Spirits are low

It's hard to believe that just a few months ago things were peachy. I was getting paid and flying and meeting new people. Everything has been taken away now. Spirits are very low here in Anchorage. I am now the last person on the seniority list for the FOs. All of my friends from here have been let go. It is not looking good. I am torn between just toughing it out and just giving up and moving home. I have been looking at other opportunities both here and elsewhere but no luck yet. One of my friends that was let go has gotten an awesome opportunity back in his home town. I am super happy for him and I wish there was another spot for me! Maybe just in a few months I might be able to get on there. You never know. I just wish things would work themselves out and get my time in here. I also need to worry about my final License which could cost me 3,000 dollars if I don't find a company that is willing to invest in me. Plus when I think about my current situation, I am 2500 miles from home with no family or friends here and I am making peanuts for money. Im ok with starting low and working my way up but shit. If I am going to suffer I would prefer it be with family and friends nearby. Instead I need two jobs and have no friends! Haha. I am hoping this doesn't last long and I find something more stable to support myself and my loans. Going to take dozer to run! Talk to everyone soon!

August 25, 2012

Well, I am officially on Vacation as of thursday night. I am really excited! Great news at Penair... Two of our guys got hired on at Alaska Airlines. Bad news.... We are firing around 6-8 more guys. We are all hoping it will be the useless FOs that make too much money. I hope to still have a job when I return which I do believe I will. We are the cheapest pilots in the company. It wouldn't make sense to fire us. But you never know I guess. Hopefully, I impressed everyone I flew with. Mexico is looking good. We have all the paperwork and the tickets. Everything is lining up. All of us here are hoping the company survives. I really need this job in order to move on with my career. If not there are a lot of hopefuls down in the lower 48 who are hiring. Anyways, nothing is really new here. The weather is still staying semi nice. Today we are off to the Alaska State Fair!!! Shall be a good time! Alex is excited for her fair food. Packing and getting things ready for mexico tomorrow and monday. We leave tuesday afternoon at 3:30 ADT. We will be in Dallas at 6am. Then on to cancun around 9am. We will be back on the 2nd hopefully. Dozer is so excited to go back to summer camp! He is counting down the days and it sometimes feels like he is pushing us out the door! Have a great weekend everyone!

Danny

B Season Coming to a Close

It has been a very busy month here in Anchorage. I originally was scheduled to fly SHELL charters. As most of you may know the oil companyn SHELL has recently decided to drill here in the Arctic. They chose our airline as one of its charters companies to fly them to and from Dutch Harbor. Usually it is twice a day with two different crews. Unfortunitaly I was told that I needed 1000 total hours in order to qualify for SHELL. This wasn't a company restriction. It was soley SHELLS idea. So this entire month has turned into me doing whatever was left. I have gone to King Salmon and Dillingham a ton this month. It has been crazy. I was also able to do some freighters earlier in the month to Unalakleet, Dillingham, and St. Paul and St. George Islands. It was really fun to get to fly the freighters because you really can toss the aircraft around and not worry about passengers in the back. As a pilot you definitely learn a lot from being able to just fly and not wprry about people vomiting and getting pissed in the back. Recently we recieved an email from corporate informing us the Penair is enacting a hiring freeze and will not be giving any raises until March of 2013. Which as many of you may know I was slated to get a 2 dollar raise for flight hours and a 200 dollar raise for my base pay. I was really looking forward to it because it would help out A LOT! So I have applied at the Brown Jug Liquor store and FEDEX to make extra money. I am hoping I can get one that is super flexible so I can come and go as much as I want. Alex and I have also got two bikes off of craigslist to start exercising all over town. We have been riding a lot and it has been going well. Today I am sitting at home waiting to go to St Paul and St. George. The weather has been really bad all day. We were supposed to takeoff at 1145 this morning. So we will see. I am scheduled to fly to Dillingham tonight at 9pm. Hopefully that will be all I do today. I am trying to go to Arctic Thunder tomorrow. Its a major flight sho at Elmendorf Airforce Base. The Thunderbirds have been training for it for the last few days here and been able to see them on our bike rides. Hopefully I can get tomorrow off and go see them. Alex is leaving tonight for Seattle. I leave next thursday for a good friends wedding in Seattle. I will be there until the 5th. We have got Dozer all set up to stay at a Dog kennel in Anchorage. We shopped around a lot and this place is amazing. Its called AK Must Love Dogs. Anyone curious to check it out? http://www.akmustlovedogs.com/ Here's the link. Anyways, Hopfully we will see everyone soon!

