So what's next? While I would love to start flying again I have a few more classrooms sessions AND another sim session. On the 777 on 3+ pilot trips there will be times I sit in the Captain seat while the Captain is resting. Because of this the FAA is concerned about Widebody First Officers and new Captains making critical decisions in flight. I have a 8 hour classroom course to meet this requirement. Then there's preparing to fly to Hawaii, over the Atlantic and to Far East Asia. To prepare to fly to Hawaii I have 4 1/2 hour classroom course. For Atlantic crossings....just 2 hours ..read more

Video overview of my check ride.  ..read more

 I've lost count on how many check ride events I have had in my career. I'm at the point now where check rides do not stress me out.  Today is my MV....Maneuvers Validation day.  Here's what must be accomplished...it is in my Sim Training Guide. Takeoff Rejected Takeoff (as a crew) Engine Failure (1 per pilot) Cat II/III Approach - One Per Crew Cat II or III using the lowest approach minimums for the airplane. Can be to landing or missed. Cat I Approach ILS - 2 per crew. One as Pilot Flying and One Pilot monitoring to lowest minimums. Landing or missed. at leas ..read more

 There are no real surprises in training. All my training events are scripted. I get an outline of what the objectives are for each training event.  Day 6 was the first simulator event with a Check Airman. Previously all events were with a Simulator Pilot. To review Simulator Pilots are trained on the plane but may have never actually flown it. Check Airman know the plane inside and out. Part of long term training is resetting my dates for certain airline required training....such as security. So my day began with a 12:15 PM show time for an hour long security training course.  ..read more

 London and Narita...those are my first two trips on the 777.  I only need 15 hours of actual aircraft training and 4 cycles/flights. That's it. When I was new to the AIRLINE I needed 25 hours of flight time in the real plane and 4 flight cycles along with landings. Because I'm "old"....just 15 hours. The first trip I will operate will be London. Flight 50 DFW-LHR Report 2:15 PM Depart 3:15 PM 9 hour 10 minute block time Arrive 6:25 AM (12:25AM DFW time) 24 Hours 45 Minutes Rest Flight 51 LHR-DFW Report 7:40 AM (1:40 AM DFW time) Depart 8:40 AM 10 hour 15 minute block time Arrive ..read more

  At my airline there are several types of instructors. The initial instructors are all trained on the airplane...but may have never actually flown it.  My current instructor is a pilot...but has never flown the 777. He knows the simulator and then systems of the airplane, but no real world experience. He trains us only on the lessons at hand. As long as we meet the standard...we move on.  Day 4 was a nice 2 PM start. Normally great but remember day 3 ended at midnight. That's 14 hours between events. I am not a robot. Falling asleep takes time and I naturally wake up around ..read more

 Day 3 sim. Another 6:15PM show time for a 7:45PM-11:45PM simulator and a debrief that could end as late as 12:15AM. This being my 3rd one...lack of quality sleep is setting in. This all started day one. Let's rewind for a second to that day. I took a nap in the middle of the day to prepare for my sim session that day. I arrived back home after the session just past midnight. We debriefed quickly. I live just a few miles from the training facility. My head hit the pillow around 12:20PM. Since I was hopped up on caffeine it took a bit to fall asleep. A few hours later it was 6AM and that w ..read more

 Taking a video production break.  Currently the morning of day 3 of the 777 simulator.  For those that have never experienced airline training...flying a simulator is similar to learning to fly any plane.  Day 1 sim was a "get to know the simulator" sim. We did a normal preflight. I went through all the buttons while the Captain loaded the FMS. This was a flight from JFK to BOS. Not realistic in a 777 but it's VERY rare to sit straight and level in a simulator. Simulator time is expensive. Straight and level teaches you nothing thus....it's rare.  Normal pushback, s ..read more

 I'm still here. Tiktok has been my primary blogging platform of sorts. It takes WAY more time than this site....but it's a visual experience vs words and a few photos.  I start year 5 pay in a few weeks. If I had bid LGA CA 737 I would soon be making $263 an hour....but I didn't...so I will be making $169 an hour. Those that have been following this from the beginning will remember when I made $24 an hour.  Those not in the industry assume everyone wants to be Captain and make money. I am and have always put quality of life over money. Being at mainline I make plenty as a First ..read more

 At the end of the month I will mark 14 years as an Airline Pilot. This career has been interesting. I've lost count of how many hotel rooms I've stayed in....how many cups of airplane coffee I've slugged down....how "well crap" statements after a not so great landing.  I still love what I do.  Each time I pre-flight a plane I look up in amazement....."I get to fly this thing".  That said it hasn't all been roses.  Long time readers know I spent 10 years flying regional jets...8 1/2 of those years in the right seat...unable to upgrade.  This blog used to be my mai ..read more