8 days out...

My original schedule of being away for a quick overnight round trip (RT) on the 12th ended up with me being extended all the way through tonight (5th overnight) plus the fact that I have been on duty for 6 days so that means that because I dutied out tonight around 2100 local, I need a mandatory 24 hour rest period. So that means that I cannot fly the MTX flight out that I was originally scheduled to take back today to ATL, my regular day off (tomorrow) will be spend here in Hot Springs, Arkansas and I will DeadHead back to ATL on Wednesday. I have a new off day on 21st followed by another on the 22nd then my 4 Golden Days in a row. It should make for a good trip but we'll see how things turn out. I really want to fly a RT in the LAX area but we'll see where that goes.

So, because of all these extension to my original schedule, I'm forced to do some laundry in the sink of my hotel room. I don't think that I have had to hand wash my clothing since...shoot, ever?! It's definitely an interesting life I tell ya. But, I'm still enjoying it.

Today was a good day in that I flew back to ATL this morning with some crazy winds and landed pretty well, DeadHeaded to Little Rock on Delta, drove with the Captain to the Hot Springs Maintenance base, and took a CRJ 200 for a spin around the area. We flew up to 15,000 feet and just started to do some maintenance checks. It was fun, but frustrating at the same time because we got delayed on the flight out of ATL to Little Rock then, the maintenance checks didn't really go that well. So, here I am. It's going to be an exciting day in Hot Springs tomorrow! =)

Oh yeah, I was 1 bid from a Relief line as I got the 354th bid that I made which was RES703. I have May 19th - 22nd off. Yeah!!! My co-worker who is just one spot ahead of me got awarded a line. Congrats guys! I can't wait till next month.

Delta's New Livery!? APU's Warmth

Well folks, the internet is crawling with all different pictures of what Delta is planning to paint their planes after their emergence from bankruptcy. What do you think?

I've been hanging around the APU of our aircraft a lot more than normal because of the late winter. Once again, I've been extended for about 5 days straight and I really won't be surprised if I don't get a 6th day. I might as well take my Captain's advice and always pack for 6 days straight. I dead-headed to Wichita, KN today after 3 legs and I'm ready for more tomorrow. I just want to get a trip that goes out West already. Looks like I have a good chance of getting a Reserve or Relief Line this upcoming month because of the amount of lines that we cut. Oh well, should be another exciting month. I'm just happy that I'm flying!

Reserve between two off days...

Being on reserve between two off days stinks because you can't go home. That's about it. Also the chance of having an overnight or having a nap then turning into a 2 day then 3 day, then all the way to another 6 days straight kind of stinks, but I'm happy for all the flying. I've accumulated about 75 hours already in the first 30 days of me flying here at Atlantic Southeast Airlines. It's been fun and is always exciting. Flying never gets old. I want to do more flying out west though and am hoping that I get the LAX temporary duty. We all hear later on in the week. *crossing my fingers*

Flaps 8.....?

Well, my first exciting "moment" which ended in a non occurrence, happened last night on the last trip of a 4 leg day. I finished with a total of 8.14 hours after the fact. So, here's the story.

Yesterday was the 5th day after being extended like crazy with 3 naps, a regular overnight (about 7 hours rest total finally after I got to sleep) then followed by another overnight then a full day to finish it up. I was originally "scheduled" to be off on Tuesday, then it got moved to Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and I have to have Saturday off tomorrow because of the Federal Regulations. I was lucky that I packed extra expecting that I was going to be extended. All the other roommates were getting extended like crazy, so I just prepared for the worse and that's what I got. I'm enjoying all the flying though really.