Unalakleet

Well, I saw the infamous airport where the show on Discovery channel took off today. It looks very similar to the town they shoe on the TV. Jim Tweeto's Cessna 180 was parked over by their hangar. Must not have been flying today. Our hangar is about 300 yards down from the ERA hangar. I took a few pictures on my phone and I will post them on here for everyone to see. It is a very mountainous region. I thought it would be really flat but as we got lower it got very hilly. It looks like great hunting and fishing area. Very beautiful day today there. The captain and I had to unload 7,300 pounds of food and mail because our contractor out there couldn't muster up more than two rampers. Penair corporate is pissed because now the captains back is hurt and we pay them top dollar to unload us in Unalakleet. So we will see what happens. I have to go back to King Salmon tonight at 9:30pm. All the touruist in King are going home now so we will be flying to King pretty non-stop for about two weeks till they are all home. Lots of flying this month for me. Not getting a lot of time off. Next month though I have 13 days off. Im excited to finally get some vacation!

Tweeto Sighting

The last week has been great. Alex is finally moved up here and living full time. We are getting her all settled into the apartment and getting her insurance and looking for jobs. I have been flying a lot and have been very busy. I have 3 days off starting tomorrow. I have flown with a couple new captains. I like all but 1. The guy today was an asshole for no particular reason. I don't understand why. Lighten up! My landing was WAY better than his. Maybe that was part of it! Yesterday Alex and I saw Jim and Ferno Tweeto at the ERA gate. We were going to go over there and get a picture but of course we didn't want to bother them. They were heading back home from what I heard. The weather was crappy in Unalakleet yesterday so I wonder if they made it out there. I have seen a few of those guys from TV. Today we finally got our new uniform stuff. It looks alright I guess. Not really fond of the puke yellow epaulets but I will get over it. Going to the store today and getting a few things! Talk to everyone later!

3:30 will come early

After my nice 2 days off I get to go back to my 3:30am Dutch flights. Only 3 more to go and I am done with them for the rest of the month. I am stoked to be done with them as they have been very tiring. Only need to push through 3 more... Who knows maybe the weather will be shitty one day and get it cancelled? That would be nice. Anyways, cleaned the entire apartment today. Washing all the clothes and almost done. Then I need to take Dozer to the park and then back here for bed time. Talk to you soon!

Yes, I will take a cup of your Dutch blend!

Went to the Dutch Harbor airport this morning. Had to stop twice just to make it to the airport without running out of fuel. All of our flights were cancelled to Dutch yesterday due to weather. 8 flights are scheduled for there today. Im back home now playing with dozer and trying to get him acquainted with life in Alaska. He is doing well so far. Still on the "dont leave daddys side" routine. Im sure its just a matter of time and he will be up and running. We are planning on a park adventure here soon. Not sure which one I want to go to yet. I will figure it out and we will be on the road. Plus...he needs to poop somewhere in the woods were picking it up is not needed. Haha. Thats one thing I refuse to do if I can get away with it!

Seattle Bound

Leaving soon for Seattle. I still am waiting for the all clear from Penair Traffic. Hopefully they will get back to me soon! Weather is really bad here today. Lots of rain and fog! Things are starting to look more like home around here. My apartment is taking shape. I have a three day weekend starting now!!!!

Apartment coming together

Alex came up this weekend and brought a nice load of things. Got everything put away and got a few things. We have a couch now! It even reclines... I'm on reserve today and yesterday. Making my way down to seattle this week to pick up my dog and a few other last minute things. Having a lot of visitors these last few weeks. Can not wait to get this month behind me with this crap schedule. Almost halfway done. Anyways, I will be in the Seattle area wednesday, thursday, and friday. I will do my best to make the rounds!

