Quote of the Week

"While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior." - Henry C. Link

Yule!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Quote of the Week

"People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs." - Anonymous

Reunions

Tonight as I arrived home from work I witnessed something special. I was exiting security on my way to the Metrolink along with a crowd of passengers, when the young lady in front of me threw her arms up and ran towards what appeared to be her parents. "Welcome home," her mother exclaimed.

I wonder how many times scenes like these play out in airports across the world. How many grandchildren have run out of security to leap into their grandparents' arms? How many service men and women have come home to their loved ones? How many happy reunions does aviation make possible?

The best part: I get to be a part of making these moments happen.

Paradise Lost

My career was dealt quite a blow today.

President Bush signed into law an edict proclaiming that airline pilots would be allowed to fly until they turn 65. Prior to this ruling, the mandatory retirement age in the industry was 60. With no mandatory retirements for the next 5 years, the upward mobility of my career has all but been frozen.

This dream of flight comes not without its nightmares...

Quote of the Week

"To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act." - Anatole France

A Sigh of Relief

As the revelation of the Mitchell Steriod Report loomed yesterday morning, rumors were rampant that All Star and all around good guy Albert Pujols would be implicated. St. Louis, already gun-shy after Mark McGwire's awful testimony on Capitol Hill, braced for impact...

Over 70 names were divulged in the report, along with details regarding their purchase and use of various performance enhancing substances. El Hombre was not among them, and Redbird Nation released the collective breath it had been holding.

The accomplishments of Albert Pujols are not Ruthian. They are not comparable to Mays, or Mantle, or Cobb. The accomplishments of Albert Pujols cannot be compared to anything in the history of the game because they have never been seen before. No one in the history of the game of baseball has begun their career with 7 seasons of .300 / 30 / 100 production. Not Musial, or Williams, or Aaron.

I hope no one ever again compares Albert's accomplishments to those of Barry Bonds.

From the Airwaves

Recently heard on Chicago Center's frequency:

Controller - "American 1234 increase speed to 310 or better."

No Response

Controller - "American 1234 increase speed to 310 or better please."

No Response

Controller - "American 1234 how do you hear this radio?"

No Response

Controller - "American 1234 how do you read?"

American 1234 - "From left to right sir, how 'bout you?"

Quote of the Week

"Wise men say, 'only fools rush in.'" - UB40

No, this is not a fake picture...

From the "It could be worse" department: