Kon nichi wa - Arigatou - Sa yo na ra

We are too heavy for 39,000 feet. The weather is grim; heavy snow, surface temperatures below zero, strong winds and turbulence. All srounding airports are with almost same conditions. Winter ops continue...

This month was one of the busiest months for me. Time differences, fatigue and ultra long haul flights all affected me I guess. This time I am going to Japan. I was so excited, new places to be discovered. But obviously, too bloody cold and you can’t walk away from the hotel. However, working round the clock, seven days a week, it is easy to lose track of time. I work when I must, sleep when I have to, and eat when I can, regardless of the time.

when we arrived the captain insisted to go for something called Okonomiyaki or as I call it the Japanese pizza. it was quiet fun actually. I was so surprised that the Japanese are even worse than the Chinese in speaking English. Apart from that I have been so far 4 times to Japan it become boring good hours tho.

I still personally prefer the European destinations but its not bad to go to this part of the world its different life style and different operations wise. Flying different type of aircrafts is more fun as well. You widen your experience and knowledge. The way you think and act as well.

I have done a few interesting approaches recently which was really fun. The more you know your little baby the better you become. It becomes like a part of your body and you play like a piano player. I enjoy my career the most these days. Beside how tiring it is and how hard i am working but it draws a smile at the end of the day. When you put the uniform on and ride your company transport to work. Arriving at work you meet you fellow pilots and friends. Sometimes you meet a few of them in the air as well. it’s just good fun

















02.28.08 @ 12:34 AM UAE 8 Comments

Beijing Beijing, Here i come...

It was not my first time being to China. As I have been to Hong Kong couple of times. However, Beijing the capital of china was something else. I enjoyed it!!

The flight is not that bad at all. Timing wise was fine. You get to Beijing at mid night. It was snowing for a few days. The weather was a shock -10 degrees. I wore my rain coat for the first time in my life. I went shopping in the morning with the crew. Bargaining with the Chinese is not easy if you don't know how to do that. They start for example with 480 yen. Then after a few minutes you get what you want at 40 yen. I had to laugh as some of these Chinese gets really aggressive as well. A few are funny and make you laugh. The people in general are nice especially the taxi drivers who look clueless when you talk to them.

02:50 in the morning my hotel phone rings. "Oh NO! The wakeup call again!" Its bloody cold and I still need more sleep. Obviously, first thing you hit is the shower room, get down, pay your bells and hit the bus to the airport. Guess what? It was snowing. That was an amazing feeling. I was so happy but oh shit!! We have to work hard now.

De-ice and anti-ice are not a common thing to do. However, in -10 degree with snow around you definitely you need it. There are type of fluids, timing and other sort of stress like the passengers, cargo, air traffic controller etc...

Departing from china and here we go again over head the Himalayas. We had the full moon on top of us. You see the ground is covered with snow and so white.

For the last two weeks, I have been over the Himalayas three times so far. There are special rocedures that you have to follow and you here the Chinese talking all the time. The crew I had been with was not bad most of them are Asian. Culture wise it’s a bit different dealing with them that dealing with westerns. You have to becareful as they are a bit sensitive.

I have not been to Abu Dhabi since ages now. I still don’t know when will be my next time going home. My roster this month is one the worst roster that I got since a few months. A lot of crazy awful flights but what to do someone has to do it.

02.04.08 @ 11:22 PM UAE 5 Comments