From the Flight Deck

Awesome post and pics, Captain D. No wonder I don't live in YYT!

What's your record for the highest number of different aircraft in a single day?

Ever had a single day where you got a 319 and a 320 and a 321? An Airbus hat trick, of sorts?

Craig R

Craig R. The most amount of legs we fly on the A320 is four...at least that's what I've seen.

I avoid to fly over three legs per day. But I think I will shorten it to two legs per day.

And yes, I've had an Airbus hat trick. :)))

(I like that term) :)

Looks like it was quite foggy in CYYT.

Just out of curiosity, what, if any, are the speed limitations for taxing in low visibility?

Nehal

Nehal. There are no restrictions. For the airplane I fly it's 30 knots in a straight line and 10 knots in a tight turn.

Having said that, we should have our "low visibility" taxi charts out and common sense says to take things a lot slower and
make sure you know where you are at all times. Sounds like an easy thing to do. But try to remember driving in low visibility and
ask yourself if you ever missed a turn off. :)

And guess where they tested the fog sensors which depicts how far a pilot can see? Yup, St.John's, Newfoundland. :)))

ok.....if you ever saw the movie....SPLASH....with darryl hanna, tom hanks...and the ever so funny John Candy...God rest his soul...he's Canadian...right????

thats what I looked like eating crabs tonite...think..when she's at the table in that uppity restuarant...and takes a big ole bite out the lobster...
cept..here it's the 'working man' lobster I am tearing into....

Captain Doug, that 747...pic...when you enlarge it...omg ....that is awesome!!!!!!!!!!

and the harbour....and the fog....and George street.....
how can anyone not love that place......Can't wait....bet there are times when you can see the fog roll in.....wicked....and beautiful

taxi about 4 mph....when it's snowing and low visibility....so fog....10 knots???

ok...at the bottom.....the red bul......sh.........button.....so you put it Down there.....going get it....i've got to have it.....

the 747 pic....the rainbow circle...isn't that a 'Sundog'????

are you saying ....your landing was so smooth that you thought you were still about to land.....
I will bet that surprised the hell outta ya......even for just one half of one second....!!!!!!!

Where's that Red button....LOL

ya see....because you and the F/O were being BAD.....(with the controller)....when the plane called out RETARD RETARD....RETARD....you thought it was name calling....

A 767 in the picture? Just guessing; is it the flight from EGLL?

100 pilots to hire? Nice to hear! Hope the phone rings!

MIkeYYC

Yes, let's hope the phone rings! Overall we need 22 pilots in YUL, 38 in YVR, zero in YWG and 52 in YYZ adding up to 112 new hires.

I have another course to teach at the end of August with 20 pilots.

How much time do you have?

Jack. I believe it was Cargojet's B757. :)

Um, we don't fly the B767 in from EGLL. It's an A319.

Getjets. Yup, it's a sundog also called a parhelia. If the cloud base was a little higher (or we were lower) we would have had the shadow of the airplane in it.
I wrote about it for enRoute. It's a glory and when the airplane is in the circle it's a "pilot glory."

Gee, you are getting all meteorological on me. :)

Getjets. I'll send you the B.S pic. :)

Getjets. Re: smooth landing

The same thing happened to me while landing in Montreal many moons ago in the Bae 146 (four engine Smirf jet)
I was thinking..why won't it get on the runway?
It's because I was already on.
Now you are thinking I am bragging about my landings. As I mentioned, it was many moons ago, actually over 20 years.
Now you are thinking...okay...he had only two super duper smooth landings.
Not so...but I'll say it again...landings are like golf shots...sometimes you wish you had the opportunity to take a mulligan. LOL

But yes, I've had some "hole in ones." Every pilot has.

Hey Captain D

Oh sorry I was thinking this was YHZ. Have you ever flown the EGLL-CYYT flight? Are there any prerequisites to do it?

BTW, nice post. I forgot to say that earlier. I always really enjoy the ones about scheduling and what a normal day in the life of a pilot is.

