High Life 006   PCN Home |  Post to PCN | Post an Illness | Post a Death | HL Archive | Sign Up     9/13/2009 

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A merger on Aug 1, 2009 of RSP and Delta Retired Pilots Communication Network 

High LifeFor all Delta people who have truly touched the High Life/

Dear PCN,

News SectionMark’s Remarks:

PCN is creating a Google Group.I NEED YOUR HELP - to jump on board:

ALL MUST COOPERATE (with a signup Part II) TO REMAIN ON LIST!

It is easy, (I promise), but necessary!

1 Brief Additional Required CLICK on an INVITATION link in the next email from noreply@googlegroups.com (Yeah, I know and I apologize)

More Details:

I am terribly sorry and I won’t bore you with my emailing woes, but I need your help. Because of a number of restrictions, I currently only email 200 at a time per hour. To get a single PCN notice out (of any kind) out, it is taking me all day of repeated trips to the computer. Further, if another notice comes up that needs to be delivered timely, I cannot do it until first message is through. I need your help.

We are going to use Google Groups as our distribution venue. As we move forward, I will tell you more about it, but PLEASE indulge me and if you wish to remain with the PCN and receive email notices I need you to perform one more brief task to join our newly established google group. Again I apologize. Your data (as before) is completely safe and not accessible by any other person other than PCN Mgrs. While pages and posts can be viewed by the public, member info (including emails) cannot and will not.

How you can help and what you will get:

IMPORTANT: LOOK FOR 2 EMAILs FOLLOWING THIS HL 006 within 1 week!

One will ‘announce’ the INVITATION to our group (and include repeated instructions) and one will actually ‘BE’ the INVITATION.

(CHECK YOUR SPAM OR JUNK EMAIL FOLDER FOR AN INVITATION SENT FROM noreply@googlegroups.com

What you MUST Do:

Inside your “Invitation email”, where it says “You can accept this invitation by clicking the following URL:” After that phrase - Click on the following link and you are in!

PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON THE BOTTOM “UNWANTED” LINK – as that will report our group and spoil its use for everyone.

PCN notices will come by email as always, but there will be a slight change in delivery.

Starting with the next High Life and notices coming from PCN, you will get notices as usual from PCN. When you click on the invitation link, your email addresses have been automatically loaded into this group. All notices will come with unformatted plain text “pointing” you to a web link that will have the full formatted content complete with hyper-links (those blue underlined clickable links to another site). That is it! Hopefully this group will be a good long term solution to an ongoing distribution problem.

ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS OF OUR NEW SITE AND EMAIL ACCOUNTS REMAIN UNCHANGED!

++++++++++++Misc from Mark:

Recent Poll on delivery style:Thank you for those who participated. The results were 70% of those respondents that said web pages were OK. The PCN will start adopting this format with the next HL. It shouldn’t be a big deal on your end.

Aviation and Change:Many of us have often heard it said the only thing that is constant is change. It could not be truer for the airlines and aviation in general. I guess in a weird sort of way, many of us are attracted to the continual changes with the equipment, company and industry. Well, on a recent trip (discussed below) some thoughts came to the surface of my mind in a very vivid fashion. This will not be a lament. I have to admit that the older I get the less I like change. But change is just a part of this whole thing called aviation and airlines. Just consider JAL purchase and all of those ramifications.

While traveling through ORD I remember with fondness the visit by David Garrett to dedicate our new concourse L. We puffed with pride in Chicago, as Delta got done what UAL couldn’t. The first, addition to ORD since the 50’s and one that really gave us tremendous opportunity. As the stations and flight crews made themselves comfortable in their new digs, the die was already cast. Delta would not acquire “feed” for ORD and the concourse was indeed now rapidly becoming only a leasing opportunity. In 1978 ORD was the biggest boarding city on Delta’s system. A few years later, concourse L (with feed) could have propelled ORD to a major airline presence. Today, as I pass through ORD, the concourse is no longer Delta’s. We have moved to share a modicum of gates with NWA’s location and AMR owns that entire area. Delta had in excess of 90 departures from ORD for some time. Over the years the dwindling departures settled around 42 and at that number that spelled the demise of a crew base there. Change.

Before I arrived at ORD, I left CVG. Talk about change. When I did ATC tower tours with my sons (while I was training them to fly) Delta was operating at over 60 ops per hour. Today, Delta has 28 mainline departures per day. WOW! Can the hub’s closer be far behind? One would think not.

A while back I passed through DFW and in an earlier RSP I wrote about my impressions there. Now, none of these drastic changes are in and of themselves necessarily bad. From a company standpoint, it is just business. Domiciles, hubs, concourses, and related jobs come and go. After all, one would hardly have guessed that our southern airline would grow to the largest passenger airline in the world. Change is just the reality and change always confronts the industry.

