Alaska I hardly knew ya!

esa17

esa17

Well-Known Member
The season is done, at least for me, and I've sat down and run all my totals. Since my first flight on 4/28 I worked 92 days and logged 418 hours. I now have more time in a 207 than I do in any other of my 40 different airframes and I can honestly say I am a much, much better pilot. I thought I was pretty good before but I was wrong.

I went to Hoonah 114 times, Haines 115, Gustavus 78, Skagway 76, Kake 23 and Excursion Inlet 16. My charter to Sitka was the only time I visited there. In those flights I only had 5 weather turn backs because I'm a huge chicken-S. I didn't much care for being the scout and usually let someone else who was more experienced blaze the trail for me. I scared the crap out of myself a few times, contemplated landing on a beach once, and hoped all summer for a charter to someplace off airport but that didn't happen! Only a lucky few found Glacier Point! The folks I had the pleasure of flying and working with are some of the most memorable and finest individuals I've ever met. It's really impressive to see a great team come together and I'm sorry I have to leave, very sorry.

If you're looking for a challenge of both mind and body then I'd suggest coming to fly in South East Alaska. It will change you, hopefully for the better. I think however it has ruined me and I'll be back.

I love this place.

I'm Scared of It All - Wikisource
 

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I would love to head up there for a season, just as you did.
Great pictures!
 
You're leaving now?! The fun parts just starting.:rawk:


Congrats on a safe summer. See you next year.:beer:
 
Boris Badenov said:
I would feel presumptuous bowing down to an RJ pilot. I just stand silently starstruck whilst they strut through the terminal. Sometimes I sheepishly ask for autographs.
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I heard it was bad form to look a RJ pilot in the eyes.:D
 
Boris Badenov said:
I would feel presumptuous bowing down to an RJ pilot. I just stand silently starstruck whilst they strut through the terminal. Sometimes I sheepishly ask for autographs.
Click to expand...

You have no idea how hard it is to get from one gate to another. Entirely too many women asking us to sign their breasts. Eventually you just have to say "look m'am....I have to fly 50 people to some town I've never heard of in Louisiana"

They cry, but its not my fault I'm so awesome.
 
Screaming_Emu said:
You have no idea how hard it is to get from one gate to another. Entirely too many women asking us to sign their breasts. Eventually you just have to say "look m'am....I have to fly 50 people to some town I've never heard of in Louisiana"

They cry, but its not my fault I'm so awesome.
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Oh man, that was awesome! :clap: Thats quote worthy!
 
Glad you enjoyed it here. SE Alaska is a cool place with cool people. Juneau has got to be the most cleanest and nicest place I have lived in. The cost of living is a little bit on the high side but the pluses outweigh the negitives. You should stay for the winter and get some skiing or snowboarding done when Eaglescrest opens. Hopefully we get slaughtered for snow this winter because the last winter sucked.
 
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I am really looking forward to returning home to Southeast. It is the best part of the state, at least from what I have seen.

Be glad you didnt end up at GP. I spent a lot of time running tourists out there on the boats that go there.
 
To be honest with you, south east is pretty tame compared to much of the state, the terrain is steeper than most other places, and the weather somewhat wilder, but compared to some places out west, southeast is pretty laid back. Imagine if all you flew to were a dozen Hoonahs that had excursion inlet strips and Juneau was like a scaled up version of Hoonah, but with Natives that weren't friendly.

I already miss the mountains, and miss some of the type of flying I got to do there (beach runs, the lace river, etc.) but the schedule that they put you on in SE is wicked beyond belief.
 
Congrats on your summer. Alaska flying is some of the best flying around. I loved the flying I did up there. I have flown some pretty nice airplanes to a lot of places, but the Alaska flying is always at the top of the list.
 
You can't beat the fishing either!! Alaska is an incredible state and really beautiful. You have had an experience that not many have had and you should go back next year. When you get these opportunities, just go for them. You will never regret it nor the skills that you will hone. It's all a wonderful journey and an adventure!


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