Mark's Remarks - HL 128 (4)

Coming at ya from Leipzig:

Beautiful day here in Germany but while I put this HL together, I have to listen to Candy Crowley and CNN…….yeeuuuckkk!  Give me FOX!

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Pilot TA:

Well, no doubt you have heard that 7 mos. before the amendable date the Delta pilot’s negotiators have agreed to a contract TA.  The only reason that we are necessarily interested is that retiree pilot benefits are a negotiated result.  Contracts can have an impact on our benefits so let’s look behind the curtain.  In short order we will learn what the new TA contains and it will be shared here.

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ZED Fares Update: Check out Travel section.

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Latest Road Trip:

May 17th, 2012: Today has been interesting with a first and maybe a last. First, the first. I had a long day flying  commercially for over 18 hrs, but that was my duty day from the 5AM start in Shannon, Ireland. When this flight ends I will arrive close to 5 AM but Bishkek is +6 hours from Shannon.  The first, however, was I have never flown on Aeroflot nor through Moscow. Today I did both. I gotta say that both surprised me a bit. The day started with low cost carrier Aer Lingus from Shannon to London. And what was that like? Well, the weather was great, and London airport was nice, but Aer Lingus is Aer Lingus. Nothing to write home about. From London, I came into Terminal 1 and left from Terminal 4 which was connected by a subway type train. The walk to the train was a killer but finally made it. There Aeroflot's ticket counter shares space (as part of the SkyTeam) with Delta and other familiar airlines. Delta has a big operation at Heathrow and I had a chance to talk to a former cohort or two. Big anxiety there is the new contract TA that they just got with no leaked details yet.

 My flight wasn't checking in yet (I had a few hours) so I went to a cafe and ordered a "La Grande" breakfast for 9.99E. Whoops, I just realized that wasn't Euro it was the British Pound which has a higher exchange rate. Oh well, I was hungry and this thing filled the bill. 3 huge sausage links, 3 gargantuan bacon strips, scrambled eggs, a fried tomato, 3 portabella mushrooms, fried potatoes  and 3 slices of toast. WOW! I couldn't eat it all. But it sure was tasty.

 Finally my flight for Moscow was ready to check in. Ought oh, the agent didn't like it that I didn't have a VISA. We get temporary VISA's upon landing in Bishkek, but at first that explanation wasn't working very well. After a few phone calls and a few other agents involved and a little delay, they let me go. Now I wondered if the Ruskies would give me heck in Moscow?  Other than another TSA type screening, no one there checked my papers.  So how was the flight? Well, on all 3 flights I flew on A320's. I gotta say I used to have a built in prejudice against the Airbus, but from a PAX standpoint I find them very comfortable and now even like them very much. In all 3 cases I got my desired seat on the aisle with no one in the next seat. NICE!

 And how was the Aeroflot airplanes and crew? Well, surprisingly very good. The two A320's I was on were both late models. On the leg to Bishkek, the Airbus was virtually brand new. And the best thing? Natalia was very nice to me in first class. Yep, that’s right, they upgraded me to first class. I promptly changed into my flying-comfort-clothes and sat down to order my honey crusted halibut and merlot.

So what is my opinion of Aeroflot? Well, when I get to Bishkek, if my bag is there it will have been pleasantly surprising and basically a good one. Heck, I remember when Delta had new airplanes and I even remember piloting one or two. Sure was fun to be operating something so pristine. I can imagine how these Aeroflot pilots felt when they came to work today. So even with the long day that first was in my book pretty cool.  Another humorous thing on board.  My cell phone ring tone is the "Good, Bad & Ugly."  When the phone rings, it could be good, could be bad and could even be ugly.  Well, while on board I heard this song a couple of times and reached for my phone.  It was Aeroflots theme song used on more than one flight.  Messed me up for awhile.

 Now the last. This could be ........and I say that truly not knowing.....my last captain’s trip. I am scheduled to command the ship from Bishkek to Leipzig on Sunday. After that I have nothing scheduled and as of June 1 am getting bumped back to a co-pilot role which many feel will last awhile. Well, at 59 I don't have a while, so like I say, it could be my last captain trip. Am I sad? Well, yeah some. But to be real honest, this last year has been really good for me. I have really enjoyed getting out and knowing that I "can still do it." There is certainly the fun of flying these great Boeings and sometimes fun in the travel itself. That feeling that I’m not quite belly full of flying and all washed up, really has made a difference in my attitude. I think when retirement eventually comes, after this, I will be more accepting and able to cope. At least that is what I am saying today. Oh, my appetizer of cranberry glazed lamb just showed up so I’ll have to say au revoir for now and maybe you'll soon hear about another adventure here at the O that may or may not go so well. This IS Pee Wee Herman's great adventure, and I’m really just along for the ride.

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