4 Ways a Checklist Can Improve Your Life

A big part of being a pilot is essentially doing what you are told...by a checklist.  This practice has been a standard part of aircraft operation for decades, and even adopted by the medical industry to improve outcomes for surgical patients.

#cockpitselfie 

As a pilot we use checklists to ensure safety throughout all the various phases of operation.  Here are four reasons I think we should all adopt a checklist approach in some aspect of life:

1. It standardizes assumed practices which can dramatically improve results

Checklists were widely adopted in the medical field after Dr. Pronovost borrowed the concept from

Dr. Peter Pronovost,
John Hopkins Medical Center

the aviation industry for an experiment.  In 2001, he used it to address a common problem of infection occurring in patients with central IV lines.  At the time, it was common for 1 in 9 lines to become infected which just added on to a patient's problems.

This doctor created a simple 5 step checklist that medical personel were required to follow when inserting the lines: (1) wash hands with soap, (2) clean the patient's skin with antiseptic, (3) cover the patient's entire body with sterile drapes, (4) wear sterile mask, hat, gown and gloves, and (5) put a sterile dressing over the insertion site.

What is so impactful about all this is that we all KNOW (and especially the doctors) that these practices are good, but the research revealed that the actual behavior of the medical professionals was inconsistent: revealing that at least one of these steps were being skipped.  What would happen if they never missed a step?

STAY WITH ME...

After one year of maintaining these practices, the infection rate dropped from 11% to ZERO.  Two years later, they calculated that "it had prevented 43 infections, avoided 8 ICU deaths and saved the hospital approximately $2 million."

Short story: it works.

My Overnight Checklist

2. It minimizes the emotional component of decision-making
I have adopted a checklist approach to my overnights.  Given that a majority of my month is spent sleeping in a hotel, I knew I needed to kick off this new lifestyle with some healthy patterns after I found myself resorting to a heavy stream of cable TV.

After a long day of work, I would arrive at my hotel room and be seduced by the comfort of a clean bed and seemingly endless channels of sports and movies that I can't afford to watch until they're released on Netflix three years later.

When I reflected on this behavior, I decided to create this checklist in order to make better use of time.  Now when I get to my hotel room I don't operate based on the question... "What do I feel like doing?" (Because it's typically... watch HBO...which I still do! But after I've done some other stuff).

3. You literally become more productive
With my new checklist, I am able to accomplish so much more.  I do all my Computer-Based Training (a job requirement that cannot be done in-flight) while away from home so that I don't have to use my time at home with my family to do more work.  I have time to look at the budget and am more aware than ever of how we are stewarding our finances. I actually exercise again.  Overall, I'd say it's a great way to build habits.  Instead of drinking from a firehose, procrastinating, or neglecting to do certain things that I know contribute positively to my life, this checklist aids me in my discipline.

4. It boosts motivation
There's nothing like checking off something you've accomplished to propel you forward.  After I update my logbook and accomplish a good work out, I find myself encouraged and happier about how I have spent my time... these feelings just make doing the next thing more enticing.

A Few Sidenotes

I think that for those who appreciate order, there is comfort in a checklist... and for those who default to disorder...it provides a method to accomplish things in a society that highly values productivity.

Other checklists I've thought of creating/implementing relate to parenting.  I have a spunky toddler that could really benefit from a visual checklist of ways to help at home/learn responsibilities.

Time for a toddler checklist at home I think!

Even Santa uses a list, and checks it twice!

Have you ever used a checklist before? In what aspect of your life?  What kind of affect did it have?  What could you make a checklist for now?

First Famous Passenger: Can You Guess Who?

Guess who!

I flew my first famous passenger yesterday!  From Aberdeen, SD (ABR) to Minneapolis (MSP).  Didn't I just post about wondering who the first passenger that I know will be? Ha! Well we are not mutual acquaintances, but I definitely know him! 

Here are some clues...

• Who was the leader of the Goonies?
• Who stole viewers hearts as an underdog walk on at Notre Dame?
• Who was Frodo's Fearless companion in LOTR trilogy?
• Who was one of the dads in Mom's Night Out? 
• Who is playing the manager of the RadioShack in upcoming Season 2 of Stranger Things?

