/roleplay on
I appreciated the coffee when I sat down in my seat of the A320. I chuckled to myself as I remember grumbling when Alaska Airlines brought in an A320 fleet due to its acquisition of Virgin Airlines. Some pilots were eager to fly the A320, like young bucks ecstatic over a new sports car purchase. I, on the other hand, shrugged. The 737-800 has been good to me. Wasn’t looking forward to simulator time and learning new things.
With about 40 hours of real flight time in the A320, I now was like the young pilots. I loved the bird. I felt inputting in the flight plan and such was more difficult than my old school 737, but once done, the plane flew itself.
A gorgeous morning in Anchorage, and from the weather report looked like a good day in Seattle, our destination. Started the A320 up and she purred like a kitten. Not a busy day in Anchorage, so an easy take-off. Decided to fly her by hand to the first waypoint just to get a better feel of the side yoke. Didn’t scare any passengers before I hit the auto pilot. Pulled out the front tray; a small, but absolutely amazing feature to the A320, and continued with my coffee and made small talk with the co-pilot, a young wide eyed woman originally from Boise, and enjoyed the views.
Reached downtown Seattle and felt a ping of pride. My home city. Grew up in Tacoma, Washington about 30 minutes south, attended the University of Washington in Seattle, then flight school locally. Now, at 52 years old, here I am, doing a job I love, and seeing breathtaking views of home. Not bad for a poor black kid raised by a single mother. I made it.
Some low level clouds near approach, but alas, the A320 autoland feature makes this a breeze. Many of my colleagues want to land manually. Not me. Technology is here to make our lives easier, and the Autoland does that. Moreover, since I have so few hours in the A320, I prefer auto land until I get used to the fly by wire features. What’s the hurry?
30 feet. Thrusters back down, speed breaks up, and use the rudder controls on the stick. Perfect landing.
Can’t believe I get paid to do this. Not that busy at KSEA. Crew and passengers safe. Mission accomplished.
Already thinking about dinner in my Lake Washington view home in Seattle, which is just 15 minutes away from the airport. Tomorrow a leg to Vegas, and then some much needed vacay.
I drive home in the truck, look out my patio, and smile. I got a good life.
/roleplay off
Had a little fun with some fiction. I do live in Seattle though, near walking distance to the Renton airport that is south of me. Real picture from my patio. Not a real pilot of course, just a simmer. I’m a boring attorney lol who pretends to be a pilot. 