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"We are the protagonists of our stories called life, and there is no limit to how high we can fly."


PHD. MBA. MHS. Type rated on A350, A330, B777, B747-400, B747-200, B757, B767, B737, B727. International Airline Pilot / Author / Speaker. Dedicated to giving the gift of wings to anyone following their dreams. Supporting Aviation Safety through training, writing, and inspiration. Fighting for Aviation Safety and Airline Employee Advocacy. Safety Culture and SMS change agent.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Monday Motivation: As it Should Be

"Life is a test, and sometimes we have to do a retake."
 

Bidding:

There was a bid for an equipment change, and I actually rebid to fly the 747-400 out of Detroit. 23 years and 8 airlines to get home, then I bid out. Go figure. There were numerous reasons to do such, but...

I FAILED BIDDING. 

I was questioning my decision during the final hour, and as it turned out I bid incorrectly. I could have had it, but didn't get it. Life is a test. I'll have to retake this one. For now... I'm staying on the A330.



The Journey:

I am having a great trip so far. Back in Amsterdam. The first time around I got to have a wonderful visit with An. Then had a fun adventure of testing four fine different dining establishments in Portland. I'm flying with a great Captain and each leg we've had a really fun and talented third pilot to join us.

First leg into AMS I got the landing and kicked off the Auto-thrust and Auto-pilot as planned, and all went well. The A330 really is just an airplane. Then I had a takeoff out of AMS. Hopefully tomorrow there will be another landing into Minneapolis. 

I'm not getting much writing done... but I am learning some interesting things about my airplane, gathering plot points for my novel, and laughing a lot. Now... Time to nap. 

Has Life Tested you Lately?  

Don't worry. If you fail, maybe you can do a retake, too.

Enjoy the Journey! 

XOX Karlene

23 comments:

  1. As it should be--a great philosophy, and sometimes one of the hardest to accept calmly. Life does seem to prove it to be true, though. Sorry you lost your bid for the 747-400? I know you love that airplane (who wouldn't?), but Detroit would have been challenging.

    Yes, life has tested me lately. I love how things keep coming at us, including things we think we've already covered in our personal growth, and we just keep getting chances to grow.

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    1. Linda, I am so sorry for the life tests. Yes, that dang growth thing. Perhaps we just didn't learn our lesson so we get to do it again?? I hope whatever this is, shall pass easily. And, if I were in country and it wasn't 6 am I would call. Thanks for the comment. Talk to you soon!

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  2. That's the beauty of life, there is always a chance for a retake. It just may not look like we thought it would. Perhaps fate is just telling you that you needed more time with the A330. :)

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    1. Yes, I suspect fate was giving me a little message here. Either: don't screw up bidding. Or be on the A330 longer. lol. It is the beauty of life for sure.

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  3. Ditto on Linda's comment! It's all good and we will get another chance because it comes back at us.

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    1. Yes... I agree. It's all good! Hope you had a great weekend!

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  4. Karlene san!!wow!! 747-400 pilot is everyone's dream!!I am very sure next time you will bid for her.Please keep going further forward,and share great news to the world!
    Each lesson,and flights means test to me.I cannot like to fail,but I learned a lot especially from failure.I think because of terrible feeling why I make this ridiculous mistake,and I don't wanna experience this feeling.Last time you advised me that Good! I messed that one up and learned. I love this saying!
    Have a great day,
    Warm regards,
    Jun

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    1. Thank you for your comment Jun. Yes, we all make mistakes, but then we can learn from them. It is a terrible feeling when we make mistakes, but always look toward the lesson learned. You keep learning, and all will be great! Thanks for your comment Jun!

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  5. Doesn't life test us every day?

    I didn't know you had bid for the 744, which would have been awesome! But the 330 isn't too bad, either ;-)
    Actually, I am flying in to New York City on the 330 in November for the book club :-) Couldn't think of anything more appropriate - I'll be arriving in style :)

    How many more trips do you have now? Back to MSP, then CDG and then Cyprus? Hard to keep up with you jetting around all the time ;-) Have a lovely week! XOXO

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    1. Oh... How exciting! I am so glad you're coming. I'm in AMS. MSP tomorrow. CDG. MSP. SEA. Then AMS. LCA. Yes, too much jetting around. Then I'll be home on the 4th to sit reserve on the 5th. Time to rest. Looking forward to seeing you!