Jack.

Thanks about the post. Most readers of my blog like the "meat and potato" aspect of the life of an airline pilot.

The thing is, I have to watch what I say and how I say it. :))))

Haven't done the EGLL-CYYT flight, the Winnipeg based pilots fly that route. They are all ETOPS qualified.

Almost 2000 now Doug. Might be still a little shy but I hear the mins have come down a bit. 700 of that is on the Dash.

MikeYYC. I hope you have that resume warmed up!

You are getting there! Especially the fact you have Dash 8 time.

I just flew with an F/O who was hired with only 2500 hours. Although the average is just over 4000 hours.

That's good to hear. Do you know anything regarding references? It's my understanding that it's mostly an HR company doing the hiring so it doesn't seem to hold much weight anymore.

Also are spots still typically EMB FO, B767 and B777 Cruiser? Kinda surprised at the number of spots in yvr. I'm guessing those would fill up with transfers first rather than new hires.

Mike YYC

As far as references. I really don't know... especially like you said, it's handled by a third party.

The last class of 20 was awarded mostly Embraer F/Os. There were a couple of 767 RP and possibly one 777 RP position.
This equipment bid is showing a slight reduction on the RP positions.

Start thinking Brazilian. :)))

Then again, lots can change and change fast.

For my old eyes, those two days sound like a LOT of fund - work, yes. Putting that many cycles on your butt in two days must be a tad hard, especially given the soup and clag that composes our East Coast flight conditions. But, for my ears, the non-technical stuff you so obviously love, is GREAT to hear.

Captain D, was that 747 coming at you head on? If so, great job on that picture! Does it ever freak you out when you've got a plane in your 12? I know about the separation rules, but I have to think that seeing the distance closing as fast as it would (assuming both aircraft are moving at ~450 knots) and that you are on the same path in opposite directions would be nerve wracking!! I remember being on a UA flight from IAD-AUS and seeing a plane closing from our 1 and couldn't believe how it seemed to "speed up" as the paths came closer to intersecting.

Getjets.

How do I respond to this one? I'm not sure if I'm coming or going? LOL

Why the history lesson?

F.Y.I today is the 26th anniversary of when I lost my best friend in the world.
She was the only one that truly knew me.

But hey....here's a toast to future friendship.... :)

Captain Doug, a toast...yes to friendship, past, present, and future...and to those we've lost...they really aren't that far away....
realize the Heart that beats in your chest...was her gift to you, before you were born....lovely!!!!

..the life of an airline pilot!

Even with the early starts etc (thank goodness for Uncle Tim Horton's..)most of us can only dream on.

British Airways are going to recruit trainee pilots again, first time in 10 years or more, check out the careers section of their website.

I was so excited about this I couldn't concentrate at work all day - that is until tonight when I went on to their website and discovered that my academic qualifications do not meet the entry requirements : ( Booo hooo......

why the history lesson...Good Question.....

Captain Doug, I knew I could find the answer about "Marconi receiving first trans-Atlantic radio signal...in 1901) by looking back.....

But then..while looking back...

I got wrapped up........but I did get the answer...about Signal Hill...yea I was cheating...but learned a lot more than that...

your "?" was more than fair:)))
did not want to upset you...!!

history is good...

misstwa...

hey... is it true...you've only had 2 SUPER DUPER LANDINGS???????



lololololololl

Getjets.

If you keep reading up on St.John's like you are doing, you will be giving local tours when you get there. :)

The Newfoundlanders have "funny" accents so you will be a "rock star" with your Southern Belle voice.

You can make money on the side...no...no...not that ...but being a celebrity. ha ha

You'll have the locals up in arms. :))))

I think I wrote something about Signal Hill....

No, I had more than two "super duper" landings. I think I am up to three. LOL

RTD8450. Yes, we amassed as many take offs and landings in two days than some of the overseas pilots do in three months.

