Belgeode presents... STEELER AIR!

Pulp1 · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:23 am Post subject:

All I can say is................WOW! Shocked

Amazing screenies and story they are great!

Plus, as an added bonus for me I am one of these rarest of things..........an English "American Football" (as we call it over here) fan so I am loving the Steelers paint job.

I wont tell you which team I follow as I dont want any arguments or disagreements! but lets just say its not Cleveland!

Keep up the good work and I look forward to the next installment!

Smile

belgeode · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:40 am Post subject:

thanks all... ok more coming in about 2 days... i been having issues with grab click save not saving pix and causing my computer to crash... so lemme solve that and I will continue onwards.

stay tuned...
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US AIR TALES- Stories of one man's virtual life as a pilot

belgeode · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:07 am Post subject:

(This is to tide you all over as I fix grab click save... or move to another one... suggestions welcome...)

Steeler Air- Paark the caar in the haarvad yaard...

Well what can I say... I got jets flying all over the place now... the office phone is ringing off the hook from our reps all over the US, wanting me to make a visit to their location so that we can seal the deal on Steeler Air travelling there. Now I have been stuck in this office a week now... and Jessica is about ready to pull her hair out from interviewing and training flight attendants. At least Fred, Kyle, Jimmy, and.... Lolo have been doing their part for the company, making us money...

But some may call me a slacker if I start driving this desk too long... so I file my flight plan... a three way trip... in a NEW plane no less... The one promised by Delta. First Boston to talk to some airline execs about the upcoming push to help out ATC controllers by adding new ways to control traffic in heavy areas. That should be fun... maybe I can tell them about my last 4 flights...

Then on to Green Bay, Wisconsin to fly the Packers in for their game against my beloved Steelers... of course the last leg of the trip... back home to Pittsburgh. While we are at it... see if we cannot add 2 more towns to the Steeler Air roster.

So with Jessica onboard... and some of her new trainees... and of course Fred, coming off a weekend of relaxing in Vegas of all places... we get to work heading to Boston. I would have taken Tiffany also but looks like Lolo has shanghaied her for a trip to New Orleans that she is taking Thursday...

Now Fred does not know it yet, but this new 737-700 which I got from our buddies at Delta is to be HIS new plane... Even though I am taking the first flight to Boston, by time we get back to Da Burgh, this will be his plane. I also plan to keep him busy in beantown interviewing his first officer... may as well introduce him to leadership.

"Spirit of Troy Polamalu"... fourth plane in the fleet... and a nice one for those short hops where time is of the essence.... Anyone who knows anything about Boston knows they are ALWAYS on a schedule there... only town more nitpicky about time is DC.

Maybe I am getting complacent... sometimes I do not even notice there are passengers on board unless Jessica pokes her head in and mentions something about some idiot in coach wanting Diet Sprite... ummm when they make Steeler Air cola... we will give him Diet Sprite. Hey at least they paid good money, and are enjoying the flight.

So Fred turns to me at this point...

Hey Bel... I gotta ask you something. Do you ever sleep? I mean you are ALWAYS either flying, or doing something related to the airline. Aren't you afraid you will burn out at this pace?

Hmmm... you know... I never really thought about that.

Jessica again interrupts my thoughts... with a little lady no more than 6 or 7 years old clutching a little teddy bear. Apparently she wanted to see the cockpit, so Jessica agreed to show her briefly. Even though I was not too pleased about the visit I already had the jet on autopilot so I showed her all the little doohickeys that she is too young to know about... as her parents beamed from the cockpit door.

Wow...

I guess I will NOT have a chance to think about relaxing soon... Now is just NOT the time... there is too much riding on this. We are taking off! well Not literally... we already did that... but you know what I mean...

Oh wow I must be distracted... There's Boston ALREADY!

You know... a lot of things go through your head when you are landing. On the one hand you are thinking about the aircraft... all the things you need to do to get it down safely... and then... you are thinking about the other miscellaneous things that do not matter really... Did I leave the stove on back in Pittsburgh, when is my insurance due... did I file that flight plan to Green Bay... Should I have a coffee or tea party tonight... Do Bostonians really paark the caar in the haarvard yaard... are they even allowed in the harvard yard?

Nice landing there boss... you owe me 20 more... Fred chimes in.

Shut up Fred.

Jessica makes her announcement about waiting till the plane comes to a complete stop, and I look around to make sure we have a clear path to the gates.

I gotta admit they have an interesting control tower... almost as interesting as LAX. If it were not that we have about 16 hours here then we are out of here... I would ask for a tour of the place. For now... I will settle for a coffee and a nice bed... after I meet with the folks waiting at the terminal... I ask Jessica if she wants to come with me... I know Fred needs his beauty nap.

