel room, and maybe 4 hours of sleep... but I slept some during the day, and my plans include another nap before repeating the process again tonight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2:47 minutes and 994 miles earlier:</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotj48rwR3Yef9sA3mquU4oHD3tjlRcf92zD4oLfbJqiIYyOFk4_CvW8YzavoqREMdBn5daH53qsBHPoUKPdZlx767R9UHtu5WaRZsUhyphenhyphenOgoCRm_20sZW4ZC-m1YKU95CLLfhbmjzZEgw/s1600/DSC00057.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotj48rwR3Yef9sA3mquU4oHD3tjlRcf92zD4oLfbJqiIYyOFk4_CvW8YzavoqREMdBn5daH53qsBHPoUKPdZlx767R9UHtu5WaRZsUhyphenhyphenOgoCRm_20sZW4ZC-m1YKU95CLLfhbmjzZEgw/s200/DSC00057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561138784110516242" border="0" /></a>The clock reads 11:17 UTC, or 06:17 local time in ORF, or about 7 hours since blocking-in the night before. We pushed on-time seven minutes ago, but are now sitting perpendicular to another gate with our engines shut down. Norfolk operations requested that we empty the potable water tanks on descent into ORF a few hours ago, a feature this fancy little airplane has to prevent water from freezing while it remains on the ground in below freezing temps overnight. <br /><br />Unfortunately the gate the plane was parked at overnight did not have access to fresh water to fill the tanks for the three hour flight ahead. So here we are, engines shut down while the ramp personnel attach a potable water hose to the tail section for a few minutes. Oh well, the clock is ticking, we're getting paid...Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-37419404292635478552010-12-04T17:42:00.012-05:002010-12-04T18:11:31.718-05:00I'm baaaaack. With a new ride. And some snow.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-I0T1InzREccSbEWAJ99acpNtrw0PkfzMrhzT12DdV4kPdOVmOxKcGP8o2PUe4USsTkgTc1O5GpQTehWA2qYEzc0bNptVTsLKPrh7DOlDO4h9hiPMOISFtHD-I4HHbdxl9hB7WEUVGTM/s1600/DSC00011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546962103218729106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-I0T1InzREccSbEWAJ99acpNtrw0PkfzMrhzT12DdV4kPdOVmOxKcGP8o2PUe4USsTkgTc1O5GpQTehWA2qYEzc0bNptVTsLKPrh7DOlDO4h9hiPMOISFtHD-I4HHbdxl9hB7WEUVGTM/s320/DSC00011.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Time: 8:05pm local<br />Position: Number 3 in line for runway 12R in MSP<br /><br />1.5 hours earlier...<br /><br />It's still snowing, and it has been for a few hours. I arrived at 6:45pm to a cold plane covered in snow and ice. Four inches of snow covered the ground as I checked the outside of the plane for any abnormalities. No issues. We push off the gate 10 minutes early, at 7:25pm, heading to the de-ice pad next to runway 12L to get cleaned off and de-iced. Surprisingly, not much of a line ahead of us... shouldn't be too late! With the current temperature and precipitation level, we have 40 minutes to get to the runway and takeoff. Shouldn't be a problem, right?<br /><br />Wrong.<br /><br /><br />Just as we finished our checklists to taxi for takeoff, ground control advises us that 12L has just closed for snow removal. Taxi to runway 12R. Ok. No problem, we have 40 minutes.<br /><br />35 minutes later... number 2 in line for 12R.<br /><br /><br />Tower tells us that 12R is now closed for snow removal, taxi to 12L. (Are you kidding me?!).<br /><br /><br />Us: "We have 5 minutes to be airborne, how's the line look?"<br /><br /><br />Tower: "Uhh.. not good."<br /><br /><br />Us: "Ok. We need to return to the 12L de-ice pad."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOMICni0B8A2FTRAobmvJDQ8rbcgbvLbAtdulR6EkV83qXxGAE_NlvqZYJvhjH7G73ATIPCcPEmbvRsekyuGdUAiVfFOWf_7_LVsj3Gq-4KRKdkKtUhBiOutg1AeNtmSs1m4GBa1gF1Q/s1600/DSC00012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546965096256933410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOMICni0B8A2FTRAobmvJDQ8rbcgbvLbAtdulR6EkV83qXxGAE_NlvqZYJvhjH7G73ATIPCcPEmbvRsekyuGdUAiVfFOWf_7_LVsj3Gq-4KRKdkKtUhBiOutg1AeNtmSs1m4GBa1gF1Q/s320/DSC00012.jpg" /></a><br /><br />9:21 pm. After de-icing a second time, we luck out and are number one for 12L after it reopened. 2 hours and 2,000lbs of gas later, we're on our way to Richmond, VA...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHZGgQaL4nZDErRSEjFIzgOId74tKmkn7N2Q1vCOcqPO0pBcDK3j0kKteYdVKS04gpfbYoRSXQE2oF4V3LzegkNIDdPf4EQOSyoki_SCKD-wLv2KrebfH37a1jdQxLaZi-QQGdq4TewU/s1600/DSC00016.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 44px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546966129685864658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHZGgQaL4nZDErRSEjFIzgOId74tKmkn7N2Q1vCOcqPO0pBcDK3j0kKteYdVKS04gpfbYoRSXQE2oF4V3LzegkNIDdPf4EQOSyoki_SCKD-wLv2KrebfH37a1jdQxLaZi-QQGdq4TewU/s200/DSC00016.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9ViJGbKmRzrSD6qhxAsWVs3M8tSdZEQ98iRy8WgvTTg4ZAoatij9N-JgEEH-gj3Nh0LTQESzFpapcFHHJKA7GeNTEATybcfmNVuoiZ4MHAiiUuIdq2ehdpOAZEdTmZKdD9p8RzXp4mw/s1600/DSC00013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546966128821637426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9ViJGbKmRzrSD6qhxAsWVs3M8tSdZEQ98iRy8WgvTTg4ZAoatij9N-JgEEH-gj3Nh0LTQESzFpapcFHHJKA7GeNTEATybcfmNVuoiZ4MHAiiUuIdq2ehdpOAZEdTmZKdD9p8RzXp4mw/s200/DSC00013.jpg" /></a> 7:00am local. FL360. Westbound to MSP, where it is still snowing but is forecast to clear up by the time we arrive.Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-31560672314262380292009-06-18T17:45:00.012-04:002009-06-18T18:24:16.479-04:00You want me to do what?!First off, sorry about the quality of the pictures. I didn't bring my camera, as I didn't think I would leave Charlotte, or touch a plane for that matter. So I took these with my phone... <br /><br><br />I arrived at the airport at 5:00am for a 'ready reserve' shift, thinking I would be on my way home at 11:00am to spend the day by the pool. I was wrong. My phone rings at 5:10am, it's crew tracking.<br><br />"Cameron? Looks like we've got a couple of fun days for you today and tomorrow."<br><br />"Oh, great."<br><br />"Looks like we have you deadheading to Little Rock, AR at 9:40am. Then you will catch some sort of ground transportation which we are setting up, to take you to Hot Springs, AR. There you will test flight a CRJ-200, then repo it to Roswell, NM so it can get painted. Then we have some more ground transportation to take you to Albuqurque, NM where you will spend the night. Then tomorrow you will deadhead from ABQ to Phoenix, then to Charlotte. Questions?"<br><br />Thinking to myself: Why me?! What did I do to deserve 6 hours of 'ground transportation', a 16-hour duty day and a test flight, in an airplane I haven't flown in over a year?!?<br><br />"Nope."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9yh7xvgOn650ZswstW7wuyn9w8aZxu_n04RF9oThmxchhIv2epGFBPrdCHumfjgk_dPJ0u9ejxAVmVUF8NFpIvTMXLF5MCtyRpzHyHqgIyFQevQt2IA9p9dd_EKeKRoSRv-7cwj-Ylo/s1600-h/img220.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9yh7xvgOn650ZswstW7wuyn9w8aZxu_n04RF9oThmxchhIv2epGFBPrdCHumfjgk_dPJ0u9ejxAVmVUF8NFpIvTMXLF5MCtyRpzHyHqgIyFQevQt2IA9p9dd_EKeKRoSRv-7cwj-Ylo/s320/img220.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348787419279952898" /></a>The Captain and I arrived in Little Rock, and I called a number that crew tracking provided for a charter/limo service. Minutes later, we were loading our bags into a black Chrysler 300. Not too shabby. An hour later, we arrived in Hot Springs, and after wandering around for a bit, we finally managed to find the hangar where the maintenance guys were that had finished our airplane's maintenance check. After discussing what needed to be done, we went out to check out the airplane and do a quick test flight. <br><br />Turns out, it was one of the CRJ-200's that were sent to China for a brief operation, that ultimately failed. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4ofAPnGl3cKVkp2L3-i3Z1a4GzFWFAtZO_1sNi-hBcLLv32tjn0KTr3SCdsSYdJHRXfjpxKzr_5a1qT8V9IA0Ljx0NkljOd6oxcvNH9y7qsYlr4QeF_UFL4RAtz_C_YBCy6roponn6M/s1600-h/img222.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4ofAPnGl3cKVkp2L3-i3Z1a4GzFWFAtZO_1sNi-hBcLLv32tjn0KTr3SCdsSYdJHRXfjpxKzr_5a1qT8V9IA0Ljx0NkljOd6oxcvNH9y7qsYlr4QeF_UFL4RAtz_C_YBCy6roponn6M/s320/img222.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348787429346495282" /></a><br><br />That's the only propeller on the airplane. It's called an ADG, or Air Driven Generator. I guess it's not a propeller, as it doesn't propel the aircraft! It's purpose is to pop out of the side of the aircraft if/when there is a COMPLETE electrical failure from the jet engine driven generators, AND the APU's generator. It provides electrical power for certain 'necessary' systems and screens in the flight deck. It also powers some hydraulics, again, for 'necessary' systems. <br><br />Our test flight was to deploy and check the operation of the ADG. So we took off from the non-towered, quiet little airport and the Captain flew a pattern around the airport while I followed a checklist and deployed the ADG, checking all of the indications and systems to insure that it was indeed working as it should. Ops checked good, we continued around and landed so the maintenance guys could put the noisy little prop back in it's home. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumGDdPB-Zsr965Dw4p6JAEoYmnZ74PjEwgtu_cxX8VZC_JBmarU4i_ebMaL5YfObXyChgiv2oAxd9eYtk7-dxPa80OiLpYGjstSUTTO3IP0e89NMJhXi7K1-_fzYWFnTbasaprz2lrmc/s1600-h/img221.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumGDdPB-Zsr965Dw4p6JAEoYmnZ74PjEwgtu_cxX8VZC_JBmarU4i_ebMaL5YfObXyChgiv2oAxd9eYtk7-dxPa80OiLpYGjstSUTTO3IP0e89NMJhXi7K1-_fzYWFnTbasaprz2lrmc/s320/img221.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348787424363003458" /></a><br><br />After a few calls to dispatch to get some paperwork and charts for our flight to Roswell, NM, we were ready to go and the mechanics were almost done with their work on the plane. There were a number of old turboprops, and even a few regional jets sitting around Hot Springs, clearly retired and most likely not to be flown again. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-NGWcN-sv0d_i-DIKyA3OQJk9J-Vuf9UbdUs3SSK5TXVAmwtUtTlXGCPcm1kwTZE0ywXsiDHBLgVfqUe-IpL8_k_3AJo_SgcWKWTlrnDodW6AP3uYX7F0YOxKGZGotRL3IWVeTV30Gg/s1600-h/img223.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-NGWcN-sv0d_i-DIKyA3OQJk9J-Vuf9UbdUs3SSK5TXVAmwtUtTlXGCPcm1kwTZE0ywXsiDHBLgVfqUe-IpL8_k_3AJo_SgcWKWTlrnDodW6AP3uYX7F0YOxKGZGotRL3IWVeTV30Gg/s320/img223.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348787432488312322" /></a><br><br />More of the same when we arrived in Roswell. No sightings of UFO's, thankfully, and a pretty uneventful flight. The afternoon heat caused for a bumpy descent and landing in Roswell (which the Captain did well, also not having touched a -200 in many months). <br /><br><br />The dry desert climate is ideal for storage of aircraft, which may or may not fly again. Hundreds of jets from American, UPS, United, US Airways, Southwest, etc. are parked in rows, ranging in size from regional jets and turboprops to 747-400's. It's a rather sad sight to see. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU-_cxsjv98tTaTQufjL99ROKlfwPQYdn7kcVUFsZBxueWlzA_Qpp9q4FwLIZOtNe7wOwPmeZbDhdT91HE-H3JT3tmMOuVlPy86DUNEIL7chYFnJXnFPgpGckk-9PZ4OQ1Cs1xNUrIc4/s1600-h/img225.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU-_cxsjv98tTaTQufjL99ROKlfwPQYdn7kcVUFsZBxueWlzA_Qpp9q4FwLIZOtNe7wOwPmeZbDhdT91HE-H3JT3tmMOuVlPy86DUNEIL7chYFnJXnFPgpGckk-9PZ4OQ1Cs1xNUrIc4/s320/img225.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348787600184834018" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9v8O1sAewL2-lGEIvH9y6AgWyXjhxW9hOkmOaOZGIhEzw383IbeT4bRNst0zBi0vKDmMytMP1OnmynD5B5Aspbfgi4-uaPAiJw8oubJgkB8n3E5Qh6yES6Vzgf0m38xasSnsAH860Ao/s1600-h/img224.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9v8O1sAewL2-lGEIvH9y6AgWyXjhxW9hOkmOaOZGIhEzw383IbeT4bRNst0zBi0vKDmMytMP1OnmynD5B5Aspbfgi4-uaPAiJw8oubJgkB8n3E5Qh6yES6Vzgf0m38xasSnsAH860Ao/s320/img224.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348787434955790386" /></a><br><br />The company never really arranged any ground transportation to ABQ (no surprise there), and we had already been on duty for over 12 hours... so they got us a room in Roswell for the night. The plan was to be driven to either ABQ or El Paso the next morning, and then deadhead to Phoenix, and ultimately back to Charlotte. Fortunately, there is one carrier left providing service to Roswell, so the Captain and I jumped on the first American Eagle flight to Dallas/Fort Worth in the morning. There we got a deadhead to Charlotte, which wrapped up the day for me. