tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90652156934126290042024-03-06T00:23:29.981-05:00A Day in the Life of a PilotRunway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.comBlogger317125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-8172426339374407982012-12-26T10:17:00.002-05:002012-12-26T10:17:57.767-05:00Merry Christmas (Sorry for the Delay)!Being a junior Captain, I don't get to pick my own schedule. As such, I found myself working this fine Christmas. The trip to the airport started out quite well, as I was pleasantly surprised to find a very striking flight attendant on the hotel shuttle this morning. We started talking and wouldn't stop! We ended up walking through security together until we had to split paths.<br />
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A very fine day indeed. :) Merry Christmas!<br />
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I was supposed to grab a flight as a passenger this morning at 8:30, then fly the flight back. About that. When I woke up this morning, I found the entire D.C. area covered in thick fog. I mean THICK fog...even worse than last week which was hard to believe! The thickness would get down to visibilities of just 800 feet. That's not much!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog thick as pea soup on Christmas!</td></tr>
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Needless to say, Christmas flights in D.C. started out with a bunch of delays, my flight being one of them. So those of us stranded or sitting on-call just chatted it up! We wished each other Merry Christmases, played football with a paper towel roll, and just sat around and laughed. A fun crowd this morning. I grabbed a second cup of coffee and a lil' breakfast bagel and waited for our inbound flight to come pick us up.<br />
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And certainly noticed the crying female in the Customer Service line. I did a double-take. Yes, I most certainly did. Not because I wanted to gawk or anything...but just because I am FASCINATED with peoples' stories. I mean, fascinated. I made sure to get a third glance on the way back from picing up my coffee. Yup, she was most certainly crying. Probably missing a Christmas celebration. Maybe a Christmas lunch. Maybe her kids. Maybe her dying grandma. Who knows. But it's certainly a reality to realize that every delayed flight is a life altered. I never forget that.<br />
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I texted my parents Merry Christmas and made sure to call my nieces! The oldest was sooooooo excited!!! Just a chatter box! I certainly don't think about it much, or else that can really wear on you as I noticed in others, but I did miss being there today! Such is the life I've chosen, though. I knew I wouldn't be celebrating Christmas until the 29th...and I just kind of roll with it. But hearing the excitement in her voice today...wow!!! I wanted to be there so bad! She was just thrilled to be alive! Love it!<br />
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The fog burned off almost immediately around 10:00 A.M. One minute, thick as pea soup, the next minute, the pea soup was eaten. Our 8:30 A.M. flight finally departed at 12:35 P.M. Not a bad way to start out Christmas for these folks. Sorry, family, I'm going to be late!!! The good news for me was that my 4 hour and 44 minute sit in Charleston, West Virginia, was now going to be a quick turn! That was fine by me.<br />
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And sure enough, it was. After we landed, I grabbed the paperwork, told my flight attendant I loooooooooove to be early, and loaded up the passengers. We departed 10 minutes early after verifying that we had all the passengers (only one open seat!)...I always make sure I don't leave anyone behind if I'm leaving early...and then took off through the low overcast!<br />
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I flew this leg, and the flight was just delightful. Smooth skies, a 45-knot tailwind, and early vectors to final. I told the passengers I was trying to get them there 15-20 minutes early "if that was ok with them." I find myself using that phrase a lot...I guess I like it. But it's kind of funny...I'm sure there's always one that can't stand to sit in the next airport for those extra minutes. Well, too bad! :) I love being early!<br />
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But I surprised even myself today. With the blazing groundspeed, the easy-in vectors, and the early departure, we arrived at the gate 34 minutes early!!! No joke!!! Sometimes you can't control the circumstances around you in flying, but for those that I can control, I love using them to my advantage! I was thanked by more than a couple of passengers when they got off the airplane.<br />
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"Thanks for the extra time." "Thanks for getting us here early." "Thanks for the extra time...we needed it."<br />
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How satisfying! I won't know exactly how I affected these people, but if I made their brisk walk to their next tight connection just a little bit slower, if I gave them the opportunity to grab their Starbuck's or lunch without checking their watches, if I gave them the simple joy of knowing that airlines can be enjoyable, then I take deep (albeit unknown!) satisfaction in that.<br />
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Merry Christmas, passengers!<br />
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And I was pleasantly surprised to find that my company had ordered us catered meals when we landed. The company met us at the gate and gave us turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie!!! I had two slices after repeatedly begging a flight attendant for hers. :)<br />
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I flew on Christmas. Some people were quite agitated this morning, but here's to hoping that my quick 46-minute flight found 36 happy people able to focus on what Christmas really is all about. The less I can have them focus on a delayed flight or a missed connection just might give an open door for some other mental time for the true reason of the season.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-68061876551516653472012-12-22T10:35:00.004-05:002012-12-22T10:35:42.077-05:00FogOne of the hardest things about being a pilot is the simple fact that most of the passengers you fly around have <em>no idea</em> about everything aviation. Most of the time it's easy to just brush off and ignore, but other times I try to help people understand what's going on. The comments are endless...<br />
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"I just hope we don't lose an engine. Then we're toast."<br />
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"I didn't even know they still made these prop airplanes."<br />
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"United really needs to put a jet on this route." [Yes, and put all 16 of you on it.] ?!<br />
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As winter nears, the confusion simply multiplies. We have some pretty wicked weather, de-icing, long delays in the sky and on the ground, cancellations, diversions, oversold situations, and on and on. But at the heart of it all is usually...weather.<br />
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We've been quite fortunate so far this winter. Here we are in the middle of December, and I have yet to see any appreciable amount of snow! I first saw snow in Syracuse, but it's been so mild so far. And today was no different with the snow anyway. But for the past couple of days, we've been dealing with another sometimes more problematic issue: FOG!<br />
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The fog in D.C. was so thick yesterday that the flight I was piloting was eight hours delayed! We simply had to wait for the fog to rise, and although the forecasters swore that would come during the middle of the morning, it never burnt off until after noon. The 6:00 A.M. flight finally departed five minutes before 2:00 P.M. Talk about a long day.<br />
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Well, today was no different outside of the fact that the fog finally did burn off...eventually. To keep it simple, fog is simply a low cloud. This cloud hovers right on top of the earth. It needs calm winds and temperature and dewpoint to be equal, and today those factors lined up perfectly. The problem is that fog can be very, very thick...so much so that we pilots can't see. That's all fine and dandy when you are flying at 15,000 feet through the clouds...no problem. But when you are trying to find a runway at 130 MPH and don't have it in sight at 200 feet above the ground...all while descending at 700 feet/minute, well, you are a few seconds away from hitting asphalt...that you cannot see!!!<br />
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So we have parameters in place to prevent that. One being visibility requirements. The best approach we can do requires visibility of at least 1/2 mile and a cloud deck of 200 feet. That's still very low. But we are trained to land in these conditions. The problem becomes when that visibility is 1/4 mile...or an 1/8 mile. Plain and simple, we cannot take off to go to that airport with that type of fog. That's what happened to me yesterday. The visibility was so poor that I could not fly to D.C. and rightly so...we would get there, shoot the approach, only to find that we can't find the runway, then head back for the skies and head to another airport. Oddly enough, my alternate airport (where we go if we have a problem like weather at the destination) yesterday was where I was taking off from. So had we taken off, we would have done a big 140-mile circle only to end up where we just were. Passengers don't really like that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fog turning to patchy, burning off before departure</td></tr>
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The good news about today is that the airport I was flying to was calling for 10 miles visibility...perfect! My departure airport (Washington, D.C.) was the one under fog. But we don't worry too much about that...taking off in poor visibility is much easier than landing in it. Just follow the lights down the center of the runway...always hoping that the next one appears! What we do in this situation is take off, and if we have an engine problem, we'll just fly to our <em>takeoff-alternate</em> (a back-up plan) knowing that we can't land back at the departure airport. It's pretty simple.<br />
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So there we were, in Washington, with heavy fog. The traffic was backed up, and we were number 13 in line for departure, but we knew we were going to get out. Our destination was perfect, and the only things to watch were fuel (we burn a lot just sitting there on the taxi-ways) and the return trip back to this socked-in city.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A jet appearing out of the fog. One of the reasons we have such high parameters...we can't see far!</td></tr>
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The flight was uneventful. We took off, immediately hit the fog deck, then broke out just above it, very typical with fog. It's just a low, low deck with clear skies on top. You could actually see the clear skies from the ground as we were waiting to take off...the dense fog turned to patchy fog as it burned off and beckoned us to the skies.<br />
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So as you sit back there and wonder why we are not moving and getting you to your city, just know that we are doing everything we can to get you off the ground. But when you have 12 planes ahead of you or a city where you know you can't find the runway, it's best just to trust us. :) We do know what we're doing.<br />
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Oh what a beautiful morning for flying!Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-86017945112936041182012-04-03T00:08:00.003-04:002012-04-03T09:58:14.328-04:00Airlines SuckI was hurrying to my gate this morning after just barely missing my first shuttle by a minute. Seeing as how I had to wait 15 minutes for the next one, I was late. On my walk through the terminal, my sim partner for next week saw me and hurried up to meet me. We talked a bit about the sim, about me being late, and then he asked...<br />
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"Have you heard"?<br />
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"Um, no?"<br />
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"Pinnacle filed for bankruptcy."<br />
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Ugh. I hadn't heard anything. Seeing as how I was in New York for fun over the weekend, I hadn't heard anything, hadn't watched TV in over a week, and had no idea about anything aviation. But stinkin' Pinnacle is the latest to join the ranks.<br />
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Unbelievable.<br />
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Well, five legs later, I find myself in a hotel room, so I decide to read up on the news. Sure enough, Pinnacle has declared bankruptcy...but what is more, they are actually going to be CUTTING FLIGHTS. That's huge. The Colgan side is done by the end of the year. That means our very own will be on the streets. Many American businesses declare bankruptcy but operate as normal. Pinnacle will actually take away airplanes over the course of the next nine months. It's so frustrating.<br />
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Because this is where it gets personal...<br />
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My first phone call for an airline interview was from Mr. Chuck Colgan himself. I've talked to the guy personally on a couple of occasions. I've sent him personal emails. After talking the first time, he told me to build up my hours some more. I never knew what a blessing that would be a couple years down the road.<br />
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I applied again about a year later after building more time. This time they wanted to interview me! But so did three more regionals (I couldn't get a job for years and then everyone wanted to interview me!). And wouldn't you know it, the only time they could interview me wouldn't work out for me (with another interview I had scheduled). But I tried to make it work! I literally tried to set up two airline interviews in one day, one being with Colgan!!! But it wouldn't work. So I only interviewed at one of the four places and took the job.<br />
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But Colgan wanted to interview/hire? me. This is how close it came to me hearing this news.<br />
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It gets even more personal. They hired one of my friends. A guy I trained with in Kansas. A guy I lived with. A guy I've chased thunderstorms with, played pool with, studied with, flown with, laughed with. He flew the Saab for Colgan, then transferred over to the Dash 8. He's been there two years now...we just talked a few weeks ago about how he is making good money...livable wages finally.<br />
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Just a few weeks ago!!!<br />
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He went to the airlines a year before me, and he will be spit out a year after I joined. It's so frustrating. I texted him tonight after I found out, and he's taking it pretty hard.<br />
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It's a very large possibility that he may be put on the street. He just doesn't know yet...and probably won't for some time...but it's not lookin' good.<br />
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It gets even more personal.<br />
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Pinnacle is getting rid of their entire turbo-prop fleet...the very types of planes that I fly! The Saab's are being parked! The Dash's are being parked! The most fuel-sipping airplanes are being closed up...for good. How is this possible? We have once again reached 2008 passenger levels (finally), and airlines finally showed a profit! But we've also reached pre-recession gas prices again...back above $100/barrel. It's 2008 at the airlines all over again.<br />
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Have we learned anything?!<br />
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The CEO of Pinnacle takes a huge bonus and less than a month later his company files bankruptcy. I don't get it.<br />
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What a nasty, nasty industry.<br />
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Men and women with more experience than me are most likely going to be hitting the street in the near future. Men and women with tens of thousands of dollars invested in flight training and making less than many high school only grads will now be with no job. The very airplanes they fly are being put to sleep, sent back to the creditors, and who knows where they will land.<br />
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For those that stay in the industry, they are forced to move elsewhere...to the bottom of a pilot pile somewhere. On someone else's seniority list. No matter that you have been working hard for two years and building up seniority. You're done. Go work for someone else, and start fresh. On the bottom. On reserve. Making first-year wages. Ugh. (To put it into perspective, a Colgan/Pinnacle pilot if laid off would go from making $35,000/year and having a decent lifestyle to being on call and making $22,000/year). It's just not pretty.<br />
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Many will walk away and never look back. Sometimes we envy them. They've been looking for an out from this industry for months now, and this just made it easy. It's hard to walk away when things are decent. It's beyond easy when a furlough is around the corner.<br />
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The airlines suck. There's no other way around it. It's nasty, nasty business. An article today reported that 43 airlines have declared bankruptcy since September 11, 2001. And what is more, with Pinnacle AND American/AMR/American Eagle in bankruptcy, too, that means that 25% of our regional airlines are in bankruptcy. Unbelievable. 1 out of 4!<br />
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Tonight I'm happy to be where I'm at. I'm happy to have flown five legs today. I'm happy that I have a job. An airline job.<br />
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I'm sad, though, because these are my people. Because I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that that could have been me. I am one of them. And it sucks to hear about the bad news happening to our own people.<br />
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It just hits home. I have one friend flying for American Eagle...wondering about his future. Another flying for Colgan, knowing that his airplane will no longer be flying in December. It's heart-breaking. It's demoralizing for both of them. And it's scary for all of us. No one is ever safe.<br />
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Yeah, in the most humble of ways possible, these five legs today were beautiful. It's an honor to fly, and I must not take it lightly. Tonight I'm even more thankful to fly, even if I realize that everyone else around me makes more money than I do. I'm still an airline pilot, and I'm still employed.<br />
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And tonight that is seen in an even different light.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-12109010670732873982012-04-02T09:02:00.001-04:002012-04-02T09:02:13.931-04:00New Yooooork New Yooooork...I've said it before, but sometimes the best part about flying...is the not flying! I've had travel perks for more than a year now, and outside of commuting back home, I've never used them! Well, until now...<br />
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I had three days off, so I headed out to New York City to visit a friend who is in the States from Brazil!<br />
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And it's soooooooo easy. I took a free flight to LaGuardia, quickly learned the bus system and spent $2.25 to hop on a bus to Harlem. Just like that, I was hugging my friend from Brazil!!!<br />
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We spent the next two days hanging out in the city, and I was actually surprised at how much I didn't hate it. I was fully expecting to hate the city, but it was easy to get around, and I enjoyed most of the time together. Now with that said, the weekend as a whole was a bit...hard at times.<br />