As I get off the plane, a little girl comes up to me... same little girl from the cockpit. Her parents I assume are in the background by the desk. She gives me her little stuffed bear.

Umm why are you giving me this little dear? I ask as I kneel to accept her gift.

You look tired mister pilot... take booboo... he will help you sleep.

I did not know what to say... Her parents came for her and apologized for her bothering me... but as I told her booboo belongs with her, I could not help but think... Kids are smarter than we give them credit for.

This meeting tonight was going to be short......

(Part 2 coming tomorrow)
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US AIR TALES- Stories of one man's virtual life as a pilot

VegasFlyer · Chief Captain Joined: Jul 14, 2005 Posts: 2133

Perfect!

Welshflyer · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:16 am Post subject:

Brilliant story and shots Very Happy

......but...........booboo Shocked

! I'm beginning to worry about you Very Happy

!
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belgeode · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:23 am Post subject:

hahahaha... first bear name I could think of... contrary to popular belief these stories are written with little preparation...

Steeler Air- I'll take a cheesewheel please... and some gas...

Well rested...

Now those are words I have not heard for some time now. Everyone reported in on time with bells on... Even Fred, who was anxious to get to left seat this flight to Green Bay. This would be his last evaluation flight, before I officially promote him.

Ok folks... this leg of the trip is the easy part... on the way back to the Burgh we have some special guests... namely the entire Green Bay Packers team and staff... so let's do a great job going in and coming back home. Everyone ready?

Yep's all the way around. I love when everyone is excited... especially the new people... such as the flight attendants Jessica hired.

A nice sunny Boston afternoon... got our clearance and Fred is at the wheel... as I catch up on some paperwork... but what the heck is this... there is a Cessna stuck on our butts apparently!

DUDE! BACK OFF!!! I yell out the window... I highly doubt he heard me, but man is that annoying. I almost tell fred to put the brakes on and open up the throttle to see if it will blow his sorry butt away.

But I am gonna be nice today... afterall... I slept well. AND we have one more town to add the to regular schedule!

One good thing about Cessnas... they become a dot really quickly when you takeoff and open up to 222 knots.

Well Mr. Chambers... it's your jet, do the honors... I am gonna take a moment to go back and visit with our flight crew.

As Fred brings us to cruise altitude, I go back to formally introduce myself to the flight crew. Jessica of course already knows me haha... but the other girls Wanzetta, Kimmy, Michelle, and our first male flight attendant George are having their first time officially getting to talk to me.

All I ask you all... do a great job. Remember people fly because our service is second to none... we could be going to Hell in a handbasket... as long as they are happy.

OK, so I am not so good at motivational speeches... but I think I got my point across.. the folks get ready to serve drinks and food. With my speech done I head back up front to go through the rest of the paperwork I have leftover from two days ago.

Halfway over lake Michigan Fred taps me on the shoulder...

Umm Bel... we appear to have a problem... either we are losing fuel out the port side... or these gauges are messing up.

Oh great.... Delta ASSURED me this plane was in tiptop shape!

Fred gives a glance out back... nothing streaming out... I crawl behind him to look myself... hmmm wierd... still nothing.

OK, what is going on here... one of the three gauges is showing way less than the other two...

Time to start worrying yet Boss? Fred asks me...

Not sure... lemme get the emergency procedure manuals.

Ok to be on the safe side we need to change the fuel flow... close off the port tanks and funnel from center... of course we will be a little lopsided on landing but I would rather we get there at all... at this point landing on the right main gear first is the LEAST of my concerns...

OK.. so now I feel bad. I just GOT this plane, was gonna give it to Fred, and now it is going to spend its first few days as Steeler Air in maintenance... not to mention how the flip are we gonna get the Packers to Pittsburgh?!?! I flatly REFUSE to carry Brett Favre on my back!!!

I pray it is just the gauges...

Wisconsin dead ahead Boss... I figure about 20 minutes till we land...

Good deal Fred... looks like we can handle it. the last thing I want is to have to mayday over the great lakes... and that gauge is really starting to pee me off...

Ok Captain... go ahead and announce to the passengers that we are coming in... I will make the call ahead for ATC and ground crew to be waiting for us.

Fred makes the announcements and I alert Green Bay of the situation... the gauge seems to have stabilized itself... but as a precaution I am still not taking any fuel from that tank. It's time to get this thing and all 102 passengers and 7 crew aboard down.

OK Fred... get her down nice and easy... I will monitor fuel flow and power...

There it is... KGRB... not very spectacular but at this point my pounding heart will take any safe landing strip... that stupid gauge keeps fluctuating between various levels of fuel... and I am REALLY not pleased about this.

