Summer School

Yesterday I started summer school. I am taking a digital photography class and a short stories literature class. I will be posting my homework assignments you are welcome to follow along.

Stories like “An African Fable” were created and passed on to teach people values, culture and about themselves. What is one story that has taught you something about your own values ,culture or about yourself? Where did you encounter this story? Who told it to you? What did it teach you?

Life’s Lessons 

I had to think long and hard, searching the depths of my memory to find an influential family story. After looking under a lifetimes worth of experiences I still had nothing. I even consulted with my older brothers and still we collectively could not identify any one story that expressed our family values. However after much discussion a theme started to emerge; a theme based on the notion do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

While I personally am not religious my parents were.  Growing up, religion was never presented to us front and center in an overt way. Religion in my family was far more subtle.  Our house was not adorned with religious symbols and other than grace at dinner we were not bombarded with prayer.  Religion was presented as a deeply personal affair.  Once we reached the age of conformation church attendance was left to personal choice.  Never did we encounter any religious coercion; unconditional love and acceptance was the cornerstone of our family relationships.

As I said before I do not remember any one story or for that matter any story that was presented to me that had a profound influence on shaping my values or constructing a family culture. The shaping of personal values and creating a family culture came in the form of one phrase “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Family values and culture came in the form of personal deeds and actions a credo that in of its self formed the story.

My parents were very gentle always looking out for the little guy, never hurting or taking advantage of the people around them. Both of their carrier paths lead them in to professions where service to others was a main focus. My father a dentist was known for his gentle demeanor. My mother was a schoolteacher and always made sure the kids in her charge felt no challenge was too big.  My mother made sure if a kid failed they could count on her to pick them up, with a smile dust them off and encourage them to try again.

My dad died when I was fourteen. There were many people who came up to my family and told us how much they appreciated my father. At the time I guess, I was to young to understand the deeper meaning of all the comments. Shortly after the funeral we received a letter of condolence from a former patient. In the letter the man told of his struggles with various oral problems, which to this day I do not understand. He told of how my father went too extraordinary lengths ensure this mans peace of mind and comfort. The man went on to say how he knew the difficulties of my father’s profession and yet his demeanor inspired him to treat all his clients with the same dignity and respect as my father had treated him. I remember talking this over with my mother and she smiled and said. “Your father was a good man he always treated everyone exactly how he wanted to be treated, do unto others as you would have them do unto you”

The man’s letter and my mothers words stuck with my from that day forward. While I try to live by live up to my father’s actions I know I don’t always succeed. When I fail I just pull out the family photo album flipping through the pages until I come to the man’s letter.  Yellowing from the years the letter is neatly tucked away between two bigger than life photos of my father smiling ear to ear.  I smile back and remember Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

From the “Are You Kidding Me!” File. Drunken passenger banned by Delta Airlines after bragging about poisonous gas.

In  twenty one years of flying I have seen some crazy things and heard some amazing stories. I should not be surprised when I read something like this: Drunken passenger banned by Delta Airlines after bragging about poisonous gas.

Yes I know alcohol was the lubricant that got this story rolling but seriously how stupid can we humans be? You don’t have to answer just read on and enjoy a laugh.

A man has been banned from flying with Delta Airlines for life after allegedly telling the passenger sitting next to him that he had a canister of poinsonous gas on him.

He said the gas was strong enough to make everyone on the plane pass out. Bryan Sisco, 40, forced the Dallas to Atlanta flight to be diverted to Memphis where was arrested by police. After spending four days in custody, he was released on a $10,000 bond and charged with carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft.

Mugshot photo of Bryan Sisco, who has been banned from Delta Airlines

Sisco, who had been drinking Jack-and-Cokes before boarding the plane, tried to flirt with 23-year-old Danielle Valimont, who was sitting next to him.

He had decided to sit down in a random seat and she happened to sit next to him. He offered her chocolates and told her he was an architect and a flight marshal.

When the flight attendant and another passenger tried to claim the seat, Sisco said he and the woman were newlyweds, the Memphis Commercial-Appeal reports.

In a drunken attempt to impress her, recently-divorced Sisco allegedly pulled out a butane lighter and then bragged about the gas.

He said: ‘We were talking, sharing M&Ms, eating chocolate, having a good time. ‘I fabricated some truths about myself … I thought we were getting along pretty good.’

