Comments on: Down and Out at the El San Juan

By: Marco R

Marco R — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 01:55:54 +0000

I loved the article in general but the last sentence really resonated with me. Kids in my blue collar Midwestern neighborhood who were lucky enough to go to a warm locale in the winter made damn sure they got a tan at whatever the cost so they could flaunt it to the rest of us.

By: Mike boden

Mike boden — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:07:31 +0000

st. Thomas in 1980 would have been an Antillies Airboat Goose, the only way to see the Carib.

By: KenP

KenP — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 20:43:08 +0000

Those headphones! I remember flying to Hawaii from SFO on United in 1977 with my girlfriend. They charged for headphones and we did not have a lot of extra money for the trip. So, we paid for one and split the headphone, she getting one tube and me the other. A totally different era!!

By: Blade

Blade — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:01:24 +0000

“Your piece on sustainable aviation is exceptional. We share the same passion for green technologies. Let’s connect: blade1.services@gmail.com or 1-800-102-5233.”

By: Dan Hamilton

Dan Hamilton — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 15:31:42 +0000

Patrick,I have followed Ask The Pilot since it’s inception and have your book which I have shared with friends who are afraid to fly.
Every post/story you do is so damn well crafted. I have remarked to you a few years ago that you are a gifted writer who possesses the literary talent to transport the reader into your world through your descriptive artistry.
I obtained my private pilot license in 1968 when I was 16. My goal was to fly for an airline. It did not work out due to a serious heart issue which precluded an airline path. I never lost my joy of flying and have mentored my grandson who gained his private instrument and commercial from Embry Riddle here in FL. at the age of 20.
Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your posts
Dan

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 09:46:29 +0000

Wow, that’s a great story. And just look at the size of those seat-back tables! At 6’2″ and 240 lbs, I barely fit in a normal economy-class seat and I do long commutes across the Pacific twice a year.

I’m old now but there are certain memories that are burned into my brain yet there are probably billions of others that are gone forever. Why it is that we humans have such selective memories is a mystery still. I use my meticulously keyworded and dated photograph collection to pinpoint times in my life but that only words for more recent years.

In 1980 I was living in Jamaica Plain in a rent controlled triple-decker. I spent ten years in Boston before moving to Alaska in 1982. I loved Boston until I ended up hating it for the crime, the noise, and the danger.

I live in Thailand now but those Boston years are very important to me.

Keep up the great work, Patrick.

By: Paulo Lavigne

Paulo Lavigne — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 02:57:02 +0000

“Ithink I became a pilot in spite of my love for aviation, not because of it. I got lucky.” Interesting perspective. I guess I could say I didn’t become a pilot because of my love for aviation. I got unlucky.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 02:51:01 +0000

SD, I was in boot camp in San Diego not far from you that December. I might have celebrated with some of your cargo in January when I finished.

By: SD Palamar

SD Palamar — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 23:03:04 +0000

Brilliant writing, Patrick…written, re-rewritten then edited. I hope you have monetized your efforts!

I know where I was on 12/04/80…sailing back to San Diego from coastal Mexico on a one-off cannabis transport adventure when I was in my 20’s. I remember because on 12/08 when we had AM radio reception again near Tijuana, we (crew of 3) heard of John Lennon’s slaying, and were dumbstruck into silence.

By: JAMES

JAMES — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 20:39:22 +0000

Great story. It reminded me of an early visit to PR when I had a NYC consulting job. The customer was in Aguadilla on the West side of the island, so I had to take a small two engine prop plane to Mayaguez and then drive to Aguadilla. The visit went fine and on the following day, I was on another small plane to return to San Juan, along with about 3 other people and a single flight attendant. This was way before today’s security, so the plane was preparing for takeoff without even closing the door to the cockpit. As we started down the runway and just began to lift off, I heard the pilot should “Oh, Shit” and we quickly dropped back down to the runway just in time so that we did not run over the edge. Nobody would tell us what happened, but we had to wait another 4 hours for a replacement plane, and I had an extra (actually very nice) night in San Juan after missing my return flight to JFK.

Two other fun stories.

In a shuttle from Milwaukee to MSP, I was the only passenger on the plane, so every announcement from the staff began with “Mr. Shannon, you may now get up if you need to use the facilities” or “please buckle your seatbelt, Mr. Shannon”

On return from a business trip to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, just as COVID became serious, my wife and I were two of 8 and then 9 passengers on the two wide bodied jumbo planes (ANA to Tokyo, then Delta to Detroit). It is very, very strange being on flights where the crew are more numerous than the passengers.