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SvIG9KnSSGh6lz_2ehB-4ummhhlj3MrMYDx4G56Od4kc6YS1IVXFJfIxuKXGBtGRNjpb7ICSO9uTV21Gud6JCFSJO9zd1sZIJVD7OJDcwL5n7mB1lNoj5DG5jNJR-KoJNCUai1mvrF0/s1600-h/img232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SvIG9KnSSGh6lz_2ehB-4ummhhlj3MrMYDx4G56Od4kc6YS1IVXFJfIxuKXGBtGRNjpb7ICSO9uTV21Gud6JCFSJO9zd1sZIJVD7OJDcwL5n7mB1lNoj5DG5jNJR-KoJNCUai1mvrF0/s320/img232.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348787605247473922" /></a><br><br />It was an interesting little trip to say the least, and fortunately we didn't have any alien encounters in Roswell...Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-9322407077345668772009-06-04T19:57:00.008-04:002009-06-04T20:11:34.534-04:00Couple of pictures...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhY1nRmAryq0X-Vuys2aIrWzTySgmh_EY8mchgHQLXnOeY1Bq4PG9xbVFx3gborrEU4FrmStndYsG1QbjzSDPp4vPwrcTSA_3wQBRf29q_quE-YCeBLHkKgDRkE24mBCql_w1d8O-_kc/s1600-h/CIMG2554cr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhY1nRmAryq0X-Vuys2aIrWzTySgmh_EY8mchgHQLXnOeY1Bq4PG9xbVFx3gborrEU4FrmStndYsG1QbjzSDPp4vPwrcTSA_3wQBRf29q_quE-YCeBLHkKgDRkE24mBCql_w1d8O-_kc/s320/CIMG2554cr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343625897996551442" /></a><br />A C-5 Galaxy clearing the runway in Charleston, SC. Big plane. Kinda funny looking too. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsiZa7RM5ZfE-jh4XX09xIH3ntYVmICYG0WmB4wSC5W9jtgLySsnrlulsCRMCe06_9BYSieeHEB3VsOIeqNutgkWRvYQ03nGZAgf2m4vCtm2YuIsEQi24tkVG_3SeQsq7HX6SPcglBJ8/s1600-h/CIMG2546cr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsiZa7RM5ZfE-jh4XX09xIH3ntYVmICYG0WmB4wSC5W9jtgLySsnrlulsCRMCe06_9BYSieeHEB3VsOIeqNutgkWRvYQ03nGZAgf2m4vCtm2YuIsEQi24tkVG_3SeQsq7HX6SPcglBJ8/s320/CIMG2546cr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343625892030513810" /></a><br />As we wait in line in Atlanta, a Northwest 747 sporting the new Delta colors begins its takeoff roll. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUae2_i7b4iwRaN6iZRnfAFFJyB5Wir5OcXX5PmC8OWlrp7pUUUyAAhhdJ12p6JRqtb9u34QE5x92OBxqENhqvQ5F0Vz7MGB_E-MkxJiLIaW672heNNnQqwZ2NTcwM3yJl5r-3I2L446g/s1600-h/CIMG2549cr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUae2_i7b4iwRaN6iZRnfAFFJyB5Wir5OcXX5PmC8OWlrp7pUUUyAAhhdJ12p6JRqtb9u34QE5x92OBxqENhqvQ5F0Vz7MGB_E-MkxJiLIaW672heNNnQqwZ2NTcwM3yJl5r-3I2L446g/s320/CIMG2549cr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343625893754604818" /></a><br />And here we sit, in line, in Atlanta. It's summer time again, which means thunderstorms. Weather has already rolled through the ATL area, skewing the flight schedules, and making us number 25 in line for our runway of departure, even though we left the gate on time. A US Airways Airbus A320 waits ahead of us, bound for Phoenix. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsroplQcdFEJ_997wOq3OgM_BU0ZZgt4FbtiqBDH5d1wBskzzA3bwniR6G4590sORVttZrFt7PB3Siqw_amhsYyJxs92tzMne_25XfHzQ6vL1SPMi14fbAvTxOzZkGRxVOxpMuZCGWReQ/s1600-h/CIMG2550cr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsroplQcdFEJ_997wOq3OgM_BU0ZZgt4FbtiqBDH5d1wBskzzA3bwniR6G4590sORVttZrFt7PB3Siqw_amhsYyJxs92tzMne_25XfHzQ6vL1SPMi14fbAvTxOzZkGRxVOxpMuZCGWReQ/s320/CIMG2550cr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343625895349851586" /></a><br />Look similar to the last picture?? Moments before the wind picked up and the rain began blowing sideways, the sky was getting darker as a large cell approached the airfield from the west. <br /><br><br /><br />"Ladies and Gentlemen, from the flight deck: good news and bad news. Good news is, we are currently number four for departure. The bad news? Those of you on the right side of the aircraft have a pretty good view of a thunderstorm that has moved onto the airport. All departures have been stopped until the storm passes. The storm appears to be moving quickly, and as soon as it passes we will have you on your way to Charlotte as quickly and safely as possible. Appreciate your patience. Thanks."<br /><br><br />The APU comes up, and the engines spool down to conserve fuel. We sit in line, who knows how many are behind us now, waiting for the storm to roll through. Twenty minutes later, the cell has moved to the northeast, and the departure corridors are clear. Approach control needs just a minute to clear all of the arriving aircraft from their holding patterns before they can accept departures, but it shouldn't be long now...Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-54108904582018814492009-05-09T17:23:00.007-04:002009-05-09T18:16:09.674-04:00Deja vu...<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o8plUEbUVfjhXv7MdT1ahJEi0B5coC1HhRxxYdcLQ3zQwqvroxjxboRJ9lJazXSHBWXAPxV-33Zoj3_XGtYjn_cwK31nZUck7as_LXePLN-d1Ec9Hosva5RUxzBPLX07Szd8RskhF4Y/s1600-h/CIMG2544cr.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333938480192890770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o8plUEbUVfjhXv7MdT1ahJEi0B5coC1HhRxxYdcLQ3zQwqvroxjxboRJ9lJazXSHBWXAPxV-33Zoj3_XGtYjn_cwK31nZUck7as_LXePLN-d1Ec9Hosva5RUxzBPLX07Szd8RskhF4Y/s320/CIMG2544cr.jpg" border="0" /></a> Look familiar? A 'heavy' wingletted 757 follows us to runway 18L. Almost the same shot as the sunset picture I posted in a previous entry.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jk7WXPM0SiD5aIpHtpzBtE2E16fGX_PDGSYNBX4F7XsRvu5v8x2DpycIgCXFQ38PSpjQJuFGfHCHyqUnfZbYrA-dtF7Ivp66YFLYuRM5biBU-JH2EQgZV6FoS8sfCLWSoVW8tP9IeCY/s1600-h/CIMG2544cr.jpg"></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333938388456915522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6htPqONUrsZ4dLRywMff0E9Zf2Kvk3MYYx9ktjdpp9-uViIAAn6V8HTRJXkkd8pX5sf0QxmO7aHljpQvJwA__DgwQZlB6QjQj-enAcB_aVMAS96XkcGAkE8UeUyTzA1VzHp2b_QwazHk/s200/CIMG2539cr.jpg" border="0" />Here we sit in Louisville, KY, home of one of the UPS hubs. The alarm went off at 5:00am, just enough time to get ready, grab a quick breakfast downstairs, and then hop in the van at 5:45am for a 6:00am show-time. As I get ready, the anchor on the weather channel talks of severe weather in the midwest, with thunderstorms moving through the Louisville area. Oh, the thunder, that's what originally woke me up at 4:15am... Should be interesting getting out of here, but the storms are moving quickly, so maybe we can launch and then skirt around them to Charlotte.<br /><br><br /><br />Good plan, but unfortunately that's not what Charlotte's weather had planned for us (but, but.. the weather channel didn't say anything about thunderstorms in Charlotte!). Air traffic control asks me if we're CAT III capable when I call to get a clearance for our flight plan to Charlotte(Category I, II, and III are based upon the aircraft equipment and determine what visibility and ceiling requirements must be met to land during low visibility). Uh oh. No, I say we're only CAT I capable (the least capable, with CAT III being the most...). "Roger, Charlotte is under a groundstop due to fog, only CAT III aircraft are cleared to go. Update in one hour."<br /><br><br />Okie doke... looks like we got up early for nothing! Hold off on boarding, as no one wants to be trapped on an RJ for any longer than they have to be. An hour goes by, ATC tells us the groundstop is still in effect, expect another update in another hour. Almost time for another update when ATC calls to tell us that the fog is lifting, and the groundstop has been canceled. Board the passengers and let's go!<br /><br><br />Twenty minutes later, the passengers are all on board, most have already missed their original connections in CLT, but still have hope as most other flights will likely be delayed. All of the bags have been loaded, and the jetway pulled from the plane. I'm just finishing up the weight and balance when ATC calls us back: "There's another groundstop for Charlotte, expect an update in 45 minutes." Great. Well the weather has improved, so this must just be due to heavy volume due to everyone trying to get into CLT at the same time. Ops in Louisville needs their gate for another flight, so we decide to push off an wait it out elsewhere, hoping it will be short lived...<br /><br><br />We taxi to a spot where we are out of the way, and wait... and wait... and wait. The update comes, but it's not good news. Another 45 minutes before the next update. ATC calls us at the next update time, this time with better news! We're released with a wheels up time in 30 minutes. 4 hours and 1 minute after we were supposed to depart, our wheels leave the ground enroute to CLT...<br /><br><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-F5ZoJaB8lF8Hf99M0OCI-Ktau0quk2k75UAlIaX_hDDxnMuIt_uOY3Q84Pf8Co_EWINjyH9v7GwWTUPUUJw4BsQ05RMiMxN8YmY_Cjj1cRkLfje0cLz2_c429p-RXU9Wbc4JwifwFY/s1600-h/CIMG2536cr.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333938384701320594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-F5ZoJaB8lF8Hf99M0OCI-Ktau0quk2k75UAlIaX_hDDxnMuIt_uOY3Q84Pf8Co_EWINjyH9v7GwWTUPUUJw4BsQ05RMiMxN8YmY_Cjj1cRkLfje0cLz2_c429p-RXU9Wbc4JwifwFY/s200/CIMG2536cr.jpg" border="0" /></a> Another heavy UPS plane lands while we wait out the groundstop. 4 hours late to Charlotte, we have a Charleston, SC turn to do, then head up to Newark. Weather is good in Charleston, and we successfully cut our delay down to 3 hours by the time we return to Charlotte. Newark is always delayed if there's any sort of weather up there... we're worried about another groundstop. When I call ATC for our flight plan clearance I ask if there are any delays heading up. The answer is good! No delays for Newark.<br /><br><br />30 minutes after we pulled into the gate, we're being pushed back again with another plane full of people, this time heading to Newark. A short taxi later, and I call ground control for clearance to taxi to the runway.<br /><br><br />ATC: "Uhh, there's a groundstop for Newark, didn't they tell you?"<br /><br><br />Us: "No, they told us there weren't any delays when we called 20 minutes ago!"<br /><br><br />ATC: "Well, a groundstop is in effect for Newark, expect an update in 58 minutes."<br /><br><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333938391213219090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaYx5VJuqIYgGsswZW7vg48Zu2E8yrA-pUGNgAPFBuiMsLDWz1PdjIlhaEAcYDJYnULwyvPrFofkhj0eY2EKGvFnYe_fVaengrJ_YK1DTapnqTie_mS9cUNq6iSR8hVpKBdx-EpMkmO8/s200/CIMG2542cr.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here we sit, in the 'north hardstand' (an area of the ramp where we can park and wait out delays), next to an Airways 737 also waiting out a delay for somewhere... I wonder where.<br /><br><br />Ramp control: "Cactus xxxx (US Airways call sign), dispatch just called us and said you have a mainteance item limiting you to day-time only, is that correct?"<br /><br><br />Airways flt: "Affirmative."<br /><br><br />Ramp control: "Roger, they want you to return to the gate."<br /><br><br />Airways flt: "Uhhh, ok. Let us start them up and talk to dispatch. We'll call you when we're ready to move."<br /><br><br /><br />Ouch! Maybe they're having a worse day than we are... We sit for the hour, and ATC thankfully has good news. The groundstop is expired, and we've got a wheels up time in 10 minutes. Start 'em up. 12 hours and 30 minutes after we got to the airport in Louisville, we're waiting for the van in Newark. 4 hours after our scheduled arrival time. I guess it could have been worse!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-38300298401760579762009-04-14T10:47:00.002-04:002009-04-14T17:49:53.001-04:00Before and After<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>This past weekend was the Masters golf championship in Augusta, GA.. if you didn't already know that. Due to the event, US Airways schedules our planes on the route, for increased capacity. It's the only weekend during the year that we fly to AGS. I had never been there before, and was excited to see a new place... and see how things ran during the golf championship. <br /><br />Took one flight down on Saturday, and while we didn't have that many passengers, the airport was still quite busy. Here's a view out the front:<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGpqs0z2dOI0NjTPBshEiwtuRMyrZC8tL0y1rBll6p8Z8jjU4X0i1q9Z1qtLJxLEIRYWSevNgSHausR5GpM7cMvmAQvSEzuxpyhQp1dUHlCSf2FoTH8EfwX_e-lOVl6_nirbaCGFzsg4/s1600-h/CIMG2527cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGpqs0z2dOI0NjTPBshEiwtuRMyrZC8tL0y1rBll6p8Z8jjU4X0i1q9Z1qtLJxLEIRYWSevNgSHausR5GpM7cMvmAQvSEzuxpyhQp1dUHlCSf2FoTH8EfwX_e-lOVl6_nirbaCGFzsg4/s320/CIMG2527cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324559427071034562" border="0" /></a>Don't think you'd normally see a 737 in Augusta, or the 50+ corporate jets parked on a taxiway...