In a blog Miss Valimont said that Sisco was ‘jittery’ when she sat down and within a couple of minutes, she texted ‘I’m sitting beside a crazy man.’

He then reportedly said to her: ‘Have you ever wondered if someone could get something on the plane they weren’t supposed to?’

She claimed that he opened his book bag and pulled out a silver metal torch-like item and put it near her leg.

She wrote: ‘He clicked a button and a 4-6 inch blue flame shot out … I acted as if it was no big deal, though my heart was racing. ’”That’s cool – what else do you have?” I said. He opened his bag and pulled out an item that looked similar to the end of a headset and told me it was like a tazer and could cause temporary paralysis.’

When Miss Valimont picked up the cylinder Sisco was carrying that he had said was architectural drawings, he apparently said it was a canister ‘filled with gas strong enough to make everyone on the plane pass out.’

Miss Valimont then got up and headed to the bathroom where she typed on a note on her iphone and showed it to a flight attendant.

The note said: ‘If the guy in 20D is a Marshall disregard this msg. He has a torch that he lit and showed me. ‘And he said his canister has a gas device that will make everyone on the plane pass out if there is danger. ‘He also has a device that says is like a tazer. I will go sit back down. Do what you need to.’ The pilots then diverted the plane and police dressed as paramedics came aboard to arrest Sisco.

He had fallen asleep and had no idea he was the cause of the ensuing drama.

Miss Valimont wrote: ‘When the officers came on board he was completely shocked and they were able to escort him off without resistance.’

Passenger, Single-Handedly Joins Mile High Club

Kyle Pearce, United Airlines Passenger, Single-Handedly Joins Mile High Club, Is Arrested – AOL Travel News.

According to an article on AOL Travel News (See Above Link) a passenger on a United Airlines flight from Spokane to Denver apparently had the urge to Walk the Poodle. After Caulking the Cracks the passenger made his way to a lavatory to tidy things up. At least one passengers was quoted that they thought the Phallic Flogger was stoned. I don’t know I might be crazy but if I saw a seated passenger Rubbing One Off I seriously doubt I would come to the conclusion that the dirtbag was ”stoned on marijuana,”

In all the Stoner Lore I have heard over the years, Boxing The Clown does not rank high among the stories told. Munchies yes, Waxing The Bishop no!

A word to the wise: A loaded airplane does not make a good Spank Fort. If you ever find yourself unable to control an urgent need to Butter The Bagel at least wait until the seatbelt sign is off, make your way to the nearest lavatory and Beat That Monkey for all its worth.

Fat Man In Training: Day Four

Fat Man In Training: Day Four

Three days ago I started on a journey, a journey I have started many times before but never seem to have had mettle to complete.  For years I have wanted to get fit shed a few pounds and occasionally a shirt on warm summer days without the fear of small children trying to toss me into the nearest lake chanting “Free Willie.”

As usual the first few days started out with high expectations an endless supply of energy and enthusiasm.  I was eating nothing but healthy foods in proper proportions. I was diligent in carving out an hour or so of time each day to get a run and a lift in to burn off unwanted calories.  It is day four the enthusiasm and energy levels are on the wane.  Little sleep, sore over worked muscles and a sugar craving is presenting a formidable challenge to my day.

The battle over sugar may have already been lost. The Edmonton Days Inn has a chronic absence of healthy food.  In fact the only “food” to be found at the Days Inn is located on the third floor and requires Loonies. With only minutes before the hotel van departed for the airport I made a quick run to the Canadian oasis of health, Tim Horton’s, and grabbed a quick coffee and a Boston Cream filled doughnut. Food Fail.

I am holding out hope that between flights I can find something healthy to eat before heading down to Austin TX for the night. I still have my sights on shedding two pounds this week. Despite the Tim Horton’s setback I believe I can find a working treadmill at the Austin Best Western Plus and burn off a thousand calories.  If I can’t work out the exercise equations than shedding even two pounds will remain elusive.

Day One

It sucks when you get older and try to “Get Back Into Shape” How many times have I said today is the day only to find myself sitting in front of the TV stuffing my face. Well today was Day ONE in a long line of day one’s. The goal is to get to next monday (One Week At A Time) and drop a mighty two pounds. Ideally I would like to string about fifteen “one week at a time” together and drop about 30 pounds.