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The Good...seeing my friend! Being surrounded by unbelievable amounts of languages. Dusting off my Spanish! Teaching English to eager learners. Experiencing the city! Just getting out of day-to-day-everyone-is-white-and-middle-class society! Having a picture of five people (including me) representing five different countries.<br />
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The Bad...the filth of the city. Walking over dog poop in the lobby of the apartment building one night...then puke another. The complete revolving of activities around alcohol. Always, always alcohol. Snobs...I literally had someone tell me they didn't like me because I wouldn't do what she wanted. And arrogant men. I had to be pulled from an apartment after a man punched his girlfriend. I was so hot, and I was more than happy to jump in. It still gets my blood boiling.<br />
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All in all, I am glad I went, but as I was flying away, I just wished things were different. I wished we had enjoyed different activities, I wished we had talked more, and I wished she wasn't so attached to her stinkin' iPhone. Ugh, that just drives me nuts. Having to say something again during a conversation because her head tilts down to answer a text. My biggest pet peeve.<br />
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Basically, the city is too city for me! And I am quite alright with that. They can have it.<br />
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But it was fun to get out and explore. And it was fun to FINALLY use my travel perks! It makes me wonder why I ever stopped traveling in the first place. I used to want to become an airline pilot simply in order to do just that...travel. Now that I have become one, I just wanted to stay at home and hang with friends! Well, since the latter never really happened, it's understandably changing my priorities back again. This trip showed me how easy it can be.<br />
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A weekend in New York City. The total cost? Maybe $40. I would have spent more on gas, food, and heat back home!<br />
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Where to next?!Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-2666825841787406722012-02-27T19:09:00.000-05:002012-02-28T19:30:48.214-05:00Sometimes Being Late Pays OffQuite a busy flight day. After all was said and done, I racked up five flights and 5.93 hours of flight time.<br />
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The day was pretty typical at the beginning. It was the first day of a four-day trip. I woke up at 6:40, showed up at the airport around 7:45, and was at the (not yet there) airplane around 8:05 for an 8:35 departure.<br />
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We flew down to Columbus and back to Cleveland, then headed to Rochester where we sat for four and a half hours. I caught up with a good friend on the phone, talked with a couple of Captains about sailing and adventure, and wasted time on the internet to pass the time.<br />
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We finally boarded up our 5:20 flight at 5:55 for an always-late flight to Newark. Because we were late, all of our passengers had been put on other flights. We literally flew with zero passengers. We took off with me flying towards the city of never-on-time flights. I have really come to hate that place. With about 35 minutes remaining to go, we received word that Newark International Airport had been shut down. An airplane had a landing gear emergency and was still on the runway.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Costanza/New York Daily News</td></tr>
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So we pulled back the throttles and cruised at 160 knots. But the emergency was fairly long-lived. The airport ended up being shut down for nearly an hour. We were more than fine on fuel, but most of the other flights in the sky tonight simply were not.<br />
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So while we crept along through the air, our fellow pilots were hitting their "bingo fuel," the mark at which they must divert to another airport. We hold Colgan head back to Buffalo. We heard other people (including our own) end up heading to cities in New York and Pennsylvania. They simply were running out of fuel just hanging out in the sky.<br />
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We ended up getting a hold over the WEARD intersection. So we flew in circles for about 20 minutes as we waited for the airport to open back up. We ended up doing two turns in the hold. We were still looking good on fuel, and the fuel-sippin' airplane was more than happy to fly. I commented to myself just how disorienting the night sky was, though. As we made the turns in the hold with the heavy 60-knot winds, you couldn't make out anything but black. I knew there were clouds below us (and bumpy ones at that), but the sky just wasn't visible. It was BLACK.<br />
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We were finally allowed to head to Newark and ended up landing only 47 minutes late. We had a very fun approach, though...ILS 22L circle-to-land 29. It's fun to hand-fly. We landed without incident and headed in where we learned our next airplane was one of the ones that didn't make it in.<br />
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I grabbed a much-needed dinner as we learned we were being given another plane so that we didn't "time out." Basically, with the delay of waiting for our next airplane, we were creeping up towards our 16 hours of work. Yup, you read that right. 16 hours. I won't even get in to that here, but suffice it to say, we had had a long day.<br />
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We finally boarded up our passengers for our 8:00 flight at 8:58 and flew our fifth and last leg to Syracuse. We were pretty light on passengers, though, with half of them probably not making it in to Newark in time. But we were told to shut the doors and get on out of there. Those decisions are simply out of our hands.<br />
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As we took off, we could still see the emergency aircraft disabled on 22L with tons and tons of emergency vehicles around it. It was pretty neat to see. The nosewheel didn't come down, so it landed on its main wheels only. Everything looked perfect, though. An airplane down the center of the runway with all emergency chutes deployed. There should be no injuries with that one. Well, done, sir, well done.<br />
<br />
We finally ended up in Syracuse at 10:22, 55 minutes later than scheduled. All in all, we worked 14 hours and 27 minutes. Of course, we'll only be paid for 5.93 of those hours. But I won't get into that here, either.<br />
<br />
Remember, this is just another day in the life. :)<br />
<br />
A long day to start a four-day trip. A realization that sometimes it's in our favor to be running late. A couple of holds. And an appreciation for the professionalism and safety of the airplanes flying around me. An emergency with a crisis avoided.<br />
<br />
Kudos to my fellow pilot at Shuttle America. Well done, sir. Well done.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-7614184180037454882012-02-25T22:09:00.002-05:002012-02-25T22:19:08.678-05:00Ice Pilots: Flying in the Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before flying for the airlines, I was a pansy when it came to ice. My first experience with ice was over Ohio in a Cessna 172. It wasn't anything major, but while traversing across the country, I went through some clouds that instantly froze on my airplane. I'll never forget looking down on my left wheel and seeing the whole front of the tire changed to white. I vowed to not do that again!<br />
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<em>I admittedly hated ice and airplanes.</em><br />
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My second experience involved a Cessna 172 yet again. This time I was flying low over Louisiana. The clouds were very low, and the mist from them occasionally hung down. But I was flying around 1000 feet above the ground and watched as the fronts of my wings turned a little bit different color than the paint. What was most interesting about this one was that I actually thought I was staying out of the clouds! I vowed not to do that again!<br />
<br />
<em>I admittedly hated ice and airplanes.</em><br />
<br />
I continually try to learn more and more as a pilot. One of my hobbies is reading NTSB reports about pilots who have crashed or almost crashed. I ask myself how they arrived in the situation they did. I also take online classses fairly regularly to stay fresh in various aspects of flying. One of the classes I took was about icing. Basically, it highlighted the various dangers of what ice can do to an airplane...and also how to fly through icing conditions. Certain aircraft (all airlines) are certified to fly through icing conditions, and it's a combination of training, experience, knowledge, mechanics, and intuition to fly safely.<br />
<br />
As I have progressed through airplanes, I have had to learn to fly in icing conditions. It's illegal to fly in known ice with a Cessna 172, so it was right of me to hate ice when it came to airplanes. But now that I fly an airplane that is capable and certified of flying through icing conditions, I don't hate the thought at all. It's not something we take lightly, but the aircraft (and pilots) are quite capable of flying through icing conditions. And rightfully so. We operate to some of the worst parts of the country here in the United States. Cities that compete with each other for the most snowfall in the contiguous 48. Frankly, we <em>need</em> an airplane that is capable of handling winter weather. So whereas before I should have hated flying through icing conditions, now it's just another day in the life.<br />
<br />
Case and point: It's now late February. Truth be told, this winter has been one of the weakest on record. I have seen snow a number of times, but each and every time, the snow disappears within a few days. Either by sun or rain in the days immediately following. But what I have also seen is ice. I've seen freezing rain, drizzle, freezing fog, light snow, blowing snow, heavy snow, you name it. It's quite the learning curve really. I would NEVER fly through what I fly through now in my previous airplanes. Frankly, I couldn't! I really had no adequate ice protection (outside of pitot heat and carb heat).<br />
<br />
But in just a few short months, in one of the mildest winters on record, I've had some experiences that other pilots will never see! Ice. Lots and lots of ice. Frankly, sometimes you just can't get out of it. We fly low and slow in the northeast. In the winter. In the soup. On our routes, sometimes we just don't have the ability or time to jump to different altitudes. We just fly and let the airplane shed the ice.<br />
<br />
I was jump-seating on an ExpressJet flight (now AC) last month, and the female Captain asked me what we did if we ever encounter a freezing layer. Here she was, flying a very powerful and very fast regional jet, and she was curious what a prop pilot did if found to be in icing conditions.<br />
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I sat there and rather nonchalantly said, "We fly."<br />
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But that's just it. We fly. It's kind of hard to explain. I don't revel in the fact that I fly through icing conditions again and again. But I don't shy away from it, either. I have an FAA-certified airplane capable and allowed to fly through ice. We pilots don't take our job lightly, and we monitor the ice situation rather keenly. But we fly. Contrary to jets, we don't climb out of it. And we can't always descend out of it. We fly. It's all we can do. We just simply fly.<br />
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I showed a picture of some of the ice I've encountered to a mainline 737 Captain, and he responded by saying, "Boots are for cowboys, props are for boats." ha! But I'm learning that is more and more the case. Jet guys often just don't feel comfortable in icing conditions. It's not that they couldn't fly...it's just that they don't have to. So because of that, they assume that it's "bad."<br />
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Well, it's not bad, and it's not good. It's just winter.<br />
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Mild or harsh, we fly.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-28771219734368918792012-02-18T12:30:00.000-05:002012-02-21T08:43:40.307-05:00Passing On the JoyTowards the end of summer, I had a TSA agent pull me aside and ask me some questions about flying. What was probably a simple question by him turned out to provide a bit of friendship between the two of us. I learned that he had his commercial pilot's license but only had a little over 300 hours, a time sadly limiting for him. I, too, have been through those terribly frustrating days of not having enough flight time to get a job and not being able to get enough flight time to get a job. I didn't envy his position at all.<br />
<br />
(In all seriousness, I really DO feel for him. I came out of flight training with 327 hours and landed my first-ever aviation job as a flight instructor. This was in the ever-so-painful flight year of 2008, and I was quickly laid off 28 days later because the company didn't have enough students. I was dejected, to say the least. I went a month with no job before landing a position mapping the country in a Cessna 172. I wanted to fly for the airlines, and I was confident that my 900 hours at the end of my first season would do just that. I was way wrong. The minimums for even a regional airline shot up to 2500 hours, a barrier that was demoralizing. I just plugged away, one hour at a time. Sometimes painful, sometimes enjoyable. I would not see my first airline job until I had over 1800 hours. So, yeah, man, I get it. I know the frustrations.).<br />
<br />
But what excited me was that I learned he had a Piper Cherokee that he rarely flew! I think he thought I was a bit out of the ordinary when I asked if I could fly with him! He didn't understand why I would want to fly in something so small when I flew nearly every day in something way bigger! That's just it!!! Every day, I am told where to fly, when to fly, what altitude to fly at, how much fuel to take, what the weather is going to be at my departure/enroute/destination, and on and on and on. The 121 airline is so regulated it's beyond safe. And it's fairly simple! But what we often miss out on is the joy of the <em>freedom</em> of flying! The ability to fly low, check out houses from the sky, fly over lakes, circle back around for another look, drop in for the classic $100 hamburger. The ability <em>to have fun</em>.<br />
<br />
I was more than excited to fly with him. And he was more than happy to oblige. So back in October 2011, we took his 1978 Piper Cherokee out for a little fun flying over the beautiful "hills" of central Ohio. I treated him to a little lunch and pie, and he treated me to some enjoyable flying below 2000 feet. We continued to stay in touch, and he continued to ask questions about how to move to the next step.<br />
<br />
Well, insert January and February 2012. He called me up to say that he had left his job as a TSA agent (gladly) and picked up a full-time job elsewhere. He also let me know that he had sold his Piper Cherokee (financial reasons...I understood but was sad to see it go). But he asked if I would still be interested in flying with him! OF COURSE!!! So one day in January, we set out and did some approaches in a Cessna 182RG. He was admittedly rusty, but I was thrilled to be able to teach him how to better shoot the approaches. We had a fun day flying just under two hours, and I was thrilled to pass on some real-world flying knowledge. Sometimes I forget just how much I do know. Not in an arrogant way. But I literally shoot ILS approaches nearly every day. He doesn't do them but a few times every six months! "Rust happens" in flying.<br />
<br />
Well, I received yet another phone call from him. "I'm going after my multi-engine rating." !!! I was thrilled for him. He really can't get picked up by any airline without it, so it's a step in the right direction. He still won't get paid without his CFI rating, but this is one he really wanted. So I met with him a couple of times and tried to make the blur of Vmc make sense to him. I was quite dismayed to see just how much I had forgotten myself!<br />
<br />
But he took me out for dinner and drinks a couple of times and listened to me as I explained accelerated slipstream, spiraling slipstream, P-factor, torque, and on and on. He thanked me profusely for instilling some knowledge in him. And I could barely understand that as I was thrilled to impart some knowledge to him!<br />
<br />
Well, I was flying on February 16 when I received a simple picture text. It showed a Piper Apache with a feathered propeller in flight. I had told him that the craziest moment is looking out your window and realizing that the engine really is not running! The propeller isn't spinning...nothing! It is fully stopped. Before his training, he just seemed fascinated with that image. Well, now he had it. A fully-stopped propeller just a few feet from his seat. He just had to share. I loved it.<br />
<br />
Two days later, I received another text that every pilot loves to hear. It was simple...<br />
<br />
"Passed the checkride!"<br />
<br />
That was it. I received it between two of our flights that day...between loading and unloading passengers. But it was the best part of my day. Another one is in the ranks. Another pilot is flying with two engines. It's hard to explain, I guess. Thousands of pilots get their multi-engine rating each year.<br />
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I guess it just means a little bit more when you have a tiny say in the outcome. I certainly won't take the credit for his hard studying, but what a joy to share in a friend getting his multi-engine rating.<br />
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Flying <em>really</em> is fun.<br />
<br />
Congrats, Vince!Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-89375576179226569832012-02-11T10:17:00.000-05:002012-02-21T08:45:39.226-05:00"This Will Never Happen Again" Happened Again"Captain, this woman would like to speak with you two."<br />
<br />
I've only been an airline pilot for a year now. Actually just under a year, to be honest. I will celebrate my first year on Singles Awareness Day the 14th of this month. So when I say that something may never happen again, well, that is simply based on my viewpoint of life: that some things are indeed so rare that the likelihood of that scenario happening again is slim to none. Like rescuing someone from a lake...I'm quite confident in saying that that is a once-in-a-lifetime scenario/opportunity.<br />
<br />
"Captain, this woman would like to speak with you two."<br />
<br />
The Captain I've been flying with is fun, to say the least. He's one of the very few that I just love to fly with. I am quite content flying with most of the other Captains, but when I see his name on my schedule, I am actually eager for the trip to arrive. He's admittedly goofy, hilarious, and in no uncertain terms, absolutely sick and tired of flying. Which cracks me up since he is so young! He's only been with the company for five or six years, and (like most) he is already ready to leave!<br />
<br />
My last experience with him was a trip from South Bend, Indiana, to Cleveland, Ohio. During that rather mundane trip, we tuned in our ADF to find some get-rid-of-the-monotony AM radio stations. We ended up finding a station with "Buck" and "Duke" right over the heart of Indiana. They talked pagonia flowers, the weather, and everything else that normal Midwesterners talk about. It was seriously like someone took a mic to a local coffee shop and just listened in while Buck and Duke talked. Needless to say, everytime we've seen each other since, we've greeted each other with, "Hey Buck!" "Hiya Duke!" We have a unique connection.<br />
<br />
"Captain, this woman would like to speak with you two."<br />
<br />
Early on in my airline days, I heard this exact same line from the Flight Attendant. It turned out we had a highly-anxious passenger that needed to board first. I guess in the airline industry there a few times when someone is so overly nervous that they get special attention from the airline. From what I gathered, they literally take classes to become more at ease. They get special permission to board the aircraft before any other passenger. And they sit there and prepare themselves for the upcoming flight. I don't admire these people at all. I understand the fear of flying, but the fear in these select few is so great that they actually almost become paralyzed with the fear. They are seriously terrified of flying. I've only had one passenger in a year that was like this, but he wanted to see the Captain and set himself at ease. That's fine. Whatever works.<br />
