Monday, March 23, 2009

A little Home time between trips

Airplane's in position waiting for passengers, Saturday morning at Executive Flight Terminal, Nassau, Bahamas. I'm at the aircraft by 0830 for an 1100 departure. Always a few more things to do on a flight to/from the USA. Departure from the Bahamas requires a Bahamas Custom Clearance, and a US Customs Arrival report with passenger's name, passport number, date of birth(the women passengers hate this), home of residence. Normal flight planning, weather, routing, clearances, aircraft preflights, fueling, catering, baggage loading, etc.. Pax are on time and we're off to the US. Normally, all aircraft arriving in the US from a point of departure south of 33 degrees North Latitude are required to land in the first airport north of 33 degrees.
I have been approved for overflight authority, allowing me to go to Trenton direct without a stop in Florida, which is required for most aircraft. This is a US Customs requirement intended to restrict drug trafficking.
I took the picture on the left as I climbed through 3000 feet on departure from Nassau, Bahama. This is the north side of New Providence Island. Nassau is the major city on New Providence Island.
Arrived in Trenton at 1400 and met the US Customs agent who checked out the aircraft and passengers. Upon his determination that we did not have any illegal drugs or people on board he allowed us to get off the aircraft.
A quick ride home to get an overnight bag, and back to Trenton for a 1600 departure to Chicago.
Departed Trenton with 3 passengers and landed in Chicago in just under 2 hours( strong headwinds). Picked up 2 passengers some fuel and off at 1730. (Chicago is on central time) Landed in Opa Locka, Florida 2 hours and 45 min later. (9:15PM) (remember the time zone)
Normal aircraft clean up and prep for overnight stays and we were off to the hotel. Arrived at the Marriott Courtyard, Fort Lauderdale about 2215(10:15PM). Quick change of clothes, and off to the local watering hole for some hydration. In bed by 0000(midnight), for a 0500 wakeup to go home by Southwest Air. Weather good and flight on time, back in Philadelphia at 1045. Hertz had a car ready and I'm home by 1145. In 24 hours, I went from Nassau, Bahama, to Trenton,NJ, to Chicago, IL to Miami, FL, to Trenton, NJ and I'm pooped but I'm home.

Here I am several hours later with my granddaughter Cate. Priceless.










1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Priceless indeed! I had a very boring Saturday compared to you - five hours at the TCNJ library and then home to the madness resulting from Joe spending five hours with Cate!
Meg