Part of a new Transport Canada regulation is recording take offs and landings. We have a program whereby by we enter the data.

I do so many I don't bother inputting for months on end. However, when I flew overseas one would be practically begging for the take off and landing.
Some would have to return to the simulator to renew their currency.

Thanks for checking in. :)

P.S I tried to switch the chronological order of the comments but it's equivalent of me getting a tax break...it can't happen.

Stuart Seemungal. Yup, that B747 was staring me down. We frequently have brief encounters like that.
ATC will say, "traffic 12 o'clock 15 miles one thousand feet below."

I don't like it when these "heavies" are one thousand feet above. Think wake turbulence.

I thank my lucky stars for TCAS (Traffic Collision and Avoidance System). :)

I guess you're being "called" to write that weather book.

And the best way to honour your mom is by being a good person--giving of yourself like she did, most definitely, for all others.

Carlton. You did not meet their academic qualifications???? Didn't someone tell them they cancelled the Space Shuttle program?!?

Seriously, what were they looking for?

As far as Tim Hortons...

I looked at the line of people in St.John's Newfoundland at 5:30 in the morning. There had to be 30 in the queue (British term lol) and it wasn't budging. I cussed under my breath and said..."looks like I have to fly to Halifax, Nova Scotia to get a coffee." I had some of our onboard "tar" to give me a semi-personality until then.

We get to Halifax and the line up consisted of about 20 desperately seeking the same stuff.
I cussed under my breath and said to my F/O..."looks like I have to fly to Montreal to get my personality back."

We get to Montreal and the line up wasn't so bad. But I had 20 minutes until push back so I had to drink that "golden caffeine"
in haste. What a morning. What an atrocity. LOL

Actually, this would make for a good commercial. A pilot flying all over hells creation to get a proper coffee.

I'm at it again tomorrow during the wee hours. Yup, I'll be stopping at Tim Hortons. :)))))

Anon. I agree. The book is beckoning. And I hope you heed your very words as well.

I think you should worry about yourself.

Anon. I try my best. I really do. :)

There's a Meteor shower during the wee hours...a few hours from now...

The Perseid Meteor Shower after 3 am...even with the full moon....should see many many shooting stars....have your wishes ready...
from what you said...
Captain...if your flying..during those wee hours......even you should look up!!! ha ha

Getjets. Thanks for the heads up with the meteor showers.

I have a 5:00 a.m wake up so I might see a few driving to the airport for my ONE leg to Montreal.

Crew sked called and told me my flight to Vancouver has been subbed to a B767.

Meaning I deadhead back and stay home with pay.

But I was looking forward to my downtown layover..oh well...I get to stay home and take orders
from you know who.....

What was that about having my wishes ready? LOL

Doug, you should do more blog posts like this. I always love hearing about a pilots day and all the different legs and the situations in each city, etc.

And thanks for the kind words to those who commented on my photo yesterday.

Oh, and I got some interesting use out of your book today, Doug. Some kids smashed the window of my car in Montreal today and stole all my camera gear. Your book came in handy in wiping some glass off the seats, lol. Thank god for insurance.

Criag M.

Hi Captain Doug. I too like it all, but the operational posts are the most fun. The pic of holding short with those Very Red Lights makes it real. I 'think' I can see a wisp of something crossing in front, bet Red Lights have meaning. Is your aircraft wel lighted when taxiing in fog. Probably everything except the landing lights.
Love the pic of St. John's harbor. Been there a couple of times and think it is a winner for small, protected harbors. I enjoy the place a lot. An outstanding week of pix and posts, sir. Thank you.
-Craig

British airways state that new 'trainee' recruits' will need at least 7 GCSE's (A*-C) and 3 A levels (at grade B or above in maths and physics) or a 2:1 honours degree. Unfortunately I only have 5 GCSE's and 2 A levels and a 2:2 honours degree - damn it!!!!!!!!