<br /><br />Fast forward to Monday, the day after the championship ended... <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3q0Gd-s58sH8IUzBZHz1p0wN6dvd5par1YuqY3NYRIiaSPe6u1nrriU5oRkdIt8A5UxpVMTaNkisfDdwuZEnKa_VCBE4SUJBG6UgFKU5mM0ngJYp8fajaAVu5w9Zr8WV6NBC-Kn9mlw/s1600-h/CIMG2532cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3q0Gd-s58sH8IUzBZHz1p0wN6dvd5par1YuqY3NYRIiaSPe6u1nrriU5oRkdIt8A5UxpVMTaNkisfDdwuZEnKa_VCBE4SUJBG6UgFKU5mM0ngJYp8fajaAVu5w9Zr8WV6NBC-Kn9mlw/s320/CIMG2532cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324559428903977426" border="0" /></a>Looks a little different, eh? <br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAGazcBVBb-8QrkXWeU3z5Ri6KnndBSrnaVSktberGBSUTD_aBUhT7wBJKAHF9VBze9bHS3GRQaBZrk1qCH9hgzH_MjpJMlobVEM3HCYv_JN65hi0mw1ScGFOa_ujmYW7468kqqEqsmo/s1600-h/CIMG2530cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAGazcBVBb-8QrkXWeU3z5Ri6KnndBSrnaVSktberGBSUTD_aBUhT7wBJKAHF9VBze9bHS3GRQaBZrk1qCH9hgzH_MjpJMlobVEM3HCYv_JN65hi0mw1ScGFOa_ujmYW7468kqqEqsmo/s320/CIMG2530cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324559427692685314" border="0" /></a><br />On Sunday we spotted this Gulfstream in Savannah, GA.. enroute to Augusta. Cool paint job. Any guesses on who owns it? Check out the registration on the engine: N1KE<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6FcmjucEHReu4YkFvrd7vuNFKEg3omaP4VxSujbONNUbgGru3BFOs9wdwLHT6IkSJJSkJFRoOEO0S3K7ieHiDtovSSryjg5z53RmnT1wVAhooqE4yGkQSL5ad5W_ByU4OXeD8w5oS5M/s1600-h/CIMG2525cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6FcmjucEHReu4YkFvrd7vuNFKEg3omaP4VxSujbONNUbgGru3BFOs9wdwLHT6IkSJJSkJFRoOEO0S3K7ieHiDtovSSryjg5z53RmnT1wVAhooqE4yGkQSL5ad5W_ByU4OXeD8w5oS5M/s320/CIMG2525cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324559424228783922" border="0" /></a>A strong line of storms moved across the country, arriving in Charlotte on Friday evening. There were plenty of diversions, late flights, canceled flights, you name it... but we were pretty lucky and ran on time. We took off out of Charlotte heading to Memphis, with the bulk of the storm system still to the west, moving in on CLT. It was pitch black as we picked our way through the storms, with only frequent flashes of lightning and our strobe lights reflecting off of the clouds that surrounded us. Moderate precipitation and turbulence and we worked to get over the thunderstorms and break out on the other side. We finally broke out of the system, to be greeted by a beautiful glimpse of the horizon with the last rays of light still visible as we chased the sun westward.Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-14166545292510035482008-12-11T12:17:00.004-05:002008-12-11T12:35:09.912-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gSlb8BnSj2HvgMtfWsfLOGg7Do3PsIjWLLTN5nV7gPbaomIGk5oxWmc1tpf-vc3EhMeyl_SNv_uIX21ap76HIig9MTg_Fyo7oAisuuvMJN1xtBxGgc41cydOzM48i2nySCbibCAr0wY/s1600-h/CIMG2416cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gSlb8BnSj2HvgMtfWsfLOGg7Do3PsIjWLLTN5nV7gPbaomIGk5oxWmc1tpf-vc3EhMeyl_SNv_uIX21ap76HIig9MTg_Fyo7oAisuuvMJN1xtBxGgc41cydOzM48i2nySCbibCAr0wY/s320/CIMG2416cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278584227854448370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Evening rush hour in CLT. A 757 with blended winglets follows us in line for an 18L departure.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoiuXgvWndAhStblZ2LVEp23kwbd8I2QNI_pGSI2NtDKOEec1aWjepI5YIngvKtTdXAC39KHOE21BkO3voU9CE41jC7LHxtXNfqaV0gIFrAvgbx2iUv5KcwytQ7ZhB4cyFKg0zbb1mhQ/s1600-h/IMG_0038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoiuXgvWndAhStblZ2LVEp23kwbd8I2QNI_pGSI2NtDKOEec1aWjepI5YIngvKtTdXAC39KHOE21BkO3voU9CE41jC7LHxtXNfqaV0gIFrAvgbx2iUv5KcwytQ7ZhB4cyFKg0zbb1mhQ/s320/IMG_0038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278583071978205650" border="0" /></a><br />Enroute to IAD (Washington Dulles) in an empty United Express -700. "Air Shuttle 7000, traffic is a heavy C-17 at your 10 o'clock 8 miles, converging, 1,000' above you" Taken with my new camera, which I'm still trying to figure out how to use!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4ZPv6OkdTU19jIkv6CHpUMFOEBHc6owmz9mas1PDzf1yI-csWZfBqoHv3LopspMNLiZ75gJvMXgm7p6QhUkx3USWPWxMBgPvuoDNtn6C6uGFMVznmADclmKILKjaXWOlNHP1UtCJCa0/s1600-h/CIMG2396.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4ZPv6OkdTU19jIkv6CHpUMFOEBHc6owmz9mas1PDzf1yI-csWZfBqoHv3LopspMNLiZ75gJvMXgm7p6QhUkx3USWPWxMBgPvuoDNtn6C6uGFMVznmADclmKILKjaXWOlNHP1UtCJCa0/s200/CIMG2396.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278583435160986130" border="0" /></a><br />First ice of the season. A couple of months ago, descending into DTW (Detroit). Ice accumulates on our windshielf wipers as we pass through clouds at sub-freezing temperatures. <br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb48bh9UB4uvDjxnitJAvMkOjh0j1kgnEhyA7fbw-jWzrIRDSxS_jqgZld3nG16zlKJik-T3zTWSrLvKOddT-e_S06945l4U1idMgUxrxVjc6aJmuQoD32H41qQIBrzKCaiqsd3a-S_88/s1600-h/CIMG2398.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb48bh9UB4uvDjxnitJAvMkOjh0j1kgnEhyA7fbw-jWzrIRDSxS_jqgZld3nG16zlKJik-T3zTWSrLvKOddT-e_S06945l4U1idMgUxrxVjc6aJmuQoD32H41qQIBrzKCaiqsd3a-S_88/s200/CIMG2398.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278583610808858290" border="0" /></a><br />The windsock is sideways on the ground in DTW. A direct crosswind gusting to 27 knots makes for a fun landing. Let 'em off, put 'em on, back to CLT we go...<br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-88768957698871674472008-10-27T18:05:00.004-04:002008-10-27T18:32:03.390-04:00Picture time!It's been a while, so I figured I'd post some pictures I've snapped over the past few weeks:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDf9ppkWIBHNCpDtFi8ABkuEoN-HWgAfPSSTNv0GboBnALrCnACZNebZbAUE94qGTkkEcCPB3I18IEqPiJbfGFS9gEO4LsyAtAw-we3Zdg-o-muZk-BS6D8oBWM8kEb5H0Fd9Wc8YprH8/s1600-h/CIMG2388.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDf9ppkWIBHNCpDtFi8ABkuEoN-HWgAfPSSTNv0GboBnALrCnACZNebZbAUE94qGTkkEcCPB3I18IEqPiJbfGFS9gEO4LsyAtAw-we3Zdg-o-muZk-BS6D8oBWM8kEb5H0Fd9Wc8YprH8/s200/CIMG2388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261959510180880354" border="0" /></a><br />Sunset as we climb out of Missouri, St. Louis at the tail, Charlotte on the nose. On the way to STL the Captain and I were talking when I overheard a unique callsign on the radio. I held up my hand, "Did you hear that? I think he just said 'Air Force One''. Sure enough, the next transmission was Air Force One confirming a frequency change with the Air Traffic Controller. Huh. Kinda cool.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ9Tf9HDGUU7R2YFHqXKwwl7XVTntfVtTgBr-z7PWK6wIRFQyocjazVl1LENd6od8WbZlxDhWNh0des_iszV4__QA_NOhfbIRe3bTgFuoZzm2bJxghpGjDYpmFDhiRpgINFApX4sNnAw/s1600-h/CIMG2387.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ9Tf9HDGUU7R2YFHqXKwwl7XVTntfVtTgBr-z7PWK6wIRFQyocjazVl1LENd6od8WbZlxDhWNh0des_iszV4__QA_NOhfbIRe3bTgFuoZzm2bJxghpGjDYpmFDhiRpgINFApX4sNnAw/s200/CIMG2387.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261959508463467042" border="0" /></a><br />This one's for you Jennifer! On the ground in STL, a C-17 Globemaster cargo plane sits with Missouri Air National Guard F-15 Eagle's visibile behind. I wouldn't mind driving either.<br /><br /> <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJw-QZETSalRFiCZGmhxPInNJv0u2diBsJrXT5bN6Cfm4P2o5iP1jbnpyKc9MDMPz0cRwC0QSBERHxg3-YiyuiIzAlKeqXFD1ZzuPL988xn0iayeu9A7N5JBBquysIE1lcv5PZkHI_yc/s1600-h/CIMG2377.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJw-QZETSalRFiCZGmhxPInNJv0u2diBsJrXT5bN6Cfm4P2o5iP1jbnpyKc9MDMPz0cRwC0QSBERHxg3-YiyuiIzAlKeqXFD1ZzuPL988xn0iayeu9A7N5JBBquysIE1lcv5PZkHI_yc/s200/CIMG2377.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261959259945107314" border="0" /></a><br />Enroute from Colorado Springs to Phoenix, crossing the southern end of the Rockies. Cool how the broken cloud layer extends eastward from the mountains, while the west side is clear.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDtB-ihrgfOIjs5jExa05pqJDDFawIwR2mhs2x00OP2Hvba-7LJUypqrsFPqwSpUkfdKM8TI6ZDOgTIur-dqC2UnXtBpQ-GGKwT5z_77eQMOUSHf5ZGR_2wGBdkO2s30_JuBLpIvLuSQ/s1600-h/CIMG2376.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDtB-ihrgfOIjs5jExa05pqJDDFawIwR2mhs2x00OP2Hvba-7LJUypqrsFPqwSpUkfdKM8TI6ZDOgTIur-dqC2UnXtBpQ-GGKwT5z_77eQMOUSHf5ZGR_2wGBdkO2s30_JuBLpIvLuSQ/s200/CIMG2376.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261959257585619602" border="0" /></a><br />Another shot of the snow-capped Rockies as we near the border of Colorado/New Mexico. The night before, a 100 knot wind was at our tail pushing us towards COS at over 550 knots across the ground. In the morning, we have 120 knots of wind directly on our nose, struggling to do 380 knots over the ground. <br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFlVWafiCwK_xpbQmM7kc6WVLi4FIOmp7my1tmT2m5q_o_VMuVen1-ZLrjSOL19bQBTMl3UgLoKjq6WALRUCthtSoD_Z226TDbeWoVxeS8FqwTcY-W3NtQf_0TabYsoroY-YGbn5vMOs/s1600-h/CIMG2373.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFlVWafiCwK_xpbQmM7kc6WVLi4FIOmp7my1tmT2m5q_o_VMuVen1-ZLrjSOL19bQBTMl3UgLoKjq6WALRUCthtSoD_Z226TDbeWoVxeS8FqwTcY-W3NtQf_0TabYsoroY-YGbn5vMOs/s200/CIMG2373.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261959245925941874" border="0" /></a><br />Washington Dulles playing hide-n-seek in the fog.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvtCb4YRoCMYzlZkOd6o7zKy3IQoLhDHsluwOLWloJNPdpWt-qQmfLndmkgjtRAms3_4bo1uH-On6x08pl6m0uwjrq4JnddsSFRxxEnzqzIVMNRjFYBBbOO6HaPJ076kRMJrCynvo5gM/s1600-h/CIMG2371.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvtCb4YRoCMYzlZkOd6o7zKy3IQoLhDHsluwOLWloJNPdpWt-qQmfLndmkgjtRAms3_4bo1uH-On6x08pl6m0uwjrq4JnddsSFRxxEnzqzIVMNRjFYBBbOO6HaPJ076kRMJrCynvo5gM/s200/CIMG2371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261959244258721026" border="0" /></a><br />'Uptown' Charlotte, trying its best to hide in the low fog layer. Approaches down to just above 'minimums', but luckily everyone was getting in.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVdOjLjVFkFuwenisKyAy20TXQJWt-2o4B7TgFl6j2yZdJNTs3LXIM1BW5TODfXbx-Gp5TxTdjIQJd6LOSfadPCm6cKAkohyhD1gQ8cmyxt75dIRwvsKpp6r09J6rqU5Vn1mBEFOoWfI/s1600-h/CIMG2363.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVdOjLjVFkFuwenisKyAy20TXQJWt-2o4B7TgFl6j2yZdJNTs3LXIM1BW5TODfXbx-Gp5TxTdjIQJd6LOSfadPCm6cKAkohyhD1gQ8cmyxt75dIRwvsKpp6r09J6rqU5Vn1mBEFOoWfI/s200/CIMG2363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261959238337678658" border="0" /></a><br />5 points to whoever can guess where this picture was taken. Oh, and the points are redeemable for... nothing. Ha.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23rsuHXmfHweJv12WldlO8JvOWRu0xyF8mkSg6dAQmSARdcGLWM1DIHrje28vjkVZHAcrrmKy7nXk2Zum9vpgE5s7joAdHtAyQaIjiwbIL6gHwoDdRBZpnuksgHJi_NMwVyikgZxcTlk/s1600-h/CIMG2395.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23rsuHXmfHweJv12WldlO8JvOWRu0xyF8mkSg6dAQmSARdcGLWM1DIHrje28vjkVZHAcrrmKy7nXk2Zum9vpgE5s7joAdHtAyQaIjiwbIL6gHwoDdRBZpnuksgHJi_NMwVyikgZxcTlk/s200/CIMG2395.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261959541664814322" border="0" /></a><br />Can you spot the plane? If you can, you should point it out to me, then have your head checked because I'm fairly sure there aren't any in either of these pictures! <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzle-4DExqC9-Hy76w4tWQ5k0_MwkUyqdYhmzVfZTPKmm4No23t9sEKxkTdsBeD9ekEhj3cv50uP6VA-_SK09c7x7vCZyo6fWInWK8x15WByFJRwIAxJ8rj5ZeybaU4yzVixmonTfOjr4/s1600-h/CIMG2393.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzle-4DExqC9-Hy76w4tWQ5k0_MwkUyqdYhmzVfZTPKmm4No23t9sEKxkTdsBeD9ekEhj3cv50uP6VA-_SK09c7x7vCZyo6fWInWK8x15WByFJRwIAxJ8rj5ZeybaU4yzVixmonTfOjr4/s200/CIMG2393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261959529097702834" border="0" /></a><br />Just bored, playing with my camera and a pretty shot of the leaves changing outside of my apartment.<br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-36045582481909579272008-09-03T09:54:00.000-04:002008-09-03T11:12:34.806-04:00Hmmmm...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKFExIai8TQ5hSDDrB-r3ZZ7voS2Qgz7wJGsz25s0WpAwKXW06R8T-1Go9cAm1z3Tx-0CoCmOpicaxVDQiRkhmojewpkfnzADhEWJ7El6_LFnOoNO0Rx5oFw4tGa9JNLl5w4vyX55k_A/s1600-h/CIMG2354.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKFExIai8TQ5hSDDrB-r3ZZ7voS2Qgz7wJGsz25s0WpAwKXW06R8T-1Go9cAm1z3Tx-0CoCmOpicaxVDQiRkhmojewpkfnzADhEWJ7El6_LFnOoNO0Rx5oFw4tGa9JNLl5w4vyX55k_A/s320/CIMG2354.