Me & Sean Astin

The Answer... Sean Astin! Or maybe you know him as Mikey (Goonies), Rudy, or Samwise (LOTR).  The folks at the hotel gave us a heads up before we took the shuttle to the airport.  Once at the gate I was keeping my eyes peeled, half expecting to see a young Hobbit with a pipe in hand.  I spotted him not long after and snapped this pic with him after our safe arrival in MSP.

All that to say, now that I've flown a famous person... I'm still waiting to fly a mutual acquaintance!  Will it be you?

Where I've Flown As an Airline Pilot

I wanted to share with you a map of where I have flown so far in my airline career.  I'd like to do this every six months or so and see what a tangled mess it becomes.  It's a fun way to visualize what I do. For someone who never flew on a commercial jet as a passenger until my 20s, it's fun to see how commonplace it has become for me.  Just a few short months ago I felt nervous going through security and now I can make it from my front door to my gate in just 10 minutes!

My flight routes, first 6 months of airline career. (Created with LogTen Pro) 

Some quick stats about my experience so far:

• Flight time (Turbine): 243 hours
• Different airports: 45+
• Total takeoffs & landings (Pilot Flying): 89

These clouds look funny to me... like upside down. Right?

Overnights & Train Cars

This new job has propelled our family into a different lifestyle that we are all adjusting to--one that includes a lot of travel (obviously) which means nights away from home.  One way I'm showing my son that I'm thinking of him while I'm gone on trips is to pick up a new train car for his train set each month.  Target sells these train cars individually, so I try to find one within walking distance and pick up a new car.  I write the airport identifier on the base to remember where I got it from.  It's safe to say my son likes my idea.

Who will be the first passenger that I know?

I'm still waiting for a flight that I have a passenger that I know. Out of Minneapolis, Skywest mainly flies Delta connections.  Do you ever fly Delta?  Next time peek in the cockpit of your CRJ and see if I'm in there! I'd love to say hello.

This Big Guy Was Just Born! [Stats & More Pictures Included]

Percy James

Born August 6th, 2017

10 lbs 6 oz

21 inches long

 Our son, Percy James, has finally made his debut and we are so grateful!  The past weeks we've been both hoping he would come (while I've been home) and willing him to wait (while I was on reserve).  By God's plan, he came 9 days late while I was home.  He has a head full of dark hair and the Doctor said to expect a call from every B1G Ten school. ;)  When he started to come, he came fast and (obviously)...came big!

But as birth stories go, that is not mine to tell! We are home now as a family of four and our older son, Isaac, is both in love and terrified of his brother.  Thanks for sharing in our joy.

Repo Man & Life on Reserve (Living in Base!)

What's the longest amount of time you've sat in a commercial jet on the taxiway waiting to take off?  I just broke my personal record the other day, clocking in just under five hours on the ground, in the cockpit.  I was called while on reserve for a "repo."  No, not repossession...but repositioning!  The company needed the aircraft in Chicago, but it was sitting in Minneapolis.  So in this case, a Captain and I were assigned to relocate the plane... no passengers and no flight attendants on board. 

These are clouds

REPO DAY:

Time	Event
630	Crew support calls... have a repo to ORD for me
800	Take light rail to MSP and get through KCM
832	Show Time...meet Captain at aircraft
856	Prepared the CRJ900 for push back...but an indication shows up that required us to call maintenance
908	Issue resolved... but ORD issued a ground stop until 1100: due overhead thunderstorms in Chicago, no aircraft were coming or going. Sat in plane at gate.
1030	Push back, get a call that ground stop has been extended another two hours, until 1300. Parked us at 12L de-ice pad.
1349	After sitting in the plane for over three hours, they cancelled the repo. (We didn't go anywhere!)
1400	Required to sit ready. That means stay at the airport and be ready to fill in within 20 minutes of a phone call from crew support. Would be released at 1600 (and able to go home....yay!).
1515	Crew support calls. Have a flight for me to EWR (Newark) and will most likely be an overnight because I will have timed out.
1539	Take off for Newark
1940	(Local time): Land in Newark. Have two voicemails... one says they can't find me a hotel and probably going to deadhead me home. The next says they did find me a hotel and I will stay overnight and deadhead back in the AM.
2000	Call the hotel, they don't have a shuttle... take an Uber... to the WRONG hotel... get another Uber... do a ride share...we pick up another person... they drop me off at correct hotel...
2100	Realized my phone was at 18% battery... on phone with Sara who realized she had moved my charging cord bag to her desk and so they were at home. Needed to walk to Target to get another charge cord since I'd have to sit ready the next day and needed a full charge. Also got my son a train car. Then back to hotel for sleep. Credited 8:44 but only flew a total of 3 hours. What a day.