Round 2

Well, I am going to work at 2:30am tomorrow. Starting round two of the 3 round bout with this schedule. I am confident it will be easier flying it for 3 days rather than 4 from here on out. This mopnth is kind of all over the place but next month I will use my seniority to get a much better schedule that I can get a second job with. Also, need to come back to the right side of the clock. This backside of the clock is crazy! But it has worked out alright for my dad being here with me on this schedule. Dad is going home on saturday. I hope he has had fun. Kinda sucks being here when I am in bed from 5pm-1am. But it has worked out. Alex is coming up friday night with a load of things. She will be staying here until tuesday when I go back home for a load of things and the K-9. This will be her first time seeing our place. Hope she likes it and we can see a few things while she is here. Maybe get a couch is the cards are right. Anyways, Im off to sleep for another exciting night down to Dutch. Goodnight!

Frustration

Yesterday I got called at 3pm saying my flight had changed. I was the lucky one to get picked to go to Cold bay at 1:45am. I was not very happy. I just feel like I am being jerked around. I have my schedule that was given to me. I didn't get to pick it. It was assigned because I was never given bidding information. So, I am dealing with the crap shit this month which has actually turned out to workout ok for me. Now though when you start screwing with that schedule it makes it difficult to have a second job. If you can't plan ahead you have nothing. Plus my dad is in town and trying to show him anchorage and have fun is hard when my schedule could change at any minute. They did remove me from my flight today and my reserve. That was very nice of them to do so I feel better about it. If I didn't go this morning the flight would have been cancelled. To me it seems like we need a few more pilots but what do I know about running an airline? Anyways, we have a big trip planned for today. Heading south on the Glenn highway 1! Glaciers, bears, and salmon oh my! Alex is coming up friday evening to move some things. I am excited to see her and show her the apartment. Hopefully she likes it!

last day of shit

Tomorrow morning is my last day of early flight for a few days. Sucks going to bed around 2pm to 5pm. But it is becoming normal. Kind of annoys me because my dad is here now and its hard playing host when you are flying and sleeping so much. But we are making the most of it. Tomorrow we are going get my dad tickets on a penair flight with me as the FO. Should be comical to see his expressions. Off to bed!

3282/3 3:30am Departure

Well, this morning was an early flight. Met yet another new captain. He is awesome. Totally laid back and to the point. My kinda guy. We even took turns taking naps....HAHAHA!!!! He is awesome. Super nice and helpful. We got down to dutch harbor at 6:30am. That is early!!! My dad comes in tonight on Alaska Airlines. Going to bed at 2pm rather than 5pm to pick him up. Should be a fun time. Sucks I have to work this schedule but it will only get better!

3:30am Dutch.....Really?

Well, I still have not gotten a hard copy of the schedule but I have been informed the I am flying at 3:30 in the morning to Dutch harbor and return. Come on! Who in the hell says top themselves....lets go to Dutch harbor at 3:30am? This isn't the super busy season so why are we flying so early...AH! Actually though...It woulnt be too bad. Just need to adjust my sleep schedule to the other side of the clock! Eating dinner and then going to bed!!!

1st Visitor

Yesterday was a solid day. Flew to Dillingham and back. Met a new captain. He was a younger guy. I really liked him. He was super relaxed and we had a good time bullshitting. Last night I got a text from Jesse. A friend I went to central with and referred him for the caravan job. He was coming into town late and was going out this morning to Dillingham to start his shift. He got into town around the time I got back from Dillingham. So I went and picked him up. Gave him a place to stay and a mattress to sleep on. I'm thinking I will see him out there sometime soon when I go out there in the Saab. Anyways, I am on reserve today so I will get a call at 1pm letting me know I am released for the day or need to work. We will see.

PEN7300/1

Last night was a late one. Didn't get back to my apartment till 2:00am. Fun stuff. I have been doing a lot of sleeping and a lot of flying which is good. I need the money. I am on reserve today and of course they used me to fly to Dillingham at 7:30 tonight! No rest for the wicked! Its alright though. I am getting long nights of sleep and I am staying well rested. Being home every night as an airline pilot for a regional airline is quite a perk. I don't know of any other airline that offers that to their pilots. Granted we may not be at home a lot in the summer because of the busy flight schedule but when it is time to sleep I will be in my own bed. So far no complaints as far as captains go. I am flying with a new captain tonight so we will see how nice he is. Looks pretty windy in Dillingham today so it should be fun! Talk to you later