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241793505479884610" border="0" /></a>That doesn't look right... It's 6:20am in Newark. It's a nice cool Saturday morning; we're scheduled to fly to Charlotte, do a quick Raleigh-Durham roundtrip, and then deadhead to Kansas City. The following day we will fly from Kansas City to Phoenix, do some PHX flying, and then transition back to the East Coast. Or so we think.<br /><br />I'm setting up the 'flight deck'; doing an 'acceptance inspection' testing individual systems on the aircraft while my Captain is outside checking the exterior. He comes in from the walkaround and says "Hey- come check out this tire". Hmmm.. I'm thinking there might be a small defect, and he wants my opinion on whether I think we should continue or try to get a new tire. Approaching the left main gear from over 20 feet away I can see the damage. "Holy crap. How did they not notice this last night?!" Ok. Maybe if the spot in question was resting on the bottom, it would have been hard to notice this during a postflight walkaround at night. Who knows? I don't.<br /><br />Alright, we need a new tire. Too bad we're one of the only operators to fly this type aircraft into Newark, so the chances of them having a tire are slim to none! Sure enough, there isn't a tire on the field, so our company is putting one on the next flight up from Charlotte. It's going to be awhile, so we decide to go relax at the hotel intead of the airport. Our flight eventually canceled (sorry passengers, and gate agents!) and the plane was finally ready to be ferried back to Charlotte at 3:00pm. We missed our deadhead, and the PHX flying we were supposed to do the next day. But, we got to spend another night at home - so it wasn't all that bad!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPy0eZ0KmWOgJEpVCE9wSK2Nw_-XnlgouyLBb15Rpv2L_OSw2Sf7nSG9eVixGOJIpcVhBlXamez5DTiCK2ejlXIJJHEzyp5n-UC4VlP9zdPn-_AGdR18ihoexPJOIaoCIep-cfyIH62U/s1600-h/CIMG2355.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPy0eZ0KmWOgJEpVCE9wSK2Nw_-XnlgouyLBb15Rpv2L_OSw2Sf7nSG9eVixGOJIpcVhBlXamez5DTiCK2ejlXIJJHEzyp5n-UC4VlP9zdPn-_AGdR18ihoexPJOIaoCIep-cfyIH62U/s200/CIMG2355.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241794423907337986" border="0" /></a><br />A Jet Airways (carrier from India) 777-300ER being prepped for it's flight from Newark to Delhi. It's biiiig.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WB0W2hVsfwjdjVcrfa9p63eyMScEDY1nneX47jTAHjqDbipZETHJJ3rZekVat0m9N3czwC-LLdqfDNLM1UE9LWguIosWCdc-3DnxTMaeKSrLozkKYgxjAzG5Vs67jBwbHMt9eC_WxXE/s1600-h/CIMG2356.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WB0W2hVsfwjdjVcrfa9p63eyMScEDY1nneX47jTAHjqDbipZETHJJ3rZekVat0m9N3czwC-LLdqfDNLM1UE9LWguIosWCdc-3DnxTMaeKSrLozkKYgxjAzG5Vs67jBwbHMt9eC_WxXE/s200/CIMG2356.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241794127118563314" border="0" /></a><br />A Lufthansa 747 landing with the Manhattan skyline in the background.<br /><br />_____________________________________<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just finished a 4 day trip yesterday with some interesting occurences. Our second night we overnighted in Memphis. The hotel van driver said things were crazy at the hotel and that they were completely sold out. Not really thinking, I asked why. "A lot of people are coming to Memphis to evacuate the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Gustav". Ohhhh yeah. Duh. That would explain all of the Mississippi and Louisiana license plates I see. This isn't the last we would see of Gustav on this trip.<br /><br />Day 4 of 4. After leaving Harrisburg, PA I check in with New York center as 'Lifeguard' Air Shuttle 2663. NY: "Lifeguard Air Shuttle 2663, cleared direct Charlotte" Well that <span style="font-style: italic;">never </span>happens. But today we're given priority handling, as we're operating as a Lifeguard flight. Medevac flights or flights carrying time sensitive transplant organs attach 'Lifeguard' to their callsign and are given priority handling. We've got a heart valve onboard, going for a transplant in Charlotte. Cool.<br /><br />After dropping the heart valve and passengers off in Charlotte, we continue on to San Antonio before finishing the trip with a return to the Queen City. The weather in San Antonio is fine, but it's what remains between CLT and SAT that could be a problem.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7Qtue0cbazy0r0eFo1bCZrnZo7e_5QnSNFkT6yAcd28NRvGUkUmMqe5RJP3RYYzTjnmnOT7A5Qj3PhusQBulcUxhdZJEzetibenB0lnWA7z6HDQrS9jsUFb0Q1_LcqWGS-5s8ZFJGyE/s1600-h/serad-rsz340.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7Qtue0cbazy0r0eFo1bCZrnZo7e_5QnSNFkT6yAcd28NRvGUkUmMqe5RJP3RYYzTjnmnOT7A5Qj3PhusQBulcUxhdZJEzetibenB0lnWA7z6HDQrS9jsUFb0Q1_LcqWGS-5s8ZFJGyE/s200/serad-rsz340.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241810407386725058" border="0" /></a><br />The Captain expected our dispatcher to file our flight plan to the north of the storm thru Memphis towards Oklahoma, and then down into Texas. But that isn't the case; the paperwork shows us filed to Atlanta, then pretty much direct to San Antonio, a route that looks like it goes right through the meat of the remnants. I check the radar summary before we leave, and it's showing a line of storms through Mississippi with tops in the mid-30's, with some cells reaching above 50,000'. We should be able to top the storms that reach into the 30's, and we've got some extra fuel to go around those that reach higher. <br /><br />We cruise west at 36,000' and are just at the tops of the clouds, getting a fairly smooth ride. No deviations on the way, and only a couple of zig-zag's on the way back at 37,000'. Not too bad at all. <br /><br />Home for a couple of days, then back for another 4-day on Friday when Tropical Storm Hanna is predicted to make landfall in in the Southeast before tracking up into the Carolinas. My trip remains on the east coast till Saturday morning when it transitions to PHX. Hm. Convenient....<br /><br /></div></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-11254393330193159132008-08-21T17:24:00.001-04:002008-08-21T17:39:00.760-04:00More pictures..<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo5Nlv9WMlTMeIOAot5qiwsf_iDvuXOsA8ZikKJANObkBie9DoTPdwCHaAQFEixB7_7HGyerzMioTH4U-SprIBLQ29kMpNfwyxf3N9WUYzySRwX_tpTQjCL1zGFIg7iR9hHSHYZDfryA/s1600-h/CIMG2343.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo5Nlv9WMlTMeIOAot5qiwsf_iDvuXOsA8ZikKJANObkBie9DoTPdwCHaAQFEixB7_7HGyerzMioTH4U-SprIBLQ29kMpNfwyxf3N9WUYzySRwX_tpTQjCL1zGFIg7iR9hHSHYZDfryA/s320/CIMG2343.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237085067481176690" border="0" /></a><br />Uhhh, which one are we supposed to follow again? Number who-knows in line for takeoff, runway 18L, Charlotte. Sadly, this 30+ minute wait is a regular sight during US Airways 'pushes' in CLT.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOpu-NMGsW4fXTaJSi8nmBxKXZocNrzRA4VHCbQjgRHiXF6ZwV8LoQ8FtoxPZG1RMTVKH5J-SMBMFY5PG-c4pYwLcmpfc9Dde5xbfZSfJG6oscvKK3iVcaq4qVY2UUiq9utSw96p4yVM/s1600-h/CIMG2345.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOpu-NMGsW4fXTaJSi8nmBxKXZocNrzRA4VHCbQjgRHiXF6ZwV8LoQ8FtoxPZG1RMTVKH5J-SMBMFY5PG-c4pYwLcmpfc9Dde5xbfZSfJG6oscvKK3iVcaq4qVY2UUiq9utSw96p4yVM/s200/CIMG2345.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237085610159601378" border="0" /></a><br />A bittersweet sunset. Descending into Greensboro, NC, on a diversion due to a thunderstorm over the field in CLT. We held as long as we could, but ultimately had to divert to get some more fuel. Good news for the one passenger who was actually connecting in Charlotte to Greensboro! Bad news for the other 85.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rFBIid1NfUI5XncUIHbq0FvwASO-JqsZIZMcrbhyjYiJbJLull4pe-VYqki6pxXDTnG9Tcd-cMwdgJBFdOeYHDLZf9nzORr3Y_bDVngxCv2ceyKlncLyEliFqlMsCLbQicaOs3iuODw/s1600-h/CIMG2347.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rFBIid1NfUI5XncUIHbq0FvwASO-JqsZIZMcrbhyjYiJbJLull4pe-VYqki6pxXDTnG9Tcd-cMwdgJBFdOeYHDLZf9nzORr3Y_bDVngxCv2ceyKlncLyEliFqlMsCLbQicaOs3iuODw/s200/CIMG2347.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237085360907613234" border="0" /></a><br />We're at Flight Level 360 enroute to Houston, and this storm rises several thousand feet above us. The winds are out of the west at over 70 knots, creating a cool effect overtop of this towering cumulus.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSLKLT4svWCRKY8E9DnRXuOjW9quhy2ZQNd7126AT0WnZkBOqE8yh0Xb_ArxRiTaAV0ashomJodpqf8mqx_80GvalA6vHRtL9UaPj2vmzDPsjyncSdymPTmUqB9emdqivgqIX1LgjIQ4/s1600-h/CIMG2350.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSLKLT4svWCRKY8E9DnRXuOjW9quhy2ZQNd7126AT0WnZkBOqE8yh0Xb_ArxRiTaAV0ashomJodpqf8mqx_80GvalA6vHRtL9UaPj2vmzDPsjyncSdymPTmUqB9emdqivgqIX1LgjIQ4/s200/CIMG2350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237085371133118242" border="0" /></a>Phoenix Sky Harbor<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6Sb18rrNw07bZFkzjqVkS7uuvRFK1hw4jUtjVC0lT20-LWCueUO3LCH28uG39hmhjc8JLrYQAfn0qmsb8hVDfDeLt3jJK-0jPiuz-Wb5hMtgnKfP26hhd60WAYPDtp7RblmwkAMu4VM/s1600-h/CIMG2352.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6Sb18rrNw07bZFkzjqVkS7uuvRFK1hw4jUtjVC0lT20-LWCueUO3LCH28uG39hmhjc8JLrYQAfn0qmsb8hVDfDeLt3jJK-0jPiuz-Wb5hMtgnKfP26hhd60WAYPDtp7RblmwkAMu4VM/s200/CIMG2352.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237087524853020498" border="0" /></a>An Airbus pushing back next to us in Tucson, enroute to Charlotte. We wished that we were on that flight heading home, rather than TUS>PHX>SAT>CLT.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHmedKG9vTJNRCcipGNppSwc7DJpkWCzwwm0R4JfQRlNgVI-vdLutxIb7ycVmonqYD6748ucFgdaSHLpuH-9fjUSjUGmth5NZ5OiQg5jEMY6-DU30RRLf6ZC9etsDOP_a42xJFxnWKbc/s1600-h/CIMG2353.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHmedKG9vTJNRCcipGNppSwc7DJpkWCzwwm0R4JfQRlNgVI-vdLutxIb7ycVmonqYD6748ucFgdaSHLpuH-9fjUSjUGmth5NZ5OiQg5jEMY6-DU30RRLf6ZC9etsDOP_a42xJFxnWKbc/s200/CIMG2353.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237085376145649234" border="0" /></a><br />An F-16 departing TUS before us. I wouldn't mind driving that.<br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-27844504053824464342008-08-03T21:39:00.000-04:002008-08-03T22:58:58.039-04:00Sunrise in STL<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jvk_ItyvF8TnlQxQEcIQuliYuMVWw8a_1Rf241x4ljnfS0gzN3dN0zy2zfii5hzKaJ4lQ8kKkPeoCAHRoxloUsAFsgq81irNItYRe-Nwi1OTc49zIxaLgwZIrfAmsj7hkS32nBbldvg/s1600-h/CIMG2334.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jvk_ItyvF8TnlQxQEcIQuliYuMVWw8a_1Rf241x4ljnfS0gzN3dN0zy2zfii5hzKaJ4lQ8kKkPeoCAHRoxloUsAFsgq81irNItYRe-Nwi1OTc49zIxaLgwZIrfAmsj7hkS32nBbldvg/s320/CIMG2334.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230471361464476498" border="0" /></a>A Republic Airlines Embraer E175 in the morning light, with the St. Louis tower in the background.<br /><br /><br />The first of two alarms went off at 4:15am for the second 5:15am showtime in a row. I turned the second alarm off and crawled out of bed. Even after getting to bed early and a long night's sleep, I'm still mad at the world at this hour. I don't think I'll ever enjoy getting up this early. Wide awake now, but the passengers in the boarding area look tired as we pass and head down the jetway. The plane is dark when we arrive, but it hasn't had a long night's sleep like I have. The crew bringing her in the night before had to divert to Memphis to get fuel and wait out the thunderstorms barreling through St. Louis. Looking at the log book, the crew didn't block in till just before 3:00am, and here we are two hours later waking her up. No wonder they can be temper mental at times.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQzbkYtfcmeGWJlTdt_vYtMUUQXd5FDZ6h7-b2nmAeGgbsfcXy79IO-RVxgcGxUcG9a2HTC-49_LoLAGpbD4-CaVqCs7PYzk8rDUXQGBR1I9_qHfOqOuIfJmgW99zF48-d_kdbzBigxQ/s1600-h/CIMG2331.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQzbkYtfcmeGWJlTdt_vYtMUUQXd5FDZ6h7-b2nmAeGgbsfcXy79IO-RVxgcGxUcG9a2HTC-49_LoLAGpbD4-CaVqCs7PYzk8rDUXQGBR1I9_qHfOqOuIfJmgW99zF48-d_kdbzBigxQ/s200/CIMG2331.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230471447246538994" border="0" /></a><br />"Gulftest 5, cleared for takeoff runway 9"<br />The location is Savannah, GA. The plane is a Gulfstream G650, the latest and greatest corporate jet slated to hit the market in the next couple of years. The G550 is one of the most sought after biz jets around, and the 650 will have the fastest cruise speed and one of the longest ranges of any corporate jet. If I had $50 million, I'd buy one.