Sometimes the change that occurs happens because of external circumstances and little can be done to prevent it. Other times, it is a direct (either brilliant or not so brilliant) decision made by managers. None-the-less we have all experienced change. Delta, Northeast, PanAm, Western, NWA, and now contemplating JAL all spell big change. Write in and share an impression that you have experienced. I bet the net would really appreciate hearing about it. Mark

China and Back:Some of you know that at age 56 I am still looking for a flying job. I joined the mini Delta squadron over a year ago at Eos Airlines before they went bankrupt. What a nice airline and group of people to work with. Since that airline liquidation, I along with a few other former Delta types have been looking but unable to find a new happy home. Over the last 2 weeks I have been gone and the PCN work was on temporary hold. I screened with 3 other former Delta guys for Jade Cargo, based in (yeah, you guessed it) Shenzhen, China. Well, 2 out of 4 of us made it and received offers for employment flying a B747-400 as PICC all around the world. I did not. The 2 fellas that made it certainly deserve it and are to be congratulated. 32 were invited for screening. 30 showed. 10 were selected. When going through something like this it is a real education and in some instances eye opener. After a chief pilot career at PDQ and then 27 year career at Delta, I didn’t meet the profile that they desired at Jade. On the commute over and the 42 hour day returning to my home, one has to think hard about just the prospect of commuting to this job. A lot of ex-pats work in Asia and India, but that doesn’t mean the commute to your stateside residence is any piece of cake. Well, I went, I saw, I didn’t conquer, but in many ways am quietly smiling inside. At first, there was disappointment, but upon return everyone in my family was elated that I would not be going to China. So that affirmation from them made me actually glad it did not happen. When your clock is ticking and you are in a region with little aviation activity, it sometimes makes a fella try far out ideas. China was certainly that. Jade may be hiring a few more, if someone is interested. As for me, hugging my grandkids, tilling my garden, and my own bed all feel pretty good!Mark

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Delta News (Recent stories of interest): Yahoo, AJC

AP Source: Delta considers ties to Japan Airlines

AP Source: Delta Air Lines weighs making cash infusion, business ties with Japan Airlines By Harry R. Weber, AP Airlines Writer On Friday September 11, 2009, 5:11 pm EDT

ATLANTA (AP) -- Delta Air Lines Inc. is considering making a cash infusion of a couple hundred million dollars to aid struggling Japan Airlines Corp., a person briefed on the talks said Friday.

In exchange for the infusion, the person said the world's biggest airline operator could get a stake in Japan Airlines, an expanded presence in Japan and coveted access to the closest airport to the Tokyo business center.

The talks between the two carriers were in their preliminary stage, and it was unclear what form a partnership between Delta and Japan Airlines might take, said the person, who asked not to be identified by name because of the sensitivity of the discussions.

"There's definite interest on both sides," the person said.

Delta subsidiary Northwest Airlines has a history with Japan Airlines, having handled flight operations for the Japanese carrier in the early 1950s, according to JAL's Web site.

A Delta spokesman declined to comment. JAL spokesman Satoru Tanaka said the airline was considering various tie-ups with a wide variety of potential partners but nothing had been decided.

Japan Airlines already has a codeshare agreement with American Airlines as part of its participation in the Oneworld alliance. Delta's SkyTeam alliance currently doesn't have a Japanese partner. An American spokesman declined to speculate on how a Delta-Japan Airlines deal might impact American's relationship with Japan Airlines.

"We would not routinely comment on the media rumors and speculation involving one of our Oneworld partners," American spokesman Tim Smith said. "We obviously would note that JAL has been a very good partner for both American and Oneworld."

Among U.S. carriers, Atlanta-based Delta has a relatively large Japan presence by virtue of its acquisition last year of Northwest, but its market share there is still dwarfed by that of Japanese carriers. In the Tokyo market, Delta operates from Narita Airport, the main international airport.

Delta has not been allowed to serve Haneda Airport, a mostly domestic airport that is much closer to the center of Tokyo. The U.S. and Japanese governments have been in talks about air service between the countries, though it is unclear how those talks will turn out.

A key benefit for Japan Airlines, Asia's biggest airline group, to a deal with Delta would be money.

Hit by plummeting demand in a slumping global economy and swine flu fears, JAL incurred its biggest-ever quarterly net loss of 99 billion yen ($1 billion) in the three months to June.

The airline has forecast a net loss of 63 billion yen for the current fiscal year to March 2010. As part of restructuring, JAL plans to cut the number of flights and slash costs by 53 billion yen during the current fiscal year and another 100 billion yen in the next fiscal year.

Another motivation for Japan Airlines in talking to Delta about a tie-up could be Northwest's long history of airline operations in Japan. That experience could benefit JAL, said aviation consultant Mark Kiefer of CRA International in Boston.

"I think certainly in terms of the position they are in financially, it's in their interest to entertain really any kind of offers that might come their way," Kiefer said of Japan Airlines. "Whether or not they are also in talks with American, I don't know. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that they were."

American's Smith declined to say whether his airline also was talking to Japan Airlines about making a cash infusion in the carrier.