<br />
"Captain, this woman would like to speak with you two."<br />
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I knew exactly what it was going to be. Another very terrified passenger or a young little boy that wanted to see the flightdeck. I was hoping for the latter! I love when little guys come up and see the best room in the house! Little did I know what I was in for...<br />
<br />
A late middle-aged woman stuck her head around the Flight Attendant who continued to basically block the walkway to the flightdeck while the other passengers boarded. She didn't hesitate...<br />
<br />
"Hi, guys, I just wanted you to know that I'm a member of the Families of Flight 3407."<br />
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Whoa. I had turned halfway around to see who wanted to see us, as did the Captain, but we both were not ready for this one. My eyes went from her directly to the Captain, who was looking directly at me. Silence. What in the world do you say to something like that?! My mind went immediately back to the experience I had several months ago, with a woman who came up to speak with another Captain and myself. She still had her ticket from Flight 3407...she had simply shown up too late to catch the flight. I knew right then and there that something like this would never happen again. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing <em>again</em> today! We were speechless. It's the Captain's ship, and I have a place in the right seat (to an extent), and I just waited for him to say something! For him to come up with some sort of cordial welcome despite the obvious pain and fear that she had to be experiencing. Silence.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I'm really not sure what the Captain ended up saying. I remember it being very short, and I remember saying something myself to try to pick up the slack. But what I remember the most is that nothing good was said! I don't remember if he said "Welcome" or "Sorry" or "Let us know if we can do anything for you," but I remember sitting there thinking that it was not good enough! After the moments of awkwardness, she turned and walked back to her seat.<br />
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The Captain and I just stared at each other. Silence.<br />
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I should probably also mention some other aspects of this particular flight. We were departing Newark. The same departure airport as Flight 3407. We were flying a Dash 8. The same airplane as Flight 3407. We were flying in February. The same month as Flight 3407. We had a little bit of winter weather. The same conditions as Flight 3407. We were flying to Buffalo. The same destination airport as Flight 3407.<br />
<br />
To say that this woman might have been nervous would be an understatement.<br />
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But I have to say this. I was not nervous. And I wholeheartedly mean that. We fly the Newark-Buffalo flight numerous times a day, and I've flown that flight a number of times. We constantly fly in the Northeast weather, ice and snow included. I don't mean to say this statement lightly, but this was just another typical flight for us. Of course, my heart went out to her, and I certainly felt compassion for the woman, but in terms of flying this flight, I honestly had no qualms or worries about it. It's just another flight.<br />
<br />
The Captain and I made a little small talk about the surprise and awkwardness of the situation, but it was short-lived. The door was still open, the woman was still back there, and we had checklists to run. I made a somewhat joking but serious comment before we left the ground. "Captain, you better make this landing your best. This is the last I'll say about it." I didn't think he needed to have that pressure a minute or two before landing. I wasn't challenging him. I was merely vocalizing the desire of each of us to give this woman the best flight of her life.<br />
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It's often easy to forget that we fly passengers. We fly <em>real</em> people. I keep track of how many people I fly each day (around 15,000/year) along with my hours, but outside of the generic knowledge of that, we can easily forget that we fly husbands and wives, sons and daughters...until we declare an emergency. Air Traffic Control quickly reminds us with that powerful question, "How many <em>souls</em> on board"?<br />
<br />
Souls. That's really what it's all about. I'm flying moms to see their sons and daughters in college. I'm flying men to their jobs to make money for their families back home. I'm flying grandmas and grandpas to their retirement friends down south. I'm flying people of all types to birthdays, graduations, celebrations, funerals, job interviews, promotions, sales pitches, new homes, deal closings, and vacations.<br />
<br />
And today, I flew a daughter, a mom, a wife to her home in Buffalo. I don't know her exact details, but I'm afraid that one of those three family connections was shattered one February a couple of years ago.<br />
<br />
But today, we flew one beautiful daughter, mom, and wife home. On a Dash 8 from Newark to Buffalo in the dead of winter.<br />
<br />
Oh, and the Captain greased the landing.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-70316222082479908692012-02-01T23:51:00.000-05:002012-03-27T11:54:01.039-04:00The SimSometimes I sweat when I fly. That's usually when it's over 100 degrees outside, and we don't have our APU working to blow air, and the station's air cart is out of service. The hottest I've seen in the actual airplane is 39 degrees Celsius...or roughly 102 degrees.<br />
<br />
It gets hot.<br />
<br />
But today I sweated in the sim. THE SIM!!! It's an air-conditioned environment for crying out loud!<br />
<br />
Yup, today I went in for my Loft ride. It's basically a ride in a fancy-schmancy simulator (costs more than the actual airplane itself...true story). Every six months our company puts us through a Loft ride...a normal flight just like out on the line, and one flight involving an emergency.<br />
<br />
Frankly, it's a great idea seeing as how we [hopefully] don't get engine failures out on the line. Of course, it could happen at any given moment, but it's not uncommon for an airline pilot to fly for 30 years and never see an engine failure. <em>But it can happen</em>. So rather than have him brush off 25-year-old training when it does happen, it's nice to stay proficient and have the flows in your memory from just a few months ago.<br />
<br />
Enter Loft rides.<br />
<br />
Well, the first ride was simple. We flew an easy leg down to one of our airports. Nothin' doin'.<br />
<br />
The ride back we had an engine failure. Our remaining engine showed low oil pressure. Our airport went below minimums as we were landing, but we chose to take it on down rather than risk a single-engine go-around on a possibly bad engine. Nothin' doin'.<br />
<br />
Fairly simple stuff.<br />
<br />
Then we did some other maneuvers which I was slow to act on. I was ridden hard. For good measure. That's why we practice in the sim, because out on the line, we only get one shot. But I was pretty slow on some maneuvers, and my instructor let me know.<br />
<br />
Well, after we wrapped up our necessary training, the instructor asked if we wanted to see anything else. Sure, I said. I want to have an engine failure on my leg.<br />
<br />
So we did just that.<br />
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Little did I know (you never really do, I guess) that my engine was going to quit on departure. So I was given a V1 cut with an engine fire. I elected to take care of the fire immediately.<br />
<br />
That was fine. We took care of the situation at hand. No problem.<br />
<br />
But all was not well. As we circled back to the heading given to us by the instructor, my auto-pilot overshot the heading. Crap. I immediately took the airplane off of auto-pilot and flew by hand. My Captain was immersed in the single-engine checklist, so I did that on my own. The instructor didn't like that.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I let my Captain know that I was flying the airplane on my own, but I realize that I could only turn...but couldn't change altitude. We quickly realized that I had control of the ailerons and rudder, but I had no control over the elevator. Unbelievable.<br />
<br />
So here I was, flying a single-engine airplane with a former fire, and now I had no control on the pitch. So the Captain was in control of the altitude and power, and I was in control of the roll and yaw. We both had our hands on the flight controls then. But every time he made a power change, I had to compensate with the rudder. It took some getting used to, but we managed to keep the airplane [somewhat stable].<br />
<br />
But it was NOT easy. I was so frustrated at the situation, too. It was tough!<br />
<br />
Basically, everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. High workload (we had by now by-passed the checklists and were focused on just keeping the airplane flying) and stressful situation.<br />
<br />
I starting sweating.<br />
<br />
As we stablized the aircraft, I just sat there and fumed at the situation! I was mad! Not only did we get an engine failure, but all this?! Sigh.<br />
<br />
And I continued sweating! EVERY maneuver the Captain did required a change on my part, too.<br />
<br />
What's more is we had to shoot an ILS approach. Yup, not only did we get all of these emergencies thrown at us, but we couldn't see, too. Unbelievable.<br />
<br />
We were able to work together, though, and after realizing the gravity of the situation, we started verbalizing all changes. "Ok, now I'm going to reduce the power levers, be prepared on the rudder." It helped out immensely knowing when the Captain was going to make his changes. Of course, as we intercepted the localizer (me hand-flying) and then the glide-slope (the Captain hand-flying), it provided a whole new set of challenges, but we stuck with it.<br />
<br />
It was so easy to get behind that airplane, but we stuck with it. And we worked together.<br />
<br />
But my back was soaked, and I recognized it!<br />
<br />
We shot the ILS approach and saw the runway. We were a bit offset but not bad. I gradually brought it to centerline as he pitched for the runway. We touched down with a bit of a hit, but we were down. And we were down safe.<br />
<br />
"Ok, that's it."<br />
<br />
And just like that, the Loft ride was over. No congratulations, no praise, just a "Ok, we're done."<br />
<br />
Sigh. What a flight.<br />
<br />
We headed upstairs and talked about everything we did wrong over the past few hours. It was honestly good to have criticism, but in the same breath, I'm thinking we just salvaged a flight that couldn't have been any worse.<br />
<br />
At one point on an unrelated note (windshear go-around), he said I was frighteningly dangerous, a comment that stung and stuck with me! Again, though, the criticism is decent. I can recognize my weaknesses and slowness in reaction. The comments were there, just NOT swiftly. I'll concede on that one.<br />
<br />
All in all, the process was good. It's certainly a strength to have to fly through these emergencies in the sim, so that they are not really emergencies out on the line. They would be "just another day in the life." We are fully-prepared so that we're not confused or stunned out on the line.<br />
<br />
Here's to hoping I never see a legitimate emergency, but here's to knowing that I will be well-prepared for when/if one does happen.<br />
<br />
But oh, how I hate the sim. If it can go wrong, it certainly will.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-77378695479930511952012-01-19T13:57:00.000-05:002012-02-21T08:46:15.052-05:00Down to Minimums<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I love flying. I'm one of the few pilots it seems at our company that still gets a joy out of taking to the skies. I'm just hopelessly in love.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Most days are enjoyable, but some days just kind of satisfy even the hardest-to-reach places. Like today. For me, the best part of a pilot's job is when all elements line up to make the pilot rely on every aspect of his or her training. The best situation? Not getting to see the runway until you are basically on top of it. For me, NOTHING ELSE compares.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was my leg again, this time to Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Captain shared our
destination weather with me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 ½ miles
visibility forecast all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ceiling 400 overcast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not exactly
a pretty day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But more than enough to
land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shoot, that’s like VFR in the
wintertime! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>400 overcast?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cakewalk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We loaded up the new passengers, then headed east for
KMDT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds hadn’t changed from this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had just a couple of bumps in the climb,
but it wasn’t anything major at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
we still had that 87-knot tailwind to push us along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fine by me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We started out late again due to the late arrival of the previous
aircraft, but we would certainly make it up with these tailwinds.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We climbed to FL230.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The winds were strong but were more-so at an angle, so we didn’t get the
full effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had 87 knots up there,
but only 27 were given as free tailwind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rest simply made us aim southeast to fly east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, we had a 27-degree crab, the
most I have ever seen in this airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was flying a heading of 168 to track a heading of 141.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s crazy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But we were cruising right along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Captain and I talked about Kodak
declaring bankruptcy and the downfalls that led up to it as well as the whole
idea of American bankruptcy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The company employed 64,000 people
in his county at one point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s now
down to 7,000 and obviously decreasing even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their bread-and-butter was the hard film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made profits hand-over-fist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite simply, they just didn’t make the
necessary transition fast enough or fully enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now they are bankrupt.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I commented how weird it would be for my niece to never know
the name Kodak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been around for
131 years, including all 29 of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
laughed and said, “Not unless she likes history!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was more interested in the idea of it all, though, more than just the
personal company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went on about how
only in America can you declare bankruptcy, screw your creditors, and come out
as the same stronger company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I would
later learn at lunch that this REALLY is an Americanism!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the USA TODAY paper today, they talked
about declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>American Airlines, Kodak, and Hostess were all highlighted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can cancel pensions and ignore union
contract agreements, all while paying their top brass bonuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The very people that make the company are
left with nothing…or much less than expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In Europe, on the other hand, the entire staff is fired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In America, you get bonuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are a corporation, you just cancel
your debts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are an individual,
you have to make the payments or go to jail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you are a corporation, you come out stronger after bankruptcy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are an individual, you are viewed as
financially risky for at least seven years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the writer put it, “The people who own the
gold make the rules.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An excellent
article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(</span><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/story/2012-01-22/bankruptcy-a-reprieve-for-some-companies/52745792/1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/story/2012-01-22/bankruptcy-a-reprieve-for-some-companies/52745792/1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The flight passed rather quickly due to the excellent conversation.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, sort of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Captain grabbed the current weather as we neared the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“ILS critical areas in effect.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uh oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That means it’s low clouds!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Visibility ¼ mile.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Uh oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t even shoot the
approach!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Freezing fog, freezing
mist.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yuck!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Indefinite ceiling.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The clouds were basically on the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What a gross day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Winds calm.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My oh my.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I
pulled out the chart for the ILS Runway 13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went ahead and fully-briefed the approach to the Captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would continue to monitor the weather to
see if we could even start the approach (we needed at least ½ mile visibility
to even be legal to start the approach just like any other aircraft).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But we were nearing the airport fast with that tailwind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I increased our rate of descent to get us to
our assigned altitude with plenty of time to slow down and make the approach
easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Flight Attendant was given
the chime to complete the cabin for landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Agh, I couldn’t stop being excited!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could hear the excitement in my voice as I talked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a nervous excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An excitement that can only be found when
navigating an 18-ton vessel at 130 MPH down to 200 feet of the ground and
possibly never seeing the ground!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were
my palms sweating?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agh!!! I LOVE this type of flying!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I went over the Missed Approach procedure, something that
VERY much may come into effect today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s very rare to do due to weather (I’ve had three go-arounds in a year