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bbBwDsV46sJ_WJ2ehyphenhyphenx8v9QLng2eQgb2a_OZmfCLvn_CMBVXaxb6TOGFQrNwPvCXZtj825TglLmS33CJp3UmB58wJT8Vf9n0bs5lGX3Ptfaf26L1d7cs8NRGjThkdOMP7IkC_zSAB_Y/s1600-h/CIMG2336.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bbBwDsV46sJ_WJ2ehyphenhyphenx8v9QLng2eQgb2a_OZmfCLvn_CMBVXaxb6TOGFQrNwPvCXZtj825TglLmS33CJp3UmB58wJT8Vf9n0bs5lGX3Ptfaf26L1d7cs8NRGjThkdOMP7IkC_zSAB_Y/s200/CIMG2336.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230471808615333826" border="0" /></a>Ominous clouds in the line of storms we just crossed<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We pushed from the gate only a couple of minutes late enroute to Detroit with 79 passengers, but Charlotte was running north operations (taking off and landing runways 36 left and right, to the north), resulting in about a 3 mile taxi to the end of the runway. We single engine taxied to save fuel, but had already burned several hundred pounds by the time we were number one for takeoff some 40 minutes after we pushed from the gate. So far, so good; pretty typical taxi for north ops. But this wouldn't be a typical trip to Detroit.<br /><br />The first clue came from CLT ground control; "Air Shuttle 2616, stay with me for your release to DTW". (A 'release' or 'wheels up' time is due to traffic flow and management into busy airports, or when weather is causing unusual delays at an airport) Uh oh. Detroit doesn't normally require a wheels up time from CLT.<br /><br />The second clue came just a few minutes into flight; "Air Shuttle 2616, we've got a reroute for you, advise when ready to copy". Hmm.. sometimes the reroute can actually be shorter, but not this time. We were cleared to a point well to the west of DTW, then back to the northeast to the airport. The new route added 30 minutes of flight time, and dropped our projected fuel at destination by over 1000 lbs.<br /><br />The problem? A line of thunderstorms running west to east, just south of the Detroit area. ATC was sending everyone to the west of the line, then back to the northeast once clear. This put our forecasted fuel load under our planned reserve upon landing. The Captain and I discussed our options, and also were in contact with our Dispatcher. We decided to continue, and if we encountered any other delays we would divert and get more fuel before continuing.<br /><br />As we got closer to the line, our radar started to depict each cell. Not only could we see gaps between the cells on the radar, but we could see the same thing out the windows. ATC approved our deviations to the right of course, we seated the flight attendants in case it got bumpy, and picked our way through the line of storms. This more direct route put us on the ground 10 minutes late, with plenty of fuel on board. During my postflight walkaround I asked the fueler to throw on an extra 1000 lbs of fuel for our return flight, knowing we would have to either cross or go around the same line of storms. Life on the line continues..<br /><br /><br /></div> <br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-84280712482374098922008-07-10T15:22:00.001-04:002008-07-10T15:41:48.436-04:00Oops!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIL2ynm70OJeqWVQKVnsQlksphi7TCH9mq4IkEEiTHUheZFz0AHxe9SoS4ksxTk3wNIANShGuXoY32jjkD5emzUdvRKmAxyYyHqWCQsBwXiRcHVOylTe0E02BrSihFdNHC09vtHNq-ko/s1600-h/oops.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIL2ynm70OJeqWVQKVnsQlksphi7TCH9mq4IkEEiTHUheZFz0AHxe9SoS4ksxTk3wNIANShGuXoY32jjkD5emzUdvRKmAxyYyHqWCQsBwXiRcHVOylTe0E02BrSihFdNHC09vtHNq-ko/s320/oops.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221468037476792210" border="0" /></a>No, it's not a new advertisement for US Airways, or two planes in love (well, maybe it is..). It's what happens when the rampers in Charlotte attempt to have a PSA airlines CRJ700(left) and CRJ200(right) occupy the same space at the same time. Also, it appears that the horizontal stabilizer and elevator are stronger than a rudder... good to know. According to rumors, the ramper pushing back one of the planes just walked off the job after the incident, knowing that he would face a drug test. Who knows if that's true. What's crazy is all that would really happen would be perhaps a drug test, and then a slap on the wrist; "don't do that again." <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2VkrkLvHc47wu2Sryvm8uq44VX5z3F0fZeUaxpYQ1fQ8JAuzCrXkvC-8WDSX1INMTO3oA0RrZY__AyBSqz_Ikytc_Ut2deZskW0KfKJkWKX8yEYJTGww2kAMXUi7wMUR2RutbDu4R68/s1600-h/CIMG2320.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2VkrkLvHc47wu2Sryvm8uq44VX5z3F0fZeUaxpYQ1fQ8JAuzCrXkvC-8WDSX1INMTO3oA0RrZY__AyBSqz_Ikytc_Ut2deZskW0KfKJkWKX8yEYJTGww2kAMXUi7wMUR2RutbDu4R68/s200/CIMG2320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221468415240910914" border="0" /></a>This is a day or two after the incident above. The -700 sporting a new, unpainted rudder. <br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6Y0Y8Db1ULM7lG91IzIJHuFjICoaHgB8e17JBSjAb9ZsIiOR2nEsF3is8j9s363NgB_Jw_08gOO1aaTlhqvzZN0_wZzVvgsGCQYjAVzn4zxMYzOK4sI5T2pu_1pFugeqQWH2JRje3Yc/s1600-h/CIMG2324.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6Y0Y8Db1ULM7lG91IzIJHuFjICoaHgB8e17JBSjAb9ZsIiOR2nEsF3is8j9s363NgB_Jw_08gOO1aaTlhqvzZN0_wZzVvgsGCQYjAVzn4zxMYzOK4sI5T2pu_1pFugeqQWH2JRje3Yc/s200/CIMG2324.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221468416056027394" border="0" /></a><br />A picture I took of three of our planes on the ramp in CLT. Nine-oh-Nine.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mWNikTkQ5N3Dw46Cgc95CyMJWD6DJ1ELsQnsvDI9JJQgIyWNaDhaw2qTDZH9jHvcWnbZzOaYXgs9GwnnfdngLJ1ZyycXu7-eI-I8mJYDM1FT1qul3k2ynmdoPJf7bV7-Pvo0rSFZdiY/s1600-h/CIMG2327.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mWNikTkQ5N3Dw46Cgc95CyMJWD6DJ1ELsQnsvDI9JJQgIyWNaDhaw2qTDZH9jHvcWnbZzOaYXgs9GwnnfdngLJ1ZyycXu7-eI-I8mJYDM1FT1qul3k2ynmdoPJf7bV7-Pvo0rSFZdiY/s200/CIMG2327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221468420721261042" border="0" /></a><br />At Flight Level 330, we had already deviated around 2 thunderstorms, and from the looks ahead, we were going to have to go around some more. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ai22-IS265KF3Q-JQcWgadxR_MgkZn7QJ110bhPJZpUr6fM4Sl7kriC7H15aQkbYraCVyjcJzt52LNovZ1jpE1gXsyGeZmW-yEbpOwfFfmAGm2xzEL2NtcTSWQY_iebQwzziqneaksU/s1600-h/CIMG2329.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ai22-IS265KF3Q-JQcWgadxR_MgkZn7QJ110bhPJZpUr6fM4Sl7kriC7H15aQkbYraCVyjcJzt52LNovZ1jpE1gXsyGeZmW-yEbpOwfFfmAGm2xzEL2NtcTSWQY_iebQwzziqneaksU/s200/CIMG2329.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221468425718658146" border="0" /></a><br />You know what's crazy? RADAR. <span style="font-weight: bold;">RA</span>dio<span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>etection<span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span>nd<span style="font-weight: bold;">R</span>anging. I flip a switch, and our radar sends out waves that bounce off of precipitation 160 miles away, then paint these pretty little pictures on our screens. It takes a few seconds for this to occur - to bounce off of rain drops 160 miles away, then come back so the precipitation can be mapped! Crazy talk. Approaching Jackson, MS, enroute to CLT from San Antonio. The radar image is mapping the storms that are seen out the front window. We would end up deviating around 2 more storms, and barely beating a line of storms into Charlotte. The wall of rain hit just as I was getting off the employee bus and walking to my truck. Perfect timing. <br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOe362S77GAtewb9XOYtQtxxwFkMJO_T61ezxhukt5o4w_gw2IGmaSe5XIA0mgqZf7isSUd_qzB3UVCRu8sAGby9vcQhYcVCGZsMvcUX7em2075nerVOILyGajp7G4Vh_oBZ3S1Pwz8o/s1600-h/CIMG2325.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOe362S77GAtewb9XOYtQtxxwFkMJO_T61ezxhukt5o4w_gw2IGmaSe5XIA0mgqZf7isSUd_qzB3UVCRu8sAGby9vcQhYcVCGZsMvcUX7em2075nerVOILyGajp7G4Vh_oBZ3S1Pwz8o/s200/CIMG2325.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221468733010126834" border="0" /></a><br />That's an arch.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu5NI4-x4VYeHMIW12uPm4_CEpWlODscGIW0OX1FTikUvDYCfrudvz-SHQeAs5VHzMaIguQuvEoxGmGaHyHv1G45P50oVS_QwD6lGSBrlXWrg3CUipRUajwHcpJHKNGh_WtPQncpnXsE/s1600-h/CIMG2326.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu5NI4-x4VYeHMIW12uPm4_CEpWlODscGIW0OX1FTikUvDYCfrudvz-SHQeAs5VHzMaIguQuvEoxGmGaHyHv1G45P50oVS_QwD6lGSBrlXWrg3CUipRUajwHcpJHKNGh_WtPQncpnXsE/s200/CIMG2326.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221468731610663458" border="0" /></a><br />That's me in front of an arch.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDX_1Ly3b9VdBK1Ml02aj9DHTEYkrsJ4IWQ-xtmso70MO9SiWhxl3atN1L-2u6cJF5vPEIGauHSnVsmTVaH8excPuWTyibYfKDE8Ttt9pka7AnUJmYVL8_NLlxz84Oa5Ep5JuSTzFGTI/s1600-h/CIMG2322.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDX_1Ly3b9VdBK1Ml02aj9DHTEYkrsJ4IWQ-xtmso70MO9SiWhxl3atN1L-2u6cJF5vPEIGauHSnVsmTVaH8excPuWTyibYfKDE8Ttt9pka7AnUJmYVL8_NLlxz84Oa5Ep5JuSTzFGTI/s200/CIMG2322.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221468736487426482" border="0" /></a><br />Deeeetroit. Downtown on the left, Canada across the water on the right. <br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-88093752402588590342008-06-30T21:14:00.000-04:002008-06-30T21:41:11.881-04:00Back from the box..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFseKzDOCzdDlfQGgt1DmLmUZBiRNxwqtpMrQUBMRd6XdbzoatcwxQPVQR-V7OEtnrI03_USyUnkHZKUCrXe_6Kp0gKS64VFCPtJzoDXsbwTHMg4hrDCt7Msz_EYLPeOPgczSK-ZMuAZs/s1600-h/simulator.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFseKzDOCzdDlfQGgt1DmLmUZBiRNxwqtpMrQUBMRd6XdbzoatcwxQPVQR-V7OEtnrI03_USyUnkHZKUCrXe_6Kp0gKS64VFCPtJzoDXsbwTHMg4hrDCt7Msz_EYLPeOPgczSK-ZMuAZs/s320/simulator.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217848154361985842" border="0" /></a><br />That's the outside of a level-D simulator, aka 'the box', similar to the one I just completed a proficiency check in. I'm not exactly sure how much they cost, but I believe I heard somewhere around $20-$25 million each.<br /><br />A proficiency check, or PC, is required for first officers once every 12 months, and captains once every 6 months. It's pretty much exactly like the initial checkride when you complete initial training in the aircraft, and it went down like this:<br /><br />Start with the aircraft running on one engine, holding short of a runway. Start the other engine, but get some sort of abnormal engine start (hot start, no starter cutout, etc.). Complete the necessary checklist items, and the instructor will allow the engine to zap to life normally. So far, I've only had one abnormal engine start on 'the line'.<br /><br />Both engines started and cleared for takeoff. Some sort of malfunction shows itself at a relatively low speed (less than 80 knots or so), and an aborted takeoff is performed. Max braking, thrust reversers if available, coordinate with tower and ensure the passengers are informed and taken care of, then complete the necessary checklist items.<br /><br />Repositioned back to the end of the runway, cleared for takeoff again. Normal takeoff and climb out. Climb to an intermediate altitude to perform stalls. Clean configuration stall (flaps up, gear up), takeoff/departure stall (gear down, flaps intermediate), landing/approach stall (gear down, flaps full).<br /><br />Stalls complete, vectors for an ILS (instrument landing system approach). Fly the approach down to minimums (min weather), but do not see the airport/runway/approach lights. Execute a missed approach. During the missed approach the left engine catches fire. Fly the missed approach to a holding pattern while securing the engine/extinguishing the fire, running checklists, advising ATC, company, and the flight attendant(s).<br /><br />Once all items are complete, return for another ILS approach. Autopilot fails on the approach, so the remainder is 'hand flown'. Runway in sight this time, single engine approach and landing. Repositioned back to the end of the runway. This time there's an engine failure at V1- the takeoff decision speed. Any failure or fire prior to this speed and we will abort the takeoff and should safely be able to stop on the remaining runway. Any failure or fire at or after this speed, and we continue the takeoff and treat it as an in-flight emergency. It's safer to continue and extinguish a fire in the air than to run off the end of the runway trying to stop. This is sometimes the most difficult portion of the checkride. An engine failure/fire at V1 is pretty much the worst case scenario.