http://www.legalbeer.com/liquor-laws-by-state
As with any job, sometimes we all need a drink. Airline work is certainly no exception in my opinion. However, laws on where and when you can buy alcohol is all state controlled, and therefore varies just about every place you go. So, here is a fantastic resource for those needing a drink, in an unfamiliar part of the country.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
What a douche
Anyone that has read my blog in the past would know that I go over and above trying to take care of my passengers and crew. I fight tooth and nail with ATC, ground crews, weather, and even with my own company. I have done my very best to keep my composure even in the face of udder redonkulousness. Today, I about lost it.
We only had one quick leg to do this morning due to a huge cluster of scheduling changes do to broken airplanes yesterday. It was pretty early coming out of the NYC area, so things moved quickly. It was nice. I don't think we ever came to stop along the taxi route. Even had a nice smooth flight at cruising altitude. We ended up getting into SYR about 30 mins early. I even managed to pull off a pretty smooth landing. All as well. Or, so I thought.
I was still up front with the FO, getting things shut down and packed up when everyone was getting off. I could hear most people getting off the plane saying, "Thanks," and "Have a good day." Then I heard one douche face complaining. I tuned my ear in a bit more... He was complaining about being so early. Honestly??? Really??? I just picked my head up and looked at the FO, who heard this guy as well, and I said, "You have GOT to be kidding me..." To be honest, I'm really pretty glad that he didn't complain to me about it. I have a feeling I would have jumped down his throat.
Here we go... Really, sir? You were boarded up quickly, kept comfortable, kept safe, got to your destination early, and you're STILL bitching???? What in the hell must it be like going through life as such a miserable human fucking being that even when something is good, you still need to piss and fucking moan about it. Holy fucking shit balls. I really really wish, you sir, would get hit by a fucking truck.
*deep breaths*
We only had one quick leg to do this morning due to a huge cluster of scheduling changes do to broken airplanes yesterday. It was pretty early coming out of the NYC area, so things moved quickly. It was nice. I don't think we ever came to stop along the taxi route. Even had a nice smooth flight at cruising altitude. We ended up getting into SYR about 30 mins early. I even managed to pull off a pretty smooth landing. All as well. Or, so I thought.
I was still up front with the FO, getting things shut down and packed up when everyone was getting off. I could hear most people getting off the plane saying, "Thanks," and "Have a good day." Then I heard one douche face complaining. I tuned my ear in a bit more... He was complaining about being so early. Honestly??? Really??? I just picked my head up and looked at the FO, who heard this guy as well, and I said, "You have GOT to be kidding me..." To be honest, I'm really pretty glad that he didn't complain to me about it. I have a feeling I would have jumped down his throat.
Here we go... Really, sir? You were boarded up quickly, kept comfortable, kept safe, got to your destination early, and you're STILL bitching???? What in the hell must it be like going through life as such a miserable human fucking being that even when something is good, you still need to piss and fucking moan about it. Holy fucking shit balls. I really really wish, you sir, would get hit by a fucking truck.
*deep breaths*
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Professionalism
What is Professionalism? Well, it certainly is one of those facets of a pilot that everyone talks about, everyone says is very important, yet it hard to quantify. I don't think there is one simple answer. There are lots of different things that go into being a professional. Just as when we see someone behaving in any way we don't like, we call them, "Unprofessional."
I once heard that, "Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking." I think this a big part of professionalism. The NTSB's Deb Hersmann once said, "You never know on which flight, your career will be judged." I feel Mrs. Hersmann is definitely hitting the nail on the head.
But, there are many others who have some other ideas on what professionalism is. If you ask the public, you might get answers like, "Sharp looking, clean shaven, hat wearing, grey hair, deep voice, and smooth landing." If you ask the company, you'd get something like, "Doesn't complain, gets the flight out on time." If you ask others they might describe someone very good at their job, perhaps to the point of being cold and emotionless.