Have to be up for anything on reserve, I guess!  Last month I wrote about life on reserve in Chicago.  I am glad that is over.  Being on reserve in a city you don't live in is as they say...not fun.  So much time is spent commuting and away from home (and family) whether you fly or not.  I did get to take a day to do some sight seeing with my friend Adam who was coincidentally on reserve there the same day in Chicago... that was a good day!

The Bean, Chicago, IL

This month has been completely different, being on reserve in MSP where we live.  I have already spent more nights at home this month than I spent at home the entire month of June (circa 15 nights). In fact, the Newark story has been my only overnight so far this month. The trips I've been called for in MSP have primarily been "locals."  That means I fly several legs in a day but end up back in MSP and able to come home, usually after 5pm.  This is ideal as we are expecting a baby soon!

Sara & Baby Boy #2

Many of the days I've been on reserve I have not received a call at all.  It's been a huge blessing to be able to spend quality time with my son before he becomes a big brother.  One highlight was taking him to see Cars 3; we practically had the theatre to ourselves.  I've also learned that he would be content swinging for hours... no slides necessary!

Isaac loves swinging

My wife and I have had more opportunities for quality time--in big thanks to family and friends willing to take our son off our hands for a time.  We've had important conversations about our new lifestyle, and wondering what it will be like to have two boys.  We find ourselves processing moving back to a place we have lived before--encountering what has changed not only in our surroundings, but in ourselves.

The most rewarding parts of my job this past month have been:

• The feeling of accomplishment after a great landing
• Flying with and learning from very skilled and likable Captains
• Margin in life to read for pleasure...and even finish a book!
• Discounts on airport food :-P
• Ultra high job satisfaction! Such a great feeling to have a skill that benefits other people in a very tangible way

But I'm curious... how long have you sat in a plane before takeoff?  What's your story?

10 Things About My Life on Reserve

#1: I Commute to Work... by Train & Plane

Currently, I am based out of ORD (Chicago--O'Hare).  The first half of May we were still living in Phoenix, and now live in Minneapolis.  So either way you slice it, I've been commuting to ORD.  Because I have to be within two hours of the airport on reserve, I have to be in Chicago the days I'm on reserve.  To get to the airport, I take the light rail from my home.  We're only a couple stops away from the terminals.  To get to ORD, I take a plane! All commercial airline pilots have privileges to commute on any airline to the base they need to get to at no cost.  From MSP, I've flown American, Delta, and United to get to work.

Taking the Light Rail to MSP with my son

#2: I Sleep at a Crash Pad

Because I don't live in base, I (and all pilots/flight attendants in this scenario) have to have a solution for where to sleep.  The airline only puts you up in a hotel while on a trip, not while on reserve... and there's no way I can afford a hotel for 18 days a month! So a common solution to this problem is a crash pad.  Mine is basically a rental space shared by 10-12 other same gender pilots... 2 bedrooms, 12 bunks, a full kitchen, a living room with a sofa and big screen TV, wifi and cable.  I pay $190/month.  I brought my own sheets, pillow, towel, and got a top bunk right next to an extremely loud AC wall unit. Let's just say it doesn't afford the best night's sleep...but it's a solution!