First Shift...persepective changer

The flight went well last night. The captain was very nice. We are doing the same flight tonight. 6:15-1:00am. Weather has been really crappy down there all morning so we will see what happens tonight. Hopefully the weather cooperates. Funny story last night... The eagles in Dutch are massive and they enjoy sitting on the runway. There were two birds just looking at us as we taxied slow down to the end of the runway. We got closer and closer and the bird just stared at us. Unshaken. We tried to scare it with loud noises from the propellers and it didn't budge. We would have probably run it over before it moved. VERY BOLD BIRDS! As you could imagine, Bold birds cause BIG problems. I couldn't believe how fearless these birds are. We are 3,000 times its weight and the damn bird acted like we were a rodent. That bird just stared right at me through the window. No fear whatsoever... We were so close to it that I could see its eyes looking into mine. Very humbling moment. Even though we were much bigger than him, he didn't care. He was going to defend his piece of the pavement regardless of consequence. Nature is kind of funny like that. It teaches us lessons about life and how we should look at things. Definitely gave me a different perspective on fear.

PEN3290

Tonight will be my first line flight. This means that it will be my first non-training flight. I am excited for it but kinda nervous because I do not know who I will be flying with. I know his name but who knows if they are nice or not? I have heard just about every person here are nice people but there are a few that are a little more up tight. Thats alright though. Every job has those kinds of bosses. At my job I just have 60 bosses to like/dislike. My flight is from 6pm tonight to 1am tomorrow morning. I think I will try to bid these flights once I get my first bid. That way they are more relaxed and not so much traffic. This spring in anchorage has been a wet one. Lots of rain here and right around 50 degrees. We have had a few nice days but it is raining hard today. I can't believe training is finally over! It has been two months of agonizing crap. At least now I can start working and make some money to survive on!

OE Finished

My initial operating experience is complete! Signed off today!!! Start flying the line tomorrow night. I fly to Dutch Harbor 6:15pm-1:00am. Should be fun. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate. I flew 8.7 hours today and I am exhausted! Time to sleep!

1st Flight Complete

Well, I survived my first flight in the Saab 340. It went really well. I made a really nice landing back into Anchorage. I landed a little long but hey it was my first landing. I fly two flights tomorrow. One to sandpoint and the other to dillingham. I cant wait to get back in the air and get more comfortable with the airplane. I am flying with my sim instructor and hope it goes well. I have a feeling he will get a little quizzy. Which is fine because I learn from it but hopefully he just focuses on teaching me how to fly the real plane. Anyways, Talk to everyone tomorrow!

Peninsula 3294

Today is my first flight in the Saab 340. I am extremely nervous but I am also confident in my abilities to fly this airplane. We have 19 passengers going down and 19 coming back. This is a Direct Dutch Harbor flight. It is approximately 3 hours one way. I am also very excited to see Dutch Harbor. I have never been down there and it is sure to be beautiful. Skies are clear and visibility nearly unlimited. Perfect day for my first flight. Who would have thought that only 11 months after graduating from college would I be flying a 30,000 lb airplane with 22 peoples lives in my hands. I am amazed at the sobering effect responsiblity plays on me as an airline pilot. I think eventually I wouln't even think twice about having 30 passengers or even 300 someday. I am very lucky to have come this far after such a short time in the real world of commercial aviation. I would like to thank my family, friends, and CWU for all the support and encouragement. And for all of you wondering why the heck I havent been writing very much....I am back into writing daily on my blog. I will try to get at least 2-4 posts weekly. Stay tuned to hear how my first flight goes! Anyone in the Anchorage area who hears Peninsula 3294 or 3295... That will be me talking!!! See you later!

Saab 340 Qualified!

Well, training is finally over! I am exhausted but my hard work paid off. I am now qualified to fly the Saab 340 in the right seat as Second In Command! It was a long haul but it is finally over. I got my apartment all squared away Anchorage and plan to start IOE(initial operating experience) early next week. Should be interesting. Anyways, heres to advancing my career!

Getting ready to drive up to my new home in anchorage. My grandpa Atwood is driving with me. I think it will be an awesome drive through some untouched country. I am excited. Poppy is going to stay in anchorage for about a week and fish. That will be fun. Hoping to catch a big king or two! Maybe get a Copper River red or two. I have 4 days of cockpit procedures training in Anchorage. Then I will be in Minneapolis for 10 days. Then working full time. I will post pictures of my new place! Talk to everyone soon!

