Easy day trip. Flew with a Captain that was new to me. It was 5 hours of talking about planes, cars and kids....oh we each flew a leg as well.
Nothing exciting...which is how flights should be.
After getting home though I started to not feel so hot. Seems my daughter brought a gift home for me....a cold.
Had to call in sick tomorrow. First time calling in sick in months. I still get paid for my overtime trip. Hope to be better by Saturday.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Look...now with photos!
Today was supposed to be an easy trip. One turn. Easy. It's VFR. Easy. Bleh.
I had an 11:15 report time. My daughter wasn't feeling the best so we kept her out of daycare. My wife went to work early in order to get off early. How early? She woke up at 4AM. Yeah.
My wife met me at the terminal at 11:05AM. We made the swap and then I headed inside. Signed in and off for snack for the trip.
My initial gate was number 56. Then it changed to gate 59. Then it changed to gate 61...all in less than 15 minutes. Reason? Plane swaps.
The initial plane was at gate 56. We would have been on time. But then the plane at gate 59 broke and they were already late. They gave the crew at gate 59 our plane at gate 56. They then gave us the plane at gate 59 with a delay. I guess they realized it would be a while and instead assigned us the plane coming in to gate 61.
We were due out at 12:00PM. The inbound was due in at 11:49AM. Yeah so much for easy.
Finally onboard at 12:10PM. Problem...the cap for the potable water connection is missing....water is dripping out. Mechanic called.
Finally blocked out at 12:39PM with 11 passengers on board. We had an hour sit at the outstation scheduled. Most of that was gone.
My leg. Lots of turbulence in the area. So bad we descended from FL370 to FL290 to find smooth air. Thankfully we were tankering an extra 3500 pounds of fuel and were able to fly that much lower. Every now and then the dispatcher runs the numbers to see if it's cheaper to tanker fuel (take more than needed) than it would be to buy it at the outstation. For most airlines fuel is always cheaper in the Hub.
The outstation is in close proximity to a few mountains...I call them mountains...maybe they are just hills. Made for nice scenery.
[nggallery id=53]
Decent landing. Blocked in 26 minutes late.
Twenty minutes later (it seemed like much longer) and we were being pushed back for the return flight with just 30 people on board. We actually blocked out 16 minutes early.
Turbulence again at FL280 for the return. Descended to FL260. Thankfully the dispatcher planned for us to fly low so fuel wasn't an issue.
Busy at the hub. Assigned 22R initially. On about a 2 mile final tower asked if we could take 22L so a 747 could depart on 22R. Fine with us....except for the 737 taking the runway on 22L.
Cleared to land. Descending through 500 feet the 737 just started rolling. The 737 rotated just as we crossed the threshold. Close.
Landed 24 minutes early. Then it happened. Congestion on the ramp. Yadda ,yadda, yadda, blocked in 8 minutes late. Since we left early I went over block. All in I went 24 minutes over block time...not too bad on overtime.
Tomorrow I go back for another turn...hope it's easier.
I had an 11:15 report time. My daughter wasn't feeling the best so we kept her out of daycare. My wife went to work early in order to get off early. How early? She woke up at 4AM. Yeah.
My wife met me at the terminal at 11:05AM. We made the swap and then I headed inside. Signed in and off for snack for the trip.
My initial gate was number 56. Then it changed to gate 59. Then it changed to gate 61...all in less than 15 minutes. Reason? Plane swaps.
The initial plane was at gate 56. We would have been on time. But then the plane at gate 59 broke and they were already late. They gave the crew at gate 59 our plane at gate 56. They then gave us the plane at gate 59 with a delay. I guess they realized it would be a while and instead assigned us the plane coming in to gate 61.
We were due out at 12:00PM. The inbound was due in at 11:49AM. Yeah so much for easy.
Finally onboard at 12:10PM. Problem...the cap for the potable water connection is missing....water is dripping out. Mechanic called.
Finally blocked out at 12:39PM with 11 passengers on board. We had an hour sit at the outstation scheduled. Most of that was gone.
My leg. Lots of turbulence in the area. So bad we descended from FL370 to FL290 to find smooth air. Thankfully we were tankering an extra 3500 pounds of fuel and were able to fly that much lower. Every now and then the dispatcher runs the numbers to see if it's cheaper to tanker fuel (take more than needed) than it would be to buy it at the outstation. For most airlines fuel is always cheaper in the Hub.