Bunk Room at my Crash Pad

#3: I'm a Substitute Pilot
Being on reserve means that I need to be available to fill in for a pilot who is sick or has some other type of emergency or delay that prevents she or he from flying their trip.  Obviously I'm only filling in for other First Officers that fly the CRJ... what I'm qualified and trained to do.

Me, Between Trips in the RJ

#4: I'm Available 12 Hours a Day
Last month I was on PM reserve, which means that from 9AM to 9PM I am on call.  Once I get a call, I have a 2 hour window before I have to report at the airport.  That means I could get a call at 8:59PM and be required to take a trip.  Thankfully in my experience, I've gotten calls in the morning mostly.  I try to take advantage of the days and exercise.  My crash pad in ORD is near a park so one day me and another pilot went for a run and spotted some deer! 

City Deer near ORD crash pad

#5: I Pack Lunch for 4 Days at a Time

Maybe I should rephrase so I don't get in trouble... my wife and my son usually help pack my lunches, but yes, I try to take as much food as possible to minimize food expenses while on trips.  Even though we receive per diem while on a trip, you don't while on reserve.  Known Crew Members (KCM) have an expedited security check we pass through to get to the gates and different expectations about what we can carry aboard as far as liquids go and such.  So I load up with yogurt, sandwiches, veggies, and trail mix...and maybe carry a homemade coffee through KCM.

My son helping load my lunch box with sandwiches

#6: I Get to Fly!

It's great when I do get a call from the company because that means I get to work! Don't get me wrong, in theory it's nice to be paid for "doing nothing".... but it's also extremely boring and lonely when on reserve while not living in base.  If I were on reserve in MSP (which I will be starting in July!!), it would be a totally different story because I'd be near my family and could go on a bike ride or something.  Getting a call also means I most likely don't have to sleep at the crash pad that night as they will put me up in a hotel.  Last month I got to fly to Traverse City, MI and stayed in a beautiful hotel on the bay there.  If only I had remembered a jacket that trip I could have explored a bit more!

Traverse Bay view from the hotel in Traverse City, MI

#7: I May Never Fly...

And of course if I don't get a call, I don't work that day.  It's a bit draining in that sense because you want to make sure you're ready to go, and yet you don't want to twiddle your thumbs all day.  The days I watch the clock the most are the days I am supposed to be released and get to go home.  Otherwise, I've been able to keep myself preoccupied at or near the crash pad by making meals for myself or exercising or doing some of my required Computer Based Training (CBT).

Crash Pad Kitchen

#8: I Hang Out in the Crew Lounge

Some days after a trip, I'll return to ORD but still be on ready reserve until 9PM.  Ready Reserve means you must be at the airport, able to respond to a phone call and arrive at the aircraft within 20 minutes. Those days I hang out in the crew lounge!  Did you know airports have lounges for crew? Our lounge even has a really dark room you can nap in.

#9: I Work 18 Days a Month

Last month I worked 18 days.  This included seven separate trips, and only five full reserve days that I did not get any work.  The green indicates those days I was on reserve. The blue refers to a trip. The orange was my guaranteed days off I received for moving (red). And the blank days with nothing on them are the days I'm home or off.  So I had 9 full days off for the month of May (not including my move days). 

My Schedule for May 2017

#10: I Have to Entertain Myself

As mentioned previously, sitting around waiting for a call could be boring.  And sometimes is.  The ways I've kept myself busy include:

• Exercise: going for a run, or I got a hotel room a couple nights from the company and was able to use the hotel gym to lift
• CBT: The company requires pilots to do Computer Based Training (CBT) to continue developing our skills/make us aware of new or altered procedures.  These can take up to a few hours so with the wifi at the crash pad I'm able to use that time to complete those instead of time I'm at home engaging with my family. 
• Netflix: Mindless and not very productive, but it has it's place!
• Podcasts: I've enjoyed downloading some various podcast episodes.  My new friend Jerrid Sebesta's podcast, "Two Week Notice" has been fun to listen to after being featured on it a few months ago.  Also some faith-based podcasts, like Desiring God.  But I'm a podcast listener noob--tell me what to listen to!
• Reading: I've been able to use time to catch up on some Bible reading and then also the book my wife got me called The Glass Cage: How Our Computers are Changing Us.  It's an interesting read, especially in my profession, as it looks at how automation is impacting us as a society and personally.