Sorry to hear you had to fly all over North America to get a decent cuppa - I remember that horrible 'road tar' stuff the airlines serve. We have run out of Tim Hortons now, perhaps when you go long haul you could become our Tim Hortons delivery man when you land at LHR ; )

Craig M. What a drag...getting your car broken in to !!!

But like you said, luckily for insurance. Maybe you will get a better camera out of the deal. I am trying to look for the silver lining in this.

So you brought my book from Ottawa to Montreal with you? I'm glad it came in use.

At least you didn't use it for toilet paper or kindling to start a fire. LOL

Yes, that was a great shot. I bet it was on your camera's memory stick.

Cedarglen.

We don't really do much more as far lighting while taxing in low visibility.

If we cross or taxi on an active runway we turn on the strobes, but that's it.

Some guys turn on the wing inspection lights as well but it's not SOP.

Sometimes in late spring you get to see an iceberg parked outside the entrance to St. John's harbour.
Although this season was not good for iceberg spotting.

Captain Doug in from a Montreal turn.

Carlton. Looks like BA will be flying with scholars on board. No wonder they were nominated safest airline in the world. AC came in second. :(

It's a deal! When I get on the overseas flights I'll be sure to bring some of Canada's finest java.

I just hope customs doesn't think I am smuggling something else in by masking it with the scent of Tim Hortons coffee. LOL

Today I tried a new approach. Instead of getting a coffee through the drive thru...I stayed in a semi comatose state until I got to the airport.
That way I lesson the chance of wearing the coffee. So I grabbed a "Timmies" enroute to flight planning. Very civilized.

Who says we are creatures of habit...especially pilots? LOL

The pic of the day.....Good one...
the dance of the 'holding short of 06 R..
And the 2 possible different perspectives...you give.......lol


funny and telling insight....
at least the sun is out!!

Doug,

I will end up with a better camera. I should have some nice Air Canada videos in HD soon enough. I was actually looking to upgrade soon anyway, now I'll just spend some of the insurance money I'll get for the lenses I didn't use towards a new camera body.

I still have that shot I gave you on my hard drive, but I lost all my pics from YUL yesterday...including the Air France A380.

Your book is still in great condition. It looks brand new! I'm about halfway through now, great read.

Craig M.

Getjets. The sun is always out. You gotta know where to find it. For the cloud/fog enshrouded east coast of Canada... it's about 3,000 feet above ground. LOL

Craig M. Again thanks for buying my book. You see, I knew there was a silver lining. :)))

SMARTA_____!

lately you are "funny" and a "smartypants".....

:))))))

wait....if I say Smarta___ under my breath...like you always do???? cussing under your breath....


then Technically not cussing...RIGHT????

I know how you Frown on cussing and all.....your smiling right:)))))


Craig...breaks my heart what happened to you..!!!!!!

your eyes seem so much more wide open that most of us....
|
I would only see the negative here....but you don't seem to...


Great strength in life to see the bigger picture...my opinion

Getjets.

I agree regarding the "big picture." We pilots are always trying to figure out "why is why, who is who and what is what."

I tell my F/Os we don't get the big picture until we retire. LOL
That's after the golden handshake and a kick in the a....out the door. :)))

As to why I am a little funnier..maybe I'm seeing the big picture...or I'm seeing the light. :)))

The only thing is I misplaced my sunglasses....

you and I may be related....sounds just like. I would have said...."Missplaced my Sunglasses".....


then maybe you have seen the light....if your looking for them..(the sunglasses).....ya know...

doesn't the piot have to see the big picture in front of him....and consider many other "big pictures"...all, at the same time....right there.in that moment....and preplan.....just in case...when at the office...

life...a little different...life usually leads us around by the nose.....then....maybe you'll find them DAMN sunglasses....lol

Stop minimizing your roll as a pilot....please.....

Getjets. I've been blamed for minimizing my job many times before. I'll ease up. :)

But isn't it like you and your self defeating humour? Hmmmmmmm???? :)

Maybe we are related?