Kiefer said a hookup with Japan Airlines could be good for Delta.

"In general, you would expect these kinds of investments or arrangements to have some potential upside in being able to generate additional traffic and revenue for both airlines, but Delta in particular," Kiefer said.

Delta has cash to invest, though most major U.S. carriers have been trying to preserve their cash because of big revenue declines due to a steep drop off in demand for air travel amid the global economic downturn.

As of June 30, Delta had $5.4 billion in unrestricted liquidity, including $4.9 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and $500 million available under a line of credit. Delta said previously it expects the total figure to fall to $5 billion by the end of the third quarter, which ends Sept. 30.

Delta shares fell 4 cents to close at $8.06 in trading Friday.

See next article: Let the fun begin!

Other Airline News (Recent stories of interest):

Like Delta, AMR Is in Talks With JAL

Ted Reed 09/13/09 - 06:24 PM EDT

DALLAS (TheStreet) -- AMR(AMR Quote) said Sunday it too is talking with financially troubled Japan Airlines, which is seeking to raise money from potential partners.

Published reports on Friday said Delta(DAL Quote) is talking with JAL about an investment: Delta has declined to comment. JAL is seeking to raise $2.8 billion from banks, investment funds and others including airlines, the Japanese business daily Nikkei reported Sunday. "American is in conversations with Japan Airlines at the senior level," said Roger Frizzell, an AMR representative, Sunday. He declined to elaborate.

JAL has the largest hub at Tokyo Narita, Asia's most important airport because of its importance to Japan and its web of connections throughout the continent.

The world's commercial airlines have split up into three global alliances, each of which includes a major U.S. carrier, a major European carrier and a presence at Narita. Star has United(UAUA Quote), Lufthansa and ANA, which has a Narita hub. Oneworld has American, British Airways and JAL. SkyTeam has Delta, Air France and a hub at Narita, the single most important asset Delta gained from its 2008 acquisition of Northwest.

But now it seems that Delta, the world's largest airline, is not satisfied with Northwest's single-digit market share at Narita, which is smaller than either of the Japanese carriers' shares and also smaller than a few other Asian carriers' shares as well. Delta is talking to JAL about an investment, although it is unclear what strategic value might accrue to Delta as a result.

Whatever Delta is seeking, American and Oneworld cannot afford to be largely squeezed out of Narita. "American would have to go to the mat to prevent it," said aviation consultant Robert Mann.

American and JAL are not only Oneworld partners, but also have a code-share, enabling them to write tickets on one another's flights. Additionally, in 2007, American moved into a JAL terminal at Narita, enabling it to reduce connect times to many JAL flights, which is critical because JAL provides a key method to carry American passengers beyond Tokyo to points in Asia.

Currently, American offers five daily round trips to Tokyo, including two from Dallas and one each from Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. It also code shares with JAL on several flights from the same gateways. From Narita, JAL serves dozens of cities in Asia.

Northwest obtained rights to fly beyond Tokyo into Asia in 1947. Delta serves Narita from seven cities in North America, Honolulu, and 14 cities in Asia.

-- Written by Ted Reed in Charlotte, N.C. .

Finance Section (section containing items with financial consequence to our group):

FINANCE: CLAIMS/PBGC/HCTC/INSURANCE/PLANNING/TAX/ESTATE 

Remaining financial items for retirees to watch: After Aug 2007 these are retirement items remaining with financial consequence. 

1. PBGC 2nd look re-calc at qualified annuity benefits - completed 8/24/07

2. PBGC make up lump payment for underpayments since termination:  most reported received 1/31/08

3. Final claim distribution by DAL through BSI - pending (now likely in '10 according to Kight)

4. Class Action suit against DAL concerning 5 yr look-back worth in excess of $100 million - withdrawn

5. Final PBGC re-calc "determination" of qualified annuity (likely after claim stock sale) - pending

6. Pension reinstatement/contribution request by DP3 representing the retired pilots. very long shot....pending

7. Roth IRA creation as per Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 - deadline June 22nd, 2009

Insurance (issues about health, life or disability that are of interest):

From: Richard ShandorDate: 9/11/2009 5:30:53 PMTo: dwskjerven@aol.comSubject: RE: 3rd Thursday Simulated ORD Delta DC-9 Layover

Hello,  My health insurance is about to get expensive. I have heard of the Health Coverage Tax Credit(HCTC) . It can be used by those of us who are getting money from the PBGC. It is applied toward Cobra payments. Have you heard of anyone using the program. Another problem for us is I have not used Cobra since retirement. Do you know when Delta opens the window for retired pilots to obtain health insurance ? Thank you for any help Richard Shandor

Editor: Richard, you may already have your answer but I publish your letter so as to be of help to others. Barb and I have been on the HCTC program for over a year. Less than $300/mo and it is “guarantee” issue. Our state (KY) uses Anthem-Blue Cross as the qualified provider and we like it. Here is a link to my old website with some links and info about the HCTC. Check under Health Insurance: http://rsp.homestead.com/RetDAL.html

