When you travel often you will eventually experience some hiccups and this will teach you to be flexible.
My day started early EST as planned. I was on the plane and we pushed back from the gate when there was a mechanical issue that wouldn’t allow us to fly. We returned to the gate and deplaned. I stuck around the gate area to ensure I was rescheduled and called Amy to come get me. My flights now didn’t leave until the afternoon. My departure time was now closer to my planned arrival time in Colorado Springs. In the end my day began early EST and ended at 1:30am MST. Long day.
My first couple days were spent on the fixed wing in Alamosa, CO. We had no day pilot so I could recover from my crazy travel day. Of course we flew mostly at night – the most difficult part of my job. The best part was the people I got to work with – both great guys.
After 3 days in Alamosa I moved to Del Norte. It has been almost 2 years since I was last here and it was awesome to be back in the small mountain town. Had a couple of flights and caught up with the folks based here. Then a call for help – anyone on a 3 man crew that is willing to help Gallup? That me! They need someone who can do orientation training for a new hire. Something about me – I volunteer for just about anything so of course I volunteered and the next day found myself driving 5 hours through southern CO and into NM. But I stopped for a familiar sight on the way:
First Due is owned by some friends. The shop opened back home in Salem, VA and when Jared retired from the fire department they moved to Pagosa Springs. They were not open when I went through but it was cool to see for sure.
The next 4 days were busy. Duty timed out 3 of 4 days, did tons of training and the mountains of paperwork for Matt who I was helping orient to the job. In the end – made a new friend, caught up with old friends from Gallup and worked hard. Great shift.
One thing I thought was neat was my rental – brand new F-150. I usually ask if they will upgrade me to a truck and they usually will if able. I drove this truck from Colorado Springs to Alamosa to Del Norte to Gallup then to Albuquerque to fly home – on ONE tank of gas.
What a work hitch! 2 states, 3 bases, 13 transports, whacky weather and good company. Where to next?
Seek adventure and get busy living.
-Ben