Well, that's it then. Three days ago, I flew my last Embraer 175 for Republic Airlines. I'd had almost 9 years to fantasize how my last day would go.
We have this atrocious boarding "music" that the flight attendants are forced to play for the people as they get on the plane. Some overzealous flight attendants even play it as we deplane at our destination - hopefully with the assumption that the people will leave more quickly to get away from it. I even learned to play it on the ukulele so I could torture my crews with it between flights. For my last day, I thought it would be hilarious if I had my own boarding music cd, comprised solely of songs from singers and musicians who'd been killed in plane crashes - and see how many people got the joke! Go ahead and think for a minute. I'll be you can come up with a good list!
However, as my last day drew nearer, I grew ever more superstitious. I chickened out. It seemed like I'd be tempting fate if I went through with that musical stunt (not to mention, a bit unprofessional) - and the joke would then be on me!
My last day was supposed to be a simple day trip, consisting of an early morning flight from Kansas City to Philadelphia, sit in the food court for 3 hours, and fly back to KC. I was looking forward to that trip because I knew one of the flight attendants and the first officer very well, and it would be a great trip to end my career at Republic. As I drove from my house to the airport in the wee hours, I thought of my time here at Republic. I grew a little sentimental, thinking about all of the fantastic people with whom I'd had the pleasure to work, and all of the fun times and shenanigans that bring a smile each time I think of them. I knew that by the end of the day, I was going to be embarrassingly emotional.
Any sentimentality I felt on the drive to work was completely wiped away when I looked at the flight status board and saw that my flight to Philadelphia had been canceled.
Ordinarily, I'd have been irritated. After all, I live 3 hours away from the KC airport, and had to leave the house at 2:30am to make it on time, only for my trip to cancel. No, this time I just shook my head, and laughed. Luckily, crew scheduling had something else in mind for me - a short flight to Chicago, then deadhead (sit in the back as a passenger) back to KC. Done.
I didn't know any of the crew on this last flight, but I've never truly met a stranger. The weather between KC and Chi-town was perfect, the flight smooth. As I approached the runway for landing, I thought this landing is going to be perfect. The passengers won't even know we've arrived. I eased the power off and flared the aircraft just above the ground with my cool, veteran, expert hands. Back, back, back, with the control column.... oh no. Too far back.
BANG - BANG, as the main wheels assaulted the runway.... followed by SLAM, as the nose wheel hit. "F--K ME!" I exclaimed, as the first officer tried unsuccessfully to stifle his laughter. "Take that, Chicago!" See what happens when you get cocky?
I slept on the flight back to Kansas City, and hugged a few people on the way to the crew room, where I was to turn in my company issued items. I opened the door to the crew room and saw Karen, a manager type whose official title I don't really know, but I've always called her the "Princess of Pretty Planes." We go back to my very first days at the company and she's always been a sweet friend. Anyway, Karen was taking down the Halloween decorations. I saw her and sang in my best Johnny Paycheck imitation, "Take this job and shove it...." She chimed in with, "I ain't workin' here no more..."
I turned my items in to her while she checked them all. She gave me a big hug, wished me luck, and I felt the stab of 'goodbye' as I went out the door. I climbed the stairs to the airport terminal and waited for the tears to come.
They didn't. In fact, with every step, the only emotions I felt were.... joy! Relief! Excitement! A grin started at one corner of my mouth, and crept its way across my face as the weight of the world came off of my shoulders. I was almost laughing. I strutted out of that airport like a three-balled tomcat!! I crooned the song "Feelin' Good" on the drive home. Good God, it was the BEST feeling!!
I cannot believe how much support, love, and well-wishes I have received from my friends, family, and coworkers. Hundreds of you have wished me the best and recalled memories of our time together at Republic. The cards, gifts, and messages have all been so touching. I honestly had no idea that I was so loved! Leaving is bittersweet. I am so lucky to have worked with the best in the business.
My next update will be from class at United!! To say that I'm excited about it is the understatement of my career. I keep wondering when I will wake up. If this is a dream, please let me sleep!
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Reaching for the Brass Ring.
Comfy? Good, because this is going to be a long post.