For me, there are many facets of a professional pilot. However, more than the list of traits itself, is an order of importance. Further more, this order of importance changes with each unique situation. While "outward appearance" is something that is important, I think people put far too much value in. After all, consider a shady businessman. Just because he looks good and fit, is charming, and wears a nice suit, doesn't mean he knows anything besides how to screw you over and take all of your money. I believe the same holds true for pilots. I have met and flown with pilots that really looked sharp, fit, dashing, and experienced, were still complete douches on more than a few occasions. Just because you look the part, doesn't mean you actually can play the part.
So, which is more important? Do you really want someone that only looks professional? Or would you rather have someone that doesn't look as sharp, but will do a far superior job in handling strange and challenging situations, working well with a variety of other personalities, keeping passengers informed and calm, and perhaps even be a better pilot. I know the best answer is both. However, that would only leave me and about 50 other pilots in the whole world! ;-)
There are more than a few pilots out there who don't wear the gay hat, don't have a head full of grey hair, but who are very good at the job of being an airline pilot. Do they look like they've been doing this job for 50 years? No. Do they question authority? Maybe. Do they act like they are God? No. Do they jump down the throat of a fellow crew member who questions anything? Not in the least. Do, they know their shit? Definitely. Are they team players? Absolutely. Do they scream and cry like little girls when a time critical situation presents itself? Not in the least. Honestly, the actual "flying" portion of this job is far and away, the easiest part. Sure you want someone that can fly the plane. But there is so much more to it in order to be a true and safe professional.
A professional crew is one that does their job and maintains control amidst all the crap that comes with this job. There are people who can filter out the garbage and deal with the situation amidst chaos around them. Not everyone is up for this job. Even those that are, usually require a lot of training to become seasoned in this behavior. It's not easy, but this is the kind of person you want in the front of your plane when the shit hits the fan. You don't want a pansy up there who goes to water when anything is out of the norm. You also don't want a cowboy who just starts flipping switches and guessing his/her way out of problem. You want people who are adaptable, knowledgeable, and calm under pressure. You want team players and you want crew that legitimately want to take care of their crew and passengers.
Yes, lets not forget about those folks behind you: the passengers, AND the flight attendants. Pilots are taught to "Aviate, Navigate, and Communicate" in that order. Yes, you have to fly the damn plane before anything else. Mostly because no matter what you do for navigating and communicating is pointless if you crash. But this really is an extreme. FAR more often are pilots faces with much more mundane challenges. Whether it be something broken on the plane, storms, rough air, delays, etc, its very important to keep others informed. You are part of a crew after all, and you can make your own life considerably easier if you just take a few mins to inform your FAs and the passengers. I really wish there was more on this in terms of selecting pilots to be hired. I really really do.
Egos really have no place in the modern flight deck. There is far too much to be keeping an eye on. There are two pilots up there for a reason. When you have a person who has the attitude of, "I'm the captain and I'm never wrong" well, I'll be the first to say that this person is a dick. And, more often than not, this person with the overblown ego is usually not that good of a pilot themselves. So they lash out at others trying to make them feel inadequate. That's the only way they can bolster their own ego. Its really a sad thing to see.
As time marches on, that old school "I'm the captain" attitude is slowly exiting the flight deck. Its still there, no doubt. For the most part, it resides with those old crusty bastards that should have retired when they were 60 (or earlier) yet congress now lets them stay 5 years longer. And yes, this has indeed prevented many top notch young pilots from getting airline jobs, since those jobs haven't been available with these crusties not leaving.
In time though, they will. Just as their predecessors did decades before. The best thing us younger pilots can do is keep a list of all the "I'll never be like that," traits we saw in those crusties. And make sure we review that list from time to time as we move our profession forward.
I once heard that, "Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking." I think this a big part of professionalism. The NTSB's Deb Hersmann once said, "You never know on which flight, your career will be judged." I feel Mrs. Hersmann is definitely hitting the nail on the head.
But, there are many others who have some other ideas on what professionalism is. If you ask the public, you might get answers like, "Sharp looking, clean shaven, hat wearing, grey hair, deep voice, and smooth landing." If you ask the company, you'd get something like, "Doesn't complain, gets the flight out on time." If you ask others they might describe someone very good at their job, perhaps to the point of being cold and emotionless.
