About the Author       
I started off in aviation by learning to fly radio controlled aircraft in 1978, then hang gliders in 1987. I was hired by Continental Express Airlines in June 1996 as an ATR First Officer based in Newark NJ. After 2 years and 1,700+ hours as an ATR First Officer I transitioned to ATR Captain. I flew the “Winnebago” for another 8oosomething hours before qualifying as Captain on the EMB-135/145 in July 1999.

In March 2000 I was selected as an On-Line Check Airman. Still based in EWR I performed Captain and First Officer Initial Operating Experience and Operating Experience Observations throughout the Continental Express system. In addition I have performed Acceptance Test Flights and ferried “Jungle Jets” from the Embraer factory in San Jose dos Campos Brazil to the mainland United States for Continental Express.

I "Flowed Up" to Continental Airlines on August 7, 2001 and was furloughed the day before my 737 Oral in September 2001. I "Flowed Back" to Express in October 2001 and went back to doing my Check Airman thing from Newfoundland to Mexico to California. After recovering from major knee surgery in 2005 I went back to Cal in early 2006 and became a First Officer on the 737. I was then rapidly transitioned to the B777 as a FO and on July 8, 2006 (10 years to the day of passing my ATR-42 FO Checkride) I passed my B777 type ride on the first try.  (By the way, if you're a pilot and you don't have Long Term and Lump Sum LTD you're an idiot.)