Sushi For christmas
FROMTHE FRIENDLY SKIES OF CAP’N MERYL!FROM CAP’N MERYL Sushi for Christmas?
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/getline/2004-12-20-ask-the-captain_x.htm
This was another really, REALLY busy week for me—but this time I was just doing my “day job”—flying.
First was my second flight to Frankfurt, Germany in just a matter of days. It was easier the second time because I remembered the way from the first time less than a week ago. Okay, okay, just kidding. Actually, we took a much more direct route straight across the Atlantic whereas last time our route was much farther north. Our route was and often is determined by wind direction and speed. Other times it may be influenced by weather systems we’re trying to avoid.
Coming back, on the other hand, we went WAY far north over Iceland and Greenland—this time to stay out of the winds coming westbound. By staying so far north we had an average wind component of only around 50 knots as opposed to almost 150 knots by flying a more direct route.
Once back in Chicago, it was my intent to come on home to Denver for a couple days off, but that’s not how it worked out. Flights were so crowded that my Significant Other/Web Guy suggested I stay put in Chicago and fly a second trip—this one to San Francisco for a 25 hour layover, which was really nice. Perfect weather and a chance to go exploring deep into Chinatown. Although airline employees get passes—they are for standby travel and with the Christmas travel rush my prospects looked grim for getting home to Denver anyway and the trip to San Fransciso turned out to be a good option. Commuting is difficult at best and sometimes we just have to go with the flow, so to speak. Upon my return from San Francisco I was able to hop a flight right to Denver without much trouble.
So I spent an unexpected night in Chicago, and that gave me an opportunity to meet one of my readers who lives close to Chicago O’Hare. Just thirteen, her parents brought her to my hotel where they treated me to breakfast. This young lady is very interested in aviation, as is her father, and this was a good opportunity for them to ask me some questions face-to-face both about some things I mentioned in my book and some other general aviation questions.
I’ve met a very few other readers face-to-face—for instance at book signings here and there—but it doesn’t happen often. It’s nice from my end of things to put a face to those I’ve communicated with previously only by email.
Also, just a note to those of you who requested I put my recent interview on ABC’s The View up on my site—but I can’t do it. I requested permission from ABC to do so but it was denied. They told me this show will be rerun during the summer, but I won’t know when. So that’s a disappointment, but what can you do?
I’ll be flying over Christmas. I’m not sure where yet, but it looks like a trip to Osaka, Japan is shaping up. Because I am a reserve pilots and fly whatever trip is left uncovered, I’m never really sure where I’m going until a day or two prior at the very most. Wherever I wind up, I will be thinking about my family, of course, and you, my readers this Christmas holiday. I wish you the very best, the very happiest and the very safest of holiday seasons.
Until next time,Maintain Airspeed!
Cap’n Meryl
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/getline/2004-12-20-ask-the-captain_x.htm
This was another really, REALLY busy week for me—but this time I was just doing my “day job”—flying.
First was my second flight to Frankfurt, Germany in just a matter of days. It was easier the second time because I remembered the way from the first time less than a week ago. Okay, okay, just kidding. Actually, we took a much more direct route straight across the Atlantic whereas last time our route was much farther north. Our route was and often is determined by wind direction and speed. Other times it may be influenced by weather systems we’re trying to avoid.
Coming back, on the other hand, we went WAY far north over Iceland and Greenland—this time to stay out of the winds coming westbound. By staying so far north we had an average wind component of only around 50 knots as opposed to almost 150 knots by flying a more direct route.
Once back in Chicago, it was my intent to come on home to Denver for a couple days off, but that’s not how it worked out. Flights were so crowded that my Significant Other/Web Guy suggested I stay put in Chicago and fly a second trip—this one to San Francisco for a 25 hour layover, which was really nice. Perfect weather and a chance to go exploring deep into Chinatown. Although airline employees get passes—they are for standby travel and with the Christmas travel rush my prospects looked grim for getting home to Denver anyway and the trip to San Fransciso turned out to be a good option. Commuting is difficult at best and sometimes we just have to go with the flow, so to speak. Upon my return from San Francisco I was able to hop a flight right to Denver without much trouble.
So I spent an unexpected night in Chicago, and that gave me an opportunity to meet one of my readers who lives close to Chicago O’Hare. Just thirteen, her parents brought her to my hotel where they treated me to breakfast. This young lady is very interested in aviation, as is her father, and this was a good opportunity for them to ask me some questions face-to-face both about some things I mentioned in my book and some other general aviation questions.
I’ve met a very few other readers face-to-face—for instance at book signings here and there—but it doesn’t happen often. It’s nice from my end of things to put a face to those I’ve communicated with previously only by email.
Also, just a note to those of you who requested I put my recent interview on ABC’s The View up on my site—but I can’t do it. I requested permission from ABC to do so but it was denied. They told me this show will be rerun during the summer, but I won’t know when. So that’s a disappointment, but what can you do?
I’ll be flying over Christmas. I’m not sure where yet, but it looks like a trip to Osaka, Japan is shaping up. Because I am a reserve pilots and fly whatever trip is left uncovered, I’m never really sure where I’m going until a day or two prior at the very most. Wherever I wind up, I will be thinking about my family, of course, and you, my readers this Christmas holiday. I wish you the very best, the very happiest and the very safest of holiday seasons.
Until next time,Maintain Airspeed!
Cap’n Meryl
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