I'm in....

[Rick Pierpont]

Wow! That's awesome news for both of you! Mike, congrats on landing your dream job -- especially since you ended up with the plane AND desired base. And congrats to Shannon for being such an awesome supporter and now not having to see you gone quite as much since you got the base you wanted! I can't wait to see you guys again! If you ever get a wild hair and fly into Baltimore or Harrisburg let me know!

 

[Bryan316]

If your plane doesn't have Air-to-Air missiles, I AIN'T INTERESTED!

So go duck tape some bottle rockets to the wings.

Heh heh.

"What the hell is that?"
"Just doing my part for homeland security."

 

[kittybeast]

Congratulations!!!! Well ya know you have some friends on the west coast!! So damn exciting for both of you!! Best wishe.s and holler at us if you're close to LA.

 

[Magius]

Concratulations. I hope the first year goes fast for you.

 

[Wishmaster]

Congrats, man!

--Mike

 

[Pellaz]

Awesome! Be sure to use some humor on those boring "pilot speaks to the passenger" speeches. "Ladies and gentlemen, the next time you'd like to climb aboard a flimsy, pressurized metal can and risk sudden decompression, please do think of us at SkyWest."

How big is the Brasilia (engines and passenger cap)? I flew on two Embraer planes -- tiny little things -- when I went to College Station TX a few years ago...one was a 12-passenger plane and one was a 7. That was fun!

(For those "in the know," insert a Mindflow reference here. )

 

[sh0kr0k]

(For those "in the know," insert a Mindflow reference here. )

Wait, I'm "in the know" but I don't get it! Am I not *really* in the know? What about Mindflow? Tell me! Tell me!

I like some of the Embraer planes, especially when I get a seat on the "single" row - a window AND an aisle seat at the same time!

 

[Diamond45]

I like some of the Embraer planes, especially when I get a seat on the "single" row - a window AND an aisle seat at the same time!

But you don't get any overhead luggage racks on that side of the plane.

 

[Yippee38]

How big is the Brasilia (engines and passenger cap)? I flew on two Embraer planes -- tiny little things -- when I went to College Station TX a few years ago...one was a 12-passenger plane and one was a 7. That was fun!

I don't know. The plane I'll be flying will be the Canadair Regional Jet. They have a 50 seat, 70 seat, and 90 seat version.

 

[Pellaz]

I like some of the Embraer planes, especially when I get a seat on the "single" row - a window AND an aisle seat at the same time!

Yep, that was the first one I flew. The second one had single seats, on both sides of the aisle. 4 on one side and 3 on the other (the missing seat was where the entry hatch was). One of the, err, 'funnest' trips I've ever taken by air. I kept feeling like I'd paid $50 to fly in a tiny plane during a carnival or something.

 

[lady_space]

Wow, congratulations!!! Great to hear! Remind me to buy you a drink in oh say 8 months!

 

[Yippee38]

Wow, congratulations!!! Great to hear! Remind me to buy you a drink in oh say 8 months!

I will.

 

[Pellaz]

And since SkyWest apparently owns ASA, you can probably fly here for cheap or for free!

Downside: I found out that SkyWest owns ASA from the news reports about the near runway collision at ATL yesterday involving an ASA and a Delta plane...2 to 3 seconds separation tops. (!) The ASA pilot acknowledged the tower's order to stop, and kept going anyway. Toooooooo close.

Probably involved that new fifth runway.

 

[Yippee38]

Downside: I found out that SkyWest owns ASA from the news reports about the near runway collision at ATL yesterday involving an ASA and a Delta plane...2 to 3 seconds separation tops. (!) The ASA pilot acknowledged the tower's order to stop, and kept going anyway. Toooooooo close.

Probably involved that new fifth runway.

From what I hear, ASA has some problems. After they closed down Houston and SLC, moral in the company tanked and they now have a lot of people who aren't happy working there.

Runway incursions are getting a lot of news lately. They are also getting a lot of attention in the aviation community. They happen VERY frequently, though most times there is not conflict. When there is a conflict (as in the above situation) you hear about it.

I still don't understand why they don't start using some kind of traffic light system on airports. It works - most of the time - on the roads. It would take the pilots' memories out of the equation ang give a visual reminder of clearance or lack thereof.

 

[freakchylde]

Congrats Yip!!!!

 

[Pellaz]

I still don't understand why they don't start using some kind of traffic light system on airports. It works - most of the time - on the roads. It would take the pilots' memories out of the equation ang give a visual reminder of clearance or lack thereof.

I kinda thought some of those weird winky-blinkies on taxiways (when they cross runways and stuff) WERE for traffic-control.... Guess not. I'm not sure it would have made a difference in this case, since the pilot repeated the controller's instruction back...and still failed to stop.

The article said they were about 1200 feet apart (I gather the Delta jet was incoming, probably on Runway 9R), and thus separated by 2-3 seconds. Brrrrr.

 

[Yippee38]

I kinda thought some of those weird winky-blinkies on taxiways (when they cross runways and stuff) WERE for traffic-control.... Guess not. I'm not sure it would have made a difference in this case, since the pilot repeated the controller's instruction back...and still failed to stop.

No. Those winky-blinky lights just indicate where the hold line is. There are two problems here: 1) Sometimes you have to hold short of that line, and sometimes not. Therefore, identifying the hold short line does very little. If the light changed color based upon whether or not you had to hold, that would make sense (like a traffic light on the road). 2) You get your hold short instructions when you begin your taxi. Taxiing is a busy time, and especially so on commercial flights. You are doing all of your pre-flight checklists and configuration at that point, while looking out for crossing traffic. Add to that confusing airport layouts that the pilots may, or may not be familiar with, and you've got a real mess.

 

[Coldfire Mouse]

Sorry I'm late to the party....but congrats on getting this. My dad was a commecial pilot for Eastern first and then Continental before his passing. He lived in Boca and was based out of Houston at the end with Continental. But when he first went back as a 2nd Ofc on the 727 he was based for 6 months out of the south Pacific on one of Continental's sister airlines...so the the west coast would not be such a bad place comparatively. However once he was based out of Houston he would just hit the jump seat and fly non-rev out to houston from Ft Lauderdale and he rented a space/bed and drawer at a 'crash pad" more than likely if yo9u get based on the WC you will run into a group of pilots who do this and it's economical instead of renting a full place. Also if you are 'dead heading' out to the WC to start a run or heading home...I think pilots/crew take priority on the 'pass' non-rev heirarchy.

Anyway..congrats. That is one hell of a cool job ya got there. Wear those strips/bars and lettuce leaves proudly will ya! And Pillow Landings. I'll have daddy watch your wings for ya.


Coldie

 

[Yippee38]

Thanks Coldie. I got the plane that will put me in Chicago after all.

My concern was the cost of paying for a crash pad on first year pay. It's a non-issue though.

 

[sh0kr0k]

Thanks Coldie. I got the plane that will put me in Chicago after all.

My concern was the cost of paying for a crash pad on first year pay. It's a non-issue though.

Great news, Mike!!! Congrats x 2!