<br /><br />Successfully takeoff with the failure, run the checklists, instructor gives us the engine back. Come around for a non-precision approach (similar to an ILS, but does not provide vertical guidance - must have better weather to land from these approaches). Runway in sight, descending to land. ~100 ft from touchdown, ATC (the instructor in this case) issues a go-around due to traffic on the runway. Two-engine missed approach, probably the fastest maneuver during the checkride. A lot of things to accomplish in a small amount of time. Back around for another non-precision approach. This time the runway is in sight, and there is no conflicting traffic. Normal approach and landing.<br /><br />All of this takes about 1:00-1:30 to complete, then it's time to swap seats and let my partner be the flying pilot while I act as his captain.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyWBQgkCB_waaEz0PJLYJti6uABvdGeg-vEjcYPYpZRymKkN6yvxvMHPbbLeFB23sjchzy-mJvpLwCBnopRcQHZD-uNPVAnWzALKbQGoIXKi-aqAK-jtrQOsn7Mnh4a-iWpOJNkgwUeE/s1600-h/IMG_0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyWBQgkCB_waaEz0PJLYJti6uABvdGeg-vEjcYPYpZRymKkN6yvxvMHPbbLeFB23sjchzy-mJvpLwCBnopRcQHZD-uNPVAnWzALKbQGoIXKi-aqAK-jtrQOsn7Mnh4a-iWpOJNkgwUeE/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217854548633182882" border="0" /></a>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-63418624732819540522008-06-24T11:32:00.000-04:002008-06-24T12:00:52.541-04:00Long hours<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35K0iiO0VmV1u397Tq2ZmDSi5PTpKFKMXZc926lKS-HcLtUlRKbxkQtTM7vXPoLtfi3B87d1WToRBEUkBHzlO87qzD6NAq1x_uuSJUT6Xr5RDTlk75ZCBV8v-ZWI-dddoUvpvGEtsH-s/s1600-h/CIMG2298cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35K0iiO0VmV1u397Tq2ZmDSi5PTpKFKMXZc926lKS-HcLtUlRKbxkQtTM7vXPoLtfi3B87d1WToRBEUkBHzlO87qzD6NAq1x_uuSJUT6Xr5RDTlk75ZCBV8v-ZWI-dddoUvpvGEtsH-s/s320/CIMG2298cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215478217877209874" border="0" /></a><br />Four of our -900's on the ramp in CLT<br /></div><br /><br /><br />After two long days of work, I couldn't help but think what other jobs require such long hours, or flexibility in scheduling. On Sunday I showed up at the plane at 7:15am, after waking up at 5:45am to get ready and drive to the airport. One Atlanta roundtrip, one Birmingham, AL roundtrip, a 3 hour break at the airport, and one final leg to the overnight in Greensboro, NC. We pulled into the gate at 8:50pm, put the plane to sleep, and finally got to the hotel around 9:30-9:45. A 'duty day' (show time to release time) of 13 hours and 50 minutes. Federal aviation regulations limit a crew to a 16 hour duty day - twice what a 'normal' person would work in a day. Perhaps doctors, or other professionals in the medical field work comparable hours? Or maybe high level management and CEO's of major corporations?<br /><br />It was a long day, and we had a show time of 6:25am the next morning. In bed around 10-11pm, and alarm set for 5:00am to get ready, grab a quick breakfast, take the 15 min shuttle to the airport, pass through security (why do we have to go through security again?) and preflight the plane for it's load of passengers anxiously waiting in the boarding area. A decent amount of sleep, but I was looking forward to a short 3-leg day, and being done by noon. A nap was definitely scheduled for the afternoon.<br /><br />But that plan was quickly changed when the Captain pointed out to me on the paperwork "FO Jackman, you are JRA'd (junior assigned) to DH (deadhead) CLT-TLH (Tallahassee) at 2:50pm on flt 2607, and fly 2698 TLH-CLT at 5:05pm." Great. I was now scheduled to sit around from noon till almost 3:00, deadhead to Tallahassee and bring the plane back. Instead of getting off at noon, I was now scheduled to get off at 6:30pm. Well, the deadhead was delayed, and we landed in TLH almost an hour late. Twenty minute turn, trying to make up time back to CLT. But of course with a high level of traffic headed for CLT, and thunderstorms in the vicinity, ATC slows us down and starts turning us away from CLT to add spacing between us and the aircraft in front. Pulled into the gate at 7:00pm, and I was onboard the employee shuttle by 7:30pm.<br /><br />What other job requires you to stay 7.5 hours after you were originally scheduled to get off? That's practically a 'normal' shift for a 'normal' job added to my day. The sacrifices we make to fly chunks of metal around the sky...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt80vEk8tmzx0Qy_a5667R1x2gN3-neya6_C4PFCjU-vpid3e9Pek5K8I1Q-R-jkme95759qa7a0UrcMSr5HAemUEok3pjkMCZbWAFDky2ktgbKqY5Rh3P9q_ILTV_OzPnu4KnOq-T8s/s1600-h/CIMG2277cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt80vEk8tmzx0Qy_a5667R1x2gN3-neya6_C4PFCjU-vpid3e9Pek5K8I1Q-R-jkme95759qa7a0UrcMSr5HAemUEok3pjkMCZbWAFDky2ktgbKqY5Rh3P9q_ILTV_OzPnu4KnOq-T8s/s320/CIMG2277cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215478230748197650" border="0" /></a><br />AirTran's tribute to Indy racer Danica Patrick, AirTranica<br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-26623023979910486602008-05-27T19:39:00.000-04:002008-05-27T20:08:37.206-04:00Pictures!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb4SLuHtNt_3x5rSyBwhDoI1qA8ZhHyVGpTLxeWkx3P8n4uLqtbFo39wSIl6zk4CPHYjkGx7qiaz0AtPcGuY51moHmvz3xpeHfJGAAlnoTI0VmhOiEh78Dqa9yqsGLn-LcNBn0ASkLCU/s1600-h/CIMG2276cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb4SLuHtNt_3x5rSyBwhDoI1qA8ZhHyVGpTLxeWkx3P8n4uLqtbFo39wSIl6zk4CPHYjkGx7qiaz0AtPcGuY51moHmvz3xpeHfJGAAlnoTI0VmhOiEh78Dqa9yqsGLn-LcNBn0ASkLCU/s320/CIMG2276cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205208530203293154" border="0" /></a><br />Enroute to Houston at FL340. Moments earlier it was pitch black outside of the windows, as we were in a cloud layer diverting around a large thunderstorm. We broke out of the clouds and turned back on course, finding the sky still illuminated with towering cumulonimbus clouds in the distance.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNRRs1pPNMUqECUihyR5NHtRTchi6c6PnEYNxM_FgLH8BGh0XljjgYYw4rIzwEmkWrFhFwJQtYC8fTWLbKX3xm14iYddZDCi-jfX_UjDxVlT2o0Y16BfEtMsuthXcDvppnQTCi5IW79E/s1600-h/CIMG2265cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNRRs1pPNMUqECUihyR5NHtRTchi6c6PnEYNxM_FgLH8BGh0XljjgYYw4rIzwEmkWrFhFwJQtYC8fTWLbKX3xm14iYddZDCi-jfX_UjDxVlT2o0Y16BfEtMsuthXcDvppnQTCi5IW79E/s320/CIMG2265cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205208534498260466" border="0" /></a><br />Taken just after takeoff from Charlotte, minutes before the picture above was taken.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuDQu-DXSTXhBbiDuykAvnZ1eSSEalqXJJI7ba3OTQuW6hmZ00DK2VGy95xl8j2ytotlgN99jCZ-XpI0Qb3y8-WGBaWMhT9sQAGprtdRUDQd66EKmpNDOlT9bRR4Kl_NicbuPn7cW_Zk/s1600-h/CIMG2260cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuDQu-DXSTXhBbiDuykAvnZ1eSSEalqXJJI7ba3OTQuW6hmZ00DK2VGy95xl8j2ytotlgN99jCZ-XpI0Qb3y8-WGBaWMhT9sQAGprtdRUDQd66EKmpNDOlT9bRR4Kl_NicbuPn7cW_Zk/s320/CIMG2260cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205208547383162370" border="0" /></a>Ditto above!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr36TjA_ixs5Rf6t9NzJ8mCsqXMZCZ3ZbWDQYWrllMpDhaMfc2Fp5gjbB4lWXINpQHLS00MDcsSX2-ZAorkFLkPNSo6Q-lrbNqmwp9cNjf_cnZov8WrU0S5gT1wWwe15MVTtls-8MLrpk/s1600-h/CIMG2254cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr36TjA_ixs5Rf6t9NzJ8mCsqXMZCZ3ZbWDQYWrllMpDhaMfc2Fp5gjbB4lWXINpQHLS00MDcsSX2-ZAorkFLkPNSo6Q-lrbNqmwp9cNjf_cnZov8WrU0S5gT1wWwe15MVTtls-8MLrpk/s320/CIMG2254cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205208551678129682" border="0" /></a>Charlotte! Right downwind on arrival for runway 18R. The fresh dirt for the 3rd parallel runway can be seen as well.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe5YcorCJbMz2X9oWkheiRUzfl9rPTZVQOpmEcNRjUySUp8JZdrKuJ9ThKfX69fi1Bxwn3q7MQb8EwgR4qPxT45SVXB3pD54sFU_3LFqO-r8svNQ5XGHLuIbo0cYUXuaHrd3oIr6EvOQ/s1600-h/CIMG2245cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe5YcorCJbMz2X9oWkheiRUzfl9rPTZVQOpmEcNRjUySUp8JZdrKuJ9ThKfX69fi1Bxwn3q7MQb8EwgR4qPxT45SVXB3pD54sFU_3LFqO-r8svNQ5XGHLuIbo0cYUXuaHrd3oIr6EvOQ/s320/CIMG2245cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205212490163140146" border="0" /></a>Indy to Charlotte.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTO-hYtUNQIh79GQcmRpwN5upXSMVoOsZGhSXt04TyueI3XZfB-3WaI-qadB-jEXnjVa3b8R7vdBFhIeDXBmf80z-Eb6yswT_21cotXkXd0AYU8OKd0o6DqLsb4x9NnDVQhcLd8W9Yi8/s1600-h/CIMG2250cr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTO-hYtUNQIh79GQcmRpwN5upXSMVoOsZGhSXt04TyueI3XZfB-3WaI-qadB-jEXnjVa3b8R7vdBFhIeDXBmf80z-Eb6yswT_21cotXkXd0AYU8OKd0o6DqLsb4x9NnDVQhcLd8W9Yi8/s320/CIMG2250cr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205208555973096994" border="0" /></a><br />Indy to Charlotte, a few minutes later. It's actually rather difficult to see the wing on a -900, since the wings are so far back from the 'flight deck'. The camera was pressed all the way up against the glass.<br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-25622435793017376082008-05-19T11:02:00.001-04:002008-05-19T11:56:15.618-04:00Chasing the sun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMAgee1b-eURBpFV3JMuRXrKCOVQ5Aysetkwsr2RsNc7ar6JX-Wf1OOGEchvEijvxcIutecsMXBx5CXPATbqLTfIlHh6yHNJiHxaiWS_X-gkfPdhAtlcAmbxwiXdwPEsZy9WfHiDxsfU/s1600-h/CIMG2238.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMAgee1b-eURBpFV3JMuRXrKCOVQ5Aysetkwsr2RsNc7ar6JX-Wf1OOGEchvEijvxcIutecsMXBx5CXPATbqLTfIlHh6yHNJiHxaiWS_X-gkfPdhAtlcAmbxwiXdwPEsZy9WfHiDxsfU/s320/CIMG2238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202104731328956482" border="0" /></a><br />Time: Approx. 10:00pm<br />Position: 105nm east of Nashville<br />Altitude: FL320<br /><br />Even though it's 10:00pm, the horizon remains illuminated as we chase the sun towards the west, enroute to Memphis. The air is flowing over our wings at nearly 550mph, but we're only making progress over the ground at 450mph. The wind is against us, almost 100 knots directly on our nose. The sky would remain the same shades of black, blue, and orange until we slowed and began our approach into Memphis, letting the sun outrun us. We're rewarded with calm winds and smooth air, bringing 84 passengers (including a FedEx MD11 pilot, and retired US Airways Captain with over 31,000 hours) to a smooth touchdown, almost an hour behind schedule.<br /><br />The day didn't start quite as smoothly, with thunderstorms, ice, and windshear as we departed Detroit at 1:00pm. Five minutes early into the gate in Charlotte, but the skies were turning dark; the line of thunderstorms we had crossed on our descent were creeping towards the airport. Full boat, 86 passengers going to Nashville, a race against the storms. On the taxi out, ATC put a ground stop on all departures to the north, luckily we were heading west. But the weather was making things difficult for ATC, and it took us 45 minutes to get off the ground.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX6rfbzLQghcMn91NQs31XrcCpFit07ezsADAuycFVTyj3A4y7svWaZbRzwSfA7vFYgo2sOUvTbR6Im3Bb5BvLDe8NKUaJartWwkWAdbqrsu2cIBRXqRaQYkFmWB78WXKjy7dxCylsnc/s1600-h/CIMG2237.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX6rfbzLQghcMn91NQs31XrcCpFit07ezsADAuycFVTyj3A4y7svWaZbRzwSfA7vFYgo2sOUvTbR6Im3Bb5BvLDe8NKUaJartWwkWAdbqrsu2cIBRXqRaQYkFmWB78WXKjy7dxCylsnc/s200/CIMG2237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202109034886187090" border="0" /></a>The 'Airways A330 not as lucky, it's departure towards Europe delayed due to the weather seen in the background. The billowing cumulonimbus clouds outclimbed us in the unstable air; forcing us to deviate left and right, weaving around cells painted on our radar.<br /><br />Ten minutes late into Nashville- a quick turn, and we were off the gate ten minutes late with 86 more people, most trying to make connections back in the hub of Charlotte. Nearing the runway I started our left engine (single engine taxi = save gas!) and started running the before takeoff checklist. Midway through the checklist we're greeted with a *DING* and two flashing caution lights in the cockpit. The message: L AFT EMER DOOR. The airplane thinks our aft overwing exit door on the left side of the plane has been opened. The message goes away, but comes back again seconds later. I call the flight attendant, and have her visually check the door: appears normal. We know it's just the sensor, but we can't legally takeoff without taking any action. The Captain calls Maintenance Control, and I call Operations at the airport. Our plan: return to the gate and have the door visually inspected from the outside. At this point we are allowed to continue with the message still on, in accordance with maintenance procedures.