Pension:

Letter expressing the opinion of Capt Kurt Brown:

Dear Judge Hardin,I am writing you on one of America’s saddest days, but not MY saddest day. That day was the day you handed down the decision granting Delta Air Lines Chapter 11 without having to pay the pensions of the Delta Pilots, the only Delta employee group so affected. Delta was able to falsely convince you that they could not reorganize successfully with our pension liability. Delta’s bankruptcy procedure is not even complete and yet they have purchased Northwest Airlines, and, through some financial miracle are able to guarantee the retired Northwest Pilots (who never flew a day for Delta) FULL pension benefits, while Delta’s own pilots receive from 0% to 26% of their pensions. Additionally, for the past 6 months Delta has paid a $100 bonus to all its US based employees ($100 x 6 x 55,000 = $33,000,000). Furthermore, as the below news article shows, Delta seems to be able to use our pension assets for yet more financial dealings. “ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines Inc. is considering making a cash infusion of a couple hundred million dollars to aid struggling Japan Airlines Corp., a person briefed on the talks said Friday (9-11-09). -------As of June 30, Delta had $5.4 billion in unrestricted liquidity, including $4.9 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and $500 million available under a line of credit. Delta said previously it expects the total figure to fall to $5 billion by the end of the third quarter, which ends Sept. 30.”

In spite of all this, Delta was able to pull the wool over your eyes and convince you that the Delta Pilots pension liability would have been overwhelming to their reorganization. Your decision has destroyed the lives of thousands of loyal Delta pilots whose 30 year careers were spent, like all airline pilots, serving the American traveling public (including judges and politicians), sometimes at their own demise (9-11-2001)!All Delta pilots lost all their undefined pension benefits and some now receive $0 in defined pension benefits from PBGC.

Not only that, but you set a dangerous precedent in bankruptcies, that filing companies can simply dump employee pension obligations onto the taxpayers’ shoulders. No employee group to date has lost as much during a bankruptcy as the Delta pilots. Because you allowed Delta this dupe, other companies will follow, making you the high (or low) watermark for such decisions. As a Democratically appointed judge how could you so viciously assault labor?Of course this is in the past and is over, but having two judges in my family, I know that bad decisions haunt those with consciences. I hope you have one and that it somehow makes your life as miserable as you have made ours.

Kurt H. Brown, CaptainRetired

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Commercial SectionInvestment (Many legitimate firms have helped our group. They are encouraged to contact PCN to add articles here):

Section reserved for future content.

Travel & Non-Revving (share a quick reco):

How I successfully changed (for Flight Secure) my travel dependants names:

Log into DeltaNet

1. Then under “Employee Info” drop down menu & click “Self Service”2. Now Click ESS

3. Now click on Travel item that applies and it will offer you the chance to name-change to match the official government ID. (didn’t see a link for spouse). Mark

_________________________________________________________________________________

Life SectionCares and Concerns:While away, I received a number of death notices. These combined notices were sent out in the email from PCN prior to this HL006.

+++++++++++++++

Thanks on behalf of our “private” Captain who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Your response to offer helpful advice was very overwhelming and I forwarded your info and encouragement to him. Thanks again, Mark

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ILLNESS

Capt Jim Wallace Update:

Thank you to Mrs. Jean Wallace for sending these updates on her husband Jim's condition.  Expressions of concern may be sent to the Wallace's at 1219 Mustang Trail, Kingwood, TX 77339, telephone 281-358-3741, jbwallace1126@embarqmail.com <mailto:jbwallace1126@embarqmail.com>  Friday, August 21, 2009

Home Again!

Dear Family and Friends, We feel the power of your prayers. That power and all the love that can only come from God and everyone of you is what enables us to do all we need to do. Jim's first treatment was tough. He couldn't seem to get his strength back. When he doesn't sleep well neither do I. So, when he rests I rest. Our kids have been so considerate and we love you so much for all you do!  Jim had his second Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) treatment on Wed. morning. They targeted the lesions not previously hit. There were lesions on both sides of his liver that were treated. There are a few small lesions in the previously treated territory that can be addressed in a subsequent session. We will go back on 9/16 for CTScans (Imaging) to reassess the liver prior to subsequent therapy. Psm. 112:7  Jim tolerated the treatment this time very well. He is weak and tired but we hope by the first of the week he will feel stronger. He hasn't had as much pain this time. We will be able to see the pictures of his liver during these treatments when we see the doctor on the 17th. In the meantime, it appears the tumors targeted the first time have shrunk. Praise God! We continue to pray that the tumors will be sensitive to the chemo and that there will be no cancer anywhere else in his body. God is faithful. Heb 10:23 Thanks to everyone who has offered a prayer on our behalf. There have been many we know. We can feel the love and power behind each one. Jim feels that power each time his prayer pager goes off. We thank God every day for each one of you. Phil 1:3-4 Your love and prayers are carrying us through a difficult and chaotic time in our lives. I thought we each had a guardian angel, but there have been hundreds encamped round about us!