Do you have any other suggestions for me about what to do around the Chicago O'Hare airport this month?  Or a Podcast to suggest?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

First Flight as a First Officer [Landing Pic Included]

My first trip is officially complete! I now have just over 20 hours of actual turbine time.  Whoa! I am absolutely exhausted from the pace of it all. But here's a quick recap...

Aircraft: CRJ700 Taxiing at PHX; Pilot Arm: Mine; Photo Cred: Wifey aka Sara

Preparing

First of all, preparing for the details of the trip was much quicker and easier than I anticipated.  I packed up my suitcase with a couple uniforms, work out clothes, toiletries, a casual outfit, some food (Easy Mac and Uncle Ben's Chicken Rice), my laptop, and a book called The Glass Cage: How Our Computers Are Changing Us (which I did not read at all because I was so rung out by the time I got to the hotel, but I am eager to dig in).  I put all my flight necessities in my lunch bag along with some more snacks for the actual flight, put on my uniform and was ready to head out...until I realized I was wearing my flip flops. (Changed shoes!)

Some items I packed in my bag

Ready, Set, Adrenaline.

Time to go. My stomach immediately shrunk, I couldn't eat any more spaghetti.  Sara and Isaac took me to the airport.  Classic Isaac fell asleep on the way, so our goodbye was a bit anticlimactic. I was grateful to have my wife there to send me off....and she was conscious so that's good. ;)

I went straight through Known Crew-Member security to the crew lounge to print out our trip sheets for each leg of our flights.  The other pilots could immediately tell it was my first day; they offered some advice, and wished me well.

Sara & Me at PHX Airport

Flying

So I know my pilot friends will want some more nitty gritty details. Call me. Otherwise, here's a recap of what my experience was like, Q&A Style.

• Q: Did you actually fly the plane? A: Of course! Why else would they have hired me? But really... a big misconception I've run into is that people assume the Captain does all the flying and the Co-Pilot/First Officer... ???? Twiddles his thumbs? Is there in case the Captain dies? I'm not sure what people assume but often folks are surprised when they learn that yes, both the Captain and First Officer fly the airplane. Usually, you take turns flying different legs.  But ultimately, the Captain has the final authority over the safe operation of the flight.
  
• Q: Ok, but did you land the airplane? A: Yup. Of the 14 legs of our trip, I landed the plane 4 times all on my own; without the Captain's assistance (but always under his supervision!).



Sara picked me up on my last day and snapped this photo of my Captain and I.



• Q: Did you ever takeoff? A: Yep. Of the 14 legs, I was responsible for takeoff 10 times.
  

• Q: Did you make a PA announcement to passengers? A: Every flight it's my job to tell passengers our sequence for departure... and on a couple flights I gave PA announcements in cruise and for our initial descent.  I probably said something like: "Ladies and gentlemen, we're starting our initial descent into Santa Rosa.  We should be on the ground in the next 20 minutes. It's a beautiful day here: calm winds, visibility unrestricted, temperature 68 degrees.  Thank you for flying with us today."
  
• Q: Where'd you sleep? A: My trip basically consisted of flights between Phoenix (PHX), Monterey (MRY), Grand Junction (GJT), Yuma (NYL), and Santa Rosa (STS). I spent two nights in Grand Junction, CO where I enjoyed some Applebee's with the Crew and then one night in Yuma, AZ where the Captain paid for some In and Out Burger.

• Q: What was a typical day like? A: Here's a look at my schedule from Monday.  When there's any time before your report time, it's at your disposal.  Some people exercise or read or what not.  That'll be me someday! Not much time for me to leave the plane during the day so I pack enough snacks to curb the hunger and take a restroom break between flights.
  
• Q: How early do you have to be there before the flight? A: Not as early as the passengers! No really... because of how expedited the security process is for crew members, and rules about pilot rest/duty periods...we're typically required to report 45 minutes before departure.
  