The outstation is in close proximity to a few mountains...I call them mountains...maybe they are just hills. Made for nice scenery.
[nggallery id=53]
Decent landing. Blocked in 26 minutes late.
Twenty minutes later (it seemed like much longer) and we were being pushed back for the return flight with just 30 people on board. We actually blocked out 16 minutes early.
Turbulence again at FL280 for the return. Descended to FL260. Thankfully the dispatcher planned for us to fly low so fuel wasn't an issue.
Busy at the hub. Assigned 22R initially. On about a 2 mile final tower asked if we could take 22L so a 747 could depart on 22R. Fine with us....except for the 737 taking the runway on 22L.
Cleared to land. Descending through 500 feet the 737 just started rolling. The 737 rotated just as we crossed the threshold. Close.
Landed 24 minutes early. Then it happened. Congestion on the ramp. Yadda ,yadda, yadda, blocked in 8 minutes late. Since we left early I went over block. All in I went 24 minutes over block time...not too bad on overtime.
Tomorrow I go back for another turn...hope it's easier.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Making money
Living in base and being a line holder gives me the ability to (almost) write my own pay check.
My line for December was initially valued at 83 hours. Of that 83 hours 22 hours involved a 4 day trip that starts on December 31st. I traded around and ended up with 65 hours before any overtime to be flown in THIS calendar month.
I picked up a lot of extra flying. I'm very picky on extra flying in that I won't do overnights as it takes away from my time at home. My wife works Monday-Friday. We pay for daycare 3 days a week whether we go or not.
Thru careful scanning I was able to add on overtime flying to the front or back of a few trips. Over the next 3 days however I was able to pick up a lot of extra flying.
My 4 day that starts on December 31st was changed as my mainline carrier changed the schedules for January. Every flight from January 1st on is different. Because I was already awarded a line based on certain flight times I get that pay, but will not have to do most of the flying. How much less? Well 18 hours less. All I do is one leg to the overnight on the 31st and one leg back the next day. I will fly 2.4 hours and get paid for 22 hours.
Over the next 3 days I picked up overtime day trips each day. Tomorrow is worth 4 hours, Thursday is worth 5 hours and Friday is worth 7 hours.
Now for math. I've mentioned in the past I failed College Algebra. My professor gave a me a "C' since I was a Journalism major....and literally went everyday. In 5 years of college I missed just 11 days. Not too bad.
Anyway as of today I will be paid for 128 hours of flying but only fly 92 hours. The difference is the 4 day trip on the 31st that was chopped up as well as a few flights that cancelled. This could be my best month ever.
Back of the napkin math shows I will be paid $5,120 before taxes and excluding per diem. I should have another $500 or so in per diem. If I can keep this going I could make a lot of money next year. I think it's a special case though. I DO hope to get paid for 85-95 hours a month though.
Note to self...take more photos while flying. I carry a camera every trip...I need to start taking it out.
My line for December was initially valued at 83 hours. Of that 83 hours 22 hours involved a 4 day trip that starts on December 31st. I traded around and ended up with 65 hours before any overtime to be flown in THIS calendar month.
I picked up a lot of extra flying. I'm very picky on extra flying in that I won't do overnights as it takes away from my time at home. My wife works Monday-Friday. We pay for daycare 3 days a week whether we go or not.
Thru careful scanning I was able to add on overtime flying to the front or back of a few trips. Over the next 3 days however I was able to pick up a lot of extra flying.
My 4 day that starts on December 31st was changed as my mainline carrier changed the schedules for January. Every flight from January 1st on is different. Because I was already awarded a line based on certain flight times I get that pay, but will not have to do most of the flying. How much less? Well 18 hours less. All I do is one leg to the overnight on the 31st and one leg back the next day. I will fly 2.4 hours and get paid for 22 hours.
Over the next 3 days I picked up overtime day trips each day. Tomorrow is worth 4 hours, Thursday is worth 5 hours and Friday is worth 7 hours.
Now for math. I've mentioned in the past I failed College Algebra. My professor gave a me a "C' since I was a Journalism major....and literally went everyday. In 5 years of college I missed just 11 days. Not too bad.