And even through the chaos, God is working! One of the nurses, Jim gave a PT (personal new testament) to, came into our room the next day and asked for another one. She said one of her daughters wanted the one we gave her and she wanted one for the other daughter. We gave her two more. Another nurse wanted to know about The Gideons. 1Thes. 5:16,17-18 Much Love,Jim and Jean 

Friday, July 24, 2009

Dear Family and Friends, MDA has just got word to us that they have scheduled Jim for a new Cscan and blood work on Monday, July 28th. If scan shows no new growth and no cancer anywhere else he will be admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for the Chemoimbolization (?) which is meant to stop the growth of the cancer already in his liver and from spreading elsewhere in his body until he can get scheduled for the Chemo treatment we agreed to use to rid his liver of the cancer. We ask that you pray there is no new growth and no new cells anywhere.

We can certainly feel the power behind your prayers. We have been able to stay amazingly calm, which makes it easier to make the decisions we need to make. There are so many things to sort out and so many questions that are vital to making these decisions we need to stay calm, positive and in prayer. So far it seems to be working. Praise God.

Thanks to all for understanding our position right now. We look forward to taking your calls and visiting with you soon. Meantime, we will keep you posted and please keep us in your prayers. God is faithful. Prov 3:5&6 Under Grace,  Jim & Jean jbwallace1126@embarqmail.com <mailto:jbwallace1126@embarqmail.com>

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Dear Family and Friends, As most of you know Jim had a biopsy of his liver last week. The bx came back positive.

On Monday we received the dreaded news. The tumor is melanoma. We made our way today along with several family members to meet with the doctor and team we will be seeing for treatment. He explained to us that 90% of ocular eye melanoma goes to your liver. Unfortunately it travels through your blood stream. This means a liver transplant is not an option as the cells are already in his blood stream.  He actually has 3 lesions, all in different areas of his liver. The largest one is malignant. The other two are suspicious. None of these lesions showed up on the Cscan done in February.  We were given several options. Dr Bedikian suggested a treatment plan for us, which we have decided to go with. We are waiting for MDA to set us up for another Cscan to see if there are any changes or any cancer cells any where else. If not, once the treatment procedure is scheduled, they will schedule the Cscan and if the cancer is contained in the liver we will proceed with the first treatment.

This treatment is meant to keep the cancer from growing or moving until they can get him scheduled to do the treatment to rid his liver of the cancer. Apparently the next opening for this is in five weeks. In the meantime we covet your prayers. We don't know what all God has planned in our lives, but we know our lives are in His hand and that is reassuring.

Thanks to all of you that have already emailed us and sent cards and for all the prayers.  Some of you have walked through this experience yourselves and I'm sure you remember  the horrible feeling that suddenly everything is changed yet everything is the same.We will communicate through email whenever we have anything new to report. In His Love,  Jim & Jean  Ps 57:1

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Misc Posts:Help Request:From: Tom BrennisonDate: 9/12/2009 11:31:37 AMTo: Mark SztanyoSubject: Social Security Application Mark, If you or any of your subscribers know the answer to this question, would you please pass it along to me? 

On the application to begin Social Security, under the "Military Details" column, there is the following question:  Receiving or eligible to receive military or civilian Federal agency benefit:  The answers are either Yes or NO.  Since I am receiving the remnants of my pension from Delta from the PBGC; the PBGC being a Federal agency, do I mark YES ?  I know this sounds silly but I don't want to make a mistake that will cost me even more.I appreciate your help.Thanks, Tom BrennisonCaptain, retired

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Jim Neal   jjnace@aol.comIssue Area GeneralRe the recent prostate question. Currently the Illness Section is either bad info about good friends or a precursor to the Obit Section. The pilot community is generally populated with those who were selected to be leaders and who frequently do not turn to outsiders for advise or help. Even with many medical websites available, I'll bet this continues to be true. If PCN's Illness section were modified to encourage the discussion of medical problems/ solutions or leads, I think there are some in our ranks who could be helped by those with similar medical experiences and professional life stylyes. This could also be done in a separate blog with on going threads for different medical problems and protocols. I appreciate reading PCN's articles about an industry we can no longer affect and pensions we can no longer spend, but I can control my health.

Editor: Good suggestion. It is under advisement. Our private prostate inquisitor got a slew of responses that I personally forwarded on. Jim has a good point but maybe a branch effort could be started. Stay tuned.