And it's true, pilots operate within the strictest guidelines and we expect life to follow suit.
But as you alluded to...life tends to pull us around....punches us in the nose but it is packed with joy. Talk about extremes.

Point well taken. Instead of Captain America (reference to Bas's latest post) ..it's Captain Air Canada!!!!!!

Gone for a jog......(yes, I hate jogging)

While your jogging, I'll hold the fort down.....lol

yes self defeating humor....that way your already down when 'they' are about to blindside ya.....
then ooops, they don't know what hit EM!!!!!

ok...this avatar was worth one comment....because you have got to be smiling....guilt by association...all over your face "Captain Air Canada".....

time to jog to the washer and dryer....

to get back to Aviation...


what Craig says is a very good point...
the PIC of the day...perhaps....one from your experience for that day.....
simple....like meat and potatoes.....but very satisfying....
the saying K.I.S.S. a good one...

Keep it Simple Stupid...

Captain...what you posted can be taken a couple of different ways...????and in RED

I am assuming "saving" your blog up to this point to be on the safe side.....I wouldn't want to lose this...Serious!!!

why not make it into a blog BOOK?????
blogger will do that.....yea it costs....but are't saving Just MY comments worth it...LOL

thats a big time joke....!!!!!

I know you can print it..too.to your own copier....like most things.....but a fast easy way..not sure..you can print these pages...

it's called evidence...ha ha

Scholars flying for BA, yes it seems so : (

Just out of interest, at Air Canada, how many of the pilots hold high grade academic qualifications and what proportion, if any, have hardly no qualifications but have the all important drive, passion, determination and enthusiasm that has enabled them to get into the hot seat?

Hey 'Kap-ee-tan' Canada!

So cool that you've got a camera now :) Nice report, now I have that 'Jetliners of the World 2011' poster I noticed the huge differences in lenght of the A319 and A321! (With the A318 being even smaller lol) but I understand you like the A319 the most.

I'm with Jack, love the trip repors and a view from an airline pilots life :)
Bas

Capt D, greetings from Downunder! Been a while since I last commented. Seems like you been busy :)

I love the caption on the pic of the day "...what happens because birds don't have TCAS."

Have a great day.

Carlton.

There are extremes at Air Canada as far as education. We have doctors, dentists, lawyers, PhDs, and heck we even have a handsome
meteorologist on board. (LOL everybody LOL). But as I mentioned in my book, kids were hired years ago with just a grade 12 (high school) with the only job experience being a newspaper delivery boy. But, all of our new hires either have a diploma of some sort, an aviation diploma or a degree in any discipline.

So come on over and get your pilot license. You must be legal to work in Canada....you married a Canadian. And she is a lawyer!

But you are right, it takes more than the above....drive, passion, determination and enthusiasm trumps everything.

Hey Bas, thanks for checking in... but I'm surprised you have time because of your blog's magnetism racking up the comments. LOL

Captain Canada :)))

Zee. You're right...it's been awhile since you checked in. I only crossed the equator once and that was to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

I flew with a guy today who "cruised" on the B767 lots to Sao Paulo. He started to avoid the place because he wanted to keep his marriage intact. LOL

Getjets. Just in from a 14 hour duty day.

I want to save my blog because you never know what is around the corner. :)

You suggested a blog book before. Can you resend the address? I think that's a great idea!!!
I'll see what it costs. Who knows maybe I can sell a few copies. LOL

Edwin from Sweden has really gone above and beyond. He has already saved, but it is 3.7 gigabytes!!!! (There's too many of pictures/videos of me taking up too much space) lol

I would love to learn to fly, and I certainly have the passion in huge quantities. I just wish I had a more proactive approach to aviation when studying at university/starting out in life. If I did it now it would be over a very long period as I would need to maintain my job at the same time, so the modular route would be the only way forward. Trouble is I am 31 now..

Are you sure you didn't kick the tyre too hard, lol!