Anyway as of today I will be paid for 128 hours of flying but only fly 92 hours. The difference is the 4 day trip on the 31st that was chopped up as well as a few flights that cancelled. This could be my best month ever.
Back of the napkin math shows I will be paid $5,120 before taxes and excluding per diem. I should have another $500 or so in per diem. If I can keep this going I could make a lot of money next year. I think it's a special case though. I DO hope to get paid for 85-95 hours a month though.
Note to self...take more photos while flying. I carry a camera every trip...I need to start taking it out.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
My last reduced rest overnight? Maybe.....
My 3 day trip went well. Ended kinda funny.
The first overnight was at a very small outstation. How small? The tower opens at 9AM and closes at 9PM. We arrived 10 minutes early at 9:25PM and were scheduled to leave at 7:20AM. We are the only airline that serves the airport.
The original overnight was scheduled for 8 hours and 50 minutes. Let's take a close look at that.
We were scheduled to block in at 9:35PM so let's assume we were on time.
After blocking in our pay clock stops. We run the parking checklist as the passengers get off the plane. That normally takes 5-10 minutes depending on the load.
I then have to do a post flight inspection. That takes between 3-5 minutes.
My rest "started" 15 minutes after blocking in. So normally when I finish the post flight I am "resting".
We then ran the terminating checklist. Normally the Captain does this while I am doing my post flight.
After the plane was shut down we walked out to the curb. Thankfully the van was waiting.
The keys for our rooms were in the van. Saves time. Van time already scheduled for 6:25AM.
I walked into my room at 10:25PM.
Quick wind down and I'm in bed by 10:50PM.
Fell asleep around 11:20PM.
Alarm went off at 5:45AM.
Downstairs by 6:20AM.
In the van at 6:25AM.
Stepped into the airport at 6:35AM...which is the time my "rest" stopped.
In that 8 hours 50 minutes of rest I had about 6 hours of sleep...which is pretty good considering I normally don't sleep well on short overnights.
We blocked out right on time at 7:20AM. Ten hours and twenty minutes later (including 6 hours of flying) I was once again on "rest" for a decent 13 hour overnight.
Day 3 was originally just one leg into base. I added on four (that's a 4!) more legs of overtime. My duty day was scheduled for 13 hours and 15 minutes. Total flying was scheduled for 7 hours 50 minutes. Three plane swaps. Three different crews. Long day.
The flying went fine. A somewhat humourous last leg.
I had an hour break between the 3rd and 4th legs. I grabbed lunch and sat down near the gate. I saw a pilot in a First Officers jacket near the gate and assumed he was a commuter/jump seater.
After finishing my lunch I checked in with the gate agent to let her know I was heading down to the plane. The pilot in the First Officers jacket was still there with a flight attendant. The pilot introduced himself and stated he was the Captain, but left his Captain jacket in this crashpad. He lived locally but was based elsewhere. He was a very recent upgrade....and for the first time in my career....he was younger than me.
I can only imagine what it looked like for two "First Officers" to walk down the jetbridge. I'm sure most passengers have no idea what 3 or 4 bars mean.
The flight went fine. I had my first stiff crosswind on landing.
A crosswind landing in a Cessna 172 is flown much the same as in a regional jet. The biggest difference is that you don't "slip" a jet. You crab into the wind until the last 50 feet or so and begin to kick it over. It's a tricky maneuver in both a 172 and a regional jet.
In gusty winds I personally give up any attempts at greasing it on and just plant the mains onto the ground....which is what I did.
I'm off until next Friday. I picked up a 7 hour day trip on overtime. I then come back on Saturday (yup New Years Eve!) for a 4 day trip.
The first overnight was at a very small outstation. How small? The tower opens at 9AM and closes at 9PM. We arrived 10 minutes early at 9:25PM and were scheduled to leave at 7:20AM. We are the only airline that serves the airport.
The original overnight was scheduled for 8 hours and 50 minutes. Let's take a close look at that.
We were scheduled to block in at 9:35PM so let's assume we were on time.
After blocking in our pay clock stops. We run the parking checklist as the passengers get off the plane. That normally takes 5-10 minutes depending on the load.
I then have to do a post flight inspection. That takes between 3-5 minutes.
My rest "started" 15 minutes after blocking in. So normally when I finish the post flight I am "resting".
We then ran the terminating checklist. Normally the Captain does this while I am doing my post flight.