ANC Based!

I went down to corporate today and talked with my new boss. He confirmed it! I am going to be living and flying in Anchorage. I am really excited about this news and now is the time for me to find a place to live. There are a few places I am going to look this week when I have time. My hope is to have the place before I go back to Seattle so I can drive/move all my stuff before CPT. CPT is here in anchorage and is just flow practice and call outs. This looks to be about 2-3 weeks out after the end of ground school. Which that is perfect for me to be able to move. So the plan is to go back to Seattle around Thursday of next week. Pack everything and drive up. Then CPT and the Minneapolis. When I am done with my 8 days of sim I will come back here for IOE before being placed on line. Then I will actually be working here. Exciting! Now I just need to get school down and Ace the test. Will not be easy this time. Lots of quirks with this airplane! Studying now actually and took time to write. Hope all is well with everyone. Will keep you posted on progress!

Stuck in the Lake

Another flat tire down in the chigs. Spent 4 hours at chignik lake. Pretty cool. Got to eat some canned king salmon sandwiches. It was nice to see the village. Storm is a brewing here in Bristol bay. Pretty windy right now and my power is flickering. I'm not going to be happy if the damn power goes out. Anyways, pretty good flight day. Chigs got worse and worse as we waited for another plane to get to the lake carrying a mechanic and a new wheel. Supposed to do a charter tomorrow. We will see. Also supposed to take a casket and family to Clark's point. It will be my first non living passenger. Kinda feel weird about it. It will be interesting.

Back in King Salmon for the last time!

This is my final shift... I am upgrading to the Saab! I am outta here! Haha... I'm flying with Captain Pip and Captain Mich! Easy flying and fun flying for me for the next week. Then Alex and my parents are coming up to anchorage to watch the iditarod and search for places to live! I'm getting anxious to move. I can't wait to have my own place and be flying the Saab! It's gonna be fun. I rode in the jumpseat out to king salmon with the captain and first officer. It's a pretty neat airplane. I am excited to eat at some of anchorages best places. It's going to be good. Moose tooth, glacier brew house, platinum jaxx, and humpy's. Joel left yesterday and is done out here in the salmon. We start school on march 26th. I was gonna see if Joel wanted to come check out Seattle in march since this has been the first month in awhile where we are both off. We will see. Anyways, talk to everyone soon.

Internet is back

Well, the Internet is back. The last few days have been uneventful. No flying yesterday due to a winter storm. Flew today once the storm cleared around noon. My hours are coming in pretty well. Talked to my boss and it has been confirmed, I am going into the Saab! I am very excited to upgrade because I make more money plus get to fly a twin turbine aircraft in Alaska. I am excited. I could end up being based in Boston or Hawaii. I already put in my bid for anchorage though and Jon said I would probably get it. So, we will see. Joel comes back next week. Super Bowl Sunday we might get off. If so I hope to go to Low T's place! Talk to you soon!

Back in king, Internet down, and look both ways!

Well, I am back in King Salmon. It's been a little chilly but not bad. Keeping warm and flying a lot. Joel is not back yet and he might not be out here for awhile. One of our planes has undergone a rebuilding of the tail. It was bent and cracked. Probably from Joel's escapades down in the chigs earlier this month. So we are all getting extra days off and working more hours. It's been great. Sucks being here alone though. Nothing to do! I'm at eddies at the moment. Internet is down at the Penair hangar so I have to go to eddies when I can. This has been my first time down here this shift. I got an Alaskan amber with a free token I got from a couple of chigs passengers that are here in the bar. Pretty nice of them. Anyways, the last two days have been eventful. Went to the chigs both days. Weather has been beautiful. Calm and high overcast skies. No bumps and good performance. So today I was flying with Captain Pip. We talked and did all of our stops in the chigs. I asked to land in chignik lagoon. This is our shortest strip we go to and it usually takes awhile to get enough experience so the captains trust you. Captain Pip let me take it. I flew a beautiful approach right on airspeed and landed on my mark. As soon as we touched I threw the caravan into reverse. Out of the corner of my eye I see a truck start to drive across the runway! Mind you this strip is maybe 1500 feet. With the road running through the middle. The village drives this road to and from north town an south town. It's well traveled. The gal was driving a truck full of garbage in the back. She must have been going to the dump. Anyways, she pulls out into the middle of the runway. She sees us and stops dead. I jammed the plane into full reverse, slammed on the brakes, and pulled the yoke full aft. Picture a 2000 pound truck in the middle of the runway, a 5000 pound airplane traveling at 85 mph with 600 feet to stop on an icy/snow packed runway. Wasnt gonna happen! We gave it everything we had. The gal gunned her truck and we missed her by a couple of feet! The truck literally went underneath the wing. The prop wash blew snow everywhere and blew half the garbage out of the back of her truck. I CANNOT BELIEVE WE DIDN'T HIT HER! Lucky! The lady was balling her eyes out and was being held by two bystanders who watch the whole thing. I was shaking. Biggest adrenaline rush since I've been flying here in southwest Alaska. No doubt in my mind that lady would have lost her life if we hit her. Who knows what would have happened to Captain Pep and myself. Airplane would have been done. New prop/engine and everything. Moral of the story... Look both ways before crossing the damn runway!