I'm writing this blog post just a few weeks before I actually post it. Although I'll tell the truth when asked to put to rest any rumors that have made the rounds at work, I haven't advertised my news on social media just yet. I'll post this blog after I make it "Facebook official," since nothing is official until it's on Facebook! Once more, it's been over a year since my last post. I'd love to blame writer's block, or even a lack of anything blog worthy. Truth is, life has put a lot of blog-worthy material my way this year. I've just been lazy. However, recently I've achieved a goal that I've been working so very hard to obtain for quite a long time. This blog and all 5 of my readers (if you're still there?) need to know!
I started flying when I was in my first senior year in college 16 years ago, when I thought I wanted to be a high school band director. Henderson State's Music Education program is a 5 year program. Or, at least it was for me. I'm sure I talked about why I changed careers in a previous blog post, but here's a recap. Flying was not in my family, except for my Uncle Jerry, who was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. I didn't grow up living, eating, and breathing anything that took to the sky. While I loved being a passenger and there was always a mild interest in flying, I didn't really give a thought that it was something I could do.
No, I started flying because I was trying to bang one of my music professors who had his private pilot's license, and I was pretty sure he hung the moon. He took me flying in one of our university's airplanes, passed me the controls to let me see how each one moved the airplane, and said, "Delia, you can learn how to do this. I'll put you in touch with an instructor. Hell, I'll even help you study!" He had a passion for flying, and I had a passion for him! So, slave to my lust, combined with an interest in learning something that not everyone else does, I learned how to fly. My evil scheme worked - he helped me study, all right. I even moved in with him. I know what you're thinking, but I still studied for those high grades! We were happy for a few years. Being the talk of the music department was simultaneously embarrassing and exciting.
I stayed in love with flying long after my relationship with the professor went cold. Life is funny, eh? After completing the music degree, I went right back to school the following semester to pursue an aviation degree. I practically had tenure by the time I finally left Henderson State!
I did everything I could to build flight time. I earned my instructor certificates. I was told by my superiors at the flight school where I was teaching, "get 50 hours of multi-engine time, and we'll let you teach in the twin." I bought 50 hours of multi time. They said, "Sorry. Now you need 100 hours of multi to teach our multi-engine students." I told them to piss up a rope (in the most eloquent, professional way, of course), and went to teach freelance at an airport an hour away from where I lived. I stayed busy as a freelance instructor, and the quality of student was much better. Teaching older people who had always wanted to learn to fly and could now afford it was much more rewarding than being no-showed by hungover 18 year olds whose priorities put getting drunk and getting laid ahead of getting to their 8 am flight lesson (fine priorities, but they didn't do me as much good as they did said students). Unfortunately, I still couldn't build that coveted multi-engine time that all of the regional airlines wanted. I joked that I was so multi-hungry, I should stand at the airport holding a sign offering "favors" for multi time. Well, half-joked. All of my peers seemed well-connected and were getting jobs, and I was still stuck at home with 50 hours of multi-engine time.
I got desperate. Not desperate enough to sacrifice what little virtue I had left for flight time, but close. I applied for a job flying cargo. I moved to St. Louis, lived in an aircraft hangar with some of the coolest people I've ever met, and flew Cessna 210's and Beechcraft Barons, single pilot with no automation, in some of the crappiest weather the Midwest could throw at me, during all hours of the night. I managed to survive this for 2 years! It was the MOST FUN, most educational, and most terrifying flying I've ever done!! I decided I was getting too old to fly through the weather, and it was high time I flew over the weather. I finally had that coveted multi-engine time, so resumes went out.
Chautauqua/Republic Airlines called. I spent 5 and a half years as a First Officer before I could upgrade to Captain. If you've read my blogs, you know the rest. These last several years, I've been going to job fairs and talking to airline recruiters. I've been updating my applications on a regular basis. I've done volunteer work for the American Red Cross and Women in Aviation, Intl. I've kept a clean record, and networked my charming, happy ass off. I have ZERO check ride or training failures. After 10,000 flight hours and a world of "Keep updating, but we don't need you at this time," from every door I tried - not to mention a few outright rejection letters - I finally received an email from United Airlines.