After the plane was shut down we walked out to the curb. Thankfully the van was waiting.
The keys for our rooms were in the van. Saves time. Van time already scheduled for 6:25AM.
I walked into my room at 10:25PM.
Quick wind down and I'm in bed by 10:50PM.
Fell asleep around 11:20PM.
Alarm went off at 5:45AM.
Downstairs by 6:20AM.
In the van at 6:25AM.
Stepped into the airport at 6:35AM...which is the time my "rest" stopped.
In that 8 hours 50 minutes of rest I had about 6 hours of sleep...which is pretty good considering I normally don't sleep well on short overnights.
We blocked out right on time at 7:20AM. Ten hours and twenty minutes later (including 6 hours of flying) I was once again on "rest" for a decent 13 hour overnight.
Day 3 was originally just one leg into base. I added on four (that's a 4!) more legs of overtime. My duty day was scheduled for 13 hours and 15 minutes. Total flying was scheduled for 7 hours 50 minutes. Three plane swaps. Three different crews. Long day.
The flying went fine. A somewhat humourous last leg.
I had an hour break between the 3rd and 4th legs. I grabbed lunch and sat down near the gate. I saw a pilot in a First Officers jacket near the gate and assumed he was a commuter/jump seater.
After finishing my lunch I checked in with the gate agent to let her know I was heading down to the plane. The pilot in the First Officers jacket was still there with a flight attendant. The pilot introduced himself and stated he was the Captain, but left his Captain jacket in this crashpad. He lived locally but was based elsewhere. He was a very recent upgrade....and for the first time in my career....he was younger than me.
I can only imagine what it looked like for two "First Officers" to walk down the jetbridge. I'm sure most passengers have no idea what 3 or 4 bars mean.
The flight went fine. I had my first stiff crosswind on landing.
A crosswind landing in a Cessna 172 is flown much the same as in a regional jet. The biggest difference is that you don't "slip" a jet. You crab into the wind until the last 50 feet or so and begin to kick it over. It's a tricky maneuver in both a 172 and a regional jet.
In gusty winds I personally give up any attempts at greasing it on and just plant the mains onto the ground....which is what I did.
I'm off until next Friday. I picked up a 7 hour day trip on overtime. I then come back on Saturday (yup New Years Eve!) for a 4 day trip.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
It's Apple's fault
I had a nice long blog post about my last four day. All typed up using a bluetooth keyboard and my Ipad. Then for whatever reason the app crashed...there is no autosave on the app. Blog lost. Blame Apple. Well maybe the Wordpress app.
I might rewrite it. Eh.
Right now I'm on day 2 of a 3 day. I traded into it in order to get Christmas off. It worked but I lost some hours.
My original trip was a 20 hour 3 day. The new trip is a 9 hour 3 day. Ouch right? Well I added on 4 legs on day 3 to bring it up to 17 hours. Not too bad.
For January I preferenced 3 day trips starting on Saturdays. I got exactly that. I wanted to work Saturdays to maximize my vacation. Next month I will preference partial weekends off.
The line I was awarded is worth 83 hours with 18 days off! Since I have vacation I have 21 days off. Not too shabby.
I am almost up to 100 hours in the new plane. I'm getting more comfortable. Still working on the landings. Everything else is fine.
Again the lack of a post over the last few days is all Apple's fault. Well I guess I could carry a netbook...eh....easier to blame someone else.
I might rewrite it. Eh.
Right now I'm on day 2 of a 3 day. I traded into it in order to get Christmas off. It worked but I lost some hours.
My original trip was a 20 hour 3 day. The new trip is a 9 hour 3 day. Ouch right? Well I added on 4 legs on day 3 to bring it up to 17 hours. Not too bad.
For January I preferenced 3 day trips starting on Saturdays. I got exactly that. I wanted to work Saturdays to maximize my vacation. Next month I will preference partial weekends off.
The line I was awarded is worth 83 hours with 18 days off! Since I have vacation I have 21 days off. Not too shabby.
I am almost up to 100 hours in the new plane. I'm getting more comfortable. Still working on the landings. Everything else is fine.
Again the lack of a post over the last few days is all Apple's fault. Well I guess I could carry a netbook...eh....easier to blame someone else.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Glad I don't commute anymore
I'm supposed to be in a Hyatt Place right now. That's my FAVORITE hotel for overnights.