We had a jumpseater for the last leg to Des Moines, Iowa which was my 2nd of the day. That was pretty cool, and it was my leg to take. I had a great take off and cruising was normal. Moving ahead into the approach segment, we were cleared to join the localizer, and as I began to slow down and descend, I called for "Flaps 8." To my surprised, we got a Yellow Caution Message saying "Flaps Fail." I kind of paused a little bit and just proceeded by asking for the QRH or Flaps Fail. I asked the Captain what he wanted to do, and we got vectors around the Des Moine city at 4000 feet. I continued to fly the plane until the checklists were done and we contacted all the necessary people. Finally, the Captain took over the aircraft in preparation for a No Flap landing. This increases our approach speed by about 30 knots to 178! Definitely a lot faster. To top that off, the usuable runway for 31 was about 7898 ft. We needed 7000 so that means that it was all good. We declared an emergency just in case if we were to run off the runway and / or have the breaks overheat. We got all setup and I asked to get vectored back and that we were ready. The jump seater was definitely a little surprised too.

Anyways, coming in at that speed (178 knots = 204.838742 mph) definitely made the ground move like I've never seen before. The trucks were out on the runway with their lights all flashing, the flight attendant notified and we were set. The captain was really calm and I was too, surprisingly. "100 feet.......50 feet.....40....30..20.10" The Captain executed the landing with finese and awesomeness! It was smooth and had barely any float. I have to say that it was just freaking tremendous. He even kept the nose wheel off the ground for a little bit and then followed with some heavy braking and full reverse. We still had about 3000 feet of runway left! The jump seater was all excited and we both congratulated the captain on an excellent execution. All in all, it was not that bad. I definitely had a little of an adrenaline rush and couldn't sleep for a while, but I finally laid my head down and got some rest knowing that today was going to be another long day. Oh yeah, I didn't eat all day long except for a granola bar and some stuff that I had for breakfast at the previous hotel stay. I can't wait for this last leg today. I get to go home and sleep on my air mattress!

too little time..

Lets see, I rode the jumpseat of a Delta 757 on my way back from San Diego which was awesome except for the fact that I wasn't able to get any sleep. The crew on board was entertaining and I just loved chatting to them. Of course, I did wish that I got some sleep, but I got enough.

I haven't been able to post that much at all lately because of the schedule that I've been given as of late. I've been on what the company calls "Naps" for exactly what it is. The past two trips that I have had, I left around 2130, arrived at 2245, got to the hotel by 2330 and then went to bed around midnight or 0100, then had to wake up at 0400 - 0415 to get downstairs for the shuttle back to the airport to take the aircraft back. These last two days have been somewhat of a blur, but I'm hanging in there. I was going to have another Nap tonight, but I guess that since the layover time is > 8 hours, it's considered a regular overnight. I also noticed that I already got extended for another RT (roundtrip) right when I get back in the morning so I won't be back till about 1200 tomorrow.

I better get ready for another fun filled night! Oh yeah, the 30 minute flight time to Augusta, GA is a little crazy in terms of being rushed. You are up then back down, and its just crazy busy.

Round and round....

From Evansville, Indiana to ATL then to PVD where the winds were gusting. I took that last two legs which included the gusty crosswind landing in PVD then a smooth one back in ATL. Providence did prove to be a little too much for me. I'm still getting use to feeling out how much actual correction I need to put in while I fly the plane down. I definitely do a lot better without following the flight director and just flying the plane down visually. Once we touched down, the Captain once again bought us lunch from Wolfgang Puck Express. He bought me a bags of chips and a Turkey Sandwich on a special type of bun. The bread was great and the meet was appetizing. I have to say that the meat itself was just some turkey from an Oscar Meyers package or something, but it was tasty. I'm really grateful to the crew for such a good experience. They raise the bar so high that I just hope that each of the crews that I fly with from here on out are that awesome!

Anyways, so, on takeoff from PVD, I wanted to do it the way another Captain taught me, but it didn't work out that well because I still wasn't aggressive enough. I'm sure that I'll have a lot of chances and days that demand a lot of perfection in crosswind landings and takeoffs, but I want to master this now. I'll try some flight simulator or something to help me out. Atlanta landing was good but it was cheap because the winds were light. It still wasn't the smoothest that I've done, but good enough.