United. My first choice. My dream job! I scheduled my interview for late in the month when I had a block of days off. The interview was to consist of a flight simulator portion, during which you have to prove that you can fly their company profiles in the Boeing 737 with no automation at all, and an HR panel of interview questions. I dropped a wad of $$$ on interview prep seminars and a flight simulator prep course. I had my suit tailored. I practiced interview questions with my FO's, and talked in front of mirrors to see if I did anything goofy. I wanted to make sure that I did everything under the sun to prepare for this!
I arrived in Denver, where the interview was to take place, a day ahead of my simulator prep course. The balcony from my hotel room gave me a fine view of the United training center. I took it as a good omen. My friend, Rod, whom I've known since day 1 at Chautauqua and now flies the 737 for United, flew in and gave me a tour of the training center. Every room he took me through fueled my excitement to work there! We sat in the downright palatial break room after our tour, and he said to me, "Welcome home, Squeak." I had to blink away tears. That brass ring was so close, I could almost feel it in my hands.
The sim prep course was the best investment I've ever made. My instructor was fantastic! I knew I'd love the guy when he showed up to our lesson wearing a Hawaiian shirt. He knew exactly when to make me laugh, when to give me encouragement, and when to put his foot in my ass. He would yell at me, "Watch your altitude!! Don't forget about your airspeed! Now your heading is off-course! What the hell are you doing?!?" After the prep course, he sat me down and gave me some pointers for the interview itself, which helped immensely!
Interview day. Let me tell you this: if you ever interview with United, it will be a positive experience. Everyone there - even the security guard - made me feel welcome. Everyone was so positive, and they immediately put me at ease. I felt like I belonged there. They allowed me to relax, think, and to be myself. I thought, "win or lose, this has been a dream come true."
I won't say much about the interview itself, except this - I knocked the sim out of the park!! I flew the HELL out of that sucker! Given my horrible flying performance the night before during my sim prep session, I thought the thing was broken, or maybe the guy in the other seat was helping me! I wasn't perfect, but I surprised even myself!
As to the HR panel of questions, I knew it was either going really well or really poorly when we started talking about ukuleles and bagpipes.
A week later, my phone rang. It was the head of recruiting, congratulating me and welcoming me to United. He said, "The job is yours, if you want it." My husband was sitting next to me on the couch when I got the call. I barely squeaked out "YES!" Tears streamed down my face, and I nearly crushed my poor husband's hand, without realizing what I was doing. After I hung up the phone, I screamed triumphantly and scared the hell out of the cat. I told my parents and a few close friends. Finally! Finally, everything that I've been working so hard to achieve.... finally, it's here. I did it!
This was in late August. Do you know how hard it's been to keep quiet about something so monumental?!?
They originally told me to sit tight, and expect a call in November for a class in December. However, it looks like Christmas is coming early for me! November 10 is when training begins! I don't know which aircraft I will get to fly; I've been told it'll either be the Airbus 320 or the Boeing 737. I honestly don't care. I'll fly the frigging GOODYEAR BLIMP for them if they want me to do so!!
I've had people tell me throughout my career, "Oh. You're a woman. Airlines have quotas to fill. You'll get hired before anyone else." If this was ever true in the past, I don't believe it's true now. Let me tell ya, having ovaries has done nothing to help me get hired anywhere! If having ladybits was going to help, it would have helped me 5,000 hours and 2 jobs ago. I got hired because I worked very hard. It was like a second job trying to get this job. I had several internal recommendations, and yes - an element of luck.
People who helped me: You know who you are. I could not have made this step without you. I've always hated asking anyone for anything, even though I'd give my soul and bottom dollar to help someone achieve their goals. Thank you for all of your help! I cannot wait to pay this forward! I want everyone I love to know what it is to achieve that thing, that one goal that has kept them going when all hope seems lost. Please don't give up. It will happen for you, and please let me know what I can do to help you make it happen!!
Oh, and if by some small chance you're reading this, Dr. Etienne, thank you for changing my life. You were the catalyst and single most influential person I've met. No matter how many times I end up on your shit-list - and I'm pretty sure I'm on it as of this writing since you won't return my calls, texts, emails, smoke signals, etc - I'll always love you for putting me on this path. I truly hope you are well and happy.
My new life begins soon, and I couldn't be more excited!!
