Position: Fifty miles southeast of KOAK (Oakland)
Altitude: 18,000 feet and climbing
Groundspeed: 370 knots
Rate-of-climb: 2,800 fpm
Equipment: A319
Pax-on-Board: 123
Airborne...
It has been one of those weeks... Juggling a heavy flight schedule with family matters taking place away from the domicile. I am glad to be back in the cockpit where I am in control, more or less. The ascension feels good to these old bones! After clearing inbound SFO traffic, our 319 is climbing to the thin air like an elevator to heaven.
The right-seater is an experienced Electric Jet pilot. He is a sharp kid and does not mind babysitting a semi-crotchety captain. I flew with him a few times when he was a newbie and showed him some of my get out of jail free techniques for handling this electrical entity which we fly. He has always remembered those days and treats me with respect, which, naturally, I take advantage of in my pre-geezer state.
I know... It's bad, but I've got to keep my reputation intact. There seems to be no shortage of co-pilots who want to fly with me, so I must be doing something right. And this in spite of the wild stories my low-life buddies spread about me.
Such as:
- The wife-of-my-youth is an ex-stripper. Totally false, but she thinks it is funny.
- The Chief Pilot has my iPhone on his speed dial. Unlikely, but possible...
- I have inside knowledge of the infamous three-crew 2003 Orlando Hooters Incident. Where? Who?
- I am hard to get along with and "write up" co-pilots. I have never written up anyone in my life and certainly am not hard to get along with... Under any circumstances.
22,000 feet...
The winter sun is rising above the cloud deck giving light to a new day on the Line. This morning, underneath Fi-Fi, it was dark, wet, and cold as I pre-flighted her at the Oakland gate.
Yesterday, when I checked in for this trip, I saw two more pilots on the bulletin board... Yes, that bulletin board. The one we will all, one day, have our photo pinned in the upper right hand corner.
As I was shining my flashlight on Fi-Fi's smooth belly, I could not help but thinking about those two pilots. They were down here, where I am, not so long ago, and now they are gone... Flown west. Two photos, enlarged from their IDs, pinned to the bulletin board by an assistant Chief Pilot. We regret to announce...
28,000 feet...
The two V-2500 A5 IAE engines are in their element now as we soar high above the undercast. The fuel flows are falling as the altitude increases along with the groundspeed. Winds on our tail and sunlight in our faces... It is better up here. The early morning trepidations are gone.
39,000 feet...
The auto-pilot captures the altitude at 38,700 feet and begins to lower the nose and reduce the thrust to level at exactly 39,000 feet.
Mach number- .79
Groundspeed- 560 knots
Seat-belt sign- OFF
Starbucks Christmas Blend- Excellent
Cabin Altitude- 8,000 feet
Seven more days until Christmas Lift 2011 begins. I am working it, of course. Not complaining, just saying...
Life on the Line continues...
39 comments:
Merry Christmas 2011. Thanks.
DaddyBob
Merry Christmas Capt Dave to your and yours.
Scott M
Embry-Riddle '91
Good to have you back Captain Dave.
Great post (as usual...)
MK2
Montrouge, France
Saw lots of replacement organs for Fifi at the HS factory next to KBDL and spent a couple of days this past week with the engineers who write some of the software therein. I have to be on top of my game with this crowd; they know their stuff.
And knowing they're good and the lads and lasses up front are too, I can then relax in the back and watch Rumpole of the Bailey reruns on my iPad for the ride to KPHX and, thence, to home and family.
Thanks for the ride!
And best regards and a Merry Christmas to you from "She who must be obeyed."
Please one more post 2011 and best wishes for x-mas days and happy new year 2012 from germany
Matthias
Cap'n:
A Happy Christmas to you...even, on the line...and may you and the wife-of-your-youth find a wedge of time somewhere in there to rejoice in the glow of years and Christmases passed so well together.
Regards,
Frank
Nice article
Captain Dave,
I cannot tell you how much I enjoy reading your posts. Thank you very much for taking the time to do them, an Merry Christmas!
Capt. Dave, I was about to put out a "Be on the look out" for you! :) Glad you're still writing and flying. A very Merry Christmas to you sir and to those you love. I hope your schedule allows you time with your family for Christmas but if you're busy taking folks to be with theirs,they will be in the best of hands and you will surely have their gratitude. Smooth air to ya Captain.
Merry Christmas Captain Dave :)
I hope there will be passengers out there thanking you and the rest of the crew for what you're doing during Christmas. I'm on the other side of the pond but I certainly would!
Another great post, inspiration to the max.
Bas
Merry Christmas Captain. Always nice to see a new entry. I hope you will comment on the recent AF447 transcript.
Dear Cap
It´s always a pleasure to read your Great Blog
Has a FiFI SimPilot I always look forward for another post in order to learn more about this beautiful aircraft.