I had to rush though from once we got the gate at D Concourse, I had to run to the C Concourse to drop off my pilot bag full of Jepps in the crew lounge, then out to security but I took a detour back on the tram to D. I eventually took the trolley back the other way to the terminal, went through security, and then to Gate A10. I had <1 hour from the time we touchdown to get to my commuting flight back home to San Diego. It worked out to where I was #2 on what was remaining on the standby list that didn't get assigned a seat but I checked in at the gate with about 20 minutes left till departure. The whole security thing is a mess. I guess that it proves and means well, but the hassle of going back out to just get screened then back in just to catch a flight home is a little cumbersome. If I did get checked this morning, then I wouldn't have to go through it in ATL, but Evansville is just quaint and we still get to go through the crew area.

I made it as the last person on the plane back to San Diego and I'm here just hanging out once again. I'm finally going to get my eyes checked but ASA's Vision provider stinks! No one wants to accept them. The name of the company, Spectera is just plain awful. I'm just going to head to LensCrafters who also just recently stopped accepting them because of how bad they were. I can't believe that the company that I work for provides this poor insurance. I might as well not have anything at all! I was looking forward to heading to my old optometrist, but he doesn't like them either. Go figure!

I met a really cool dad on the plane. He's basically all set in life and it awesome to sit next to someone that is just really full of positive energy and stuff. It was the first time that I commuted in my uniform. I did that only because there was 1) no point to change 2) no time to change. Now, I just read that since I brought some liquids with me, I have to commute back to ATL in uniform. Geez. Oh yeah, my gel also exploded in my toilettres' bag. It got everywhere! Thanks to Adelle for helping me clean it out! Alright, well, I'm excited for some new glasses and contacts. It's been just a little over 5 years since I got my last exam. This one is going to cost a pretty penny for both contacts and glasses.

Best layover ever...so far...

It's definitely going to be really hard to top this trip. The crew that I was paired up with was just too much fun. The Captain and Flight Attendant were just really nice, outgoing, dinner was awesome and the Captain even treated us out! Thanks again Captain! If this is was flying was everyday or every time I went out on a trip, then it wouldn't be half as bad. Once again, don't get me wrong, it's not that bad at all just yet and I'm sure that it won't be. I was surprised that Evansville, Indiana was going to be this awesome. The Jameson Inn is really pleasant and comfortable. Apparently they had an awesome renovation and there is just a lot of stuff to do around here. I ate at the Rafferty's just down the street and had a 10-12 oz. Prime Rib with a House Salad and Garlic Mashed Potatoes. It was just too good. Dinner was awesome all together and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's trip followed by a trip back home to San Diego. The flights look good so far so I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

Tomorrow is going to be another long day but with only three legs. I'm going back to Atlanta early morning, then up to Providence, Rhode Island then back to Atlanta. I should be on the 1655 flight out of Atlanta back to San Diego, but like I said, we'll see how the loads go and hopefully the weather holds up in all places.

I got my first full month schedule for April. I did get awarded a reserve line but I can't argue that it's bad. Apparently, I got a shift that is from 1800 till 0000. This is designated a "nap" line where we go to some place for like only 5 hours then come right back. Should be fun and definitely tiresome, but it'll be some good experience if I ever end up getting these kind of flights. I made good friends with a scheduler today also and look forward to helping that relationship grow into some good terms. I trying to go for some flying out West still and we'll just have to wait and see if I'm "awarded" anything out there. Pray for me! Oh yeah, if you haven't already, you have to watch the Dora the Explorer spoof that SNL did last Friday. It's kick ass!

1st Trip out of I.O.E

Well, today marked the end of the first trip out of training. I flew a total of 4 legs on this two day trip, 3 yesterday and 1 back to Atlanta today. Definitely a good trip being that each leg was just about 2 hours long. Within those two hours, I got a chance to continue learning more about the plane and various techniques that the Captain has learned throughout his career in the CRJ 200. I consider myself very luck to get a Captain on my first trip that was really cool.