• Q: Were there actual passengers? A: Of course! It's too expensive to take one of these guys up empty for this purpose.  Our CRJ700 can hold up to 70 passengers and all flights were pretty full.
  
• Q: Did the passengers know it was your first flight/trip? A: No, of course not. Does it make you wonder how many times you've been on board with a rookie? No worries... it's safe! Check Airman Captains are specifically qualified to train and teach a new pilot throughout the Initial Operating Experience and prevents anything unsafe from happening.

My wife snapped some pictures of us landing and taxiing from the top floor of Terminal 4 Parking Garage in PHX.  So... here you go... here's me landing a jet.

The start of a new normal has begun and it is exhilarating!

Landing the plane in PHX on Runway 26; Photo Credit: Sara aka Wifey

We're Adding to the Team! Click to Find Out Gender

We're excited to share with our friends and family that we are expecting a baby! We are looking forward to relocating back to Minnesota in May and then welcoming our new baby at the end of July, God-willing!

We had an ultrasound this morning and learned that we will be having a...

BOY! 

We are both surprised and excited and look forward to meeting the little man.  

So how does Isaac feel about it all? We asked him a while ago if he wants a brother or sister...he said: "pancakes." 

10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Airline Pilots

Did you know...

1.  Pilots are paid hourly

Pilot pay is all based on position (Captain or First Officer), seniority with an airline, and what airplane you fly.  Pilots are paid at a specific rate based on these three variables.  Pay is by the flight hour: from parking brake release to parking brake set.  Thankfully airlines guarantee you a minimum number of hours, which feels sort of like a salary.

Isaac was fired for poor money management (ripping of bills)

2.  Pilots must retire at the age of 65

The FAA confirmed a Final Rule in 2009 that Part 121 pilots (airline pilots) must retire at the age of 65.  At that time, the age was increased from 60 years to 65 years.  In short, this is a public safety issue and not considered age discrimination due to the nature of the job.  As the Baby Boomers approach the mandatory retirement age, airlines are scrambling for more qualified pilots.

65? Time to Retire and Head to the Beach

3.    Can fly a maximum of 1,000 hours per year

Due to duty limitations and pilot rest rules, a pilot cannot exceed 1,000 flight hours in any 365-day period or 100 flight hours in 28 days.  This of course is not referring to duty periods, of which pilots are still “at work” but not necessarily flying.  This would include time spent at airports, time pre-flighting the aircraft, assessing weather conditions, etc.

Airline Pilots Can Fly a Max 1000 hours/year

4.    Required to have 1500* flight hours before becoming an airline pilot

The rule used to only require roughly 250 hours of flight time, but was changed in 2013 in the wake of a tragic accident of Colgan Air 3407.  There are some allowances for pilots with fewer hours… for example I was able to get a Restricted ATP Certificate at 1250 flight hours because I hold an Associate’s degree in aviation.  It's 1000 hours with a Bachelor’s degree with an aviation major; military pilots are allowed an even greater reduction, needing only 750 total time.

Hours logged by hand in log book

5.    Regional airline pilots fly long distances too

A common misconception about regional airline pilots is that we only travel short distances or stay within the same state.  Like flying from Minneapolis to Duluth; Phoenix to Flagstaff; Austin to Houston.  While some of these flights do exist within the regional airline services; regionals also fly farther distances...just in smaller aircraft. It's considered regional because we only operate within North America. 

SkyWest Regional Airline Route Map

6.    Flight Crews Are Required to maintain a "Sterile Cockpit"

Another reason to feel at ease in the skies!  Pilots and flight crew members are required to maintain a “sterile cockpit.” In other words, pilots aren’t chowing down on a PB&J during takeoff or chit chatting about their Fantasy Football results.  The FAA requires crew members not to engage in any activity during critical phases of flight that could distract a flight crew member from their duties.  In other words, below 10,000 feet…it’s all business.