The Morning Rant.

It is an early morning booth .DailyBooth. I did not sleep well just tossed and turned all night. At 3Am I was still wide awake. So, and I’m sure this did not help, I got up and had a bowl or two of Lucky Charms. Not the best idea if you want to drop some weight.

I was going to drag myself out of bed at 5AM but there was no way that was going to happen. I did however manage to get up at and get moving around 7 AM, with some help from the franchise. (Starbucks) Yeah I know 5am is a crazy time to get up and get going if you do not have to, except tomorrow I have to be at work at 5:45 for a 6:45 departure to exotic places.  Is Columbus Ohio an exotic place?  I really needed to adjust my sleep pattern so I can get up tomorrow at 4am and not be a total zombi while flying.

I know I have been slacking on my new years resolutions so today I have a little vlog in the works and should be posted later today. I am also going to bring my video camera to church today. I’m still not a church guy but my older brother is being installed? (what ever they call it) as one of the pastors at Oak Grove Lutheran Church. It is a good opportunity for me to work on my video and documentary skills.
My Starbucks is getting cold so I have to leave you with this longer than expected blog.

Simple Kindness

Last week I was finishing up the last leg of a three day trip. It was an easy Minneapolis to Newark turn then a quick dash to my car; homeward bound for a few days of rest.  As often happens in the airline business nothing ever seems to go to plan.

We started the day off with an early 5:30 show in Chicago. Of course it was snowing which meant deicing the aircraft and if you are a frequent traveler during the winter months deicing almost always guaranties you are going to be late. We however were very lucky; first in line to be deiced and first to the runway for takeoff. Our good fortune meant we arrived into Minneapolis on time. Here is where things started to fall apart.

As we arrived at the gate in Minneapolis we received notice that there was going to be an aircraft swap, meaning we were going to have to pack up our stuff and find a new aircraft for our Newark flight. Ok, we had an hour layover, plenty of time to move to a new gate, preflight, review the new aircrafts logs and brief the flight to the crew and get the flight out on time. Except this is Minnesota and it has now started to snow, nothing major mind you just a few flakes. I’m keeping my  fingers crossed that the snows intensity does not increase and slow things down. No such luck. Now the snow is really coming down the visibility as dropped to 1/2 mile and the delays have already begun.

After a late inbound aircraft and two gate changes we along with 76 passengers settle in for the two hour flight to Newark but not so fast. We push out of the gate about 30 minutes late and if it was summer we could have made it to the runway in a matter of minutes and made up some time. But this is winter in Minnesota and of course the aircraft needed to be deiced. So off to the 30R (right) deice pad we go and sit and sit and sit while we wait our turn to be deiced. Another 30 minutes passes, we are now deiced and are ready to taxi the 50 yards to the runway and takeoff. Oh how cruel the aviation Gods can be; runway 30R has just been closed for plowing and we now have to taxi to 30L (Left) on the other side of the airport!

An hour and a half late we pull into the gate in Newark. I stood at the door and personally thanked each of the 76 passengers for flying with us and thanked them for their patients. Surprisingly I was greeted with nothing less than thank you’s and smiles, definitely a pick me up. I quickly grabbed the paperwork for our last leg home, reviewed the flight plan, planed taxi route and departure procedures with the First Officer. Once all the i’s were dotted and T’s were crossed on the flightdeck I jumped out into the jetway to greet another 76 anxious passengers. Some flight attendants hate when I greet my passengers, they would prefer I locked myself away in the cockpit and leave the meet and greet to them. No way man this is my face time. I love my job and I enjoy interacting with my passengers as much as I can.

About half of the 76 passengers had boarded when a nervous middle aged woman asked me if I was one of the pilots. I told her with a big smile “Not only am I one of the pilots, I am THE PILOT.”  She chuckled and told me how it has been 25 years since she last flew on a plane. She told me she was more than a little nervous about flying, especially flying on a little plane like the CRJ900. I smiled back and apologized  for being late and told her there was nothing to be nervous about. I gave her my personal guarantee that it was not only going to be smooth ride but it would be one of the best flights she has ever had. She smiled politely and said thank you and boarded the plane.