For me, there are many facets of a professional pilot. However, more than the list of traits itself, is an order of importance. Further more, this order of importance changes with each unique situation. While "outward appearance" is something that is important, I think people put far too much value in. After all, consider a shady businessman. Just because he looks good and fit, is charming, and wears a nice suit, doesn't mean he knows anything besides how to screw you over and take all of your money. I believe the same holds true for pilots. I have met and flown with pilots that really looked sharp, fit, dashing, and experienced, were still complete douches on more than a few occasions. Just because you look the part, doesn't mean you actually can play the part.
So, which is more important? Do you really want someone that only looks professional? Or would you rather have someone that doesn't look as sharp, but will do a far superior job in handling strange and challenging situations, working well with a variety of other personalities, keeping passengers informed and calm, and perhaps even be a better pilot. I know the best answer is both. However, that would only leave me and about 50 other pilots in the whole world! ;-)
There are more than a few pilots out there who don't wear the gay hat, don't have a head full of grey hair, but who are very good at the job of being an airline pilot. Do they look like they've been doing this job for 50 years? No. Do they question authority? Maybe. Do they act like they are God? No. Do they jump down the throat of a fellow crew member who questions anything? Not in the least. Do, they know their shit? Definitely. Are they team players? Absolutely. Do they scream and cry like little girls when a time critical situation presents itself? Not in the least. Honestly, the actual "flying" portion of this job is far and away, the easiest part. Sure you want someone that can fly the plane. But there is so much more to it in order to be a true and safe professional.
A professional crew is one that does their job and maintains control amidst all the crap that comes with this job. There are people who can filter out the garbage and deal with the situation amidst chaos around them. Not everyone is up for this job. Even those that are, usually require a lot of training to become seasoned in this behavior. It's not easy, but this is the kind of person you want in the front of your plane when the shit hits the fan. You don't want a pansy up there who goes to water when anything is out of the norm. You also don't want a cowboy who just starts flipping switches and guessing his/her way out of problem. You want people who are adaptable, knowledgeable, and calm under pressure. You want team players and you want crew that legitimately want to take care of their crew and passengers.
Yes, lets not forget about those folks behind you: the passengers, AND the flight attendants. Pilots are taught to "Aviate, Navigate, and Communicate" in that order. Yes, you have to fly the damn plane before anything else. Mostly because no matter what you do for navigating and communicating is pointless if you crash. But this really is an extreme. FAR more often are pilots faces with much more mundane challenges. Whether it be something broken on the plane, storms, rough air, delays, etc, its very important to keep others informed. You are part of a crew after all, and you can make your own life considerably easier if you just take a few mins to inform your FAs and the passengers. I really wish there was more on this in terms of selecting pilots to be hired. I really really do.
Egos really have no place in the modern flight deck. There is far too much to be keeping an eye on. There are two pilots up there for a reason. When you have a person who has the attitude of, "I'm the captain and I'm never wrong" well, I'll be the first to say that this person is a dick. And, more often than not, this person with the overblown ego is usually not that good of a pilot themselves. So they lash out at others trying to make them feel inadequate. That's the only way they can bolster their own ego. Its really a sad thing to see.
As time marches on, that old school "I'm the captain" attitude is slowly exiting the flight deck. Its still there, no doubt. For the most part, it resides with those old crusty bastards that should have retired when they were 60 (or earlier) yet congress now lets them stay 5 years longer. And yes, this has indeed prevented many top notch young pilots from getting airline jobs, since those jobs haven't been available with these crusties not leaving.
In time though, they will. Just as their predecessors did decades before. The best thing us younger pilots can do is keep a list of all the "I'll never be like that," traits we saw in those crusties. And make sure we review that list from time to time as we move our profession forward.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Flying on 9-11
I was flying on 9-11 this year. The 10th anniversary of said day. It was a bit of an odd feeling, if I'm honest. Back in 2001, I wasn't even a pilot. Most people can tell you exactly where they were when world changing events occurred. For me, I was at college. Grad school actually. I was talking with a recruiter from Lockheed Martin when I heard a plane had hit the WTC. At that point, it wasn't clear that it was an, "attack." Shortly after, of course, we knew this was going to be one of those historic days. And not in a good way.