10F down and out

Well, still at home in stanwood. Only one airplane works in king salmon so they gave me the option to stay home. The plane needs serious structural repairs. Probably from the flight my roommate Joel had a couple weeks ago! Lucky it held till the routine phase check. So, I am flying here with one of my students so I can get some hours. I'm looking really good for meeting my goal of 680 by the end of February. I got an email confirming my upgrade to the Saab! So I will be moving to anchorage in April. Pretty excited but stressed about where to live and how I am going to move! Going to cost some money that I don't have so we will see how it goes! Hopefully I figure something out soon. Still have 2 shifts in king salmon to complete. So I will write soon. Possibly Friday or Saturday.

Seattle

Well, I think I may have brought this snow and cold weather with me from Alaska. School has been cancelled for days and the roads have been a mess. This of course complicates me getting everything done that I wanted to get done while I'm home in civilization. Still need to ship my supplies and go to the bank. Also need to go grocery shopping. Been stuck in the damn house for days. Starting to get annoyed. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to venture out and finish up what I need to. As for now I better go pack up my stuck! Talk to you in King Salmon!

Homeward Bound

Well, I will be headed south for my days off tonight. No blogging until the 21st of January. Looking forward to being home. Last two days we have had to turn around due to poor visibility, icing, and low clouds. Only flew with captain Low T once this month. Joel's down in the chigs with captain Hero. I'm sure they will save the day by pushing it. That's the difference between Hero and Low T. Low T has limits. Hero doesn't. It's not like we are out here running life or death missions. No one cares if you somehow manage to make it in. Everybody has their thing I guess. Anyways, see ya later!

Broncos!

Slept in today. No flying on Sunday. Congrats to the Denver Broncos on taking out the Steelers! Althought next week against the Patriots doesnt look good for Tebow. Still happy the Steelers are out.Had a great night last night. Haha. Let's just say I woke up with a headache. Anyways, weather is better today. Looking like a busy day tomorrow. Hopefully only one flight Tuesday so I can come home early but we will see. Watching a Bourne Identity marathon today. Good series. Finally got permission to use a PO box here in king. So, I will be shipping up next months supplies. Can't wait to get back to stanwood. Got a new phone waiting for me. Got the new IPhone 4s. Excited to play with that. Well, happy Sunday. Blog soon.

Saturday in the Bush

Well, port alsworth and Igiugik. Did an instrument approach back into king salmon. Pretty nice. Had a few beers with captain low T and Captain AZ. Watched lots of football. Had a grand time. Wondered to eddies and had a few beers on Captains tabs. Thanks guys. It was an awesome time. Eddies was Saturday busy. Weather today was marginal. Joel and Captain Low T had an interesting time in the chigs. Check out Joel's blog today for more info. Went and got the Herman Nelson with Captain Hero. The Goose lives! They got it back to anchorage for inspection. I think the pilot did a great job during the landing. Had fun... Time to check out the tube. See ya!