I'm writing this blog post just a few weeks before I actually post it. Although I'll tell the truth when asked to put to rest any rumors that have made the rounds at work, I haven't advertised my news on social media just yet. I'll post this blog after I make it "Facebook official," since nothing is official until it's on Facebook! Once more, it's been over a year since my last post. I'd love to blame writer's block, or even a lack of anything blog worthy. Truth is, life has put a lot of blog-worthy material my way this year. I've just been lazy. However, recently I've achieved a goal that I've been working so very hard to obtain for quite a long time. This blog and all 5 of my readers (if you're still there?) need to know!
I started flying when I was in my first senior year in college 16 years ago, when I thought I wanted to be a high school band director. Henderson State's Music Education program is a 5 year program. Or, at least it was for me. I'm sure I talked about why I changed careers in a previous blog post, but here's a recap. Flying was not in my family, except for my Uncle Jerry, who was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. I didn't grow up living, eating, and breathing anything that took to the sky. While I loved being a passenger and there was always a mild interest in flying, I didn't really give a thought that it was something I could do.
No, I started flying because I was trying to bang one of my music professors who had his private pilot's license, and I was pretty sure he hung the moon. He took me flying in one of our university's airplanes, passed me the controls to let me see how each one moved the airplane, and said, "Delia, you can learn how to do this. I'll put you in touch with an instructor. Hell, I'll even help you study!" He had a passion for flying, and I had a passion for him! So, slave to my lust, combined with an interest in learning something that not everyone else does, I learned how to fly. My evil scheme worked - he helped me study, all right. I even moved in with him. I know what you're thinking, but I still studied for those high grades! We were happy for a few years. Being the talk of the music department was simultaneously embarrassing and exciting.
I stayed in love with flying long after my relationship with the professor went cold. Life is funny, eh? After completing the music degree, I went right back to school the following semester to pursue an aviation degree. I practically had tenure by the time I finally left Henderson State!
I did everything I could to build flight time. I earned my instructor certificates. I was told by my superiors at the flight school where I was teaching, "get 50 hours of multi-engine time, and we'll let you teach in the twin." I bought 50 hours of multi time. They said, "Sorry. Now you need 100 hours of multi to teach our multi-engine students." I told them to piss up a rope (in the most eloquent, professional way, of course), and went to teach freelance at an airport an hour away from where I lived. I stayed busy as a freelance instructor, and the quality of student was much better. Teaching older people who had always wanted to learn to fly and could now afford it was much more rewarding than being no-showed by hungover 18 year olds whose priorities put getting drunk and getting laid ahead of getting to their 8 am flight lesson (fine priorities, but they didn't do me as much good as they did said students). Unfortunately, I still couldn't build that coveted multi-engine time that all of the regional airlines wanted. I joked that I was so multi-hungry, I should stand at the airport holding a sign offering "favors" for multi time. Well, half-joked. All of my peers seemed well-connected and were getting jobs, and I was still stuck at home with 50 hours of multi-engine time.
I got desperate. Not desperate enough to sacrifice what little virtue I had left for flight time, but close. I applied for a job flying cargo. I moved to St. Louis, lived in an aircraft hangar with some of the coolest people I've ever met, and flew Cessna 210's and Beechcraft Barons, single pilot with no automation, in some of the crappiest weather the Midwest could throw at me, during all hours of the night. I managed to survive this for 2 years! It was the MOST FUN, most educational, and most terrifying flying I've ever done!! I decided I was getting too old to fly through the weather, and it was high time I flew over the weather. I finally had that coveted multi-engine time, so resumes went out.
Chautauqua/Republic Airlines called. I spent 5 and a half years as a First Officer before I could upgrade to Captain. If you've read my blogs, you know the rest. These last several years, I've been going to job fairs and talking to airline recruiters. I've been updating my applications on a regular basis. I've done volunteer work for the American Red Cross and Women in Aviation, Intl. I've kept a clean record, and networked my charming, happy ass off. I have ZERO check ride or training failures. After 10,000 flight hours and a world of "Keep updating, but we don't need you at this time," from every door I tried - not to mention a few outright rejection letters - I finally received an email from United Airlines.