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Volunteer Pilots Available?From: LaVonne Lindquist < lavonlin@bellsouth.net > To: Sue Zino Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 5:30 PMSubject:  Animal Rescue Flights (ARF)

HI Sue, I heard Neal Boortz talking about this last night (http://www.animalrescueflights.org/).  They are looking for volunteer pilots to fly animals.  Could/would you send to your contact Delta pilot for his awareness.  Maybe we can save some animals. Thanks,  LaVonne

Human Interest:From: Phillip Sain <psain1@bellsouth.net>Subject: USO Phone CardsTo: David Roberts <robertsDL@mindspring.com> Dear Dave,I don't know how to express my gratitude to you and all the wonderfulpeople that have donated money for the USO phone cards.  I alsoappreciate all the kind notes that came with the checks.  Many of youhave or have had family in the military and know what a sacrificethese young men and women make for us. Your generosity was overwhelming.  The total donated is $2,470.00. With this money, and thehelp of Pat Barron , USO coordinators from my church, we were able topurchase 570 Phone cards, yes,  I said 570 phone cards!!  Pat and Iare going to give the cards to Ms. Mary Lou Austin , President &Chief Professional Officer at the Atlanta USO  next Tuesday.  Thesoldiers coming through Atlanta will be receiving them immediately.God Bless,Phil Sain767 Capt. Ret.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Mark,This was on the West Point parents site. It is moving. I thought that our retired and active pilots, most with military backgrounds, would also find the sacrifice of one young man more powerful than the headlines others' consider significant.

Jean Marie Cinottoactive flight attendant/spouse of retired Capt. Gary Cinotto

A Heroic Death, Without the Headlines

    Links to this article<http://www.sphere.com/search?q=sphereit:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/29/AR2009082902014.html> 

By Scene And Heard

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Marine Capt. Matthew Freeman made his last trip across the U.S. NavalAcademy in the company of friends the other day.

Yes, there were admirals and generals, colonels and majors, captains of theNavy and the Marines among the hundreds who joined him. But there aremoments when the strictures of rank are loosened by the greater bond ofbrotherhood. This was one of them.

Four thousand and seventy-four days had passed since Matt arrived here as akid, had his head shaved and was sworn in as a Navy midshipman. Two thousandsix hundred and fifty-one days had gone by since he hurled his hat into theair at graduation and became a Marine. It had been 47 days since he marriedTheresa, his high school sweetheart, and 34 days since he headed toAfghanistan.

And it was just 19 days after he led his men onto a rooftop that providedthe only high ground in a nasty firefight with the Taliban in a hamlet in arugged, desolate northeastern province.

The morning he came back to the Naval Academy was a Wednesday, but it willstick in your memory as the day you heard that Ted Kennedy had died and theweek when you learned that someone might have killed Michael Jackson. Thepolitician and the entertainer of their generations, they were lionized bymany and scorned by some. One pleaded guilty, the other was found innocent.But they each died with an indelible asterisk, a footnote to their legaciesthat time will not erase.

Matt Freeman died clean.

His life and death played out that sunny morning in the chapel at theAcademy and as the long cortege made its way on foot across the Yard to whatwould be his final resting place. The words they found for him were devotionto his Maker, loyalty beyond what most men possess and grim courage in theend. Marine sentries in dress blue snapped into salute as he passed. Therewas a band. Flags flew.

Nine days earlier, when his body came home to a small town in Georgia, threecreeks south of Savannah, people lined the route, waving paper flags.Children drew signs of tribute on cardboard. Mothers cried. You can find itall on the Internet, of course. All that, and a lot more about how he livedand how he died. You will discover, most of all, why people loved him.

It is the business of generals to calibrate the magnitude of a man'scourage. They are not to be envied the task, and many of them learned itsmeasure by testing their own guts on the battlefield.

Theresa rose from her pew in the chapel to accept Matt's Bronze Star, thefifth in the hierarchy of combat medals awarded Marines. He died on amission for which he volunteered, in a province far from home, leading meninto battle. Pinned down and receiving a "heavy volume" of enemy fire, the

medal citation says, he rose up and led his men into a mud-brick house,cleared it of the enemy, "was the first to reach the rooftop" where he"spotted an enemy rocket-propelled grenade gunman and immediately killed him. . . and began to engage while under fire."

His best friend told the mourners, "He would want you to know that he wentdown swinging."

There were a dozen Marine captains in dress blue in the overflowing pews ofthe chapel. Marines may blink hard a few times, but they don't cry. Theirmothers and widows cry for them.

In the week when they laid a young Marine captain to rest, the news wasdominated by the death of a politician and the echo from an entertainer'sdeath. The flag-draped coffin on the front page was not his, but if you lookcarefully in the paper this week you will see a small picture of MattFreeman among the faces of those who have fallen recently in battle.

He did not live long enough to become an the icon of Kennedy or Jackson, buthe died the greater hero.

-- Ashley Halsey III, staff writer

Good Read (Please share a quick reco about a good book you just read):

Event Announcements (Many apologizes for the bad link posted here. Note: the calendar is new and is not completely posted yet. I have been out of town. To view the PCN calendar of events, Click here: http://pcn.homestead.com/Calendar.html ):

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60th Bum Group Lunch - Wednesday September 16th New Location – Same Tradition

http://www.60thbumgroup.info/

Mark your calendar – Be ThereYou will be missed if you don’t make it!Everyone wants to see your smiling face!

