From the Flight Deck

Do you know why both pilots have four strips on there uniform? I thought normally a FO only had three?

Scote1992. Good eye! There could have been a check ride going on. The guy in the right seat (he would be right seat qualified) was probably checking the
guy in the left seat. Although, some companies fly their airplanes with "co-captains" so this may be the case.

A few times while listening to Toronto twr/dep/app I was able to hear like 5 laser hits. Nasty stuff when it hurts the pilot.

Daniel. Yes, there were quite a few "incidents" last night. They will catch the person, they always do. Doug

Yeah authorities act FAST when there are shenanigans at an airport. One day I was on final into an airport that had just an FSS, no tower, and the specialist had indicated no problems for our landing, when we saw red flares arcing straight ahead. Red pyrotechnics is the signal for "airport unsafe, do not land." It was about this time of year, so I figured it was probably innocent fireworks, but I reported it to the FSS and called for an overshoot anyway. (It was a training flight, so no loss of productivity). The runway was clear and by the time we had circled around to land again, there were red and blue flashing police lights where the fireworks had been.

Aviatrix. Did you find out what was going on? Seems like an "irops" of some sort.

Rookie question:

The approach controller tells them to maintain visual separation, but he also has vectors, right? So, you're just free to adjust airspeed for separation? If you're expecting or cleared for a visual approach, would it be different?

Andy. I wouldn't label that a "rookie" question at all. I noticed the same thing, after pointing out the traffic, the controller vectored the aircraft for an ILS approach. I still ask myself, why all the fuss? In a way, I prefer to be in IFR conditions, that way the visual separation option is not there.

Yes, it's the pilot's onus to adjust their speed accordingly. Easier said than done, because invariably the guy up front slowed down and now you are looking right up his.......(you know what).

Hopefully, some ATC type will comment on this as well. That way.. it will set us both straight. :)

Captain Doug

The police cars were at a private residence and it was close to Hallowe'en. I have no doubt it was simply some people who didn't realize that when you live next to the airport you can't set off fireworks without getting in trouble. I was confident enough that it was just fireworks that had it been just me I would have landed the first time. But it was as good a moment as any to ensure that the trainee could safely conduct an overshoot at night despite a distraction.

Hey Doug, have you been getting my emails? Both my email accounts haven't received a email in at least a week and its pretty sketchy at the moment on whats going on.

HI Daniel. Yes, I've been getting them. I owe you an answer on engine anti-ice.

Hopefully, you don't go through what my middle daughter experienced with Facebook.

She is devastated. She can't log in. Her password has been changed and FB can't help.

Doug

Speaking of separation, I was on an AC flight departing YYZ last week and they put us on 05, position and hold.
Before we made the turn onto the rwy, I could see there were quite a few planes on final.
Next thing I know, we spool up but instead of taking off, we exit stage right on the first taxiway....kind of NASCAR style.
I was the only one on board who knew what was happening, but would have liked to hear the ATC chatter!!
Would something like this be written up as an incursion?

Whywhyzed. If it was a "go-around," we would write an ASR (Air Safety Report). If it was a high speed or even a low speed reject, an ASR would be filed.

I'm at a loss as to why ATC told you guys to vacate the runway. Usually when things get tight like that, they tell the aircraft on approach to "go around!" Maybe the cabin was not secure? But I find that hard to believe because by the time you get to runway 05, passengers
think we are driving them to their destination instead. :)

Yeah I know what you mean... 05 is way out there.

anyway, the Capt did come on and say that we had to get off quickly as another plane was short final.... could it be he couldn't execute a go around? Low fuel? Sale at Canadian Tire? Free beer somewhere?
Anyway, made life interesteing for a few minutes.

Regarding FB password troubles: That is devastating. Imagine being locked out of your blog?
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www.geeksontheway.com/ told me that FB should be able to undo that. [This firm has been helpful to me before]
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Perhaps you could contact them?

Dan. After a series of emails and phone calls my daughter's account is up and running..again.
Life, as we know it, can return back to normal. :)

I often think about my blog as far as when I may be told to stop (not by my wife) but others.
I also think I should be copying everything because it is growing much faster than I thought.

Thanks for the advice.

Doug

Doug. That's good news! I'm just a layperson, but if keylogger software was involved, I hope that nothing else has been compromised. [email etc.]
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Maybe Charlene will start a blog someday. I'm sure that spouses of flight deck crews have a lot in common.
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As a member of the public, I'd say that your blog relects well on
Air Canada. We get to see, up close, how exacting the company's standards are. For example, it's conforting to know that every eight months, flight deck crews have to prove their competence.
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And finally, on the non-technical side, the public gets to know an
Air Canada pilot. Before blogs, it was hard to see them as individuals [unless you knew one personally]. At the airports, they are like soldiers- all dressed very much alike. No hint of the individuality that surely must be there...

Daniel. Well said...as always.

This "soldier" is off to Nassau, Bahamas and back early tomorrow morning.

You give credit to the blog writers, but it's the blog readers that keeps us going!

Thanks

Doug