of flying for this company with zero due to weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was due to Tower putting us too close
behind another aircraft, one was due to me not getting the airplane slow enough
for landing, and one was due to the approach controller giving us bad vectors).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But today was a very legitimate day for a go-around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically,
the visibility is so bad that when you get 200 feet above the ground, you might
not see the runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was coming in at
112 knots or nearly 130 MPH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I
am flying at 130 MPH, I am moving at 190.67 feet per second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I am descending at 500 feet/minute, then
at 200 feet, I have just 20 seconds before I am on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things happen fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do NOT want to be at 200 feet above the
ground without seeing the earth.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Captain called “in range,” telling the ground crew that
we were near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked if anyone had
been able to land, and the woman responded that she hadn’t seen anybody…and
that it was terribly yucky down there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All right, well, there we go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
Just like we figured, i</span>t’s a crummy day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, we were told to intercept the localizer and descend
from 4000 feet down to 3000 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Approach told us that the RVR(Runway Visual Range…how far I can see down
the runway) was now 1400.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NOT good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed either 1800 RVR or ½ mile to
continue the approach past the FAF (Final Approach Fix).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we were still four miles from the FAF and
only doing 170 knots, so I slowed it up a bit more to buy some precious time, hoping the visibility would increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We basically had a minute to get better
visibility, or we had to go hold somewhere and hope the visibility
increased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had 500 pounds of fuel
onboard before we had to divert to another airport, so we had some time before
that would take place (20 minutes).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Approach then told us
the RVR was 1200 feet at Touchdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was a no-go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it didn’t change in the
next few seconds, we couldn’t do the approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>NO airplane could do the approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>C’mon, Approach, tell me something I want to hear!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1800!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>1800!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1800!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We asked one more time before the FAF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“RVR 1200.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s it, it’s off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could not
land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The glide-slope had just started to capture, and the airplane began to descend down towards the runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kicked the auto-pilot off and immediately leveled off
at 3000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We couldn’t shoot the approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Approach seemed confused asking us what we
needed, and we told him at least 1800 RVR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He spouted off a couple of new numbers as the visibility changed on the
ground, but that was foolish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were already
PAST the FAF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To even try to pull this
off now would put us behind the airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It terrifies me that
Approach doesn’t know what we need!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
refused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hand-flew to 3100 feet
(assigned to us) and the heading given to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We would circle back and try again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But we NEEDED 1800 or better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As we made our circle, this time the RVR was reported as 2000 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came back around, intercepted the
localizer, and continued the approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were cleared for the approach and had 2000 feet at the FAF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could now continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Agh, how exciting!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I can now try to find the runway, but </span>I have NO
idea if that runway is going to appear or not!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was admittedly excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These days are few and far between, and it
takes extreme concentration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You only
get one shot, and you better do it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or you best climb climb climb!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We started to descend out of 3000 feet on the glide-slope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I slowed to 158 knots.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Gear down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Captain put the gear down at my command.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Three green, no red.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Three green, no red.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I reiterated that the gear was indeed down and locked with no
malfunctions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I then had the Captain set the props for landing.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Flaps 15, finals.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
called for the remaining procedures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He set my flaps to 15 degrees as we descended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All right, let's slow this baby up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>140 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>130 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>120 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>115 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ok, that is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was aiming
for 112, but I like a buffer.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“1000 feet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Captain let me know we were just 1000 feet from our 200-foot above the runway
mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in solid IMC with rain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">115 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Auto-pilot off.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I disengaged the
auto-pilot and let the Captain know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was going to hand-fly this one in, and I wanted to feel the winds or lack
thereof up to the touchdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How heavy
was this airplane?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How light?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any buffets?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I needed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel</i> the airplane
to make a good approach and landing.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“500 feet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Captain let me know we were 500 feet from making our decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either we get the lights in sight, or we
go-around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No other option.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Getting a little to the left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever so gentle, ever so gentle, bring it back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fly with your feet, easy on the hands.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“400 feet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solid
IMC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No inkling of anything anywhere. Solid white.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“300 feet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes are 100%
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Airspeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Localizer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Glide-slope.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“200 feet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I steal a
glance outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solid clouds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“100 feet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We might
not get this runway at all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little to
the left still, back over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get ready to
shove those power levers forward and get out of there!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At this point, we are just 100 feet away from our “decision
altitude.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three things can happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
get the runway in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Captain
calls it in sight, then I gradually bring my eyes from inside to outside and
verify that I have it, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Captain gets the approach lights in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These are very high intensity lights that basically “take us home.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lead up to the runway and provide a
final tracking to the runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we get
these, we can actually then descend down to 100 feet above the runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If at 100 feet, we still don’t have the
runway, we go-around immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t ever see the lights
OR the runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get out of Dodge as
fast as we can.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back again to his last call-out.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“100 feet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still
nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In just another 100 feet, if we
don’t…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Approach lights in sight!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Continue!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was obviously
excited, something that looking back on makes me appreciate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Captain is literally staring out the
windshield the entire time at this point, having no concern (if he trusts the
F.O.) for what is taking place inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is searching for lights or runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If he doesn’t get them, we can’t land, and he has to let me know
immediately at our decision altitude!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course, I am watching my altitude, too, and I’ll certainly go around without
him saying it, but that’s not the proper procedure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a pretty laid-back guy, so his perkiness
in voice made me think that he was actually surprised to get the lights!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, too, wasn’t sure if we would ever see the
runway with this thick fog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just didn’t know!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Runway in sight!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
let me know he had it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I glanced up and
saw the approach lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing with the
runway, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked down to check
everything, then back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The green bar!
Aha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Runway in sight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could then land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, we are just 100 feet above the
ground.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I moved over a bit to the centerline (a hair off) and had
one of the best landings ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wet
runway helped, I’m sure, but it was PERFECT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Quite simply put, there is NO greater satisfaction than that flight
right there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It never gets old for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Captain said good job, probably
relieved that we had made it in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
beaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A job well done.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My mind is usually on the passengers and what they think,
and today was no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever we
hit turbulence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever we fly through
heavy snow or rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do they
see?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do they hear?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do they feel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a flight like this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thoughts they must have had!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hear the gear go down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They see NOTHING but white outside their
windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know we are close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they see nothing…no houses, no trees, no
earth, nothing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If they are staring out their windows, they will get a nasty
surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will basically see a
treetop appear out of what they think is a cloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 100 feet, they may not even get that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first sight they see may very well be the
ground next to the runway as we touch down!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I LOVE THAT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time they
realize what just took place, we are already on the ground and taxiing off the
runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THAT is satisfaction.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And this flight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An absolute
greaser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guarantee that 90% of the people had NO
clue we cut off the first approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Probably 100%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one knew what
decisions were made, what was going through the minds of two pilots up
front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one knew that we were a second
or two away from flying out of there and possibly going to a different airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just put their trust in two men they had
never met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I get such a thrill out
of that!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Captain taxied in, and he (oddly) kept the door closed
that separates us from the passengers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was so eager to hear the praise of the passengers, and I was more than sure I
would get it (you know when you will).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But he sat there and left the door closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh no!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I knew exactly what was going to happen!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to have to sit there and bask in
my own glory!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noooo!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it was intentional or not, I may
never know, but I really took the impression that he left the door closed on
purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was probably for my own good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here was a guy that has probably had several
of these in his 12-year career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows
the difficulty of them, and he also knows of our ability to do them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could have also been jealous, I don’t
know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That happens, too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never want to have too many good landings
with a Captain that can’t!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I saw the
passengers get off the airplane out his side window, and not a one, NOT A ONE
was able to say anything to me!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk
about being humbled!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted so badly
to stand there in the walkway and greet them as they walked off, and I was
certainly eager to hear their compliments, too!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agh!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Haha.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But there I was, left sitting upfront with the Captain, as
they all deplaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After they were all
off, the Captain said, “After you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
opened the door to an empty airplane outside of the Flight Attendant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of my smiling passengers were all
gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a one to say thanks or great job or well
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went from confident pilot to menial worker again and helped her put the seatbelts all
straight on the seats. I then grabbed my stuff and headed for the hotel shuttle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our day was over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">An approach called off due to terrible visibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A second shot at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A perfect execution from both sides, finally
getting the runway in sight at 100 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the smoothest landings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>33
people delivered safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The largest
dose of humility.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And a smile that I just can’t get off my face!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There really is nothing more rewarding than
flying down to minimums, wondering if you are ever going to see the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we going to land or throw the power
levers forward and get out of there?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t know…and I love it.</span>Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-24317735895726689512012-01-17T22:31:00.000-05:002012-02-25T22:40:09.970-05:00Sometimes It's the Little Things in LifeJust two years ago, I was tickled pink to be taking the upgrade from a Cessna 172 to a Piper Aztec. Instead of flying 110 knots around the country, I was going to be flying 145 knots.<br />
<br />
And I was the happiest kid alive.<br />
<br />
Well, I can now say that I have flown the fastest I've ever experienced as a pilot.<br />
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</div>
402 KNOTS!!! In a prop plane! Thank you, winter jetstream, for the help today!<br />
<br />