Golden CorralGrapevine TXNext to Grapevine Mills Mall2605 E. Grapevine Mills Circle, Grapevine.  Phone Number: 817-874-7900.

The below will take you to maps showing the location of the Golden Corral

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Golden+Corral+Grapevine+TX&ie=UTF8&cd=1&ll=32.967627,-97.039318&spn=0.181177,0.33165&z=12

http://maps.google.com/maps?

f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Golden+Corral+Grapevine+TX&ie=UTF8&cd=1&ll=32.965269,-97.038653&spn=0.011324,0.020728&z=16

Good Deal/Bad Deal (Share a quick good deal or bad deal you have found – no commercials here!)

Apparently Verizon STILL Gives a DAL Discount:

From: StanFranksDate: 8/31/2009 12:46:42 AMTo: misc@pilotcommunication.netSubject: Verizon Discount I was just reading about the denial of Verizon discounts for DAL employees/retirees....I signed up yesterday 8/29/2009 and received 20%on my base billing, which provides me with $ 17/month discount.....;The folks [all 3 of them] spent probably 30 minutes researching thisand finally found the Delta Code:  It is: 90961 and once they found out the code, it took about 2 minutes to input the date.Verizon now requires a copy of a pay stub.....Since I was retired, I told them that I have Direct Deposit, and that I could go homeand get a copy from my Credit Union . . . but when I showed them my "Pass Card" they accepted that, along with my drivers licenseas proof of who I was....Good Luck, stan

Hangar Flying (Share a bit of ole hangar flying with the net) :

Old Aviators and Old Airplanes..... (Thanks Tom) This is a good  little story about a vivid memory of a P-51 and its pilot by a fellow who was 12 years old in Canada in 1967.

It was noon on a Sunday as I recall, the day a Mustang P-51 was to take

to the air. They said it had flown  in during the night from some U.S.

airport, the pilot had been tired.  I marveled at the size of the plane dwarfing

the Pipers and Canucks tied down by her.  It was much larger than in the

movies. She glistened in the sun like a bulwark of security from days gone by.

The pilot arrived by cab, paid the driver, and then stepped into the flight

lounge. He was an older man; his wavy hair was gray and tossed.

Looked like it might have been combed, say, around the turn of the

century.  His flight jacket was checked, creased and worn - it smelled old

and genuine. Old Glory was prominently sewn to its shoulders. He projected a quiet

air of proficiency and pride devoid of arrogance. He filed a quick flight plan to

 Montreal (Expo-67, Air Show) then walked across the tarmac.

After taking several minutes to perform his walk-around check the pilot

returned to the flight lounge to ask if anyone would be available to stand

by with fire extinguishers while he "flashed the old bird up, just to be safe."

Though only 12 at the time I was allowed to stand by with an extinguisher

after brief instruction on its use -- "If you see a fire, point, then pull

this lever!"  I later became a firefighter, but that's another story.

The air around the exhaust manifolds shimmered like a mirror from

fuel fumes as the huge prop started to rotate.  One manifold, then

another, and yet another barked -- I stepped back with the others. In moments the

Packard-built Merlin engine came to life with a thunderous roar, blue flames knifed

from her manifolds.  I looked at the others' faces, there was no concern.  I lowered the

      bell of my extinguisher. One of the guys signaled to walk back to the lounge.  We did.

Several minutes later we could hear the pilot doing his pre flight run-up.

He'd taxied t o the end of runway 19, out of sight.  All went quiet for

several seconds; we raced from the lounge to the second story deck to see if we

could catch a glimpse of the P-51 as she started down the runway.  We could not.

There we stood, eyes fixed to a spot half way down 19.  Then a roar ripped

across the field, much louder than before, like a furious hell spawn set

loose---something mighty this way was coming.  "Listen to that thing!"

said the controller.  In seconds the Mustang burst into our line of

sight. Its tail was already off and it was moving faster than anything

I'd ever seen by that point on 19.  Two-thirds the way down 19 the Mustang was

airborne with her gear going up.  The prop tips were supersonic; we clasped our

ears as the Mustang climbed hellish fast into the circuit to be eaten up by the dog-day haze.

We stood for a few moments in stunned silence trying to digest what

we'd just seen.  The radio controller rushed by me to the radio. " Kingston tower

calling Mustang?" He looked back to us as he waited for an acknowledgment.

The radio crackled, "Go ahead Kingston ."  "Roger Mustang. Kingston tower

would like to advise the circuit is clear for a low level pass."  I stood in

shock because the controller had, more or less, just asked the pilot to

return for an impromptu air show!

The controller looked at us. "What?" He asked. "I can't let that guy go

without asking.  I couldn't forgive myself!"

The radio crackled once again, " Kingston , do I have permission for a

low level pass, east to west, across the field?"  "Roger Mustang, the

circuit is clear for an east to west pass."  "Roger, Kingston,

I'm coming out of 3000 feet, stand by."