Nice and easy Fred... nice and easy... watch that heavy left wing... what the... now the gauge says the tanks are near full... OMG... Ok Just land this thing... we'll figure it out later.

At this point I do not even care if his landings are better than mine... I got maintenance staff chomping at the bit at our gate, and my stomach is in knots to know if there is truly a problem on this BRAND NEW PLANE!!! I swear Delta is gonna hear it if there is!

Another happy landing.... Fred has kept it together even with conflicting info from the gauges... I dunno why I am smiling more... that he did well or that we are down safely?

As we taxi to the terminal I give Fred a hi five, and I guess it is time to do what must be done...

Fred... I know we gotta check this plane out when we park... but provided everything is ok, this will be your new office. Captain Chambers....

I think I actually saw a tear in his eye as he applied the parking brakes...

Ok don't get mushy on me now...

So ground crews checked the tanks... the levels were fine... so it HAD to have been the electronics messing up... I scratch my head as to how we are gonna fix that... if I do not have reliable gauges how can I expect to have us feel comfortable getting home with a whole football team?

I quickly make a call to my rep from Boeing.... it's gonna be a long night.

(Part 3 on Friday... I am having crash to desktop issues that I cannot figure out...)
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US AIR TALES- Stories of one man's virtual life as a pilot

VegasFlyer · Chief Captain Joined: Jul 14, 2005 Posts: 2133

Great, great, great Belgeode. I'm truly enjoying your story and shots. Well done so far. Keep up the amazing work! Very Happy

Welshflyer · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:42 am Post subject:

Superb storyline and screenshots once again, brilliant job! Very Happy

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SpiderWings · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:46 pm Post subject:

I agree with everything the others have said belgeode. You are a master story teller/showman. I love Lolo and her dice!

belgeode · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject:

Steeler Air- Monkey on my back!

I admit it... I am exhausted... again. After talking with ground crews, and waiting for the local Boeing dude to come out and work on the avionics... plus keeping in mind we HAVE to fly to Pittsburgh in a few short hours so the Packers can play us, in the ultimate gesture of good faith and promotion for Steeler Air... I think I am going to take several days off when we get home and just SLEEP!

Oh great... another Cessna tailgater... I think we better let him go first today. Our Boeing guy assured us that everything is ok for the flight, so it was time to load up the Green Bay Packers and get going. Halfway into boarding a head pops through the doorway.

"COOL! So you guys finally got an airline all to yourself eh?"

Brett Favre... quarterback for the team... Why hello Mr Favre. You might say this is my way of giving back to my community with the help of our team.

"Well I hope you fly better than your offensive line protects Big Ben! HAHAHA!"

I did not even acknowledge him... I looked at Fred and he gave the one finger salute when Brett's back was turned.

Uneventful takeoff, me at the controls this time, and the only thing on my mind is to get these guys safely to Pittsburgh, then get some rest. I don't even think I am gonna watch the game tonight...

No sooner I turn off the seatbelt sign, Wanzetta comes in... gorgeous looking african american lady... with a puzzled look on her face.

What's wrong Wanzetta?

"Captain, Mr Favre would like to file a complaint that his first class seating is too small for him."

Oh good lord.... well what does he expect us to do here, cobble together a longer seat for him? Give him a gin and tonic or something.

"Yes Sir." she replied as she headed back to the galley.

So I mention to Fred that the guy he interviewed that night in Boston is going to meet him tomorrow in Pittsburgh, and if he wants to he can take this plane up for a check ride, since it is not on the schedule for another week... Fred has no issue with this... I can tell he is beaming with glee...

Uh oh... Jessica now interrupts us.

What's up Jess?

"Bel I swear to god I am going to knock that blowhard OUT!"

Lemme guess... Brett Favre...

"He has the NERVE to return his food cause we had chicken cordon bleu on the plate. He says he is lactose intolerant!!!"

Fred rolls his eyes... I can't help but think... he lives in Wisconsin... cheese capital of the world... what is wrong with this picture.

Ok what else do we have that we can serve him...

"Chipped Ham sandwich... that's it."

Ok as long as it has no cheese on it... go ahead and give him that, tell him it's a Pittsburgh delicacy in honor of his trip there or some such crap like that...

Jessica rolls her eyes.... not surprisingly...

Finally some peace and quiet... and we are almost there... right over Cleveland.

Door opens... I am expecting one of the other flight attendants... nope.. Brett Favre. Oh good lord.

"Hey dude I wanna lodge a complaint... your flight attendants are rude and abrasive. The one girl gave me a gin and tonic and I could like barely taste the tonic. They're trying to get me drunk before the game... is this some kind of scheme you guys are pulling so you can win the game or something?"

Mr Favre... could you please sit down. No one is trying to do anything here.

