Flyin' Brian

Cedar Rapids

December is the first month where I know my schedule in its entirety. I am now officially a line pilot. No more banging my head against the wall wondering whether or not the airline is going to call. My first day on the line found me making multiple trips to Iowa — first to Des…
…and the next thing I knew I was in Idaho

After weeks of idle time on reserve and no flying, I received a call Sunday morning to go to Salt Lake City to sit reserve. This was somewhat exciting because I was beginning to tire of sitting around doing nothing. In my head, I envisioned Salt Lake to be warmer than Minneapolis, but when I…
Happy Thanksgiving

There has been a gap since my last post because nothing has happened. I have been sitting around in Minneapolis waiting for a call that never comes. Sitting on reserve in this distant land they call Minnesota is not always pleasant. While I ensure that my name is on the preferred call list and despite…
My Way or the Skyways

Well, I am back for another week in the twin cities. Rather than continually rent and return cars, I found it slightly cheaper to rent on the long-term. When you think rugged, versatile, and tough enough to handle the harsh Minnesota winters, you do not think Volkswagen Beetle. Nevertheless, this will be my car for…
Completing Week One in MSP

For my final day in Minneapolis, I drove to a place called Minnehaha Park. It claimed to have a waterfall, so I was intrigued. It was a bit blustery and overcast — not really ideal weather to be going for a stroll, but at 49 degrees, it is important to have perspective and remember that…
Mall of America, Ferris Wheels, and Surly’s

Yesterday I stayed pretty close to home . . . and by home I mean someone else’s home because I have been living out of a tiny suitcase for the last two weeks. I don’t even have my pilot blazer. I have but two short-sleeved pilot t-shirts to my name right now. Everything else is…
At my Domicile for the First Time

Out of all twelve domiciles, Minneapolis was my last choice for a base. On my initial bid, I listed every single domicile . . . and then Minneapolis. Yes, even Fresno was given higher priority. Inevitably, every person in my class received Minneapolis, regardless of what they bid for. The company email I received was…
Sass Poses in O-Town

Working under the assumption that there is no way I’ll be able to get off for any of the upcoming holidays this winter, I went south to Florida to visit my family. This would continue my ongoing efforts to befriend my niece, who would previously avoid me like she avoids broccoli. It took some difficulty…
The Colors of Fall in the Chicago Burbs

With another day on reserve, I woke up around 7am, having been on the clock for the previous three hours. See? I make money in my sleep. The airline would be happy to learn, however, that even in my sleep, I dreamt that I was assisting the ground crew by loading soda cans onto an…
The Not So Windy City

After flying in from Charleston early this morning, I had to sit ready reserve at the airport for four hours. During this time, I tried to be productive. I had breakfast, went for a walk around all of B concourse, then all of C concourse. Then, feeling frisky, I continued walking through concourses D, E,…