This post describes a no-so-optimal reserve trip. Two dead-heads and just two legs of flying; with an over night in Ithaca and a 4.5 hour layover on the way home.
The good news is that I think my flying has improved. Both in the Pilot Monitoring mode (PM) and the Pilot Flying mode (PF). I’m only rating myself against my own expectations, but I was happy with this trip. Progress is being made, and it feels great!
I’ve been on reserve all of September, having just come off of Supervised Operating Experience (SOE) in my journey to become an effective First Officer here at Piedmont.
I was just bragging the other day about getting trips lined up (by scheduling) throughout the first few weeks of reserve, which had me building experience rapidly. Repetition is key in getting good at this, so I was pleased to keep moving.
Approaching this trip, I am just coming off four days off where Bev and I went to Adam and Lisa’s wedding over the weekend. Really nice event and a great time away for Beverly and I. Hotel Dupont and a stop at a Delaware City restaurant for breakfast – Lewinski’s on Clinton – were highlights. In fact – we’ve really been enjoying our time off together. Not bringing all that utility work home with me is a major advantage.
Calling in Monday evening – no trips were scheduled for me. I expected scheduling to give me a weeks worth of flying again, which would push me over the 100 cycles I need to get off the high-mins list. Let’s get flying! Alas – this week isn’t off to a great start.
Finally, on Tuesday morning at 9:30 am, I was given a trip that required a dead-head from SBY to PHL (I sit in the back and get moved to another airport). From there I was back up front as the PM (pilot monitoring) on a flight up to ITH – Ithaca, NY. One flight leg and then a stay over night.
Waking up at 3:00 am the next morning, we launched back to Philly with me flying. Ok – ask me now and I’ll tell you it is all worth it. It really is worth it when you get to fly like this. Night departure over mountains, and a landing in Philadelphia.
Now, here I sit in PHL on a 4.5 hour layover. that means I’ll be done work and in Salisbury before noon – but I have 4+ hours to kill just sitting here. I’d rather be flying, but I understand that patience is required. I’ve been flying allot lately, and I’m grateful for that.
To kill the time – I’ve started working on the book I’d planned to write. This will be a good use of my time.
Fly safe!!!