The overnight in Islip, NY was pretty cool, but once again, I didn't get a chance to venture out only because we arrived late, and I just wanted all the sleep I could get. The Radisson has some great contract with SleepNumber and I had a chance to sleep on one. It was great, but I have to admit that it still felt like my current air mattress from Wal-Mart. It wasn't that bad really, but it's just an air mattress that can inflate and deflate with you on top of it. One of the guys in the house just got a "tempurpedic" from Wal-Mart and it definitely feels quite comfortable. His bed was $280 and mine was only $59 or something like that. Huge difference, but like my roommate said, "It's a lot cheaper than back surgery." I might turn in this air mattress maybe 1) if i can find the receipt 2) if i really want to spend that kind of money. I don't even have a frame to put it on top of either. I'll see what's up sooner or later.

I got to go home to San Diego again and spend sometime with friends and family. I'm starting to actually commute if you will and hopefully I'll get the chance to go back home sooner than later. I'm looking at a flight for Wednesday right after I get off of my flight from Providence, RI but I've never traveled in uniform and I'm a little hesitant. I still have to check out my schedule too for the upcoming reserve line that I have for April to even make sure that this trip would be worth while. I'm going to use this trip as a last one for a while until I get the reserve thing figured out and to spend more time here in ATL finding a part time job. I need to definitely do something else to cover my ass.

The Luggage Works Pilot Bag that I ordered a while back finally came in. It was a pretty penny and it has already scratched me a little bit with its metal frame, but I'm definitely impressed with its build. I'm just glad that I don't have to carry my flight case in one hand and drag my suitcase in the other.

To answer all those questions about pay, etc and stuff, here's a print shot of an awesome website called AirlinePilotCentral on ASA's Pay Rates. It might look like a lot, but remember that here at ASA, we are contractually held to only 97.5 hours a month while the government allows 121 Carrier Pilots to 100 hours a month. The hourly rate is the pay we get when the plane is moving, so once again, we don't get paid while we are on the ground. We do get a per diem if we are on shift for that time which is $1.50 an hour. But hope that this little spreadsheet enlightens you all. Here's also a government description of our occupation: Airline and Commercial Pilots. It's probably the best description out there except for a few details left out.

Got to get some rest for another 1 legger tomorrow and 3 the next day!

The Chargers new uniforms kick ass and they are opening up against the Chicago Bears! That's going to be just pure awesomeness!

update: I know this is an old post but link to the bls was broken. I recently redirected it their updated site and also received a link to https://peoplemanagingpeople.com/topics/occupational-outlook-handbook Cheers in that new career!

Buffalo and Snow IOE

These are a couple of new pictures from my last flight up to Buffalo. The captain and I thought that we would have been canceled but because the storm moved so fast to the east, Buffalo wasn't that bad at all. It was my leg because the IOE Captain wanted to fly his last trip back to Atlanta and it just worked out that way but I was excited because of the conditions that I would be flying into. I landed on a runway that wasn't that slippery or contaminated at all, but the light snow and the snowy taxiways were something that I've never done before. We also had a chance to get de-iced which, of course, I have never done before. What better timing than to do it with an IOE Captain. I really hope that the next few lines that I get from Crew Scheduling are okay and are with an awesome captain. I heard that you get spoiled with your training instructors and that some of line guys aren't that friendly. Always have to stay positive and just make the best out of any situation. I get my first call tomorrow afternoon probably.

The picture to the right is just outside of my window on board the flight deck. It's pretty awesome I think! Oh yeah, from what I know now and have been awarded, I have April 23-26 as my Golden Days. Anyone going to come to town? Either than that, I'm on reserve till then. Oh joy!!!

I forgot to write lately about my diet too so here goes. I now weight in at about 173 lbs. which is closer to my goal of 165. I still have a waist that I need to run off but the diet of Tuna, bread and Ritz Crackers or whatever else on the plane is just awesome. I'm also able to save quite a bit of money bringing along a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and try to ease my appetite along the way with some various trail mixes too. I found a place called the "Nut House" just right down the street which has just about any trail mix that I would have imagined and I can't argue that it's expensive either. Over a span of 2 days for 2 people (the Captain and I), we shared $5.00 worth and I thought that it was perfect. I could of course maybe had it last longer but I'm the type to always share. I also have some Special K Cereal in the morning and or a shake of sorts. I think that I could lose that extra 8 pounds too by the end of the month. That's my goal at least!