<br /><br />Back to the runway, now 50 minutes late. Another line of storms lie between us and Charlotte, with tops in the 35,000-40,000' range. We're cruising at 29,000 feet, dodging storms again. ATC keeps us high, then requests that we cross a 'fix' into Charlotte at 11,000' and 250 knots. My leg, thrust levers to idle, flight spoilers out, and down we go. *DING* with two more flashing caution lights... the messages: IB Spoiler, OB Spoileron. Two of our spoilers aren't coming up into the airstream as I commanded them too. The Captain consults the manual and gives me more bad news- it says I can't use the remaining spoilers either. Flight spoilers stowed, and a call to ATC telling them we won't be making the crossing restriction.<br /><br />No problem, a couple of vectors later and we're on final approach to runway 18R. The nose isn't pointed at the runway, but 20 degrees to the right to compensate for the 46 knot crosswind that we have all the way down to 1,000', where it shears to a 20 knot crosswind at ground level. 45 minutes late to the gate, passengers scramble off to make their connections.<br /><br />Captain calls maintenance, and we reset the flight spoiler system.. ops checked normal. Board 'em up, push us back, and off to Memphis we go..<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdbjI4fVrGyFfoiHESlS9mZuUo4reGZM64-4RHTARS-Z9xXp9WJwCfMJcfZFwj7piDhx1dJrvEiMn0CeYe-27tvKOTXBLzHT2X4RoXfHgOI3Fk4I5gxuCe6dnPYqwAbMMOUiHstU_w5E/s1600-h/CIMG2234.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdbjI4fVrGyFfoiHESlS9mZuUo4reGZM64-4RHTARS-Z9xXp9WJwCfMJcfZFwj7piDhx1dJrvEiMn0CeYe-27tvKOTXBLzHT2X4RoXfHgOI3Fk4I5gxuCe6dnPYqwAbMMOUiHstU_w5E/s200/CIMG2234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202118273360840834" border="0" /></a>Climbing through the broken layer, just out of Charlotte enroute to Charleston, SC the night before.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiOiEeEFeutRZ3ghn-scKKA9iJXyfjHJTIbthEUeGHsj5epOW7vgFh5PyZX5p03uZk_Myf6OWSkpfj0QnXv88m4uBcb05XcObf5n7nnBK9O9-y9jHaOtnWY7lDB_M3O1Fu4fIxuYXeyo/s1600-h/CIMG2235.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiOiEeEFeutRZ3ghn-scKKA9iJXyfjHJTIbthEUeGHsj5epOW7vgFh5PyZX5p03uZk_Myf6OWSkpfj0QnXv88m4uBcb05XcObf5n7nnBK9O9-y9jHaOtnWY7lDB_M3O1Fu4fIxuYXeyo/s200/CIMG2235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202116456589674610" border="0" /></a>On the descent into Charleston, SC.<br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-73938181469763181852008-05-15T12:44:00.000-04:002008-05-15T12:55:43.722-04:00I've been slacking..I've been pretty lazy lately.. nothing really extraordinary to write about, but I've snapped a few decent pictures over the last few weeks, and here they are:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46pm5mGglaGA5dVj-tGcgzWpGYMy7PW8GQl8lWXZImP2dU0GiX28y1dLmMOKYUkhhppWrmNvqmDx6JTnFkYwRfYhilefIcgvGqhOPmpEhp6aYHW5TyONKv7avvt6et871uv0pYKUHCcE/s1600-h/CIMG2208.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46pm5mGglaGA5dVj-tGcgzWpGYMy7PW8GQl8lWXZImP2dU0GiX28y1dLmMOKYUkhhppWrmNvqmDx6JTnFkYwRfYhilefIcgvGqhOPmpEhp6aYHW5TyONKv7avvt6et871uv0pYKUHCcE/s200/CIMG2208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200647659378821106" border="0" /></a>A Cathay Pacific 747 crossing our path, heading towards the West coast.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw4MoPSn5qeptYKA3Ud35zXUd28A0OnYClBDU9LxOxHGRpXnFKa_cdsnql_WWUpoLjRFKoQRmlcZApxZddNL2RGji8lkAnzeNH2zfeVwzF7WQn4wT_S04I7vz_jJXRNsM_8OEkgnJhG8/s1600-h/CIMG2210.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw4MoPSn5qeptYKA3Ud35zXUd28A0OnYClBDU9LxOxHGRpXnFKa_cdsnql_WWUpoLjRFKoQRmlcZApxZddNL2RGji8lkAnzeNH2zfeVwzF7WQn4wT_S04I7vz_jJXRNsM_8OEkgnJhG8/s200/CIMG2210.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200647667968755714" border="0" /></a><br />Departing Portland, Maine. I'm guessing they make snow... haha. Weird sight, seeing the ski runs covered in snow, but nothing else around them. There were 3-4 of these ski parks, as well as a bunch of lakes. I could live here.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yy-QJVCf_nSBY8EqbI0S-1tnsBq8dHfvCDGgxkanDTCJodDRTpr10kLVzNfas7VE935Qkilo-5YDngGXndm530ls1iFTKVEtVTPNpXPOjbvv85mw1HOpTT_uly-XSe9YdDVX7Q-LVDQ/s1600-h/CIMG2217.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yy-QJVCf_nSBY8EqbI0S-1tnsBq8dHfvCDGgxkanDTCJodDRTpr10kLVzNfas7VE935Qkilo-5YDngGXndm530ls1iFTKVEtVTPNpXPOjbvv85mw1HOpTT_uly-XSe9YdDVX7Q-LVDQ/s200/CIMG2217.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200647676558690322" border="0" /></a><br />Looking out my window (thankfully not straight ahead) at the towering thunderstorms, easily reaching FL450-FL500. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYM1HkKttQB7zVDbIyc6QbquZ3AYhfbcC2U3gyzW7y_DfoXgThQkCOj7o75z8016BPM89zkrq1rGCmTdBn0Gb8FDOdkdPTp0QEXDYqcKCqwKTOiG1RRtPq6uzylOPQz3qG2DpJ6vkRaE/s1600-h/CIMG2218.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYM1HkKttQB7zVDbIyc6QbquZ3AYhfbcC2U3gyzW7y_DfoXgThQkCOj7o75z8016BPM89zkrq1rGCmTdBn0Gb8FDOdkdPTp0QEXDYqcKCqwKTOiG1RRtPq6uzylOPQz3qG2DpJ6vkRaE/s200/CIMG2218.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200647680853657634" border="0" /></a><br />Plane crash? Nahh.. I think it was a fire fighting exercise using an old aircraft. This was in JFK.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBg5I7QZsgxwOjawZsnpHcJ0pV39LU0Fr-VFc3kVg3FD4S7Uzpr3CR4laSwWWbRMLxqBgVvNui64W_6i9tNYzDjlf8ZR0pbRuo9Bc4k_5jwp-a7Nan89IZ_VwfIEQcVOfzIgHlfd7Kp4M/s1600-h/CIMG2220.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBg5I7QZsgxwOjawZsnpHcJ0pV39LU0Fr-VFc3kVg3FD4S7Uzpr3CR4laSwWWbRMLxqBgVvNui64W_6i9tNYzDjlf8ZR0pbRuo9Bc4k_5jwp-a7Nan89IZ_VwfIEQcVOfzIgHlfd7Kp4M/s200/CIMG2220.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200647685148624946" border="0" /></a><br />-900 land! Ok, those are actually -700's. I'm really enjoying the all -900 flying out of Charlotte. Except during rush hour! We were number 15 for takeoff when I snapped that picture.. after the turn where the 737 is, there were 11 more lined up and waiting. Took 45 minutes to get off the ground... <br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-33617112940900444762008-04-23T17:53:00.000-04:002008-04-23T18:22:56.081-04:00Lightning strikes<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAXgnlS2pzwbneYQi7dOe5I3HmyHSDKuZiHuYvoErndoBb3iJz1xWrY_J4KeWLq-D7IL25YdoKPbqXEBewtblKWecoNC4ySzRRUMJxtZlG_X_PQ9uSp-c5Y5762sCgGAz5EiiwAA6RTg/s1600-h/CIMG2197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAXgnlS2pzwbneYQi7dOe5I3HmyHSDKuZiHuYvoErndoBb3iJz1xWrY_J4KeWLq-D7IL25YdoKPbqXEBewtblKWecoNC4ySzRRUMJxtZlG_X_PQ9uSp-c5Y5762sCgGAz5EiiwAA6RTg/s320/CIMG2197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192562655877514418" border="0" /></a>Green is good, yellow is ok, red is not as ok, and magenta isn't good. Pretty simple, eh?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Snapped the picture on descent/arrival into Washington Dulles from Detroit. Enroute, we had to hold for about 30 minutes while a thunderstorm rolled over the field. Turns out, a 50 seat United Express ERJ was struck by lightning shortly after takeoff, and returned to the field. Must have been a slow news day, because the story was all over the internet and on TV. I'm willing to bet at least 75% of our fleet has been struck at least once by this point... if not more. <br /><br />A pretty uneventful arrival for us, with just some patches of moderate turbulence and some moderate precipitation. Rain sure is loud hitting the windscreen at over 250 mph, though! <br /></div></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-57488782052123957002008-04-20T22:25:00.000-04:002008-04-20T22:53:49.890-04:00Life is funny...Trying to get the jumpseat on a full flight with other pilots also trying to get on typically comes down to one thing: seniority. However, pilots who work for the airline that operates that flight have priority over other airline pilots. Example: Mesa operated flight, United 777 Captain and myself trying to get the jumpseat... I win. When there are 2 or more pilots from the same airline attempting to get on a flight, it comes down to seniority, like most everything in this industry.<br /><br />But for some reason Mesa has a paragraph in our General Operations Manual that states that jumpseat priority will be given "first come, first served" beginning one hour prior to departure, if more than one pilot from the same airline are attempting to get on. Mesa pilots take priority over other airline pilots.<br /><br />I'm not sure why we're different than the rest of the airlines out there, and quite frankly, I think it should go by seniority. But it doesn't.<br /><br />At the end of my last trip I was attempting to commute home from Dulles to Charlotte. There was only one flight left to get me home, a Mesa operated CRJ-700. The flight was listed as overbooked, so I figured it would come down to the jumpseat. I went to the gate an hour before departure and listed for the jumpseat. No more than 30 seconds after I got to the gate to list, a Mesa Captain stepped up to the gate, and hearing that I was requesting the jumpseat says "We're doing this by seniority. I've been in this industry for 20 years, and we're doing this by seniority," in a grumpy voice.<br /><br />Now, if he had just been nice about it and said he was trying to get on the jumpseat too, I probably would have just let him take it since he was obviously more senior than I. But I didn't like his approach to the situation, so I said "Actually, our GOM says first come, first served."<br /><br />Well, luckily for us, there ended up being two open seats in the back, and a mainline United pilot was able to take the jumpseat.<br /><br />Fast forward a couple days to the next trip... Printing my schedule in the crew room in Dulles, and in walks the same Captain. He sees me and says "Hey, it's Seniority. I'm gonna call you Seniority from now on." to which I replied, "Ok, I'll call you GOM." <br /><br />Fast forward another two days.. I'm in Detroit on a layover and receive a call from crew tracking. I've been junior assigned to two extra legs on the last day of the trip. That's fine, I think, at least I get double pay for those two legs.<br /><br />I check my schedule online to see who the captain is, and what do you know... none other than the grumpy captain himself. Ahhh.. the irony. Turns out he's a decent guy; just a bit grumpy after spending so many years in the industry, being furloughed from US Airways, and ending up at Mesa.<br /><br />Life sure can be funny...Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-26554848534148721572008-04-12T10:54:00.000-04:002008-04-12T11:15:38.135-04:00Thunderstorms...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlGG7AkfMfDb4cvuhBFs5QcmNKxEnlclPtYRQwh_P1wA8QXOW7X7dgvGw5CR95RSRoXIretRnoA0QVFaDTFS1Z6oEWxmbiQbnnX01VobulDyylVqEccZ5LAe4fmWp2dI09dcCtC6BC4I/s1600-h/CIMG2191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlGG7AkfMfDb4cvuhBFs5QcmNKxEnlclPtYRQwh_P1wA8QXOW7X7dgvGw5CR95RSRoXIretRnoA0QVFaDTFS1Z6oEWxmbiQbnnX01VobulDyylVqEccZ5LAe4fmWp2dI09dcCtC6BC4I/s320/CIMG2191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188373731371678274" border="0" /></a><br />Well, it looks like winter is finally coming to an end. Well, at least in some parts of the country. I say that because of the building cumulonimbus that we're trying to out climb enroute to Dulles from Nashville. Unfortunately our underpowered CRJ-200 struggles to reach 34,000', barely at the tops of the storms, so we encounter continuous 'light chop' with some moderate turbulence much of the way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpQFxXRSoy3bjkPpft553-2F81er7wW0i-Rn5YcQNwj4K8j-hy9zAAyGZvUTD2chu_Rv9hijfEoxxKZgIPW5YsipE9Zby9hDsZ7mdJ2OmVz5YRwXvxiIcSJ5pbquNA1mepjErbdKGyy4/s1600-h/CIMG2193.