We arrive at the gate in Minneapolis, now two hours late, I set the parking brake and complete the shutdown checklists and head back to give my thanks and say good by to my passengers. To be honest I had forgotten about my middle aged nervous passenger when she came up to me shook my hand while pulling me in for a quick hug. “Thank you” she said “Thank you for getting us here safely.”  ”You were right it was smooth and one of the best flights I have ever had.”  I responded with an equally big smile “Not a problem it was my pleasure.” “You have a Grateful day.” “I will” she said as she exited the airplane.

After everyone had departed the lead flight attendant pulled me aside and told me the nervous lady was heading to Rochester MN and the Mayo Clinic. Apparently my nervous flyer was in the advanced stages of liver cancer and there was little hope for survival.

Now the point of the story is, I hope, no matter how bad one’s day is, giving a simple smile and a thank you can bring, even if for a moment, happiness and gratitude to a complete stranger. I am lucky, on a day when nothing seemed to be going for us my crew was able to bring a smile to a nervous flyer who’s days were clearly numbered. Yeah I have the best job in the world.

2011 New Years Resolutions

So I guess this is as good of time as any to say yeah I’m making another attempt at a new years resolution. I have always had lofty goals, maybe to lofty. It seems I’m very good at starting new years resolutions but not so good at seeing them through. This year is going to be different (I said that last year too) I can feel change coming. Ok I feel motivated. In order for me to maximize my success I have decided to limit my resolutions to three things. One: Post at least one video/vlog each week. Two: Make at least one blog posting every week. Should be easy right? We will see.

On a different note. Tomorrow I set off for Seattle to pick up one of my friends 2 year old son and bring him back to Minneapolis. Moe had spent two years in Iraq. His first deployment was shortly before his son was born. Moe’s second deployment was shortly after his sons first birthday. The constant long deployments have taken a toll on Moe’s marriage and sadly this past October he and his wife went their separate ways. I wanted to give something more than a Christmas card to my friend. A gift certificate or an iPod felt hollow, so I offered to escort his son from Minneapolis where he and his mother live to Seattle where Moe is based. Since I work for an airline the original play was for me to have Moe buy his son a round trip ticket between Minneapolis and Seattle and I would fly on a Non-Revenue employee pass. At the last minute I got cold feet and decided to buy my own ticket on the legs I would be accompanying Moe’s son. The first half of the trip went off without a hitch. However, tomorrow all the flight to Seattle are book solid.  I hope I can no-rev to Seattle, if not I’m going to have to do some smooth talking to the Delta agents in the hopes they can not only get me to Seattle but also rebook me and Moe’s son on a later flight. This is turning out to be one expensive Christmas gift. Oh well one gift worth all the money and headache and I would do it again in a heart beat.

What Does The Future Hold For Regional Airlines.

I came across this article Labour rates could prove disastrous in US | Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation – CAPA. and I am not exactly sure what to make of it. If you work in the airline industry you know more and more domestic flying is being shifted to the regional airlines. However there are two issues that loom on the horizon that I would guess will cause the regional airline industry to once again adapt. I am hoping the industry does not adapt at the expense of my job or pay.

The first issue that will shape the regional airline industry for 2011 and beyond is the rising fuel prices. We all now as fuel prices rise so does the cost of operating 50 seat regional jets. I would have to say smaller communities with already limited airline service will have to go. It makes no sense to fly a 50 seat regional jet from MSP to STC and back.

Second issue facing the regional airline industry is what is going to replace (if anything) all the 50 seat jets scheduled to come out of service between now and 2016? There is little to no chance, given the fuel prices, that you will ever see another 50 seat jet regional jet operating in the US in the next 8-10 years. Will the mainline pilots relax scope for pay and let the regionals fly a the more cost effective 76-100 seat jets? Doubtful.

One thing is for sure the next few years are going to be just as volatile as the last several years.

Post a comment and let me know what you think.

Labour rates could prove disastrous in US | Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation – CAPA.

Look I Can Fly

Just a quick post. I cam across two videos today that made me shake my head.  I really enjoy flying and maybe in another alternate life I would be all over this but until then I think I will stick fixed winged aircraft. jCheck out the following two videos: Phoenix-Fly: Wingsuit Jet Pilot on Vimeo and Wingsuit Basejumping – The Need 4 Speed: The Art of Flight on Vimeo More videos from Phoenix can found on Phoenix Fly on Vimeo. Happy New year and enjoy the videos.