Here's another picture of a frozen lake (I have no idea which one) on the final approach into Buffalo.

finally some time...

I'm blogging from a hotel room in Montreal now only because I've been in the middle of moving to a new 5 bedroom house loaded w/ 8 guys. I took the master bedroom with 2 other doods and it should hold up pretty good for a good crash pad. I've already completed 2 days of IOE and today was actually my third full day. It was blocked for almost a full 8 hours. I had to wake up extra early today because I forgot to pick up my dry cleaning last night (my fault) and in order to pick them up, drop my car off at Flight Safety for a car wash tomorrow and then take the shuttle from the Red Roof Inn to the airport just added up to about 2 extra hours. I got to the airport still with about 30 minutes to spare before I had to check it so it all worked out just right.

IOE is going well. I'm just demanding a lot from myself which is getting the best of me. To my surprise, an FAA Check Airman rode with use today to GTR and back and that just heightened my nervousness. It really wasn't that bad after it was all said and done but man, I have to say that it was a little nerve racking. The current captain that I have is awesome too. He's really good at explaining and teaching me things. I know that tomorrow will go well. I just hope that Thursday and Friday will also be awesome!

I'm about to head out by myself and just explore a little. I'm also going to try to wake up early and do some good morning exploring. Not sure exactly what to do yet, but I've got some ideas. Enjoy some pictures at http://www.elijahnicolas.com/cphoto

The Chargers have a trailer like commercial on their website for the new uniform. I can't wait for one! I'm trying to get some Atlanta Thrasher tickets against the San Jose Sharks. Should be a good game.

Chargers new Uniform!!!

It's time to get some new jerseys for the San Diego Chargers of 2007!!! Check them out! I think that the powder blue outline on the bolt is sick! I can't wait till they are officially unveiled this upcoming Wednesday! Saty tuned!

Oh yeah, I really love flying! I just finished my first two days of IOE and the overnight was cool, and New York flying was awesome around the Long Island Sound...I'll post more later on once I finish moving to the Loxford Lounge!

to Wiggle

I'll be wiggling my toes each and every second I get tomorrow morning starting the moment I wake up. I'm already having a hard time go to bed tonight just thinking of all the checklists and things that I have to test and do on my first flight. I am officially beginning my Initial Operating Experience after completing 8 legs of jumpseating to various places around the Eastern US.

My first trip is to KPHF then an overnight at KILM. Like I've said before, check out http://www.pilotcrossings.com and then add me as a friend. It's free and I'll be updating my schedule there often if you want to follow along. They also show you on Google Maps where the airports that I'm flying into are. You have to sign up for pilotcrossing.com in order to see my full schedule or you could just do a day by day thing by checking out the mobile version of the site that I use on my Palm Treo 650 Web App by clicking pilotcrossings mobile page. I will try to update my schedule on Google Calendar, but this website it just so much easier to do. Stay tuned on the results of my first land! See you on the other side!

Checkride = Success!!!

I couldn't have done it without the many prayers from my family and girlfriend, my partner Eric Christiansen and the studying that I did with Kurt. Thanks guys for your extra patience. It's almost like a speech that I'm giving, but seriously, this is big for me. It's not like when I passed the MD-90 check only because I'm actually going to be hopping up onto this aircraft and fly people around.

It was the first time that an Aircrew Program Designee (APD) gave me an Atomic Fireball during a check. He said, "If you could take a checkride with a fireball in your mouth, then you have to be pretty good." So, we took the challenge and popped them into our mouths. I haven't had one for a while and the burn surprised me but it did take my mind off of the pressure a little bit. Thanks for that!

I oral exam went better than I thought with only a small slip and the ride itself went great. I could have done better, but I like to think that it was good. It was like the A+ that I had to follow, but I'll give myself an A. I start my first flight on Thursday, March 8th, 2007 early morning. But till then, I have to sit on a couple of observation flights. Should be exciting!

Check out my new ride!