The world from above

Manatees (family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) are large aquatic mammals sometimes known as sea cows. Manatee is the English respelling of the Spanish manatí; the word itself is of Carib Indian origin meaning ‘breast.’

The Trichechidae differ from the Dugongidae in the shape of the skull and the shape of the tail. Dugongs have a forked tail, similar in shape to a whale’s, while manatees’ tails are paddle-shaped. They are herbivores, spending most of their time grazing in shallow waters, and can weigh anywhere from 500 to 1000 kg.

Manatees inhabit the shallow, marshy coastal areas and rivers of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico (T. manatus, West Indian manatee), the Amazon basin (T. inunguis, Amazonian manatee), and West Africa (T. senegalensis, African manatee). They spend half of their day sleeping in the water, surfacing for air every 20 minutes.

There is no easy button for flying an airplane.

People assume that with technology comes safety. To a point this is true. What people don’t think about is that with technology comes more workload - albeit a different kind of workload.

When airliners had a side saddle you had three trained professionals doing their job to make sure the aircraft arrived safely. When technology moved in to replace the thrid crew member, the flight engineer, all his work was diveded between the two remaining crew members. Not only his work but his knowledge. Plus the added knowledge bank required to operate the technology implemented to make it possible — and “easier” — for the remaining two crewmembers to do the engineer’s job.

So, the point?

The point is that no matter how much technology we move into the cockpit there will always be an associated workload and a chance for humans (in the cockpit or out) to screw up. When there are screw ups, bad things happen.

Like I said, there is no easy button for aviation.

Just a piece of advice from a guy who burns Jet-A.

If and when any of you decide to build an airport, please for the love of all that is holy do not build it across any kind of border.

One of the airports I used to fly into was indeed in this very position and the end rsult was a runway that was 1/3 paved and 2/3 unpaved. Wanna guess why?

The FAA isn’t to keen on drug runners.

So, I worked at a place once where our competition was literally across the street. This competition had newer airplanes than my employer and they had just taken delivery of two almost-brand new 30-seat aircraft. On top of all this they sold their tickets for much less than did my employer and had really started to take a bite out of the market.

How does a company run newer, more expensive aircraft, take delivery of two almost-brand new aircraft and do it all at a significant discount?

Well …

Every so often said company would get a very plain aircraft in from somewhere south of the border. This aircraft would taxi into their maintenance hangar and shut down. The hangar would then be closed, any and all flights for that day would be cancelled and all employees would be sent home. The next day when these employees reported for work the aircraft would be gone and things would run as usual.

Yeah, it gets better.

This company is/was working on their scheduled service certificate and the rumor was the major hold-up (no pun intended) on the certificate was this company’s reluctance to disclose their source of funding. Wonder why?

Couple this little tid-bit with the other rumor that the primary owner is barred from setting foot on the premisis because of a past drug history (i.e. the company doesn’t want his presence to mess up their chances at their certificate) and well I hope most of you can do the math.

Ain’t aviation fun?

One of the very first things ever imparted to me in an airline groundschool was this subtle, but very poignant, note:

“Your only job (as a pilot) is to show up, on time, and burn Jet-A.”

When it seems like retarded monkies burdened by Fetal Alchohol Syndrome would be a better alternative to the morons running the show, it seems this little quip puts things in perspective.

Welcome aboard.

The aircraft on which you are flying today is a XXXXXXXX.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Passenger Safety Briefing card located in the seat pocket infront of you. It contains information which you may wish to know. 

Passengers seated in row 2 and seat 7C are occupying exit seats. Refer to the passenger safety briefing card for further instructions and selection criteria. If you feel you do not meet the criteria or do not wish to perform the exit seat duties please let us know and we’ll reseat you. You need not give a reason.

There are two fire extinguishers on board this aircraft. One in the cockpit and one under seat 5A. There is also a First Aid kit located behind seat 5A.

…

Folks, those of you reading this blog, please take note: when we say take your sick sacks with you - we’re not joking.