Sometimes it's the small things. :)Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-90456059167675410962011-04-29T10:32:00.000-04:002012-02-21T08:42:46.328-05:00I.O.E. Finally Continues!!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Woke up at 3:41 A.M.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I slept MISERABLY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me
forever to fall asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to bed so
early at 8:30, but it took me FOREVER to fall asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My room on the second floor was DIRECTLY
above the swimming pool, and they had a party going on down there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t say this in a racist way at all, but
I am positive that it was a bunch of black people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just talked like black people and had
the dynamics of ‘em, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
across the hall to begin with, but then they all went downstairs to swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I literally lay there and just listened to
‘em for who knows how long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt as
if I was right there IN the pool area!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was so frustrating!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I figured the pool would close at 10:00, so I just lay
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, I took a pillow and
covered my ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I NEVER do that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just needed to sleep!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up, adjusted the temperature cooler,
and just sat up for a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was NOT going well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I NEEDED to sleep.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I finally fell asleep sometime, but I woke up pretty “awake”
at 3:41.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if it was
excitement or jitters or what!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I was
awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked my phone to see the
time, and I was shocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Andy, you NEED
to sleep ALL the way until 4:15!!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
lay back down, but I don’t think I ever went all the way under.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I took a shower, got dressed, packed up, and headed
downstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was downstairs at 4:40 for
my shuttle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The driver was nowhere to be
found, though, so I sat in the van for 10 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally went back inside and asked for
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came out, and I was nervous
about being late!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are supposed to
report an hour before our flight leaves!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was glad to hear that I was the first trip of the day, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That meant that the Captain was behind me.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I arrived at the airport, went through security, then headed
for the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had NO idea where to go
from there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I just stood around!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to wait about 10 minutes, and the
Captain arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He showed me where to
go, and we headed out for the airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He went through a walk-around with me, and it was basically the same as
last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then headed inside to get
ready.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I went through my pre-flight stuff, and I felt better with
it today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Captain was laid back
again, and that really helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I
knew it, the passengers were being loaded on, and it was time to go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first flight was to Cleveland, and the
Captain told me it would be my leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
weather was a bit crummy, but I was excited about that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had overcast clouds at 1100 feet.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We taxied out, and I took the controls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took off smoothly, and we were off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We climbed through the overcast layer, and I
had a BEAUTIFUL view of the upcoming sunset out my back right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the lows clouds, it was just absolutely
stunning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVED it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were climbing all the way up to 23,000
feet, so we had a ways to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we
were out of Syracuse, the weather was stupendous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was “severe clear and a million.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I pushed on the auto-pilot, and we
just flew!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We arrived at Cleveland, and I did the visual approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept my speed perfect, and I did a fairly
decent landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t a “greaser” by
any means, but it wasn’t rough at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We just kind of plopped down on the runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We taxied to the gate and had an hour lay-over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed a couple of breakfast bars and
filled up on the coffee in the airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We headed inside and hung out in the crew lounge for a bit.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But the time passes pretty fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I headed out again and pre-flighted the
airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time the Captain was going to
be flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were heading up to Erie,
the place where we just flew over!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
took off of Cleveland and never got above 8000 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE that part of this job!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brought it in for a pretty close right
downwind and had a gorgeous landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had a quick turn in Erie, so we actually stayed in the airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was flying the next leg back to Cleveland.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had a full flight (actually one person had to take the
next flight!), and I absolutely love that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I took off back to Cleveland, and it was pretty simple!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I was loving it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I landed back at Cleveland where we had just
over an hour of downtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed a
lunch from Subway and called Dad to let him know I was having the time of my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he was bored at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I told him to follow me on our next flight up to Harrisburg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be flying again.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I headed out to the airplane to eat my sub and pre-flight
the airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, it was time to
go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time we actually climbed up to
25,000 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The highest I’ve EVER been
while flying!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE it!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cruised on over to Harrisburg at 304 knots
and even hit 316 in the descent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
descent was so much fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told to
keep it tight, and the Captain let me fly the whole leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took off the auto-pilot a few miles out on
downwind, and we dove for the runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were trying to beat a helicopter on final.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I kept it close, and I just flew it like the “normal” airplanes I’m used
to flying!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rounded out my base to
final and made a beautiful turn for the runway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was so much fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It flies just
like any other airplane!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s so
much fun to hand-fly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so proud of
myself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I flew it wonderfully by
hand!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I landed at Harrisburg, and we
taxied on in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had one more turn for
the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Captain told me, “You’d never
be allowed to do that in an RJ.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
true, so true!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE flying this VERY
capable airplane!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We sat for about 45 minutes, then loaded up 13 passengers
and took ‘em in to Newark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sort of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a 12:30 departure time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was pushed back to 1:03 for
traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loaded ‘em up to meet the
1:03 timeframe, but it just wasn’t to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tower informed us after starting that we now had a 1:30 slot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would have to sit on the ramp and
wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FINALLY, at 1:30, we headed for Newark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The Captain</span> flew this flight, and I was busy
working the radios.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is pretty busy
airspace for radio calls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flying
part didn’t seem too bad, though.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We worked our way in behind some heavy jet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We landed on Runway 4R and taxied on in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a busy, busy place!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We dropped off the passengers, and that was
it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was officially done for the day!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And what a day it was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I logged a beautiful 5.9 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just love it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day was seriously
gorgeous for flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so clear
after we departed Syracuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
beautiful weather all around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up
hauling 104 passengers today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
just so fun to me!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE it!!!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I thanked the Captain for his flying today, said good-bye to
the Flight Attendant who will be leaving us next week, and then went to make my
dead-head flight back home which was leaving at 3:55.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived about 30 minutes before departure.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I grabbed a seat, plopped down, and realized how
unbelievably tired I was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ready
for my last flight (taken away from me because a Captain wasn’t available), but
once I sat down to rest and not work, my body just shut down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would bounce my head in almost-sleep the
entire flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was tired.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But madly in love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is a dream come true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can’t wait to see what it’s like in actual weather!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The airplane is a beast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s just FUN to fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m in love with it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can’t wait for more!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I now have 7.8 hours of flight time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s so much better than 1.9!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thrilled.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I ended up back at the crashpad at 6:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had thought about trying to make it home
tonight, but I was quite content to wait until tomorrow morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took the night pretty easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went out at 9:45 to grab money from an ATM
for rent, but other than that, I just rested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I needed it.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I went to bed at 11:30 P.M.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alarm is set for 8:00 for a flight back to Springfield!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What a day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5.9 hours
and 104 passengers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m in love.</span></div>Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-20612804540730477962010-08-12T23:32:00.000-04:002012-02-20T18:14:07.121-05:00Nothin' Special--August 12, 2010Woke up at 8:30. Wasn't too ready to get out of bed. Stayed in bed until 8:50. Showered, then headed over to Dad's work to drop something off, then headed to Boogs' house to wait for Mom and Jobu. We all headed up the farm from there.<br/><br/>Ended up having a good time up there. Grandma was pretty funny today. I had called her earlier (from my bathroom, nonetheless!) and told her that we would be having a larger group today. Well, apparently she thought that she heard a woman's voice in the background. So I had some explaining to do when I was up there! A couple of times even! I really sincerely don't think that she believes me! Mom had a good chuckle out of that.<br/><br/>Came back home around 1:00-ish and ended up stopping at the ReStore where I bought a ceiling fan. We'll see if this one works better!<br/><br/>And the rest of the day was pretty low-key. Had a Coke with a friend and spent the rest of the night inside...it was too hot again, and I just wasn't too motivated to work outside.<br/><br/>Talked to Whit for a bit tonight...we're both eager for tomorrow.<br/><br/>Ended up in bed early at 10:35. Pretty happy about that.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-33817156245290877282010-08-12T23:29:00.000-04:002012-02-21T10:17:48.958-05:00One Little Square-Inch At a Time--August 11, 2010Woke up at 8:00 A.M. Grabbed a bowl of cereal, then headed outside. Didn't even get ready for anything else! I mowed the front yard...which had areas of 8-inch tall grass! It needed it badly. I then became ambitious and pulled out the power washer and started on my deck.<br />
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Frankly, I was nothing short of shocked to see just how well it made my wood go from old and brown to fairly new-looking!!! It was seriously making it look sharp! I spent a couple of hours on it, but I really wasn't getting anywhere. I was probably only 1/4 of the way done. Knowing that I may have an 8-hour job in front of me, I opted to NOT pursue that any further!!! I took a break, came in, showered, and brushed my teeth. It was about 10:45.<br />
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It was warming up quickly, but I went ahead and tried out one of the gallons of stain from my purchase a week or so ago. Hmm. It wasn't the brown I had anticipated. It was more clear! I tried it on an old piece of wood and a power-washed piece. The difference was night and day. I knew right then and there that I would have to complete what I started. I had numerous hours of power-washing ahead of me. Ruh roh.<br />
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I headed to McDonald's for lunch...a couple of hamburgers and a sweet tea with a nice refill! Then I came back and continued the job. Another couple of hours. I'll be honest, the deck WAS starting to look nice! It's really making the wood look like new! But I have to literally cover EVERY square-inch with that wand, and that is just no easy task! I pressed on.<br />
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I took a break in the mid-afternoon...when it was 108 degrees. I took too long of a break, though, and really didn't want to go back out! But I forced myself to do it. And I added another couple of hours in the early evening. Mom and Dad came over, and I pulled the ol' Tom Sawyer move on them...each of them did a few boards. But I was eager to call it a day...I still have a few hours left to do before I can stain it.<br />
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Talked with Mom and Dad for a bit...enjoyed a nice McDonald's frap around 8:30. They headed home, and I stayed inside the rest of the night. Talked to Whit for a short bit...she was out line-dancin' with her girls.<br />