Busy Busy

Flew to all of the chigniks, perryville, port heiden, and egegik. Stopped at the lake twice as well. Moved alot of people and a little bit of mail. Weather was ok. Not as nice as the days before. Flew with the other caravan into egegik and king salmon. I beat Joel back to king by going up high and getting better airspeed. It was quite comical. I flew with captain Hero. Joel was with Captain Low T. We welcome him back from vacation today. Got back just in time. Fogged in now. Also heard my cousin is in Labor! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Browne. Hope to see you when I come home!

Anonymous folks....

If you post on my blog. Please write your name on the last line. Otherwise I don't know who you are! Thanks!

Chigs in the Morning

Already back from today's flight. Went with Captain Hero. Talked about hunting and traveling. Things went well. Dropped off everything for chigs. Went to chignik bay and the lagoon. Great weather. Had a weird approach into king. Followed a DC-9 in and then had to go around cuz they took forever to get off the runway. It was no big deal but Captain Hero was irritated. For some reason he gets in a big hurry coming back to kig salmon. Every time! Just need to chill.

January 4th

Today is Joel's day to fly first. I will take the second flight if there is one today. May be going up north again to rescue the goose. We are waiting for the ice to get thicker and thicker so it can take off on the ice. We have not heard if there will be another. Joel and captain Hero left about 10:15 local time. 11:15 Seattle time. Going to the Chigniks, Perryville, and Port Heiden. Perryville is calling zero zero which means u can't see your hand in front of your face. So try may not go into Perryville today. We will see. Captain Hero has a way of doing the impossible. Pretty windy down there to. Even really cold down there with snow! So we will see how the day goes. Washing clothes today and watching TV. So, it will be a lazy day! This morning was -40F. Hard to breathe. My eye lashes grew idicles. Pretty nuts. Well, Talk to you soon!

I have fixed the commenting!

Anyone and everyone can now post comments to my blog! Feel free! Another side note, Joel and I have decided to only use our first names and no one else's. We have given Alias to these people because our intension is not to offend anyone. Just tell the story from our points of view. To comment, all you need to do is click on the greenish comments button below my post. Then write your comment and click publish. Thank you for following along!

Goose is being Rescued

Just sent a caravan to Port Alsworth to rescue our Goose. Taking up engine heaters and barrels of fuel. Gotta get the plane back to Anchorage. It will be fully inspected and then returned to Dutch Harbor hopefully. Joel and Captain Hero headed up there. I was there yesterday. Beautiful area. Very nice and all the people are very gracious. Flew to the chigs and port Heiden today. Bumpy today and starting to get super cold again. Forecasting -25 to -30 below zero. Windchills to -40 below zero. At this point it's not even funny. When you step outside you can barely breathe. And any exposed skin hurts. It basically skips the feeling of being cold and goes straight to pain. Keeping pretty warm though. Working everyday so far. Getting to fly too. I am only 74 hours away from the hours required to upgrade to the Saab in March. I am right on track and will make it without question. I am really excited and I hope I get the chance to upgrade. This is what I want most. Keep your fingers crossed!
Follow my roommate Joel everyone!
http://www.alaskanbushpilot.blogspot.com/

Goose Down

Well, today was pretty exciting. Flew to egegik and pilot point with Captain Pip. Got back and was told we needed to go to port alsworth. Our one and only Grumman Goose went down in a frozen lake ten miles north of port alsworth. General D and I got into the Caravan and flew up. Good news is only one guy on board. The pilot survived without a scratch. Actually the plane sounds like it is not damaged. So that's good. It's was pretty scary when we got word the plane went down and we didn't know where to look. Once we got on the ground we got invited in to a local guys house for a feast. It was delicious. Lots of people were there. It was a Russian feast. Apparently new years is a big holiday in Russia and the family's daughter in law is Russian. It was really nice and people there were great. We grabbed the pilot and flew back to king salmon. He flew back to anchorage on the Saab tonight. Pretty exciting. Wonder what we will do about the goose. Stay tuned!

Internet interruption

Our Internet sucks right now. Only way to do anything is go to eddies so be patient with my posts. They may be scarce unless they fix Internet. I will do my best. Didn't do much today. Walked around and hung out. I slept till noon. Felt good. Work is gonna be extremely slow this month. Only one flight per day. Gonna trade off with Joel. I will leave here the 10th of January for 10 days back in Seattle. Then come back up the 20th and will not be back till the 15th of February. Long shift but hopefully I will find out about upgrades soon. I will keep you all posted.