Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Airline Transport Pilot



I actually got it a week ago, last Wednesday. The fact that I was able to do the LOE early meant that I got to actually spend Thanksgiving and the weekend with Dawn and our families. They're saying I'll start IOE sometime after December 1st so at the moment I'm in Portland getting the mail and watering the plants.

11 comments:

G. F. McDowell said...

Let me be the first to offer my congratulations. I wish it could be me in that left seat (or even in the right seat)so keep on blogging.

Anonymous said...

you see, blonds aren't so dumb after all.

Sam Weigel said...

Parenthetically, blond is the official FAA spelling for the hair color box. I laughingly pointed that out to the ADP and he - in all seriousness - changed the box to omit the "e!" I was originally taught that it's spelled blonde for women and blond for men, which would imply a bit of subtle sexism in the FAA's use of blond. However, I've since been told that blonde is the noun and blond is the adjective, which would justify the FAA's usage.

Unknown said...

I see you still have your ASEL. Good, you can always fall back on that.

milski said...

Congratulations!
I noticed the circling approach limitation on most of the CFIs that I know who went to the airlines - is that something standard? And do they disappear when you become a captain?
Oh, and I heard a NewCompany flight on the radio yesterday around here in Seattle, looks like things are moving a long for you guys. :)

Sam Weigel said...

Milski-- most airlines restrict their circling approaches to a 1000' or higher MDA with visibility 3+ miles. This removes the need to check circling approaches on PCs/MVs, but also results in a circling approach limitation on type ratings for PICs and SICs alike.

Sam Weigel said...

Fred--I also keep my CFI/II/MEI current. It's something to fall back on and also gives me the ability to instruct friends & family, and give BFRs to a choice few former students.

Casey said...

Why did you leave Horizon?

Sam Weigel said...

Mistarose-- if you want the long version there are some lengthy angst-ridden posts in the archives you can read. The short version is that the >6 yr upgrade was just too long.

Anonymous said...

So is NewCompany a new entry in the industry, or your euphemism for your new employer who must not be named?

Sam Weigel said...

Pohokano-

Both. NewCo was the placeholder name early in their formation, and they're still pretty new and growing. They're a wholly owned subsidiary of a major airline I refer to as "RedCo." RedCo has a large army of lawyers and a long history of troubled employee relations, so yeah, I would rather their name not come up on this blog :-). It shouldn't take much effort from those with industry knowledge to figure out who it is, though.