Save those snacks for above 10,000 ft in the Airlines

7.    Pilots have Unique Work Schedules

This varies a lot based on seniority, but as a new hire, we are expecting I will be gone on trips for 4-5 days at a time and then get to be home for 3-4 days at a time.  Pilots with more seniority have such greater control over their schedule that often times can have anywhere from 12-14 days off at a time… not using any vacation time!  

Literally cannot take work home with you (it's too big)

8.    Many Pilots Commute to Work...by Plane

As a pilot, you could be based out of a city you don't live in.  This is not uncommon.  To deal with this, you commute by plane.  Pilots are allowed to "jumpseat" on any air carrier to get to where they need to go...for free.  If there's open seats, often times you can just sit in the cabin...and who knows, maybe catch a football game?

Skol Vikings

9.    The Uniform Has Meaning

When you see a Pilot in her or his uniform, look for the number of bars they have on their epaulettes. Four bars means they are a captain; three bars means they are a First Officer.

Epaulettes indicate whether a pilot is a Captain or First Officer

10.  Pilots know how to pack

Traveling so frequently, pilots become pretty good at the art of packing.  With a sturdy suitcase to hold 4-5 days worth of necessities, and a lunch/flight bag... there's not always a lot of room for extras.  I have taken the "rolling" approach to clothes and still learning about how to pack meals to keep food costs down.  After more experience, I will post on this again.

Luggage for 4-5 day trip

How many of these did you know? What other unique facts about pilots did I leave out?  Thanks for reading; make sure to subscribe to my blog!

It's Official: I'm An Airline Pilot! (With a Personal Update)

It's official: as of February 3, 2017--I have become a certified Airline Transport Pilot! After weeks of training in a full-motion simulator, I passed the final check ride that granted me my ATP certificate.

My sim partner, Tony, and I after passing our check rides.

What's that mean?

The ATP is the highest pilot's certificate one can achieve.  It gives you the ability to fly transport category aircraft (think: the plane you take to go visit your brother).

What's next?

The great thing is that my ATP training was paid for by my company, who hired me this fall, so I'm ready to get started.  As a First Officer (aka: Second in Command/Co-Pilot), I will begin my airline career flying the CRJ.  The CRJ is a passenger aircraft that carries anywhere from 50 to 76 passengers. Our company is contracted to operate flights for some of the major airlines like Delta, United, American, and Alaska.  So the paint job on plane I fly will say something like: "Delta Connection" or "United Express."

When is your first flight?

After my sim training and final check ride, I am now  waiting to start flying regularly as I need to complete my Initial Operating Experience (IOE).  Due to the large number of new hires and limited number of check airman, I will probably wait another 6 weeks before my first flight.  After IOE, I will be on reserve in my base until I gain enough seniority to hold a line.

Flight sim where I spent most of January

How long did it take you to become an Airline pilot?

Just a few days ago, Facebook kindly reminded me of a memory from three years ago when I passed my Private Pilot check ride.  It's humbling to reflect on all that has happened since and see how God provided for all our needs to make this possible, including the big decision we made to move to Phoenix to gain the experience I needed to qualify for this new job.  If you are interested in flying, go take a demo flight somewhere! A friend recently told me, 7,000 United Airline Pilots are retiring in the next 5 years... it's a great time to enter the industry... and nothing more beautiful than an office in the sky!

Me & a CRJ200

One final update...

We are planning to move back to the Twin Cities this Spring.  We've loved our time in Phoenix and the friendships we've made during this season of life.  We're looking forward to getting back to the Midwest to be near family, closer to my base, and back to the land of 10,000 Lakes! We're in the hunt for at least a two bedroom rental along the Light Rail for an easy airport commute.  If you have any leads, please let us know!

"Two Week Notice" Podcast with Jerrid Sebesta

This past weekend I had the opportunity to do an interview with TV Personality, Jerrid Sebesta, for his podcast called Two Week Notice.  I got to share my story about leaving my job as a teacher in order to pursue a career in aviation with the former meteorologist.  We found a lot of common ground in how we view finances and our love for Minnesota winters. (Kidding about the last one). I had a great time speaking with Jerrid and hope to take him up on a flight if he's ever back in the Phoenix area.  Check it out!