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Ended up going to bed around midnight.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-3353156274721562182010-08-11T00:28:00.000-04:002012-02-20T18:14:07.140-05:00A Row-Crop Cultivator--August 10, 2010Woke up at 8:30 A.M. Grabbed some breakfast, took a shower, then headed outside to clean up my mess! I hauled a load of scrap wood over to my sister's house around 9:30 and started burning it. I came back and loaded up the left-over lumber and some cabinets that Mom and Dad had picked up for me. I returned the wood to Menard's (with a bunch of other stuff), grabbed a hamburger and a sweet tea at McDonald's, then took the cabinets to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. I dropped off a couple of TV's there, too. Before I left, I saw where they priced the cabinet at $30.00 and one of the TV's at $5.00. I also noticed Mom and Dad's old vanity and sink still there! ha! It hadn't sold yet. I was humored.<br/><br/>I was hoping to pick up a ceiling fan while there, but all of them were the 42" blade-style, and frankly, the one that I currently have installed just doesn't do much. So after MUCH searching and debate (and a couple of phone calls with Dad), I opted to pass. I left empty-handed. I came back home and cleaned up the yard some more. I was going in and out of being outside, though, as it was a sultry 112 degrees. yikes. I organized the shed, and I'm WAY thrilled with it. I tell ya, a good night's sleep just does something for ya. I'll put yesterday behind me! I put everything along the outer walls, and it really gives me some space in there. I hung up my weed trimmer on some hooks I had had laying around for the past few years, and I love it! The shed is really nice!<br/><br/>I hauled a load of garbage over to Dad's work and picked up a screw-sizing tool while there with him. Basically, I'm trying to find screws to fit the second ceiling fan. It didn't come with any to mount the blades. And a set I had purchased at Menard's didn't work. So I came back home from his work, loaded up the branches I had cut down for my shed, and headed back over to Casey and Erica's where I burned them. Or started to. When I pulled up, I noticed a fire truck at their neighbor's house. I inquired about it to Boogs, but she had been sleeping and knew nothing of it.<br/><br/>So I called Jobu. I guess their neighbor had been burning something illegal. Whatever that means. So the firemen were sent to have him put out the fire. Fair enough. I left the small fire of branches and started for home. But as I was backing out of their driveway, I almost pulled out in front of a cop car! I think I had part of my back end sticking out in the road! There are never cars here! Hmm. He pulled up to the neighbor's house. Interesting. Must be comin' to make sure it's out. He got out and was yielding his Billy Club! WHAT?!<br/><br/>As I headed for home, I passed another police car turning in to their road. Hmm. I texted Boogs and let her know. She said there were now three cars!!! So I called her and told her that she may get in trouble for having a fire in her back yard. "What, why"? ha! Perfect! She was so innocent. I told her to keep that exact response and she'd be fine. But I told her to expect the police to come over since the neighbor saw me burning something, too. I'm sure if he was getting in trouble for burning something, then he would certainly say, "Well, what about them?!" as he pointed to our pile of branches. Erica even went and checked, and sure enough, the pile was smoking. !!!<br/><br/>I hung up with her and then called Jobu again. I asked why in the world we would have three police cars outside the house! And he said that there was a warrant out for the guy's arrest! Whoa! How about that for a change of events?! I guess they ran the guy's name after the fire truck left, and sure enough, he was wanted for something. And then he gave me a code that ran on his screen, and sure enough, they were hauling him off to jail. The suspect was in custody! I just had to tell Boogs! So I called her back and let her know, thinking she would be nervous about living next to someone like that! She said, and I quote, "That is hilarious." Oh boy. I was a bit off.<br/><br/>But that was our fun story for the day.<br/><br/>I went back and grabbed another load of wood, then headed back over. From there I went in to True Value to pick up some screws. I ended up getting the wrong size. The screw chart lied to me!!! Well, it DID feel a little loose in there. That would certainly be why.<br/><br/>Somewhere in the afternoon, I ended up hauling my four-wheeler back over to my parent's house (sheds are never big enough). I also returned the screws and picked up new ones. These fit. I installed them on the fan, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that this fan ACTUALLY moves air! Quite nicely, actually. It feels great. Unlike the other one.<br/><br/>All in all, it was a very productive day. I returned the parts I didn't need, I got rid of stuff in my driveway, I cleaned up the garage some more, I organized the shed, and I got a ceiling fan to work. I'll take it. My aunt came by to drop something off in the evening, and we ended up making a McDonald's run together. I got my SECOND dose of sweet tea! yikes.<br/><br/>Talked to Whit again tonight, then listened to the thunder as I headed for bed at 11:45. No rain, though. Just thunder. We need it so bad.<br/><br/>I'm hopin' to get the Man Cave all cleaned up and usable tomorrow and put the door pieces on my shed. Then that project will be 100% complete! If I'm feeling ambitious enough, I plan on power-washing my deck, too. I'm hoping to have that stained by Thursday. We'll see!<br/><br/>I like days like these.<br/><br/>Oh, one more thing!!! I called about a farm job today. They were looking for a full-time guy to drive tractors. Why not?! The conversation went like this...<br/><br/>"Hi, I'm calling about the job in the paper. Do you still have that open"?<br/><br/>"Yes, I do."<br/><br/>"Good, well, are you the person to talk to"?<br/><br/>"I am. Where are you from"?<br/><br/>"Springfield."<br/><br/>"Ok, well, you need to know that the job is in Hartsburg. Hartsburg is located..."<br/><br/>"My dad is from Hartsburg!"<br/><br/>"Your dad? Who is that"?<br/><br/>I told him the name, and then he went and told me that he knows my dad and that he had four years of Ag class underneath my grandpa! We were hitting it off! Then...<br/><br/>"Have you ever adnfa;df'dajfad'fdfa'"?<br/><br/>"I'm sorry, what"? I had NO idea what he had just said.<br/><br/>"Have you ever row-crop cultivated"?<br/><br/>"Oh, no, but I've planted and harvested and hauled grain to the bins."<br/><br/>"Nope, I need someone with more experience. This guy needs a row-crop cultivator. Thanks. Bye."<br/><br/>"Umm..."<br/><br/>"Ok, bye."<br/><br/>SERIOUSLY! I was borderline offended! As soon as he found out that I had never row-crop cultivated, he had NO interest in me AT ALL!!! Didn't matter that I could learn in a day...didn't matter that I could fly airplanes over mountains...didn't matter that he knew my family...he needed a row-crop cultivator. And that was it.<br/><br/>Well, there ya go.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-36695835759310444392010-08-10T00:33:00.000-04:002012-02-22T09:24:12.877-05:00One Frustrating Day--August 9, 2010<br />
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Woke up at 8:00 A.M. I wasn't feelin' that, so I lay in bed for another 20 minutes or so. Finally got up, grabbed some breakfast, took a shower, then headed out the door to work on the shed. I kind of stared blankly at it for awhile, not really sure which part I should tackle. I finally said to myself, "Do something." I was certainly in a state of not doing anything as I thought about what to do!<br />
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So I started measuring the door trim pieces. I cut them, then painted them. I also mowed a little bit more of my yard and threw the glass clippings on the garden. I gave the door trim pieces another coat of paint and then headed out to Menard's to check out some corner trim pieces. After much debate, I went ahead and bought four galvanized steel 90-degree flashing pieces. The plan was to paint them, cut them, and then insert them underneath the drip-edge. And they were already 90-degrees, so I wouldn't have to worry about cutting wood.<br />
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I drove back home, nailed up the door trim pieces, installed the hasp I had bought last night, and then started painting the flashing pieces. They were going to need a couple of coats of paint for sure. I grabbed a bite to eat inside (I'm living off of microwaveable meals anymore), then came back out and painted the corner trim some more. It was blazing hot outside, though. It was around 108 degrees, and I was feeling every one.<br />
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I nailed up one of the corner trim pieces, but it just wasn't looking right. The metal was too flimsy, and it didn't make a good seal with the wood. I called Dad to see if it would be doable still, and he recommended I glue the pieces on?! Sigh. I hadn't planned on spending more money! Out of frustration, I just quit for awhile. I went inside and lay on the couch, actually falling asleep for about 15 minutes. The shed was just really irking me today. Here I was supposed to be finished with it, and I am encountering problems simply because I tried to "cut some corners." Although THAT is actually the problem. Because I didn't CUT THE CORNERS, I tried to get an easy way of doing trim. It proved to be foolish.<br />
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Why would contractors for years and years and years do it with the wood trim? Why would they not use what I had just purchased? I was about to find out. I went out to Wal-Mart, bought some heavy-duty adhesive and tried to get the pieces to stick to the wood. That wasn't happening. So I had to end up nailing them up with tiny nails...a process within itself. And then I found the problem. I had to make a wooden trim piece that would cover up the crack between the two siding pieces. Well, since I chose to use a VERY thin piece of steel for the corner trim, I now had nothing to butt up against with this horizontal trim. In essence, the trim was just going to be hanging there in the middle of the wall on its own, every side exposed.<br />
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I was so frustrated. I never saw it coming. By trying to save just 8 cuts, I now ran into a bigger problem. Flashing that didn't fit right and a trim piece that looks a bit awkward on its own. But by this time, I just had the mentality, "Finish it." So I went at the shed...hard. I just wanted to get this thing done. I put all four corner pieces on, then cut, painted, and installed, the horizontal trim (awkwardly falling off the ladder at one point while trying to hold the piece up by myself and nail it...I hit the ladder, some parts on the ground, and the ground pretty hard. I ended up completely on my stomach, face to the ground). But I was in essence done.<br />
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Frankly, I was still a bit frustrated. The shed honestly looks fine, and I KNOW that. But I also know that it wasn't done correctly, and I know how I operate...that is going to be on my mind virtually every time I see it! It's a frustrating mentality, but I just know me! But I'll just have to accept it...it's not going anywhere. Admittedly, I'm a bit nervous about the water aspect, too. Water can certainly get in behind the corner trim pieces...exactly what I didn't want to happen. I really don't think it's going to affect anything in the short-term, but I'm afraid my 20-year shed might be more like a 10 or 15-year one now. Who knows. Shoot, I may have water coming in at more places that I care to admit! We'll have to wait and see.<br />
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I cleaned up the back yard and started putting more stuff in the shed from the garage. I'm just ready for this whole project to be behind me! And I'm eager to use the Man Cave, too.<br />
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All in all, I'm probably 98% done with the shed. I need to put reinforcement pieces behind the door, and that will be it. I'll be done. I'll just have to wait and see how it handles rain. I'm not too optimistic that it's going to be sealed completely. Namely with the door. But, it is what it is.<br />
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Anyway. I have a shed. A decent one. A strong one. Though not a perfect one. I've learned a lot, and it's somewhat rewarding. Though I'll admit that today took a lot of reward and pride out of me! It became a burden, an expense, and a frustration. Maybe there is something to be learned in there, who knows.<br />
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Oh well.<br />
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Threw a pizza in for supper and stayed inside. Tried to get caught up on receipts for the past month. I've been TERRIBLE with record-keeping this past month. And I hate that. But it looks like I'm spending money left and right...not good. July was a terrible month for me in terms of expenses. And with this shed, August just isn't going to be any better. I'm ready to have a month of nothing but water, electricity, internet, and gas. These projects are killing me.<br />
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Talked to Whitney for about 20 minutes around 11:00-ish. Hung up, wrote this, and headed to bed at 11:40. Going to try to get the Man Cave "open" for business tomorrow. We'll see.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-42407988650939022952010-08-09T00:33:00.000-04:002012-02-22T09:24:57.054-05:00Still Not Done!!!--August 8, 2010<br />
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Woke up at 8:35 A.M. I was in a DEEEEEEEEP sleep. When that alarm went off, WOW. I tried to pull myself together, but it wasn't pretty! I was up too late last night! Silly girl. :) Grabbed some breakfast, took a shower, then headed for church. Had a decent service. But I was pretty tired. I downed a cup and a 1/3 of coffee...just trying to function. yikes.<br />
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Headed to Mom and Dad's house afterwards for lunch. Grabbed a hamburger, two hot dogs, some awesome baked beans, and some milk. I helped Dad get his mini-tiller running again, and then I was off. I needed a nap in the worst way possible. So around 1:50 I went down for a nap. I set my alarm for 3:30.<br />
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And I was out. 3:30 quickly rolled around, and I wasn't sure I was any better! But I forced myself out of bed. I certainly wasn't very motivated to work, though. I was just in a funk! But I headed outside and then went to Wal-Mart to buy some paint. I needed to get this shed done! I called Erica and Casey and Dad and tried to get them all to come over! ha! I am just so ready to be done. They all agree to help out, so that was nice. Casey and Erica painted, and Dad installed the second ceiling fan in my garage. It didn't have any screws for the blades, though! Grr!<br />
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But we were able to get the entire shed completely painted. It looks pretty good. I still need to put the trim on and finish putting some supports on the doors, but I'm finally at 95% completion. It's the final touches that take a long time! And you don't see much progress each day! But it's nearing completion. And I am certainly ready for that. But it looks good, and I'm proud of it. I think it's going to look great once I put the white trim on. It should really pull out the color.<br />
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<br />Cleaned up, then headed out to Steak 'n Shake with Casey, Erica, and Baby. Stayed there until 9:20, downing three mugs of root beer. I was so thirsty! And quite exhausted just from painting! Stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home to see if they had any ceiling fan screws, but they didn't. Will have to run out to Menard's. Talked to Whitney again tonight. And talked to Crazy Zach! It looks like he'll be my roommate here in the next couple of weeks. That'll be nice. Ended up staying up until 11:40.<br />
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I am eager for an early bed time, though. I am still pretty tired. Got the alarm set for 8:00. I could sure use a full 8 hours of sleep. I am hoping to cut the trim pieces and paint them tomorrow. I'm also plannin' on getting the support pieces up for the door. I'll install a latch and then be done! And it's going to sit there for the next 20 years!!! I already have it mostly full, too! I'm not goin' to lie, a shed is pretty nice to have. I'll have to add up the receipts and see exactly what I have in it. I think I'm still around that $800 number. The nice part is I'll finally be able to use my Man Cave, too! It's a win-win.<br />
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Off to a very welcoming pillow...Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-89987489006497631202010-08-08T03:18:00.000-04:002012-02-20T18:14:07.201-05:00Almost Done!!!--August 7, 2010Woke up before my alarm went off. But I stayed in bed until it actually did at 8:15. Grabbed some breakfast, took a shower, then headed outside to start work on the shed. I really needed some trim pieces, so I loaded up the three unused bundles of shingles and headed for Menards. I returned the shingles, then purchased 18 8-foot 1x4's. About $28. Not too terrible. I also bought some hinges and a closing clasp for when the door is shut. A total of around $50 altogether.<br/><br/>I came back home and realized once I got back that I had forgot to buy nails! Agh!!! I asked Jobu to come over and help me, and he said he would, so I wanted to hurry out and get nails first. So I headed for the hardware store, but I met Mom on the way out! So I came back to the house to talk to her, and she was eager to start painting! Well, I didn't have the paint bought yet, so she decided to go to Wal-Mart while I headed to True Value. I bought nails, then came back to put on the doors with Jobu.<br/><br/>It was already 10:30. And I hadn't really done anything yet!!! Jobu and I tried to figure out how to do the door, but we quickly realized that I needed smaller hinges. GRR!!! I headed to Wal-Mart real quick to pick some up, but they didn't have what I needed. So I made a quick trip BACK to True Value. They were very expensive there, but I needed 'em while I had the help. I came back to install them, but we just couldn't make the attachment of the doors make sense in our mind. If we put them on the inside, the hinges would move. On the outside didn't seem to be making much sense, either. And Jobu had to work. So he left, and I had no doors hung. GRR!!!<br/><br/>I helped Mom paint after he left. She only bought one gallon, and that was only good for 1 1/2 sides. So we only got about 1/3 of the way done with that. But she was eager to help with the doors, so we went at 'em again. And THIS time we were able to figure it out! So Mom and I installed the doors! I was so excited! It's not a shed that closes!!! So I quickly starting stuff back there! But I was under a time crunch. It was already after 3 o'clock, and I had a hot date tonight (true story!), so I had to stop the moving of items. We picked up our gear, and she headed off, while I headed in to town to get a haircut. I kid you not, it ended up costing me $22. I about crapped my pants. They were $15 last year. What is this?! I am going to have to use Jobu's barber...they are only $8. But he had closed at noon.<br/><br/>Well, I came back and showered and then headed out for my date. It was pretty far away (an hour and a half), but she was just about as cute as could be! We headed out for a dinner on the river and just talked. Then we went for a walk in a park and talked some more! Definitely a blast. Talked about dreams, desires, family, everything that crossed our minds. She is so stinkin' attractive! We ended up heading back to her grandparents' house and sat out on the swing and talked some more!<br/><br/>FINALLY at 12:15, I made my push for home. I was hoping I would make it! The first 25 miles were fine, but the next 45 were ROUGH. I was doing everything to stay awake. I turned on the radio in the truck for the first time since owning it. I rolled down the windows. I sung out loud. I moved my hands. But I was struggling. I ended up stopping at a gas station about 35 miles away from home. I just needed something. I moved around and grabbed a Pepsi. Then I hopped back in. My truck was making a ticking sound, though, that I noticed when I pulled into the gas station. Lifters? I don't know. But I don't like it!<br/><br/>I made the last 35 miles halfway decent. But still very tired. I rolled in at 1:56 A.M. VERY tired. So I headed for bed. Was in bed at 2:20. Alarm is set for 8:35.<br/><br/>I like cute girls!Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-41994808029991940892010-08-06T23:53:00.000-04:002012-02-20T18:14:07.168-05:00A Celebration of Life--August 6, 2010Woke up to the noise of my roommate moving out. I never did fall back asleep. I imagine that was around 6:30. My alarm finally went off at 7:05. I just lay there. What to do?! I seriously went back and forth, back and forth. Finally, at 7:14, I jumped out of bed and said I'm goin'. I took a quick shower, grabbed a quick breakfast, and waited for my sister to show up.<br/><br/>Boogs, Casey, Angela, and I all headed there in the same car. It was a pretty enjoyable ride up there, though admittedly I was struggling. I was soooooooooooo tired. I didn't wake up refreshed at all. I grabbed a tall 24-oz of coffee from a gas station, but it didn't seem to be working. We talked about a lot of stuff on the way up there. Tithing, windmills, songs. The trip went pretty quickly.<br/><br/>We made a quick stop at McDonald's, then dropped in for the visitation at 11:00. We zipped through the short line, then checked out the body. I'm always mesmerized by the body. It's so...lifeless. I know it's crazy to say, but a man can learn a ton by just staring at a dead body. So much of life starts coming together. I looked for a good bit but didn't want to make it awkward. We then sat down. Agh, we had 2 hours to kill!!!<br/><br/>The time went by pretty slowly. I would just stare at the various people and how they responded to going through the line. The college girls definitely took it hardest. No way around it. They knew how to cry. Weep. Oddly enough, and this is the honest truth, one of the reasons why I came today was just to watch how people handle death. I've been to several funerals, but I'm just mesmerized by them. And especially when it's someone that I know. Not that I enjoy them, but again, you just learn so much about life, humans, people, yourself, by going to a funeral.<br/><br/>Around noon, the church started getting full. And I started getting ornery. I had a very light demeanor, and it seemed to be ok. As the church filled up, more and more people talked, and it was more of a get-together than a funeral, it seemed. As 12:30 came around, the church was almost full. But the line still stretched outdoors. Once 12:45 came around, they closed down the visitation line and just had people file in. There wasn't enough room. They had people in the middle aisle, every pew packed and tight, and the outside aisles filled up. There was standing room only, and even then, they had people all the way back down the outer hallway all the way to outside. I would guess a few hundred people showed up.