Long haul flying is highly over rated. I'm glad to fly a Jet that has to land about 5:45 in the sky, knowing there's a glass of cognac and breadstick in my immediate future.

I don't know what the big deal or crisis is operating in and out of JFK, ORD, LAX, HOU, DFW, NRT, DXB, AHU, LHR, FRA, to name a few. I guess after 35+ years of this airline stuff, one becomes immune to the so-called sense of urgency. Just do what ATC wants, or tell them you're unable. It's never been a crisis or ordeal.

The 10-1 Jeppy charts, and some ATIS's provide required speed control during the arrival and terminal phase of flight. When on the heavies, I advise ATC if unable to comply with the charted speed control. Most plan accordingly, and well some give turns left and right to keep the spacing as they need it.

Anybody remember calling for taxi at ORD before they had the "canned" routes? Something like: "Taxi 22L via Inner, Wedge, Outer, Branch, Cargo, Parallel, hold short of 27L."
And they expected you to acknowledge but no readback. :eek:

Recently did some unexpected airport appreciation, and while relaxing in the comforts of the briefing room, overheard a crew of my colleagues discussing ORD and the young FO asking why it's 'captains only' ops. "it's just too challenging of an airport, you want to have a few more years experience first.. yadda yadda.."

I have been converting my logbooks to electronic gradually, so i pulled out my first one and showed them day 1 of trip 1 in my airline career. Eight leg day out of ORD. Their response was priceless:

"The captain must have been really tried from flying all those sectors!"

This may be a silly question to post in here but it's on the front page.


Does anyone know if you're flown economy or business class to the interview?

I flew business out for the interview, but that was a couple years ago. The wife flew out in economy, which I still get in trouble even today. ;)

Its a 14 hour flight, I'd hope so :o


How did you verify your logbooks btw?

With a trip to the "Penalty Box" if you f'd it up! :eek::

ORD was always one of my favorite places to fly in/out of, and the layover at the Palmer House on St. Patty's Day was great too!

That's when the Capt. let me fly the 727 back to MIA the next morning, while he and the F/O slept...;)

I believe I had the chief pilot at my previous airline do it. Wrote a letter and I turned it into Emirates.

The Palmer House was a fine layover, even in the dead of winter, since Miller's Pub and the Berghoff were close enough that crews could reach them without freezing! :)

I've done several different flavors of flying and medium to long haul is definitely my preferred. Up and down short haul is simply time wasted on the ground not getting paid.

Something we'll all agree on..... To each his own. :)