How to Survive Aircraft Systems Training: 6 Tips

For the past month I was in Salt Lake City, studying CRJ 200 Aircraft Systems.  For four weeks, my class of twenty-two CRJ pilot trainees, spent a majority of our time with our noses in the books--including Christmas and New Years--in order to pass our System Validations test.  Here's six tips for how to survive.

6. Wash Your Hands

This has a lot to do with time of year, I get that, but I think nearly everyone in our class was sick at some point--with either terrible head colds or a stomach bug.  And you cannot miss a day of training.  The week I was sick, I saw my formative assessments scores drop below 80%--which was not a confidence booster when needing to pass the final test with greater than 80% proficiency.  So although in many cases, sickness cannot be avoided, my first suggestion is to wash your hands a lot...don't get sick! And if you do, grab whatever over the counter meds you need to make it through the week.  Read on to find out whether or not I passed and what my score was.

5. Go to Costco

We had a full kitchen in our living arrangement, so instead of spending what little money you do make in training on meals out, I opted to buy the basics in bulk.  My friend Adam and I even split some items up to make it more affordable.  We grilled chicken and brats on the weekend and stored it in the fridge for weekday meals. I bought a bag of rice and some microwavable vegetables from Target and that is pretty much what I ate for four weeks.  Oh, and if I did eat out, we'd just run over to the Costco Food court and grab some hot pizza slices for $1.99.  Go to Costco.

SLC Costco Largest in the World...freezer so big they provide jackets!

4. Know Thyself

Couple things about me: I'm a talker and I like tangents.  Maybe that's a common denominator among pilots...seems to be the stereotype at least.  But what I mean by this is that often times, you're encouraged to study with others and form study groups.  The thought here is: study alone, fail alone... study together, fail together.  However, I know that 90% of the time, group study is not where I learn; it's where I get distracted.  So even though it was encouraged, I often times found myself in the fitness center, reading chapters aloud to myself while walking on the lowest setting the treadmill would allow. I stayed awake, I comprehended what I read, and I didn't get distracted.  I'm NOT saying to avoid study groups... just know how you learn and do what's best for you.

Study session with two breakfasts on the weekends

3. Go Hard and Then Sleep

In order to pass the exam, it does require a rigorous level of study outside of class and alertness in class.  The exam is hard.  As it should be! Even though I had hoped to spend the Christmas holiday with my family, it just wasn't possible due to the volume of content and depth of which you need to understand.  But my advice is this... put in hard work, take notes during class, do as much of your reading as possible, even work on the weekends, but then go to bed.  You will be worthless without your sleep.  Set a boundary for yourself to stop studying at a certain hour so you can get the rest you need for a new day.

2. Expect the Emotional Rollercoaster

Training feels a lot like drinking from the firehose.  At the end of every day you are left feeling overwhelmed and maybe even discouraged.  The helpful thing is to expect it.  Expect fatigue and discouragement. Expect being overwhelmed.  And then go to sleep.  In Lamentations 3:22-23 it says: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  I found this reality to be very true.  Each morning I woke up rested, ate a good breakfast, got some caffeine in me, and trusted God for this promise that his mercy is new every morning.  I left for class with a new sense of hope and possibility, eager to grow and learn. I also found it very helpful to call my wife, unload some of my anxieties, and hear some truth in reply.  Have a support system to walk through it with.

Photo Courtesy: SkyWest Airlines

1. Enjoy the Reward

At the end of your systems training, you will be faced with the exam.  I approached this the same way I did a track meet as a collegiate athlete.  I trusted my training and hard work put in during the "season" and then tapered.  The two nights before the exam I reviewed a few areas I needed to brush up on, but other than that I was intentional to rest and not cram.  I took a hot tub, had a good dinner, made myself a cup of Sleepy Time tea and went to bed. The next morning came, along with the exam and I passed with 95% proficiency.  It was fun to receive my uniform and wings...and stop home for a weekend to celebrate with my family before flying out to Atlanta for sim training.

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Got my Wings!

Isaac and Sara surprised me with a cake