From Portugal Merry Christmas
The Christmas Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x33XlnWWfaI&feature=g-vrec&context=G2bca34fRVAAAAAAAABg
Mood, moment, captured so well. Merry, Capt. Dave. To you and that ex-stripper you're married to.
G'day from Down Under.
I'm a newbie to your blog and I find it informative and uplifting.
Best wishes for a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.
Cheers,
Kosta.
Happy Christmas Captain Dave (All capitals!)
Dave, could you please, please weigh in with your thoughts about AF447. I know you might not want to. And I know this might be a bit out of line. But I'd love to read your thoughts.
More importantly, not only are you clearly blessed with a talent for piloting, but perhaps an even better talent for writing.
You are a joy to read and I look forward to every post.
Merry Xmas to you. And safe travels.
Simon
Captain Dave,
What a great morning, arrving here in the office in AKL, New Zealand, to scroll through the blogs I follow and to find a new posting from you.
My heartfelt thank you for maintaining the best blog on earth, reading it is always a treat.
Compliments of the season, and best wishes to you and the wife-of-your-youth (!) from downunder.
Momma must be hot or we/they wouldn't say that about her.
I ran into this blog during the original AF447 accident and have been an avid fan ever since. There are few people who have the ability to cogently describe the hyper-technical. You, sir, are a master.
Captain Dave,
Love the new post - thanks!
Happy Christmas and Merry New Year to you and the stripper of your youth.
Craig R
One of our family of exchange students went home today. Reminded me of the wonder that you and all the airline folks do. Yesterday afternoon he was in San Diego. Just facebooked us that he's home in Italy with his parents. It really is magic.
Hello Captain Dave,
Thanks so much....
Your mention of *the bulletin board* gives me the willies....it's too close to my own reality (...how is it that in spite of some kind of "faith" I am, like you, so conscious of bulletin boards?)
May you carve many, many more turkeys before you end up in the right-hand corner of the bb.... O God!
But more than that...may you enjoy every single hour you have left leaving the undercasts way, way beneath you as you ascend to heaven.....far, far from the madding crowd...
Perhaps what matters most (to me right now) is how much I have enjoyed your blogs since I first discovered them.
Have a super Christmas Captain Dave...
Bev
Cape Town
Thanks Capt. Dave. I know you must feel a bit like a slave to your blog sometimes. So, please know that your posts are very appreciated.
We ought to charter Fiffy sometime and have you fly us all to Mexico.
Thank you again for the great post, Captain Dave.
...and OMG, Ritchie (Craig R)!!! Hilarious...the stripper of your youth?!? :))))
Ahem. A Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
Was beginning to worry that you might have made that bulletin board. Welcome back. You've been missed.
Captain Dave,
Thanks for one more wonderful post!
I'd like to hear Your opinion! When You're 27, is it still worth to consider beginning of pilot's career?
Wishing You Merry Christmas!
P.S. at least You'll be closer to heaven at X-mas time.
"The early morning trepidations..." - wow, do you really have them? But I guess that may be one of the attributes of a good airman, to be aware and be prepared, rather than blasé at the start of a new day.
Thanks for another great post with some good chuckles. That you make the time to keep this blog current sure is appreciated by us all.
Thanks for the Pre-Xmas fix.
All the best to you and yours for Christmas and 2012, Capt Dave.
Merry Christmas Captain Dave!
I hope you and the "wife of your youth" have time to spend with your family.
Great stories, I see a writing career when you're told to hang-up your wings (and spurs).
If you like dogs, you'll have to read the book "The Art of Racing in the Rain"
Glad to see a new entry, have missed them. Smooth skies and fast tail winds.
Mery Christmas to you and your family.
and Thanks so much...Jorge(from Portugal)......for the Christmas song web link....!!!!!
misstwa
...hmmm... well, now I don't know what believe...I heard it was you doing the stripping ... at some joint off of Camp Bowie in Ft. Worth!
May you finish 2011 well clear of the Bravo Sierra level and soar up there where the angels sing.
~DeAnn
Merry Christmas Captain Dave!
YYC Dispatcher
Merry Christmas for you and your Family Capt. Dave.
Thanks again for your posts.
Seems my first comment has not gone through
So simply........
A Very Merry Christmas Captain Dave and to your family!!!!!!!!!
misstwa
Excellent post, Captain! What's a 2003 Hooters incident??? Merry Christmas, Captain!
Roma
Captain Dave, Merry Christmas and would you please write a book!
Shaun
Hey Cap'n Dave, Cap'n Aux here--love ur blog!! I discovered it when i started my own. It's obvious we fly Fifi for the same, er, outfit. But I promise not to plagiarize u (tho I'm tempted, lol!)
Capnauxier.blogspot.com
I was about to put out a "Be on the look out" for you! :) Glad you're still writing and flying. A very Merry Christmas to you sir and to those you love.
Stack Elevator
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