<br/><br/>The service itself was actually unlike anything I coudl have expected. They didn't call it a funeral, but rather, "A Celebration of Life." And that's exactly what they did. They praised Kerstin's personality, walk with the LORD, and kindness. I kid you not, at one point, we had a standing ovation for her life. At a funeral! We were all standing and cheering this young woman's life! It was mildly awkward, yet at the same time, it was just right. The more the people talked, the more one realized that it really was an honor to have known this woman. She had a zest for life, a passion for people. Frankly, it was HARD to mourn! I think that was probably a downfall (we DO need to mourn!), but in the same breath, you just couldn't help but get excited about knowing this woman! WE had the privilege of knowing her. She was a blessing to us. And she did her duty. 23 years of obedience to her Master.<br/><br/>I kid you not, it was just unlike anything I've ever been a part of. They mentioned that there should be weeping and tears, but they just negated all of that with the praise of her life. Of her love. I seriously felt like everyone there were the ones who benefitted by knowing her. She obviously touched each one in a particular way. It was just hard to be sad!!! Almost impossible!!! <br/><br/>It was definitely a day of hope.<br/><br/>We left around 3:00, made a quick stop at Walgreens for snacks, and made the long 3-hour drive back home. I was now officially worthless. My lack of sleep the last two nights just caught up with me. I was nearly falling asleep there in the car. The rest were kind of quiet, too, and it was just a totally different feel on the way home! We were all so tired!<br/><br/>Finally got back home about 6:10. I immediately headed out back to assess my door situtation. I changed clothes and was working on my shed within a few minutes of being dropped off. I ended up making the cuts for the door. But I was pretty exhausted. And I didn't have the necessary trim pieces I needed. So I went ahead and loaded everything back in the garage. At least the doors are cut now. Just a matter of "building" them up and attaching them. But I was in no position to do it tonight.<br/><br/>I went ahead and weeded my tomatoes, watered them, then mowed my back yard. Several of the tomato plants have just taken off this past week. They are looking good! Some of them. Others? Not so much. But I'm excited! I was dragging as I mowed, though. I was just beat. I think I could've fallen asleep while walking.<br/><br/>Ended up finishing up the back yard, then coming inside. Stayed inside the rest of the evening. I gave the girl from last night a call. And we're plannin' on gettin' together tomorrow sometime. She told me about her pretty neat job working in finances. And how she has worked with dairy cows, pigs, and horses. If that isn't the most attractive thing out there, I just don't know what is. Pretty eager to meet her.<br/><br/>Went to bed absolutely and totally exhausted at 11:00. Plannin' on wakin' up at 8:00 and having the shed done by noon. At least with the wood work. Then I can fill it up and paint it either tomorrow afternoon or Sunday. So ready to be done with it!Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-56560907771500398242010-08-06T23:33:00.000-04:002012-02-20T18:14:07.184-05:00A Farm Girl!!!--August 5, 2010Woke up at 9:10 A.M. Took a shower and waited on my sister to pick me up. We were heading to Grandma and Grandpa's house to visit and have lunch. She arrived around 9:30, and we were off. We had my grandparents, my sis, Baby, my uncle, and my cousin's wife. A fun crew.<br/><br/>I helped Grandpa take care of some chores around the house. Simple stuff really but stuff that needs to be done nonetheless. I carried down tomato juice to the basement and helped him get a profile on Facebook! Agh, it's true! My 85-year-old grandpa is now on Facebook! More power to him, but I think it's going to be sensory overload with all of the ads and clickable items. We'll see. Remember when Facebook was pretty neat? Yeah, that was about 5 years ago.<br/><br/>We ate a wonderful meal. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, fresh tomatoes from the garden, cottage cheese. And, of course, Grandma's apple pie. After we ate, Grandpa had me re-arrange his tractors in his machine shed. So I hopped in the John Deere 4450 and moved it out, then took the shredder off of the 3020 and put it out. I then put the 4450 back in and then the 3020 in front of it. After several years of wanting to do it, Grandpa is finally having his ol' 1966 John Deere 3020 painted! I don't think it's a complete restoration, but I'm excited to see how it looks when it comes back. I have so many fond memories on that tractor. Some of my best memories from growing up.<br/><br/>Erica and I ended up leavin around 1:15. I made the comment to her that I want a farm so bad! I just can't shake it! I also said you never know when the last visit is going to be. It's a reality that I just don't like to think about! We headed back to Springfield, taking a short detour once we were back to check out a house for a possible rental property. Erica and I talked finances on the way home. Pretty fun. There is sooooooooooooooooooo much to be said about paying off your first house quickly. Or staying in it longer. It sets you up so well for your next (and final?) house. It's fun to teach.<br/><br/>Once back, I hopped on the internet to check out another house I had looked at last year, but I was having problems with my laptop screen. It would go in and out with the A/C adapter. I checked out the adapter, and it was frayed at the tip. So I made several phone calls around town trying to find a replacement. $50-$99. ha! No thanks. I found them online for $10. So I bought one. And I kid you not, RIGHT after I bought one, I stood up to walk away from my laptop, and my foot got caught in the cord. It pulled pretty aggressively, and I turned around only to see my cord COMPLETELY pulled away from the connector piece. Well, crap. Without that, I only had my battery power (1.5 hours?) for the next several days. I needed to make a utility payment, and, of course, I would love to use it to journal each night, check stocks, e-mail, etc.<br/><br/>I was in dire straits.<br/><br/>Dad came over to pick up some tools around 4:40, but I was trying to figure out a way to make my bill payment before 5:00. I was finally able to do it. But I still had a broken power cord! And my new one is being shipped from California! GRR!!! It can't get here soon enough.<br/><br/>Jobu had asked me last night if I wanted to go shooting tonight, and sure enough, around 5:30, he called me. I had REALLY wanted to get my shed doors done tonight, but I knew this would be a good opportunity to hang out, too. So I took him up on the offer, knowing that it would only last an hour or so. Kristin had brought her AR-15 assault rifle, and oh my, what a gun that is!!! You can feel the shock wave off of the gun. It's ridiculous. It boggles my mind how such power can come from such a small piece of metal. It was pretty fun!!! I had a decent shot (not RIGHT on target), but I think with a couple more tries, I could nail it pretty solid. Of course, it DID help that we were using a laser sight.<br/><br/>I ended up coming home with the intentions of working on my shed, but I got back around 6:30. By the time I picked up my wood and hinges and returned, it would be 7:30. Tha would only give me an hour to work on the shed. Definitely not enough time. So after much contemplation, I took Kristin up on her offer to eat spaghetti at her house. I invited over Casey and Erica, too, and so we all spent the evening there.<br/><br/>I took over my A/C adapter and spent about 30 minutes trying to solder pieces back together. I didn't have much wire to work with on the connector, and the solder didn't want to stay, but I think I finally got a piece that held strong enough.<br/><br/>I ate two plates of spaghetti and had some chocolate mousse cake, too! Fattening!'<br/><br/>The TV was on most of the time, but I didn't like that, so I suggested we all go for a walk. They took me up on it. So we walked around the neighborhood. Pretty fun, though I was tired at the end! It's nice having a neighborhood to walk in...there were so many other people out doing it, too. And the night was just simply gorgeous. Pretty fun.<br/><br/>I ended up going home around 9:45. I tried out my adapter, and it looks like it is going to work. At least for a few days until I get my new one! It's definitely a temporary fix. I talked a bit with my roommate Sean who is leaving tomorrow. We had a pretty good mutual set-up. He had a nice place to live, I had a nice income coming in. It was good.<br/><br/>Ended up talking to a girl I am quite interested in! She's a country girl through and through. She loves horses and is definitely a girl I'm eager to learn more about! And stinkin' gorgeous. Talked to her until about 1:00 A.M. Finally went to bed at 1:10 A.M. I'm not sure if I'm going to the funeral tomorrow. I learned that it's in Moline, not Macomb, so I lost about 3 more hours of my day. GRR!!! I REALLY want to finish this shed! What to do, what to do.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-51600190152244650632010-08-05T01:54:00.000-04:002012-02-22T09:28:19.821-05:00Some Satisfaction!--August 4, 2010<br />
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Woke up at 7:20 A.M. Wasn't movin' too quickly. Grabbed a bowl of cereal, took a shower, then filled up a water jug and headed out the door. I headed to the ranch where my brother and I started digging a hole for a fence post. I grabbed a little over a cup of coffee and waited on the group to come out there.<br />
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They arrived around 9:00, and I was sent to lead a group of 5 in the building of a manure compost wall. Basically, the owner wants to hide the poop from the rest of the ranch. You can see four large piles when you pull up. Our job was to make it so you only see a wall! This was a teenage work crew that came out, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were ready and willing to work! I kind of acted as a foreman/encourager, but I had the students do most of the work. They set a couple of posts in the ground, lined up to even with the first one (took some work), put quick-rete in the holes, then filled 'em in.<br />
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We then had them take 16-foot boards and nail them into the railroad ties. We had to take a couple of water breaks, but they were always ready and eager to get back to work. It was around 90 degrees outside without the head index. It was quickly approaching 105-110 with the humidity. But we kept working! They nailed up all of the 16-foot boards, and we had time to stain them! So we did that, too! One of the guys cut off the tops of the railroad ties with a chainsaw, and before I knew it, before noon, we had a brand-new fence that blocked off the manure compost pile! What a joy it was to work with eager workers!!! I'll take them back any day.<br />
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<br />My brother was working with a group of girls in the barn, and they were able to complete a hay feeder. So now the ranch has three. That's pretty good! We took some pics with the group, then sent them on their way! They were off to work downtown with an inner-city ministry. Pretty neat crew. I ate a fairly quick lunch with the owner and my brother, but then I had to leave for a business meeting.<br />
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So from 1:00-2:00 I was tied up with that. I didn't really do a whole lot, but it's a good group to be a part of. They asked me if I was going back next season, and I told them I was. I basically have no other option! So I guess today was the "official in my head" day that marked my return to the company. For better, for worse! I'll make the most of it.<br />
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I took the afternoon pretty easy. I ended up heading over to Boogs' house around 2:00-ish. A man wanted to buy some shelves that I had had in the garage sale. I am now $8 richer! I stayed and talked with Boogs and played with Micaiah until 2:45. I headed back home and took it fairly easy. But I just wanted to work on my shed! So I did just that.<br />
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I started working on it around 4:00, I think. I went out and extended my door siding pieces. I want to have enough room on top to place some trim, so I had to shorten my door by a 2x4 edge. Pretty simple. Then I got really ambitious and hopped up on the roof! It was pretty hot but not too bad. I tackled the ridge. Frankly, it wasn't that bad. I am pretty good at roofing! My roof from last night turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself! Outside of the LAST piece I put in which was a bit off! I literally couldn't see where I was nailing! It was too dark at that point. Oh well.<br />
<br />As I was working, I heard thunder in the distance. Hmm. But it kept getting closer! Sure, here is me working ON a roof with a thunderstorm coming! It was a good incentive to get it done. And I did just that. I got the ridge shingles on and the ridge vent. It looks good! I was thrilled. And just in time, too! Just 10 minutes after I finished the roof, it started raining! What timing! A VERY-welcomed cold front passed over head with some sweet-looking clouds. But it went from 95 to 78 in the snap of a finger. The winds kicked up really strong for a bit, and it actually felt cold! I was thrilled! It was so much easier to work outside after that.<br />
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I cleaned up my entire yard, watered my tomato plants, and brought my four-wheeler around to the back only to realize that my shed is just small! ha! As my dad says, "You never build them big enough." The shed will certainly work (I don't use the four-wheeler much), but that four-wheeler is a tight fit! Oh well! I didn't want anything bigger in my backyard! I'll make it work.<br />
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I headed out to Sonic at 7:15 to meet a friend, and we ended up staying there until 9:00. I talked with my two roommates (and one's girlfriend) for a bit, then stayed up just messing around on the computer. Ended up going to bed at 1:00 A.M.<br />
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A very productive day, for sure. I am thrilled. I am going to try to make my doors tomorrow so that I can paint the shed on Saturday. I'll be away most of the day Friday for a funeral...<br />
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I'm ready to see the finished product! I'm excited!Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-13412686329734523322010-08-04T00:33:00.000-04:002012-02-22T09:28:55.269-05:00Dangerously Hot--August 3, 2010<br />
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(The picture is from yesterday's work! This is how we started this morning!).<br />
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Woke up at 7:40 A.M. I did NOT feel very good. I grabbed a bowl of cereal (with milk!) and took a shower. Dad was here around 7:45, but I needed to wake up some more. So I took a shower to try to help! But I was just at 60%. I pushed through.<br />
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We started working on the shed right away. We started putting the gable siding pieces on. I forgot to mention that we didn't put these angled pieces on yesterday. We just ran out of time! This actually turned out to be more work that I had expected! The first (of four) went on so smoothly. But then after that I/we seriously spent about 45 minutes on the next cut! Basically, because of the lips on my wooden siding, it just wasn't working out perfectly. But we finally figured out what we needed to do, and we put 'em up. My roommate Dug came out to help, so that was nice. And Jobu came out around 10:30, so that was nice, too.<br />
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But it was HOT. I should have known when I walked around the corner of my house just a little after 8:00 o'clock and could literally SEE the moisture in the air. It was just hovering almost like fog. But it was actually pleasant at that time. But that didn't last very long. By the time 11 o'clock rolled around, it was just dangerously hot. I was sweating profusely, and I usually don't sweat like that. I usually have a little head sweat, a little sweat on the chest, but this was literally a full-body seeping of water. I was wet. And I started feeling a little rough.<br />
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I had a good few hours, but all of a sudden, something just hit me. We came inside to take a break around noon, but I just couldn't sit up. I had a terrible head-ache, and I couldn't shake it. I lay on my floor, covered in sawdust, and just tried to get rid of that head-ache. I felt terrible. I seriously just felt terrible all around, stomach included.<br />
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I felt so bad that I even passed up on lunch. That is unheard of! But I needed to sleep this thing off. I was seriously going to be out of commission if it continued. Dad and Jobu left to go get something to eat, and I tried to sleep right there on the living room floor. The problem is I wasn't tired. But I ended up in the crazy la-la land...not really dreaming but not really awake, either.<br />
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I came out of it about an hour later or so. And I kid you not (this is kind of gross), but the room just smelled terrible. I mean disgusting. I grabbed a bite to eat of a sub they had left for me, but I couldn't even get through it. I made a trip to the bathroom, and I sat there for about 15 minutes. Something was killing me! But in all honesty, after the purging, I felt so much better!!! I came out and finished my sandwich, then went outside to see what I could do by myself on the shed! Not much! I cut and put up a little siding piece, but that was about it.<br />
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Plus it was now dangerously hot. I mean, you can die in this type of heat! It was 99 degrees with a heat index of 116. It was nothing short of oppressive. Dad and Jobu had gone out to the ranch to put in some posts, but I later found out that they couldn't really do much, either. It was just too unbearable. So I sat around inside for a bit, just waiting for some type of relief to come.<br />
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But the forecast wasn't much better. They were calling for it to still be 90 degrees at 8:00 P.M. Yikes.<br />
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I ended up adding up my receipts today, not necessarily out of desire, but out of a commitment to myself to be good with money. I was so nervous to see the final total. And it's WAY more than I had budgeted. Or expected. As of now, I am at $797.13. NOT where I wanted to be at all. That is $300 more than I had planned on! And I still need more parts! But I'll be able to take several items back, too. My guess is that that figure is going to be pretty close to accurate, though, by the time I get what I need and take back the returns. $800. Is it worth it?! (As a side note, though, it's still cheaper than the $1530 I was quoted at last week...). I just wasn't as accurate as expected in my planning.<br />
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The sun baked the earth all afternoon. But around 5 o'clock, Dad and I decided that we could go ahead and put on the roof. It wasn't going to get any better, and I needed to get it done. So he came back by from home. He had taken off the day to help me. It's unbelievable how I get the 116-degree days to work. Why not one of those 85-degree days from a week or two ago?! This was seriously crazy. It's now August, but this has been one of the hottest summers I can ever remember. July was just brutal this year.<br />
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He came over, and we lined up the tar paper that we had put up last night. Then we put on the drip edge. And we finally started our first row of shingles at 6:10. But it was so hot. It was actually fine to stand in the shade. But once you did ANY amount of movement, it was over. My shirt literally became drenched. I could see water glistening on the outside of it. It was completely and totally soaked. Again, it was like a sweat that I just don't remember. It was nasty stuff.<br />