United. My first choice. My dream job! I scheduled my interview for late in the month when I had a block of days off. The interview was to consist of a flight simulator portion, during which you have to prove that you can fly their company profiles in the Boeing 737 with no automation at all, and an HR panel of interview questions. I dropped a wad of $$$ on interview prep seminars and a flight simulator prep course. I had my suit tailored. I practiced interview questions with my FO's, and talked in front of mirrors to see if I did anything goofy. I wanted to make sure that I did everything under the sun to prepare for this!
I arrived in Denver, where the interview was to take place, a day ahead of my simulator prep course. The balcony from my hotel room gave me a fine view of the United training center. I took it as a good omen. My friend, Rod, whom I've known since day 1 at Chautauqua and now flies the 737 for United, flew in and gave me a tour of the training center. Every room he took me through fueled my excitement to work there! We sat in the downright palatial break room after our tour, and he said to me, "Welcome home, Squeak." I had to blink away tears. That brass ring was so close, I could almost feel it in my hands.
The sim prep course was the best investment I've ever made. My instructor was fantastic! I knew I'd love the guy when he showed up to our lesson wearing a Hawaiian shirt. He knew exactly when to make me laugh, when to give me encouragement, and when to put his foot in my ass. He would yell at me, "Watch your altitude!! Don't forget about your airspeed! Now your heading is off-course! What the hell are you doing?!?" After the prep course, he sat me down and gave me some pointers for the interview itself, which helped immensely!
Interview day. Let me tell you this: if you ever interview with United, it will be a positive experience. Everyone there - even the security guard - made me feel welcome. Everyone was so positive, and they immediately put me at ease. I felt like I belonged there. They allowed me to relax, think, and to be myself. I thought, "win or lose, this has been a dream come true."
I won't say much about the interview itself, except this - I knocked the sim out of the park!! I flew the HELL out of that sucker! Given my horrible flying performance the night before during my sim prep session, I thought the thing was broken, or maybe the guy in the other seat was helping me! I wasn't perfect, but I surprised even myself!
As to the HR panel of questions, I knew it was either going really well or really poorly when we started talking about ukuleles and bagpipes.
A week later, my phone rang. It was the head of recruiting, congratulating me and welcoming me to United. He said, "The job is yours, if you want it." My husband was sitting next to me on the couch when I got the call. I barely squeaked out "YES!" Tears streamed down my face, and I nearly crushed my poor husband's hand, without realizing what I was doing. After I hung up the phone, I screamed triumphantly and scared the hell out of the cat. I told my parents and a few close friends. Finally! Finally, everything that I've been working so hard to achieve.... finally, it's here. I did it!
This was in late August. Do you know how hard it's been to keep quiet about something so monumental?!?
They originally told me to sit tight, and expect a call in November for a class in December. However, it looks like Christmas is coming early for me! November 10 is when training begins! I don't know which aircraft I will get to fly; I've been told it'll either be the Airbus 320 or the Boeing 737. I honestly don't care. I'll fly the frigging GOODYEAR BLIMP for them if they want me to do so!!
I've had people tell me throughout my career, "Oh. You're a woman. Airlines have quotas to fill. You'll get hired before anyone else." If this was ever true in the past, I don't believe it's true now. Let me tell ya, having ovaries has done nothing to help me get hired anywhere! If having ladybits was going to help, it would have helped me 5,000 hours and 2 jobs ago. I got hired because I worked very hard. It was like a second job trying to get this job. I had several internal recommendations, and yes - an element of luck.
People who helped me: You know who you are. I could not have made this step without you. I've always hated asking anyone for anything, even though I'd give my soul and bottom dollar to help someone achieve their goals. Thank you for all of your help! I cannot wait to pay this forward! I want everyone I love to know what it is to achieve that thing, that one goal that has kept them going when all hope seems lost. Please don't give up. It will happen for you, and please let me know what I can do to help you make it happen!!
Oh, and if by some small chance you're reading this, Dr. Etienne, thank you for changing my life. You were the catalyst and single most influential person I've met. No matter how many times I end up on your shit-list - and I'm pretty sure I'm on it as of this writing since you won't return my calls, texts, emails, smoke signals, etc - I'll always love you for putting me on this path. I truly hope you are well and happy.
My new life begins soon, and I couldn't be more excited!!
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