I Got To Fly My Dad

[American Eagle Melvin]

Well as the title says...I got to fly my Dad...for the First Time.

As a new private pilot I offered to take my dad for a flight in a Cessna 172. He kindly declined......since flying is not something he wants to do by choice. I promised him that when I make it to the airlines that I will one day be his pilot. For the last few years my Dad has been flying American Eagle once a year to Fresno California for business. Well when I got hired we talked about me picking up one of his flights either to Fresno or back to LAX.

It ends up that I was unable to pick up his flight to Fresno since I already was flying another flight that day. I knew his flight information for his return back to LAX. I checked my schedule and had that day off. I searched our computer program and found the First Officer that was working this flight and gave him a call to see if he would'nt mind letting me pick up the flight to Fresno so I could fly my dad back...and he said no problem. So we submitted our request to Crew Scheduling and it was approved.

In an attempt to surprise my dad, the last I told him was that I was working on picking up his flight, but that it did not look likely. We did not talk for a few days and this morning he left me a message on my cell phone saying that he was at the airport in Fresno and he figured that since he did not hear from me that I was unable to pick up the flight and that maybe we can try again next year. I landed in Fresno around 11:20am and the passengers got off the plane. Then came the time for his flight to board. I saw him walk onto the ramp with a group of passengers while I was sitting in the cockpit. The captain knew that my dad was coming aboard and that I was going to surprise him. As my dad got closer to the plane, I slid down in my seat out of his view. When he walked onto the plane, the flight attendant blocked all passengers view of seeing into the cockpit. After all passengers boarded, the flight attendant told my dad and another passenger that since they were sitting in the exit row, that they had to get a special brief from the Captain..... She sent my dad to the cockpit first and she kept the other guy seated and filled him in on what was going on. Well when my dad got to the cockpit door...THERE I WAS. He was suprised and happy to see me.

It was my turn to fly the flight back so now I can say that I was the First Officer on his flight, and I was also the Pilot flying the plane. It was a great flight, perfect weather, calm winds, and to top it off...a Great Landing. I lived up to my promise. I know he is proud of me for going after my dream. I am more proud that I can now say I flew my Dad...

After we landed we took a few pictures. Here is one.

AmerEagPop2.jpg
06/06/08

[ExpressJet Bob]

That sir... is an awesome story!

Bob

[Republic Airlines Ken]

Very very cool Melvin!

I flew my mom several years ago for the first time (she'd NEVER go up in a cessna). It was really satisfying to be able to show her first hand the results of all the hard work. I'm sure you're dad's pretty proud as well!

[American Eagle Melvin]

Bob and Ken,

It was an awesome experience. That is one flight I will never forget.