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We worked on one side, and it was coming along fairly nicely with the air gun we had borrowed. But we needed to take a break around 7:30. It was just becoming too much for us. We took a quick break, made a quick little trip over to Casey and Erica's to sell something for them (the people in the driveway ended up leaving as we were going over...ha!), then came back and went at it again. I finished one side, then started the other. I could tell Dad was really feeling it. But I understand that! It was a lot for me!!! And he has 28 years on me! But we pushed through.<br />
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Mom brought us homemade ice cream around 8:00. That was a welcome relief. I scarfed it down, then continued. I REALLY wanted to get this roof done tonight. I hate leaving projects open-ended. But we were fighting heat exhaustion AND darkness. But we pushed through. Finally, at 8:42, I put up my last shingle row. It was almost competely dark by then, and it was getting very hard to see. We had done it AGAIN. Two nights in a row. We cleaned up the yard and called it a night.<br />
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Wow. But the shed is looking good now. It was again too late to take a picture, but it's looking sharp. There is still much work to do, but it's actually got most of the body work done. I need to put the ridge shingles and vent on next. Then make the doors, fill the siding with nails, put up the trim, and then paint it! And then I am literally DONE with the booger. It should last a solid 15-20 years (that's only $40/year, right?!).<br />
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What a learning experience it has been! Right now it's kind of a thorn in my side! It's a long, sometimes frustrating and complicated process of building! I have learned a bit, and it's been fun to pull the Man Card out, but it is complete and total work. A good lesson in that, too!<br />
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But I am definitely EAGER to put it to use. Enough of this empty shed stuff!<br />
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And today wasn't without its own frustrations. We had the hardest time figuring out the gable end pieces after that first cut. It was later found out to be a matter of that lip part on the siding. But it took some thinking. We also had a problem with my shingles being used to hold down the tar paper. Basically, the 116-degree heat bonded them to the paper. When I tried to move them, the tar paper ripped up with it. I also had an issue with the trim. I definitely need trim for my corners, but I also need it between my bottom siding and my top siding on the gabled ends. The problem is a matter of covering the seam. If I cover the seam, then I can't have the trim go all the way around the shed, as there would be lining-up issues. Hard to explain, but it's certainly a problem. I also have a problem of putting up the trim below the drip-edge. Basically, you are supposed to put the drip-edge over the trim, but I didn't have it, AND that would force me to literally put trim around the ENTIRE shed. I don't need to do that, but as it stands now, the drip edge will take water and place it on top of the future trim piece. Not supposed to be like that!<br />
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Of course, we also had the heat and my very poor body today. I seriously can't give enough credit to the heat. It is just downright unbearable. We were literally forced out of working today. A body just can't handle that. The National Weather Service even put out a Heat WARNING saying to stay inside, limit exposure to outside, and definitely not work outside. It was that bad.<br />
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But...in the same breath, we worked when we could, we pushed through frustrations, exhaustion, and the lack of desire. And we have a shed that is actually starting to look pretty decent. I'm eager to see the finished product.<br />
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What a day.<br />
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I don't think I'll have much time to work on it tomorrow, as I'm helping out at the ranch tomorrow. And I have a business meeting in the afternoon (grr!), so we'll see what happens. Plust it's supposed to be between 110 and 115 degrees again tomorrow with the heat index. More of the same.<br />
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I guess we'll see! I'm just ready to put some doors on there! And I'm ready to fill it up! Can't wait!<br />
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Went to bed pretty exhausted at 11:40 P.M.<br />
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Alarm is set for 7:15 A.M.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-39675550854674942112010-08-04T00:02:00.000-04:002012-02-20T18:14:07.160-05:00Sweat Labor--August 2, 2010<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-961" title="DSC00414" src="http://becauseihavenowife.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00414-300x225.jpg" alt="DSC00414" width="300" height="225" /><br/><br/>Woke up to my alarm at 8:00 A.M. But that just didn't happen. Ended up falling back asleep and waking up at a little after 9:00. I felt much better, but I had missed an hour of work on the shed! I grabbed my check from the sale of some stocks and headed over to the credit union. I saw Dad while there, and I was trying to figure out the best way to install my rafters. The toe-nail method just wasn't too sturdy in my book. I eventually decided that I wanted to do it properly, so I headed to Menards to buy some brackets.<br/><br/>I made a quick stop at the gas station first to buy two gallons of milk, then headed out to Menards. I picked up a plastic ridge vent while there and 16 of the hurricane ties. Only 34 cents apiece. That will work. But it's another $17 into this shed!!! Grr!<br/><br/>I came back home and started going at the rafters. Frankly, the work was pretty easy. I didn't get started until after around 11:00 o'clock, but that has been the norm as of late. I got all of the rafters installed, then started working on cutting the siding. Basically, that was hard work in and of itself. The 4x8 pieces are just hard to handle and very heavy. So I would cut off about a foot or so on the end, lean the board against myself, then walk it to the back. It was work! The frustrating part is that I couldn't really do much beyond that. I simply needed someone else to help me. But Casey was at work, Jobu had to work, and Crazy is out of state. GRR!<br/><br/>Dad came over on his lunch hour and helped me to hang up a couple. He said he would be back around 2:30 to make some town runs if I needed anything. So I made it a goal to have all of the siding pieces cut by then. I was able to do that. He came at 2:30, and we headed to run some errands. I returned a brake hose from a few weeks ago to Auto Zone, made a utility payment at a bank, then picked up MORE pieces at Menard's. For whatever reason, I had miscalculated the siding pieces. I had purchased 7, but I needed an additional 4. Sigh. These are one of the most expensive pieces, too!!! I also picked up 7 bundles of shingles, plywood for the roof, and drip edge for the roof. I spent an ADDITIONAL $255.70. I couldn't believe it!!! I had REALLY miscalculated this project. I thought I would be in and out for $400-$450. I not only spent that the first day, but I have surpassed that by more than I care to admit. I'm afraid to even add it up. It's not going to be pretty. It gets closer and closer to the price of buying a shed every day.<br/><br/>We brought everything back to my house, and it was already 4:00 o'clock by that point. I had high hopes of getting the siding and roof on tonight, but I needed help. Dad came back by around 4:40, and we started hanging up the siding. And what work that was!!! My shed is not perfectly square, and that just makes for some adventures in carpentry right there. It wasn't too fun! We had to push on the shed from numerous angles to shift the walls, shift the rafters, and on and on. It was work!!!<br/><br/>We ended up spending the entire evening working on this thing. It seemed like a slow process. Mom came by with some sandwiches and MUCH needed sweet tea. It was pretty warm outside. I was just dripping sweat. Dad and I continued with the work, though, up until we couldn't see any more. We were able to get all of the siding walls on AND the plywood on the roof. There is a 30% chance of rain tonight and a 40% chance of rain tomorrow, so we quickly threw the tar paper up on the roof, too, tacking it down with a couple of nails, bundles of shingles, and some concrete edging.<br/><br/>Finally, around 9 o'clock, past the time where I could see the nails I was swinging at, we called it a night. It was dark. I hate having to work that long!!! And I hate even more having my dad be out there doing the work, but I just need the help. It's much appreciated!<br/><br/>But this project is just taking so much longer than expected!!! I'm on Day 4 already!<br/><br/>I'm over budget AND overdue! Not a good combination. I couldn't even take a picture of the end of our day, as it was just too dark outside. But it's coming together, and it's starting to look like a legitimate shed!!!<br/><br/>My new roommate finally moved back in tonight, and he asked me if I wanted to go out with him and his friend. I figured it would be a good time to get to know him, so I took him up on the offer. I reaaaaaaaaaaaally toyed with not going, as I was tired and could benefit from the sleep. But we headed out anyway. We just went down the road to Mowie's and had some lively conversation! These are going to be some fun guys to have over!<br/><br/>Ended up coming back around midnight, I think. But I didn't get to bed until 1:30 A.M. Alarm is set for 7:40. Ugh.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-60657418693916378502010-08-02T01:10:00.000-04:002012-02-20T18:14:07.193-05:00Goin' Nowhere Fast!!!--August 1, 2010<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-957" title="DSC00404" src="http://becauseihavenowife.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00404-300x225.jpg" alt="DSC00404" width="300" height="225" /><br/><br/><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-958" title="DSC00410" src="http://becauseihavenowife.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00410-300x225.jpg" alt="DSC00410" width="300" height="225" /><br/><br/>Woke up at 8:35 A.M. Ate a dry bowl of cereal (out of milk) and had a bottle of sweet tea. It was actually difficult getting that bowl of cereal down!!! It was soooooo dry! Hard to chew and swallow! Took a shower, then headed to church.<br/><br/>Ended up in my favorite Sunday School class only to find out my favorite teacher wasn't there. What is worse, the fill-in guy was the same teacher that I had from another class two weeks ago! The one where I was bored out of my mind! I saw that he had about 50% of the same content, too! GRR. But I liked this class better (the people), so I opted to stay. Ended up being all right. It's all about the crowd sometimes.<br/><br/>Went to big church but still really don't have any connections there. Walked out the doors at the end and left. No one to talk to! Not a big fan.<br/><br/>Headed out to Mom and Dad's house for lunch. The crew was all there...outside of Crazy who is on vacation. Stayed there until 1:35, then headed to Casey's house to help him deliver a TV stand he had sold on craigslist (that didn't sell in the garage sale). Was in a fairly rough part of town, but the transaction was fine. No worries. Until I was leaving. I was stopped at a stop sign when I was pushed forward all of a sudden! A car had just hit me from the back!!!<br/><br/>It wasn't that hard, but sure enough, I had been hit. Oddly enough, the guy that hit me really didn't seem to know he hit me. Or that I was there for that matter!!! I turned around, and he acted all surprised to even see my truck there! I got out and checked for damage, but we actually both seemed to be fine. "Is my car alright"? The guy didn't even get out of his car. "Yeah, it looks fine. I'm happy if you're happy." "Yeah, alright." So I drove off, then he took off behind me.<br/><br/>So crazy. Casey said I handled that the best in that situation. ha! Screw that! I would have asked for his insurance info if I had some serious damage!!! I wasn't leaving because of where I was! I was leaving because there was no damage. Oh well.<br/><br/>We headed to my house where we worked on the shed. Didn't get started until about 2:45. Why do we start so late every day?! We put all four walls up, nailed 'em down, and squared 'em up. It actually looks pretty good. He had to leave for a softball game at 4:30, so I was left to figure out the roof rafters on my own. After some thinking and watching YouTube, I had at it. And I did that for HOURS. I seriously just stood there and cut and cut and cut some more. So many angles, so many pieces. I have eight rafters, so I had 16 boards to cut, and I had 16 other pieces to cut to give it strength at the top. It was sooooooo much cutting!<br/><br/>I finally took the eight rafters to the back around 7:00. I put two on, but I was pretty tired by that point. Plus I wasn't fully confident that I was doing it all correctly. I am basically nailing down angled nails to hold the rafters in place. It just doesn't seem right. How could a couple of toe nails hold an entire roof? I just wasn't buying it. I'll wait until tomorrow.<br/><br/>It's kind of hard doing the work by yourself, too! Even with cutting the rafters, just having another set of hands would have been so nice! Oh well! Such was my day!<br/><br/>Ended up coming back inside around 8:00 o'clock. I definitely didn't get as far as I had planned, but it's coming along. It looks more like a shed than it did this morning anyway.<br/><br/>Hoping to get the roof rafters on tomorrow, as well as the siding and roof board. Oh, how I dream big!<br/><br/>Went to bed at 12:15 A.M. Alarm is set for 8:00.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9065215693412629004.post-2730242516099925112010-08-01T01:40:00.000-04:002012-02-22T09:32:48.399-05:00Work, Work, Work!!!--July 31, 2010<br />
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Woke up at 9:30. VERY tired. I hate when that happens. I was seriously struggling. Just lay in bed awake for about 20 minutes. Trying to find some way of not feeling how I did. Finally got up, ate breakfast, took a shower, then loaded up some wood that I needed to return to Menard's.<br />
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I headed over to my sister's house to see how the garage sale was coming along. Got there around 10:30. They had made a whopping $2.50 this morning. Oddly enough, it never got better! They made around $268 yesterday. And $2.50 today. Crazy! Doesn't anyone shop on Saturdays anymore!<br />
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While there, I was kind of lured into helping dig out a fence post. We dug and dug and dug. And dug some more. And this thing wouldn't budge. We probably spent 45 minutes working on it. Three of us! And it just wouldn't go. Casey has SEVERAL posts to take out. It was becoming a personal mission for me to get that out, but we were seriously struggling. We ended up quitting. GRR!!!<br />
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Dad and I left from there to take left-over items to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore shop. We dropped off the huge countertop and sink I picked up last week (that I shouldn't have), Mom and Dad's old vanity and sink, and the sink that came with my countertop from last week's garage sale (two weeks ago???). While there, I checked out other items. And I ended up finding the deal of the century. Gallons of stain for $1. I learned later they had been dropped off by Lowe's just a day or two earlier. I ended up buying 30 GALLONS!!! Basically, I picked up $600 worth of stain for $30. I would've bought more, but I allowed another guy to pick up 10 of the gallons. He had come over and found my loot as I was pulling them out of the box. I figured that was fair. Now I can stain my deck and fence! For cheap!!!<br />
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I also picked up a small cabinet and countertop. Looks nice!<br />
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From there we headed to McDonald's. I was feeling so weak!!! I needed food. Two cheeseburgers and a sweet tea. So hard to beat. From there we went to Menard's and returned the wood I had purchased yesterday. I then bought the new wood that I needed. That ended up taking much longer than expected. I had planned on hammering my first nail at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon. We didn't get back until after 3:00!!! We were probably at Menard's for an hour or so.<br />
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Saw the highway backed up for miles on the way back. Later learned that a woman was critically injured while changing her tire on the interstate. I kid you not. It blew up in her face and left a deep cut from forehead to chin. Pretty nasty. She was literally life-flighted out of there with the helicopter. You just never know when you're goin'. Kerstin yesterday. And a woman's life dramatically changed (or lost) while changing a tire. Life is crazy.<br />
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Ended up coming back home and going to work on the shed walls. I had Dad and Casey's help, so that was nice. The walls went together pretty easily. Not too hard. We had to think a bit with my door (I'm putting it on the 12-foot side), but I think we will be fine. Mom, Boogs, and Baby came over with supper, so we had a nice break for some taco salad. But I went right back to work! After the walls were done, I wanted to move everything to the backyard. So Casey and I started leveling the ground. I kid you not, that was probably the hardest part of the job! I picked a fairly poor surface (in terms of level-ness) for my shed, but it's where it will look the best! We worked and worked and worked on that! Dirt is just so hard to move! Mom and Dad came back by (they had to return the tables from the garage sale), and we continued the process of leveling. A pain in the butt! But we finally got it pretty decent. It's not a perfect science, as I have fairly warped 4x4's that will be acting as the base. Oh well. I was happy with it and think it will work fine<br />
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<br />Then we had the very difficult task of getting a several-hundred pound floor from my driveway to my backyard. It took a little ingenuity and a lot of help. Mom, Dad, Casey, Dad, and I all put some serious effort into moving that thing. We cut up a long PVC pipe into 3-foot sections and literally rolled the huge floor along my yard. It was work! It was so hard keeping that huge thing balanced, and Mom was rushing back and forth taking the rear pipe and putting it in the front. At any time, if that floor went sideways, the person on the side would have no way of holding it up. It was unbelievably heavy. I couldn't believe it!<br />
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But after much effort and sweat, we finally got the floor back to the 4x4's in my yard. We had to move one of the 4x4's (more grading!), but it wasn't too bad. We FINALLY had the floor in place. I think it was around 7:30 by the time we had gotten that far. Crazy. But it's a step in the right direction.<br />
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I certainly don't have the walls up and the roof in place like I had wanted to do today, but we're getting there. After cleaning up the tools, I went out back and walked on the floor. It's very sturdy and flat!!! I'm going to call it level, too! I'm excited to get this thing done! It's going to be so handy!<br />
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Spent the rest of the night inside. Eager to get the walls up tomorrow. Spent some time researching how to do rafters this evening. It's all about learning as you go! Will tackle the roof tomorrow, too. Basically, it's putting the walls up, making rafters, installing them, then putting the siding and plywood on the roof. The doors and shingles are the finishing touches, but we're only a couple of days from a nice-looking shed that should last for years!!!<br />
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It's so nice having fruits from labor. Nothing like getting the satisfaction out of DOING something.<br />
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Oh, and around 10 o'clock, I ate two tiny little tomatoes that I had picked earlier from my garden! They weren't much, but they tasted like tomatoes! We'll see how many more I get.<br />
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Went to bed at 12:45 A.M.Runway in Sighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981285468014577534noreply@blogger.com0