Pilot Language... It's not Greek!

A very short layover and another departure out of Amsterdam. But today, I was the DHing crewmember. 

And as promised... the key to demystifying pilot language.

DH:  Deadhead  (DHing: Deadheading)

• The act of giving up our seat with a view to be the food and movie critic in Business Class…. For me a great time to catch up on my reading and writing. 
• Nice duty at full pay.
• The art of moving a pilot from one city to the next, to pick up somebody else’s trip.
• The ability to avoid Detroit if at all possible.

 PM: Pilot Monitoring

• Pilot doing all the work while the other pilot does the takeoff and landing.

 PF:  Pilot Flying

• Pilot having all the fun… while the other pilot works the radios.

 Junior FO: Me!

• The person who will do the walk around in the rain, hail and snow.

 Walk Around:

• Exterior preflight, sometimes known as ‘kicking the tires.’ This procedure is done differently by women. We no longer kick tires… we touch them to see how they’re feeling. ;)

 Reserve: 

• The act of working on my novel, exercising, reading, sleeping and waiting for the phone call to fly.                                                  

DTW: Detroit

• A four and a half hour flight from Seattle, 3 time zones, and my home away from home until December!

MSP: Minneapolis

• The resting place of NWA, and the new Delta north training center.

ACC: Accra Ghana

• West Africa, home of malaria and lockdown in the hotel.

FCO: Rome

• Fountains, romance and red wine.

AMS: Amsterdam

• Canals, museums, and anything goes.

ATH: Athens

• Ancient ruins filled with inspiration and magic. 

SEA: Seattle

• There is no place like home!