My 4 day trip started yesterday. The trip is a 3-4-2-3. Meaning 3 legs the first day, 4 legs the second day and so on.
Captain took the first leg and I took the second. A little weather was in the area on the return. I haven't landed at night in this plane much. Flared a bit high....floated 3000 feet down the runway. Uncomfortable. Still getting used to the "site picture" at night. I have 68 hours in type so far.
Once on the ground we were advised our overnight cancelled. Of all the flights on the departure board...ours was the only one that cancelled.
My wife dropped me off earlier in the day, so she had to wake up my daughter and pick me up. Not a big deal, but it's a risk we take when I don't drive.
This morning I was advised I would dead head out to where my overnight was and pick up my schedule from there. The dead head flight left at noon.
At 10;30AM as I was preparing to leave I was called and told a reserve was flying the outbound leg and they reassigned him to fly my leg back. Fine...more time at home.
I still get paid for everything. I could use the hours though. Eh.
So now I leave at 4:18 PM and do 3 legs. Tonight is a 9 hour overnight...at a Hilton...nice hotel...but it's no Hyatt Place! Bleh.
My 4 day trip started yesterday. The trip is a 3-4-2-3. Meaning 3 legs the first day, 4 legs the second day and so on.
Captain took the first leg and I took the second. A little weather was in the area on the return. I haven't landed at night in this plane much. Flared a bit high....floated 3000 feet down the runway. Uncomfortable. Still getting used to the "site picture" at night. I have 68 hours in type so far.
Once on the ground we were advised our overnight cancelled. Of all the flights on the departure board...ours was the only one that cancelled.
My wife dropped me off earlier in the day, so she had to wake up my daughter and pick me up. Not a big deal, but it's a risk we take when I don't drive.
This morning I was advised I would dead head out to where my overnight was and pick up my schedule from there. The dead head flight left at noon.
At 10;30AM as I was preparing to leave I was called and told a reserve was flying the outbound leg and they reassigned him to fly my leg back. Fine...more time at home.
I still get paid for everything. I could use the hours though. Eh.
So now I leave at 4:18 PM and do 3 legs. Tonight is a 9 hour overnight...at a Hilton...nice hotel...but it's no Hyatt Place! Bleh.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
2 days off
Finished my 4 day. Nothing terribly exciting...just lots of ups and downs. Only one mechanical issue. Last leg at an out station, a seat in front of the exit row reclined...and it's not supposed to.
My cabin crew didn't find this out until we got to the outstation. No one sat in those seats on the way out.
Twenty minute delay while the Captain filled out paperwork (I of course helped out by looking up MEL numbers and such). Blocked in base just 5 minutes late. Not too shabby.
Due to all of my trip trading I'm only off 2 days before my next 4 day. Originally I was off 3.
My next 4 day was supposed to go through the base I used to commute to. I was really dreading it as I had a 3 plus hour sit. Bleh.
I traded it away for a different 4 day trip. It starts later in the day so I have most of Wednesday off. The negative is it ends with an international turn. This means I have to clear customs before I can go home. Bleh.
After the next 4 day I have 2 days off before an easy 3 day trip. Then I have a lot of time off.
Very happy with my Bose A20 headset. Pretty sure they are a keeper. Over 40 hours of flight time so far on the original batteries.
Walked into my hotel room on the last trip...I liked the lighting...so here ya go.
My cabin crew didn't find this out until we got to the outstation. No one sat in those seats on the way out.
Twenty minute delay while the Captain filled out paperwork (I of course helped out by looking up MEL numbers and such). Blocked in base just 5 minutes late. Not too shabby.
Due to all of my trip trading I'm only off 2 days before my next 4 day. Originally I was off 3.
My next 4 day was supposed to go through the base I used to commute to. I was really dreading it as I had a 3 plus hour sit. Bleh.
I traded it away for a different 4 day trip. It starts later in the day so I have most of Wednesday off. The negative is it ends with an international turn. This means I have to clear customs before I can go home. Bleh.
After the next 4 day I have 2 days off before an easy 3 day trip. Then I have a lot of time off.
Very happy with my Bose A20 headset. Pretty sure they are a keeper. Over 40 hours of flight time so far on the original batteries.
Walked into my hotel room on the last trip...I liked the lighting...so here ya go.
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