"And what was with that messy sandwich that other girl gave me?"

As I hear Jessica behind him urging him to sit down.

Ok Mr Favre... listen... on the football field... you may be god there.... as long as you are in MY aircraft... you sit back and enjoy the flight. If you have a problem... file a complaint AFTER we land! Up here... I don't wanna hear it.. Now SIT DOWN....... please.

have you ever seen a deer caught in headlights? That was Brett Favre... wordlessly he went back to his seat... and I caught a glimpse of Jessica snickering to herself... by time I turn around to the controls, Fred is staring at me...

WHAT? Don't you start with me...

"No it's not that Boss... that was freaking awesome lol!"

When Wanzetta comes in to find out our flight status and ETA I ask her how everything is back there... fine she says... quiet as a tomb except for the one guy sitting with his arms crossed silently pouting.

I roll my eyes... OK well let everyone know we are on approach to Pittsburgh please... plenty of time to make the game.

To add insult to injury, this evening was one of those hot and hazy evenings where every single molecule of air was so dense and caught the colors of the setting sun... which only complicates my landings... Luckily we were in pattern in no time, trailing a US Air Airbus. I certainly hope he does not hit his airbrakes. As a precaution I call the tower and ask for runway 28R since I know this guy is coming down on 28C and usually at this time on a weekend 28L is occupied for takeoffs.

Jess makes her announcement, and at the end of it I hear her go... No you are not going to do this sh*t again... SIT DOWN!

Ok time to intervene...

I pull up the cockpit horn... Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are about to land in Pittsburgh, so I expect everyone to be seated with your seat backs upright and seatbelt securely fastened... THIS MEANS YOU FAVRE!"

Fred at this point is rolling with laughter... ok simma down Fred... let's land this thing and get these monkeys off our backs.

Touchdown... and for the first time in my extensive flight career I was NEVER so glad to hit terra firma! I could see the limos pulling up by the gates, and I could hear the bustle of the team anxious to get off the plane... so I reminded them to please wait till the aircraft has come to a COMPLETE stop... not a half a stop... not a New Jersey stop... a COMPLETE, our engines are off, the chocks are on the wheels, the lights are off STOP! Why do I have to be this way with grown men?

"Hey Boss... if it would help... I got a pass for the seven springs spa you can have... take some time off, unwind." Fred volunteers.

I was not about to ask HOW Fred got tickets to a spa... but right about now a hot tub sounds real good.

Have you ever heard a buffalo stampede? That was the Green Bay Packers leaving the jet... and Favre has the nerve to poke his head BACK into the cockpit and give me the thumbs up sign... "Nice flight man! Loved it!!! Can't wait to fly again"

Fred and I looked at each other, as if to say... which personality is that talking there?

Jessica comes in to report all passengers have left the plane...

THANK GOD! Ok so next on the agenda... we get this plane thoroughly checked out, Fred you fly my plane #086 in the interim for this week's flights to Nashville and Cincy, and when I get back in a week I will work on getting you in a regular rotation for.... Jessica, why are you chuckling?

Jessica bursts out laughing... and she is not a very skinny girl... so her belly laugh is pretty impressive...

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA... I .... I ..... hahahahahah.... I put.... ex lax in his gravy... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH it should hit him around halftime.... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA."

Ok... I really need my bed...
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US AIR TALES- Stories of one man's virtual life as a pilot

VegasFlyer · Chief Captain Joined: Jul 14, 2005 Posts: 2133

Maan, Belgeode, you made my day. I had a blast reading and looking this crazy story. Shots are superb and the story can't be better. I wonder what's gonna happen with Favre Confused

Great , great job Belgeode! Very Happy

Welshflyer · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:41 pm Post subject:

belgeode that was again a great storyline with great screenshots, everytime i look in you have made me Very Happy

, and that's always a good thing! Excellent job keep it up!
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Pulp1 · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject:

Brett Favre rules!

Amazing shots and story but Im with Brett Favre.........if he asks for more leg room..........you give him some more god damn leg room....he's Brett Favre for heavens sake you cant treat him like that!!! Laughing

Pulp1 · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:24 pm Post subject:

Also belgeode, where did you get that model 737 from? it seems ace.

belgeode · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:38 am Post subject:

lol... I like Brett Favre... but I could not resist making someone the scape goat for the story.

By the way the 737 I use is SkyDecks NG 737-700 and 737-800... as far as I am concerned they are simply the BEST 737s out there.

Ok all I am gonna be adding a couple more stories (ie -3 more) that I have left over... then I gotta take a break for a few to figure out this computer rebooting thing here.

If I remember correctly, it's Lolo's turn to fly.
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US AIR TALES- Stories of one man's virtual life as a pilot

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