On my first flight in the morning, I noticed I had 3 non-uniform USAir pilots on board. I assumed they were heading to NYC for the anniversary ceremonies. I could see in their eyes that this day meant different things to them. Sure it was still a huge tragedy to me, but this was an attack on their careers. I wasn't even a pilot yet when it all happened. So, while I think about the loss of all those people and the towers themselves every single time I fly by lower Manhattan, I think it hits those guys/gals who were working that day 10 years ago, just a little harder.
I even thought about if I would go to any of those ceremonies if I hadn't been working. I was working, so it wasn't an option. But I don't think I'd have gone even if I had the day off. I can't really relate to those who were there, who lost loved ones, who lost fellow airline pilots and/or flight attendants, etc, etc. I was just a grad student trying to land a job. I think those airline gatherings in DC and NYC were more for those who were in this line of work when that all unfolded. I just would feel a bit out of place being there I guess.
I did my share and got my 3 USAir pilots to LGA on time so that they could participate, pay respects, and share some stories about that day with others. I think its important for them to do that. I think its best for me to have worked that day, and let them have the day off to attend those functions. I'm glad I was able to help them get there.
My only regret was we were completely in the clouds at 4000ft while we flew by ground zero on our approach to LGA. The one day that everyone really wanted to look at lower Manhattan and ground zero, and no one could see a thing. *sigh* I guess that's the way it goes sometimes.
On my first flight in the morning, I noticed I had 3 non-uniform USAir pilots on board. I assumed they were heading to NYC for the anniversary ceremonies. I could see in their eyes that this day meant different things to them. Sure it was still a huge tragedy to me, but this was an attack on their careers. I wasn't even a pilot yet when it all happened. So, while I think about the loss of all those people and the towers themselves every single time I fly by lower Manhattan, I think it hits those guys/gals who were working that day 10 years ago, just a little harder.
I even thought about if I would go to any of those ceremonies if I hadn't been working. I was working, so it wasn't an option. But I don't think I'd have gone even if I had the day off. I can't really relate to those who were there, who lost loved ones, who lost fellow airline pilots and/or flight attendants, etc, etc. I was just a grad student trying to land a job. I think those airline gatherings in DC and NYC were more for those who were in this line of work when that all unfolded. I just would feel a bit out of place being there I guess.
I did my share and got my 3 USAir pilots to LGA on time so that they could participate, pay respects, and share some stories about that day with others. I think its important for them to do that. I think its best for me to have worked that day, and let them have the day off to attend those functions. I'm glad I was able to help them get there.
My only regret was we were completely in the clouds at 4000ft while we flew by ground zero on our approach to LGA. The one day that everyone really wanted to look at lower Manhattan and ground zero, and no one could see a thing. *sigh* I guess that's the way it goes sometimes.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Decisions
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1230222
As many of you had likely seen, some time ago, there was a high school track race that was stopped by the race official for weather/lightning with one lap remaining. The leader was on pace to break the NJ state record. Needless to say, this was a very contentious call. However, regardless of what was going on during the race, if there was a safety issue, the race should be stopped. Plain and simple.
First off, a huge pat on the back to that official. I found this chain of events to be very similar to what its like being an airline pilot. Many times, you are the last and final safety net. And, making a decision like that is not always an easy thing. It's often greatly unpopular, even with the very people you're trying to keep safe!
Not all decisions are cut and dry and they don't always come down to safety. One of the first flights I ever felt like I had to be a dick on, was a flight to New York. After several rounds of departure delays due to weather and traffic congestion in NY, we finally got a "wheels-up time" from ATC. As ATC loves to do sometimes, after 2 hours of waiting, they called and said, "your wheels up time is in 12 mins!" Thanks for that.
So, we got everyone aboard quickly, ran our checklists, and just when I was about to start engines, the flight attendant informed me that someone wanted to get off the plane. I feared it was something major like a medical emergency or they left the stove on at home, family member was just in a car accident, etc, etc. The FA then said, "They can't find their phone and they think they left it in the gate area and they want to go get it."
No matter what decision was made, it had to be made fast. If we let this person off search for their phone, we were not going to make our wheels up time. This would delay the rest of the passengers at LEAST another 45 mins, likely more.
