January
9th ORD/SLC
10th SLC/ORD
Yearly route qualification ride. No real reason for SLC other than I've never been there before. Be there on Thursday night so I think I will check out the free Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsal
Another route qualification ride in the books. Not bad either. UA521 ORD/SLC was an A319. Pulled out of ORD 1 minute early, got the quick route to the runway and off we went. I like the Airbus jumpseat, much more comfy than the 737 but one thing Airbus didn't do was put the headset jack anywhere near the seat. Unless you have an ultra long cord, it is just close enough if you lean your head to the right. Look to the left and the headseat gets pulled off your head. Very annoying. Completely smooth with an on an off cloud deck well below us. Several aircraft passed 1000ft below on a reciprocal track, always interesting to see. Approach into SLC was a non event. Mostly clear with a beautiful view. Only hiccup was that a WN flight was blocking the taxiway to our gate due to his gate being occupied so the tower asked us if we could do a 180 on the runway and back taxi to the hi speed turn off. Haven't done that since somewhere in Central America. On the way in passed by a Delta A220, first one I've seen in person. Very good looking plane, huge fans for its size.
I did go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehersal an I would recommend that to anyone in SLC on a Thursday night. I'm not that into choirs but it was very interesting to see how they put it all together and then hear the final version. I asked if these were all just parishioners with good voices but as I figured these folks have to send in a tape, if it is good enough they are brought in for a live audition, and if accepted can only stay on the choir for 5 years and then they get the boot as the choir wants fresh voices. I thought that a bit odd but it makes sense in a way.
Next day I looked around SLC, went to the State Capitol building. I would recommend that as well. Beautiful architecture and a fair amount of history to be discovered. You've got to hand it to SLC, public transportation between the airport and the city center is a breeze. Light rail and not very expensive at that.
Left SLC on UA2197, a 737-800, off the gate 1 minute early. Usual departure runway of 34R was closed for construction so we taxied over to runway 35 for departure and it was normal. Smooth till DSM and from there on into ORD it was occasional light to continuous moderate turbulence. The only altitude that appeared to be smooth was reported by a Cessna Citation X at FL450 and we weren't going up there. Approach to runway 9L was down to near CAT1 minimums. Just after I saw the high intensity lights and runway lights come in to view and the FO called out runway environment in sight the box called out "minimums minimums" so it was close to a go around. Taxi in took over 30 minutes as 9L is somewhere near the Wisconsin border. I thanked the crew for a very interesting experience and made my leave.
Next up is Cape Town SA in March but for that trip I will be safely, and comfortably seated in a Polaris BF seat on both legs! Looking forward to that experience.
Next year is a pacific route qualification and Singapore is high on the list.
What's the point of an open door policy if inside the open door sits a closed mind?