I’m going to be an airline
pilot again. I am one happy dude.
Atlantic Coast Airlines
called me today with my aircraft assignment and class date. I’ll be flying the Canadair Regional Jet and
am to report to class on September 16th. That’s one year to the day after I learned of my furlough from
COEX. Strange irony.
The ACA vs. COEX decision is
no longer difficult. My recall to COEX
is still not clear and once again looks like it might be later rather than
sooner. I am not into waiting. ACA is a great airline, and today I got
exactly what I wanted.
I’ll be flying at 450 knots
under the United Express livery for ACA, mostly likely out of
Chicago-O’Hare. This is good for me
because since we plan to continue to live in Las Vegas, commuting to Chicago
will be the easiest of any of ACA’s domiciles.
There are 19 direct flights a day between here and Chicago, and since
I’ll be able to jumpseat on any airline, getting to and from work should be a
piece of cake.
This has probably been my
happiest day since August 31 of last year when I passed my simulator
checkride. It finally seems my career
is back on track.
I will not miss flight
instruction. Don’t get me wrong - it
has been a good experience. I’ve logged
575 hours in seven months, soloed four students, and seen five get their
private pilot certificate. I’ve also
flown to some great destinations including Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon,
Death Valley and Catalina Island, but for the most part it has been hard work,
especially in the recent 110-degree heat, and I’m very happy to be moving
on. What I will miss most is the people
with whom I’ve worked and flown. First
Flight has been a great place to work, and I hope to continue instructing there
from time to time when I am home in Las Vegas.
My schedule has already
begun to wind down at the flight school and now I find myself faced with
figuring out what do with myself for the next month or so. I plan to do some camping and traveling, as
well as preparing myself mentally for the task of being back in school for the
next two-and-a-half months.
I still can’t believe I’m
going back to my dream. I’m absolutely
thrilled!