Good Bye ERJ, Hello 747

I quit my job today.

For some that's a momentous day, a day of victory, of relief. I guess. Doesn't really seem like reality yet. I've had some good times at Mesa, and some bad. I've made some great friends, and flown with some super pilots. I'll definitely miss the people, and hope to keep in touch with as many as I can.

I've got one more trip and then I'm done.

Then I'm off to CA for my brother Mike's wedding, and then up to Oregon for ground school. I start with Evergreen International Airlines on Feb 1. Gone are the days of 5 legs, and in are the long flights and international travel. Its going to be a lot of new info, and I'm excited to fly the classic 747. Never thought I would, but am stoked with the thought of it.

The main reason I decided to start attempting this blog was to keep up with everyone as I transition into a new lifestyle. I hope it works. Wish me luck.

Yeeee Haaaawww Nashville!

Ok, may be I'm exaggerating my enthusiasm. I wouldn't know if I like Nashville or not. I've only ever been to the hotel, and this new one is, thankfully, pretty nice.

After an all-too-early wake up (5:00 am) this morning, we got out of Charleston a bit late due to some technical difficulties with dispatch. We were also a bit delayed leaving for Nashville as well, as the inbound plane we picked up in Cincy left Chicago late for the same reasons.

Shortly after takeoff, a stuck mike on another airplane almost was a problem for us, but luckily we were able to get the correct frequency for our next controller and continued to Nashville without further incident (a "stuck mike" is a pilot or controller's microphone that won't turn off, thus blocking everyone else's ability to communicate. All you can hear is the person trying to figure out why they can't turn off their mike or why they don't hear anyone else. It can be funny if they don't know they're broadcasting, and possibly a little embarrassing if they're not careful what they say).

Here's some more gee-whiz aviation stuff: a lot of navigational fixes in our airspace system are named after something appropriate to their locations. Coming in to Nashville this morning we flew the GUITR FOUR arrival over the "FIDDL" fix, and then went direct to "JUDD" on the approach, bypassing "REABA" and "WAYLN". I love's me some country music!

Not much else after getting to the hotel...a little nap, some studying, some internet (listed the superu on craigslist in OH)...etc, etc. Two leg days are pretty easy, and I'm grateful for them after a short night's rest.

Got another early show tomorrow, so its early to bed for me tonight...4:15's gonna come early!

5 Legs, 13 Hour Work Day

My day today:
Show time 8:25 AM
CVG-CLT
3 hour sit
CLT-CVG
CVG-GRR
GRR-CVG
CVG-CRW
Duty off 9:35 PM

Total Duty: 13 hours, 10 min
Total: flight time: 5.7

Van ride tomorrow morning: 6:00 AM

CVG again...

Yep, I'm back in Cincinnati at my favorite hotel the Comfort Inn. Ok, may be not my favorite, but its cheap, and well....its cheap, and technically its in Kentucky. Should I be worried that there were 100 open seats on my flight out here tonight? Its the slow season for travel and all, but 100? That kinda makes me go hmmm. I actually had a first class seat, but it was the bulkhead, so i opted for the second row in coach, and had it all to myself (there's no seat in front of you to stow bags and computers if you're in the bulkhead). The flight was quick as I was studying for most of it, and I think we had a pretty good tail wind. Its a wee bit colder here than in Denver 33 last time I checked.

So the good news is that I found the title to the Superu. No, that's not a typo, I call it the Superu, a nickname Debbie and I came up with cause its easier to say than "the crash pad car". I was worried that I couldn't find the title to it, and as I'm planning to sell it, I kinda need the title.

Anybody want to buy a 93' legacy wagon for cheap? I mean real cheap, like $700?

Pweeblo Part Duece

Met up with Brian and Dan this morning for the 1.5 hour trip to Pueblo for some more mountain bike riding. We were all excited to be on our bikes and on dry trail, and the trip down went fast. Brian drove his cool 4 door Jeep that can carry all 3 bikes. We had a great time riding some new trails that I hadn't ridden before, and sessioned some of the harder sections.

It was around 60 degrees in the sunshine and noticeably cooler in the canyons and shade. Dan had a couple flats, and Brian had one, all from pinch flatting the tire against the brutally sharp rocks, but I made it out without any mechanicals; the new tire and wheel continue to impress me. Nobody crashed either, which is always a good thing. Twas' a good day :)

Back home getting ready to head back to work tomorrow is not my most favorite thing to do, but gotta be done. 100 seats available on the 2:40 Delta flight....shouldn't be a problem getting on. Time off at home just seems to go by too quickly.

Tres Amigos

Loren and I picked up Mark McKain from the airport this evening and took him down to Englewood where he'll be starting ground school tomorrow. We're all glad to be starting new jobs, and it was good to be all together. Dinner was at some mexican food chain restaurant with mediocre food. Good conversation made up for the lame food.

Back early to hang with Loren for the rest of the evening. He's off on his hut trip and this will be the last time for us to chill out together before he heads back to Japan for the for seeable future.

back on the bike

For the first post I'm happy to report a day of riding and the success of some new components on the bike. Its been a while since I've gotten to ride, and it feels great to be back on the trail. Loren and I made the 1.5 hour drive down to Pueblo since its the closest dry area to mountain bike. I've ridden there before, and enjoy the riding despite the short loops. The front range is definitely not ridable (too much snow), so we're stoked to be on dirt.

I've recently replaced the rear wheel since I destroyed the last one, had the hub rebuilt, and replaced the drive train and tire while I was at it. I can tell a huge difference! Loren and Eric talked me into a Maxxis Ignitor tire, and while not cheap, is the best tire I've ever had.

Debbie is still off in McMinnville at ground school, so I'm home alone tonight (at least for a while, as Loren in crashing here for a few nights as he's homeless before he goes back to Japan). Gonna get in some guitar playing and chillin' out.