Overheard on the Radio: Heavy Lifting
While we’ve been taking some time off to enjoy the latest and greatest from Mother Nature, here’s a submission from one of our readers.
KSGJ 11/10/09 A controller puts his foot in his mouth
1RH- “I wanna take my girlfriend to KCDK but this plane is so expensive”
Ground- “1RH I think the FBO across the field has really good rates on
a 152 for the day”1RH- “Yeah, but my girlfriend…uhh… well we wouldn’t be able to
take any fuel, “Ground- keys the mic for 5 seconds of awakwardness, then says “Roger,
sorry”Hooray for safety taking it’s place above this pilots ego!
Feel free to submit your favorite “overheard” submission to contact@blindvector.com!
Add comment November 15, 2009
Crew Lounges – Where there is no crew nor lounging
For those of you lucky enough to have yet to endure a night in what is loosely labeled as a crew lounge, you are however missing out on some great action, and by action we’re talking radon and asbestos, rats and other rodents, and occupational hazards galore. Not only are building codes and health guidelines nowhere to be found, neither is a place to kill a few hours of what the savvy crewmember would call an “airport appreciation” break.
People watching only gets you so far, and so does the few calls to a few friends calls you’ve missed while holding on the ramp for your gate to open. Perhaps a quick bite to eat will entice you with a modest 10% discount [check http://thecrewdiscount.com/index.html for your discount information]. Maybe a bathroom break is physiologically necessary, and you frown upon using the facilities that your customers use. So, you’re stuck. The crew lounge is your only place of refuge from the business of the airport terminal.
Most crew lounges seem to be afterthoughts in regards to airport construction, and even in new airport construction, or airport renovations, the crew lounge (we’ll remind you that many airport offices are held in similar conditions) is the first budget to rest on the chopping block. Sure, you’ll find some chairs, perhaps a table or two, and more common than not rows of lockers. Some crew lounges offer a television and a user-supported collection of what seems to be movies in tape format, and some even offer wireless internet. Few have what are dubbed “sleeping rooms”, which have become temporary crashpads for many a stranded crewmember, regardless of any company memo prohibiting said actions. Many have been crime scenes where crewmembers’ personal belongings have disappeared (reminds me of a sign I saw in a crew lounge in ORD that said “to the idiot that stole my laptop, you forgot the power cord. it’s in my mailbox if you want it.”) But, alas, the crew lounge is home for some, a place to rest for many, and home for a few.
While I contemplate a photo mission of the lounge I am currently typing this in, I ran across this image, which ultimately reminds us all that the crew lounge just is.
“Our Denver flight is fogged in, Barbie,” said Ken. ”I’m afraid we’ll be late taking off.”
“Oh, no!” said Barbie. ”I’ll never get to my birthday party on time. I may be spending my birthday right here in this crew lounge.” Barbie looked around the lounge and sighed sadly.
Add comment October 6, 2009
…Overheard on the Radio…iPod, Backpack, Hair gel Edition
This one undoubtedly came from one of our newer regional first officers…
Me…. “Center, what are the rides like ahead for Citrus 123″
Center….”Lemme check, Express Jet 123 how’s your ride”
Express Jet 123….”Pimped”
-Frank_Rizzo
Heard something funny on the radio? Share the wealth!
1 comment September 25, 2009
LCC Furlough Friday
Current as of 9/25
As always we appreciate any corrections/additions to our furlough numbers…contact@blindvector.com
Add comment September 25, 2009
Aviation Plate of the Week. Flame Away
777AV8R
A true monument to the indestructible pilot ego.
Send your aviation plates to contact@blindvector.com
Add comment September 17, 2009
Furlough Friday: Cargo Edition
As of 9/4
While the big players in cargo FEDEX and UPS have been able to avoid furlough, many of the other carriers have not been so lucky. On top of the furloughs, turmoil in the cargo world has increased due to the AmeriJet pilots striking on 8/27.
Our friends over at FlightOpenings.com have been kind enough to share a couple of free cargo job postings. Check out their free service to pilots!
1 comment September 3, 2009
…Overheard on the Radio…
I was flying from Bogota to Panama last week. We picked up some icing at altitude so I gave a PIREP to Bogota Control.
Bogota Control, FedEx XX picked up light rime icing for the last 30 miles at FL 360.
Bogota Control: “Approved”
-OverNiteFr8
Heard something funny on the radio? Share it with us! contact@blindvector.com
Add comment September 3, 2009
Putting the ‘Potable’ in Potable Water
A little tidbit from @aircrewbuzz on twitter, new EPA regulations will force airlines to not only monitor but to disinfect on-board potable water systems. From the article available here:
While we may laugh at the fact that it’s been some time now that we’ve had questionable water on our planes (mainly used for coffee and tea), I wonder if the airlines will see this as a cost-saving measure and stop serving bottled water.
Add comment October 6, 2009