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpQFxXRSoy3bjkPpft553-2F81er7wW0i-Rn5YcQNwj4K8j-hy9zAAyGZvUTD2chu_Rv9hijfEoxxKZgIPW5YsipE9Zby9hDsZ7mdJ2OmVz5YRwXvxiIcSJ5pbquNA1mepjErbdKGyy4/s200/CIMG2193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188373920350239314" border="0" /></a>Luckily, the line of severe thunderstorms had already moved east of Nashville when we got there, but hadn't moved east enough to affect our approach and landing in Dulles. But we did see some lightning as we approached Dulles from the east. <br /><br />The lightning flashes were becoming more frequent and appearing to move closer, so we hurried to got the people on board and off the gate. 5 Minutes before push, it started to rain, getting heavier as the storm got closer. We hoped to get off the ground before the cell reached the airport, but didn't quite make it. As we taxied out a huge wall of blowing rain enveloped the airport, with lightning strikes in all directions. We missed getting off the ground by a couple of minutes. Ground control had us park in a 'run up block', which is just a huge, open piece of concrete off of the taxiway at the end of the runway, next to a couple of other planes. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJYpHsTU7mxte3W0SdTnRMQoWYrFRSW43vUN862LNm1AvlyltICj4UGOPi47RVv-xgbAdOwd-zRPLKqElNlTcUnkDr1_43gVfZajobmNRCOO6FB-mm1A3Q4CfKHU3c6Fy-NpjFVuvcdI/s1600-h/CIMG2194.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJYpHsTU7mxte3W0SdTnRMQoWYrFRSW43vUN862LNm1AvlyltICj4UGOPi47RVv-xgbAdOwd-zRPLKqElNlTcUnkDr1_43gVfZajobmNRCOO6FB-mm1A3Q4CfKHU3c6Fy-NpjFVuvcdI/s200/CIMG2194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188373924645206626" border="0" /></a>It's hard to see, but thats a view of 6-8 'heavy' aircraft that were departing for international destinations, parked on a taxiway as they were too large to fit in the run up block with the rest of us small and medium sized jets. All in all, we waited an hour with the engines shut down, along with about 20 other planes before we were allowed to depart. <br /><br />Today is day two of a three day trip, with flying between only Dulles, Nashville, and Charleston, SC. Unfortunately, a good chance of severe weather is predicted for this afternoon and evening in Charleston, where we hope to end up again tonight.Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-10737692426430482762008-04-10T16:11:00.000-04:002008-04-10T16:55:44.105-04:00Bridge - tunnel - bridge.. huh?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmHXBnrcml1O1z8ZcYY278wBzgxRVf06RAXvZlXVVSw0V2joGL9UCFzgMgkuuGoaO1-Ce9hTXCHSYxquYl2zA3VYo8ZBGRVQ7su19YAeLUbxorFy3lm89qbqzxAlec8k-2RW0KwMriTk/s1600-h/CIMG2176.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmHXBnrcml1O1z8ZcYY278wBzgxRVf06RAXvZlXVVSw0V2joGL9UCFzgMgkuuGoaO1-Ce9hTXCHSYxquYl2zA3VYo8ZBGRVQ7su19YAeLUbxorFy3lm89qbqzxAlec8k-2RW0KwMriTk/s320/CIMG2176.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187712083069794786" border="0" /></a>Approaching Norfolk, Va from the northwest, my Captain said there was a pretty cool bridge that we'd be flying over. I was thinking it would be a cool looking suspension bridge like you see in many cities, but that certainly wasn't the case. The bridge turns into a tunnel in a couple of places, allowing ships to enter and exit the harbor- sort of the opposite of a draw bridge! Crazy.<br /><br />And those clouds in the background turned out to be some pretty decent thunderstorms; our radar painting numerous red cells, fortunately they were just to the south of the field and we made an uneventful approach and landing.<br /><br />I just finished another 8 straight days of work, and I haven't posted in a while because... well, I'm lazy.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSmRykLeCgNQlsFvoVDEN-BPTZrt5SPwgHfLnjrnQr1V64auVRV0IMWBFoz7s2nco23Xg_QN2lFxQZpoTXxYVNsNgsRIPbg3tLYZ4FDtaBep2GAudofVVHE-GTso455ryY5EzDfFebN8/s1600-h/CIMG2178.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSmRykLeCgNQlsFvoVDEN-BPTZrt5SPwgHfLnjrnQr1V64auVRV0IMWBFoz7s2nco23Xg_QN2lFxQZpoTXxYVNsNgsRIPbg3tLYZ4FDtaBep2GAudofVVHE-GTso455ryY5EzDfFebN8/s200/CIMG2178.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187712306408094194" border="0" /></a><br />Another shot of crossing traffic; a Southwest 'Guppy', AKA 737, 1,000' feet above from the east to west. Another unkown plane trails the Southwest 73.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsXNnqNrsw_wVJseRITo3flRTO2gEA5qWsNpj9yOSCQB9Q5_Vx3e-RbanAHtz3sTmumJBgE1AsEoD28gF3ItSNUYJR7q9nHZtHlsPopjmgqR-CiTtgsxuo6UqqVAIG2CpvoJPF4PxuV8/s1600-h/CIMG2185.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsXNnqNrsw_wVJseRITo3flRTO2gEA5qWsNpj9yOSCQB9Q5_Vx3e-RbanAHtz3sTmumJBgE1AsEoD28gF3ItSNUYJR7q9nHZtHlsPopjmgqR-CiTtgsxuo6UqqVAIG2CpvoJPF4PxuV8/s200/CIMG2185.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187712310703061506" border="0" /></a><br />A decent shot of Chicago! To make up for my 'crappy' picture of a chicago a couple of posts ago..<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ52sgs0X3ohRj9rkVEn-EYNb3Gbod2NBZud_Oo1w4aSVdu8_HzqpXwAxLaYOFyt3zStUXL4ucY4yBIRwTRBtK_1e4T620WzdXE9dAVYfMWfCT99D_VkMDXIE4lGgjvDBdoYMdsyNvoYI/s1600-h/CIMG2187.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ52sgs0X3ohRj9rkVEn-EYNb3Gbod2NBZud_Oo1w4aSVdu8_HzqpXwAxLaYOFyt3zStUXL4ucY4yBIRwTRBtK_1e4T620WzdXE9dAVYfMWfCT99D_VkMDXIE4lGgjvDBdoYMdsyNvoYI/s200/CIMG2187.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187712310703061522" border="0" /></a><br />This is the new Dash 8 'Q'-400. Looks kinda funny huh? It's basically a stretched version of the Dash 8-100/200 that we fly from Phoenix to Flag, and other places out west. It does have one pretty cool feature though: Active Noise Canceling. Kind of like those expensive Bose headphones you can buy, the plane has a system that 'listens' to the noise created by the engines and props and then generates sound waves that cancel out the noise produced by the plane. I've never ridden in one, but supposedly it is pretty quiet inside.<br /><br />It's funny to me how airplane manufacturers will keep stretching a plane to make it more efficient and better suited for certain operations and markets. In fact, the CRJ is just a super stretched business jet from the late 70's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNigGTXVE6U-Nj1ocZUeGKyWR9x7o-YVLUbuOVbEJdzaSOKUCyQL0PYSyoiy7-epwBnTpzdmKX8GuZHMMgZlfsxm6fphhP26ZfoQRYOYDWZAtuMgDfQqNpnAqiBZDgBOhruXP7SCXzeGg/s1600-h/1340138.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNigGTXVE6U-Nj1ocZUeGKyWR9x7o-YVLUbuOVbEJdzaSOKUCyQL0PYSyoiy7-epwBnTpzdmKX8GuZHMMgZlfsxm6fphhP26ZfoQRYOYDWZAtuMgDfQqNpnAqiBZDgBOhruXP7SCXzeGg/s200/1340138.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187721501933074978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV4RovqloOWNTTjFo6R9vlnzs8ThtLSPFsv7Xz-AEaq7MKMbBFl1UWWxvemxHJFhsfaubfGvJlaA4uaJMa3hWpyOrguecHjQ-bmk0rAV_2TFOWBbFVTzjANptG4T5RVugK6cHwHNT4YM/s1600-h/-900.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV4RovqloOWNTTjFo6R9vlnzs8ThtLSPFsv7Xz-AEaq7MKMbBFl1UWWxvemxHJFhsfaubfGvJlaA4uaJMa3hWpyOrguecHjQ-bmk0rAV_2TFOWBbFVTzjANptG4T5RVugK6cHwHNT4YM/s200/-900.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187721506228042290" border="0" /></a>Look pretty similar huh? If you don't think so, that's probably because the Challenger biz jet is just over 60' long, while the CRJ-900 is nearly 120' long! Of course there are quite a few differences between the planes, but Bombardier essentially just took the Challenger and started stretching it into the CRJ-100/200, -700, and eventually the -900.<br /><br />Well, that's all for now. Back to work tomorrow to start a 3 day trip. I'll be doing Dulles-Nashville-Charleston, SC turns all day long for three days!<br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4930996397184872029.post-18378686061284638802008-03-26T20:13:00.000-04:002008-03-26T20:45:30.302-04:00Crazy schedule!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GWikqQXh-dioZ6frpNXPnkFM8B1K6FEB0K_jQHfWWH1SX-w0fWghQXlsLd0kN0Gie9y1NKadbKiSnVlCKWaX47KII08YsQSpOG-ZQzUq57hz9AIwp_8zVk1Fas_gnEP8znyRQXcajYk/s1600-h/CIMG2171.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GWikqQXh-dioZ6frpNXPnkFM8B1K6FEB0K_jQHfWWH1SX-w0fWghQXlsLd0kN0Gie9y1NKadbKiSnVlCKWaX47KII08YsQSpOG-ZQzUq57hz9AIwp_8zVk1Fas_gnEP8znyRQXcajYk/s320/CIMG2171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182212605100248130" border="0" /></a><br />Approaching Chicago from the southeast at dusk...<br /></div><br />So after enjoying 4 days off in Tucson, I flew up to Denver to catch a flight back to Dulles on Sunday night. Rode in the jumpseat of a United 757, and got into Dulles at Midnight. Spent about 4 hours in the crew room, only about 2 asleep, before I had to show for a deadhead to Chicago. I wonder why the call it a deadhead anyway... ah well. First class in a 757, so I got another hour of sleep or so. Then I flew a trip from Chicago to Columbia, SC and was done for the day. The next morning I flew a trip from Columbia to Chicago, then deadheaded back to Dulles. Pretty efficient huh?<br /><br />Then, they assigned me a 'continuous duty overnight', AKA 'stand up', 'camping trip', 'highspeed', and many more names.. Was off from about 1:00pm when I got in from my deadhead till 9:00pm when I had to report for the 'stand up'. Flew from Dulles to Pittsburgh, spent about 5 hours at the hotel (4 sleeping) and then reported back at the airport for the first flight back to Dulles. Was finished at about 7:30am this morning, caught a flight home to Charlotte at 9:00am, spent about 5 hours at home, then back to the airport to commute back for another 'stand up' tonight. Exactly the same stand up as last night, which really isn't all that bad when it comes to stand ups. Some stand ups are significantly shorter, for example 3 or 4 hours from the time you get to the gate at night till you have to be back at the gate in the morning. This Pittsburgh stand up is about 7 hours from arrival to show the next morning... so it's about 5 hours at the hotel, which isn't all that bad.<br /><br />Some people like stand ups, and actually bid for them. They're cool if you live in base... you're at home all day, fly for a few hours over the night, then you're back home the next day. But they suck if you're a commuter and don't live in base... like me!<br /><br />So tomorrow after I get done at 7:30am, I'll catch the same flight back to Charlotte, spend a few hours, then have to come back to Dulles to be here for reserve at 4:00am on Friday. Thennnn it's off to AZ again for the weekend!<br /><br /><br />So the schedules can suck, but then I see things like this, and realize that I've actually got a pretty cool job.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Holding over Lake Michigan trying to get into Chicago:<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGorhQyUKUNrOCiuW2gZYsoRvAeNYeKhjuc-9q5jLdhegLH2bxli2oANNM2wUNLDiZRS_rsxTbKsvYJJNUPmvDhli1gq3YyaS1L-m8dl22U1PrUxHWwimfZTBd6WNSopu9PeDHxY4GiM/s1600-h/CIMG2163.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGorhQyUKUNrOCiuW2gZYsoRvAeNYeKhjuc-9q5jLdhegLH2bxli2oANNM2wUNLDiZRS_rsxTbKsvYJJNUPmvDhli1gq3YyaS1L-m8dl22U1PrUxHWwimfZTBd6WNSopu9PeDHxY4GiM/s200/CIMG2163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182214975922195618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh1a3qd6Vy1PNm3VQMoDj21OckTOFiIGEmKQ579d9J3O27EQF4aRYyOA7psOQrNp9AHLAjmyXHRLRgqYatiCmReLYZJJrA1AqE0Pd1s61heQsmzEyJMRTdGgCGqcVlOhOZjoRHkhfids/s1600-h/CIMG2165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh1a3qd6Vy1PNm3VQMoDj21OckTOFiIGEmKQ579d9J3O27EQF4aRYyOA7psOQrNp9AHLAjmyXHRLRgqYatiCmReLYZJJrA1AqE0Pd1s61heQsmzEyJMRTdGgCGqcVlOhOZjoRHkhfids/s200/CIMG2165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182213124791290978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHCSKZx-HDyEjeiH0BlhjVTLemYMXu87HaNzKIh0NwWtkKTvuaI2Q77CGJz6LtGZPcNorkP5A08TtYayGgcqy1iaS5h7Q9FwZAvjki_ldYUVyqlqjv8iB12nCfE8UoqOXXpbofT-yUoU/s1600-h/CIMG2166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHCSKZx-HDyEjeiH0BlhjVTLemYMXu87HaNzKIh0NwWtkKTvuaI2Q77CGJz6LtGZPcNorkP5A08TtYayGgcqy1iaS5h7Q9FwZAvjki_ldYUVyqlqjv8iB12nCfE8UoqOXXpbofT-yUoU/s200/CIMG2166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182213124791290994" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yfDZJqP7cUA8d8wbYhForITLf4-CP-DRfwlInriix3saU-ZjnmFOU5NX2AMguO2ZjYojhRRr2KMB_RsGa2dFHp3Cwv_qxGi1d-02kGmMY7jXT4ZdcELWm35xPx3toVyYvK37stEIKeU/s1600-h/CIMG2174.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yfDZJqP7cUA8d8wbYhForITLf4-CP-DRfwlInriix3saU-ZjnmFOU5NX2AMguO2ZjYojhRRr2KMB_RsGa2dFHp3Cwv_qxGi1d-02kGmMY7jXT4ZdcELWm35xPx3toVyYvK37stEIKeU/s200/CIMG2174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182213129086258306" border="0" /></a><br />A crappy attempt at a picture of downtown Chicago approaching from the southeast.<br /></div>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00104741608946660337noreply@blogger.com1