The choice basically boiled down to having one person upset or 31 people upset. There was no way to please everyone in this instance. If I was a dick to 1 person, then 31 other people could get where they were going and have a chance at making connections.
I like math. 31 is quite a bit larger than 1. It was a pretty easy choice, but still not one that I took lightly. I knew this person was going to be hosed over without their phone. However, they should also have been more careful with not leaving it around in an airport! (and, I also didn't rule out the chance that they in fact DID have their phone buried in they're bag somewhere and just couldn't find it at that moment.)
I elected to not let the passenger off to look for their phone. If we let them off, they wouldn't be getting back on. That was the decision. I did have the FO call station operations on the radio when we got airborne and relay to the station that a passenger lost a cell phone in the gate area of our flight and then we provided the station phone number to the passenger so that arrangements could be made if the phone was recovered.
People make mistakes, I know. I make plenty. However, I would rather this one person have to deal with repercussions for their mistake, rather than screw over 31 others for their mistake. And, there was no guarantee that the phone was in the terminal. All we knew was they couldn't find it at the moment and figured they MIGHT have left it inside. You can't please everyone all the time. And, if you try, you will almost certainly piss off everyone.
So, to the person that lost their phone, I hope you got it back. Better yet, hope you found it in your bag or coat pocket after the flight. I didn't enjoy being a dick in not letting you go back in the terminal and look for your phone, but I did have some other things to consider.
As many of you had likely seen, some time ago, there was a high school track race that was stopped by the race official for weather/lightning with one lap remaining. The leader was on pace to break the NJ state record. Needless to say, this was a very contentious call. However, regardless of what was going on during the race, if there was a safety issue, the race should be stopped. Plain and simple.
First off, a huge pat on the back to that official. I found this chain of events to be very similar to what its like being an airline pilot. Many times, you are the last and final safety net. And, making a decision like that is not always an easy thing. It's often greatly unpopular, even with the very people you're trying to keep safe!
Not all decisions are cut and dry and they don't always come down to safety. One of the first flights I ever felt like I had to be a dick on, was a flight to New York. After several rounds of departure delays due to weather and traffic congestion in NY, we finally got a "wheels-up time" from ATC. As ATC loves to do sometimes, after 2 hours of waiting, they called and said, "your wheels up time is in 12 mins!" Thanks for that.
So, we got everyone aboard quickly, ran our checklists, and just when I was about to start engines, the flight attendant informed me that someone wanted to get off the plane. I feared it was something major like a medical emergency or they left the stove on at home, family member was just in a car accident, etc, etc. The FA then said, "They can't find their phone and they think they left it in the gate area and they want to go get it."
No matter what decision was made, it had to be made fast. If we let this person off search for their phone, we were not going to make our wheels up time. This would delay the rest of the passengers at LEAST another 45 mins, likely more.
The choice basically boiled down to having one person upset or 31 people upset. There was no way to please everyone in this instance. If I was a dick to 1 person, then 31 other people could get where they were going and have a chance at making connections.
I like math. 31 is quite a bit larger than 1. It was a pretty easy choice, but still not one that I took lightly. I knew this person was going to be hosed over without their phone. However, they should also have been more careful with not leaving it around in an airport! (and, I also didn't rule out the chance that they in fact DID have their phone buried in they're bag somewhere and just couldn't find it at that moment.)
I elected to not let the passenger off to look for their phone. If we let them off, they wouldn't be getting back on. That was the decision. I did have the FO call station operations on the radio when we got airborne and relay to the station that a passenger lost a cell phone in the gate area of our flight and then we provided the station phone number to the passenger so that arrangements could be made if the phone was recovered.
People make mistakes, I know. I make plenty. However, I would rather this one person have to deal with repercussions for their mistake, rather than screw over 31 others for their mistake. And, there was no guarantee that the phone was in the terminal. All we knew was they couldn't find it at the moment and figured they MIGHT have left it inside. You can't please everyone all the time. And, if you try, you will almost certainly piss off everyone.
So, to the person that lost their phone, I hope you got it back. Better yet, hope you found it in your bag or coat pocket after the flight. I didn't enjoy being a dick in not letting you go back in the terminal and look for your phone, but I did have some other things to consider.
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