We rushed back onto the second-story deck, eyes fixed toward

the eastern haze.  The s sound was subtle at first, a high-pitched whine,

a muffled screech, a distant scream. Moments later the P-51 burst through

the haze. Her airframe straining against positive Gs and gravity, wing tips

spilling contrails of condensed air, prop-tips again supersonic as the

burnished bird blasted across the eastern margin of the field shredding and

tearing the air.

At about 400 mph and 150 yards from where we stood she

passed with the old American pilot saluting.  Imagine.  A

salute!  I felt like laughing, I felt like crying, she glistened, she

screamed, the building shook, my heart pounded.

Then the old pilot pulled her up and rolled, and rolled, and rolled out of

sight into the broken clouds and indelibly into my memory.

I've never wanted to be an American more than on that

day.  It was a time when many nations in the world looked to

America as their big brother, a steady and even-handed beacon of security who

navigated difficult political water with grace and style; not unlike the pilot who'd

just flown into my memory.

He was proud, not arrogant, humble, not a braggart, old and honest,

projecting an aura of America at its best. That America will return one day, I know it will.

Until that time, I'll just send off this story; call it a reciprocal

salute, to the old American pilot who wove a memory for a young Canadian

that's lasted a lifetime.

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(Thanks Robert),Someone has done a great job of compiling vintage airline and aircraft pictures and showing them to a moving soundtrack by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. This is especially nostalgic to those who worked for or dealt with Eastern, Pan Am, TWA and others in our youth.  Enjoy!!! http://www.funstufftosee.com/goodbye.html

Enjoy the pictures. The nostalgia is great. The ending point is a bit of a question mark. Mark

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Space Shuttle Landing - A Cockpit View   

Shuttle Landing - A View from the Cockpit

For the non flying friends the following is information that should help understand what is going on and what to look for...

The video attached to this file is an impressive cockpit view of the landing of a space shuttle at Edwards AFB, California to Runway 22 (southwest direction). The view is through the cockpit window with a HUD (Head Up Display) superimposed in front of the window. The HUD makes it possible for the astronaut to look out of the space shuttle yet have the relevant information to fly and land in the space shuttle altitude, speed, on course or not, wings level, etc. (no need to glance down at his instruments).

The video opens with the space shuttle flying in an easterly direction in preparation to land. There is some light conversation among the crew about a cloud cover - an undercast. You will see the undercast (clouds) at the bottom of the picture with the atmosphere giving off a faint color differentiation and then the darkening shades of blue to dark space.

One crewmember is backing up the flying astronaut by reminding him of the next events - important because there is little to no room for error as the space shuttle is one giant glider with no chance to add power or go around.

Just short of 3 minutes into the video one crewmember gives the flying astronaut a point when he should start a right turn for the runway. At about 3:10 in the video the astronaut is told he has the needle centered referring to being on course. At about 3:46 the astronaut is told he is at the 90 referencing the point in the pattern where he is to make a final 90 degree turn to line up with the runway.

Soon after the astronaut calls: "Yeah - we have the runway". Look at the upper right corner of the video to see the runway come into view. (The runway is 16,500 feet of cement - 3.5 miles long.)

The height above the runway makes for a steep descent by commercial airline operations - it is a 19-degree glide slope. A typical airline flies a 2.5 to 3 degree glide slope. Notice how fast the shuttle passes through altitudes and the high approach speed 200 knots.

At one point the flying astronaut makes the point that the wind is greater than anticipated and he knows that could make a difference in the remaining energy to land.Very, very Cool!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxGeo0ec-F4

Humor & Fun (Share some “vulgarity free” humor with the net):

Re the Foster Brooks/ Dean Martin Video. (Thanks Jim Neal jjnace@aol.com ) One night, deep in the last century when the Stretch-8 was the queen of our fleet and the Dean Martin show was riding high in the TV ratings, Foster Brooks was riding with us to Las Vegas. Near the end of boarding, he unobtrusively got behind the first-class wind screenand made arrangements to do the voice portion of the boarding demo, while flight attendants did their usual in the aisle. His first words were in a normal voice and no one paid attention. As he read on, his stage-act drunken voice took over and eyes began to look up. By the end of the P.A. he was unintelligible and every semi-terrified wide-eye was glued to the flight attendants. After a brief pause he stepped out so all the passengers could see him. The always blase Las Vegas crowd realized who had gotten them to pay attention and responded by giving him a standing-O.

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Mark Sztanyo Retired B767 Capt., CVGPilot Communication NetContact the Net

 

Life on earth will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last!

Serving the Delta community, and pilots (active and retired) and their families, including original Delta, and former: Northeast, Pan-Am, Western, NWA, Republic, North-Central, Southern Airways, Hughes- Airwest,  and all the Delta

Connection carriers.

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Delta Extra Net Portal -http://dlnet.delta.com/  Delta Museum & Fly-in information - http://www.deltamuseum.org 

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Delta Golden Wings - http://www.deltagoldenwings.com/ Delta Retiree Connection - http://www.dlretiree.info

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