Whats up Just Checkin In

[AlanS-SC-907]

Hey Roger, Its been a while, but I thought I would give you an update. I am still in the D.C. area instructing. I am almost to 1000 hours and I just crossed 200 multi. I love instructing, but look at the shiney jets everyday. I have a new love, the Hawker 400 XP I don't know why but it looks like a lot of fun. I am destined for a type rating in that plane. I know its random, but sometimes you have a calling. Anyways, I have been rocking the twin commanche and that wil suffice for now. I just recently had a string of Instrument students pass. Still 100% Something about the instrument rating makes me feel proud of the students a little more than the others. I hope x jet is treating you well, and remember, if anyone ever hires again, I would be a great co pilot . Looks like you have a great string of new guys on here to pass your wise advice onto. I just wanted to say hey

Alan

[ExpressJet Roger]

Alan, it has been a long time. Glad to hear you are doing great. Don’t rush too quickly to get here my friend, some of the best times I ever had flying were spent right there where you are right now. I too found that I gained the most pleasure from knowing that my student was so prepared for the instrument checkride that even he wasn’t nervous. Well as soon as I hear anything about hiring I will post it here. Please keep me up to day as to your adventures and I will keep you up to date on the hiring, Deal?

Oh hay, you seen any of our Branded painted planes flying in and out of IAD recently? We got a summer contract with United and we are using the corporate planes to get the work done. Well look forward to talking to you more dude. You keep the sunny side up.

[AlanS-SC-907]

I haven't seen any of the branded planes up here yet, but I'll keep my eye out. They like to turn the planes on final right over our runways. They are cool lookin planes though, I saw a bunch of them in Charlotte a while back at whatever airport that is over the race track. I'll keep you updated with all the fun of instructing. I really do enjoy it, and I make sure not to take it for granted. I know one day I'll look back with a lot of fond memories, I already do to a certain extent, but looking forward is fun too. I'll keep checkin in.

[ExpressJet Roger]

Alan,

I always enjoy hearing from you. I know how frustrated it might be at times to fee like your stuck just below where you want to be, however you are probably in the best place you could think of right now. Think about it. You’re getting pic time. Plus you have the option of flying more than a 100 hours a month and you’re getting paid. Well, I know I am teaching to the choir when I tell you this because you seem like a guy that really is well ahead of the game. As always, keep in touch and keep the blue side up.

[ExpressJet Roger]

Hay Alan,

Have you been keeping in touch with ATP’s corporate office? They have someone dedicated to helping guys look for jobs with the airlines. Give them a call and see if they have heard anything. While I meant what I said about you being in the right place at the right time, I also want you to be at the leading edge of the next big hiring wave. Talk more soon.

[AlanS-SC-907]

Hey Roger, Just another quick check in. I got to fly a citation (CJ) with my boss the other day to Burlington Vermont. I hand flew it to FL250 and then let the autopilot takeover to FL330. Then I got to shoot an ILS and disconnected the AP at about 2000 feet and landed. (we broke out about 1000 AGL) It wasn't perfect, but not bad. ( If I get another shot I'll nail it ) The coolest part was that I really felt at home behind the controls, which I guess means that all of the flying I have done until now really isn't much different. I now have my big bad 2 hours of turbine time. It was awesome though.

To answer your previous post, I have talked to Paul once or twice since my RJ program, but there really isn't much happening. I am going to give my resume a good brushing off and send him a new wave soon. It still looks like I am just behind the leading edge of the little hiring that is happening in hours, but just barely, so I will keep updating and keep instructing. I have a good group of instrument and multi students now though, so times are pretty good overall.

I hope you are doing well

[ExpressJet Roger]

Alan, thank you for keeping me informed. I am happy to hear that you are getting a lot of students. Of course the really smart guys are the ones in your position (and your students) as opposed to me. You guys started training when the down turn bottomed out and I started when the up turn hit its peak. You will get to ride the wave up and I have had the miss-fortune of riding it down to go back up.

I agree with you that the jet is so much easier to fly than the props. The only thing that gets guys is the jet lag time. Because they will pull the throttles back when the aircraft is going too fast then once the aircraft is going the speed they want, they put the throttles forward to hold the current speed. Of course by this time it is too late because of that jet lag, it usually takes six to eight seconds from when you move the throttles to when the engines start producing thrust. This action will cause guys to do what we call ‘playing the trombone.’ This action not only affects the speed but also affects the pitch of the aircraft. So you will see planes worming their way down the glide slope while the engines are going from idle to full power. Sounds like you’re going to be way past this concern and hopefully you will be able to nail that next approach.

So have you started studying for the ATP written? The new FAA rule rumored to come into affect will be that all pilots hired by the airlines to include the regionals have to have their ATP certificate.

[AlanS-SC-907]

I actually have started (and stopped a few times) studying for the ATP written. I have about 400 hours to go before I hit the times I need for the checkride, but that should come pretty quick (6 months or so). I think I might just get that test out of the way here pretty soon though.

The nice thing about the proposed hiring mins is that by the time it goes into effect I should be there, but if someone comes calling before then I still have competitive times (other than the ones with 121 experience that are on the street).

Speaking of that legislation, I haven't heard anything new since congress went on thier break. I have seen the House and Senate Resolutions, and I know Randy Babbit was speaking against it, but the whole thing has gone kind of quiet for the last month. I am sure that ATA and RAA are going to raise hell, and I haven't heard anything from them either. The whole thing is kind of odd and seems like it is being swept under a rug. If you have any other info, please enlighten me.

[ExpressJet Roger]

I haven’t heard anything lately either but plan on looking into what is going on once the Senate goes back into session because it is defiantly something that is going to affect all of us. I think a lot of changes are coming down the road that will have profound effects on us. One of the things I recently heard involves crew rest requirements, our airline is holding off any further talk of furlough because they feel they will need additional pilots to make up the longer overnights and shorter duty day requirements. ALPA is really jumping on the bandwagon to try and improve the situation. I think the industry in the next 10 years will be a complete 180 from what it is right now. It could mean, good things are coming, fingers crossed and all hahahaha.

Dude as always, I really enjoy hearing how things are going for you and look forward to continued discussions.