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  6. Life test us every single day.

    I'm sorry for your bidding loss. But I'll tell you something: It will come back, maybe even better. When something has to go right, tailwinds will help you and everything will end fine! Life is like that, opportunities never stop appearing.

    Life is always testing me. I believe the obstacles that destination puts on my life are going to help me on my career, on my strength, on my maturity, and will keep teaching me all the time. We will fail a lot. With every failure, a new experience is being taught.

    Fail is and it isn't bad. It depends on your perspective.

    The A330 is a great plane. One of the most technologically advanced airplanes in the world. The B747-400 will come back again ;)

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    1. Alex, so true. Everything comes in time. Sometimes we think we want something and life tells us it isn't time. The A330 is a great plane and maybe we need to spend a little more time together before we part. As I do know one thing I need to do first... and that will come.
      Thanks for the comment Alex.
      Yes... life is just a great big school.

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  7. Karlene, was the bid permenant move over to the 744 or just for that trip? One of my greatest joys would be to see you rejoin the 744.

    Yes, life is a test. For me it is a second by second test, never ending. To do what is right, safe, and sometimes I have to do things that I do not want to do, but they have to be done.

    I will say this, the loss of the 744 bid is nothing to worry about. It's what makes you stronger. And I am rest assured that a jetway will lead you down to an even bigger cabin door. Perhaps to a 787..

    Looking forward to your return home and more pics.

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    1. Permanent. Thank you so much Jeremy. You're right... more things on the horizon. The 744 would have been great to go back to, but there is something to be said for being able to walk to work. All is good. And the timing will come again.

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  8. Karlene, you need to come back to the -400 just for the frame of mind. Island time, umbrella drinks, and toes in the sand. Life is good. We'll be waiting for you!

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    1. Okay... thanks. I'm liking the sound of all of that! Looking forward to coming back. :)

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  9. Ever notice how paperwork keeps us from our dreams...?

    Tim (Back to 8DME_W_Ord for a week)

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  10. Hi Karlene,

    I was wondering if you wouldn't mind explaining a little about the bidding process if you have the time.
    I'm curious about the amount of control that airline pilots have over their weekly schedules and the routes they fly, as well as the type of plane flown.

    Thanks so much.

    Keith

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  11. Hi Keith, it's all about seniority. Those who are more senior, have more control. So... each pilot bids on what plane they want to fly and what base. If there is a spot available, they get it. Most companies have a 2-3 year requirement that once you are checked out, you stay on that plane. Training is expensive, and the pilot is not productive during that time. So it makes sense to have you fly for a bit.

    For monthly bidding... that is company dependent. So companies make you bid either block holder or reserve. Then, that's all you bid. Block holder you get a block of flying. Reserve, you are on call.

    Other companies, you may bid block one month, and then if you want reserve, then you bid it the next month.

    Which is best? Depends on the company. Some reserve (domestic) will fly more on reserve than on block. Other reserves (international) may rarely fly.

    If you are a senior block holder, you get your choice of trips and go where you want. If you are a junior block holder, you have no choice.

    For me... I bid for days I need and want off. If I can get a line with those days off... yay! If I can't, then I get reserve with those days off. But normally I'm on reserve and fly on holidays and summer.

    The big thing is seniority with all this.

    I hope this helped.

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  12. Thanks for answering, Karlene. When you say you're on reserve, does that mean that you have no set schedule of days that you will be flying?

    Hope I'm not being a nuisance!

    Keith

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    1. Hi Keith, Sorry for that. Yes, reserve means you wait by the phone (cell ;) for a trip. Now... this is so much easier while flying an international plane. There are usually only a couple flights that depart daily. Whereas domestic, there are many. Thus, while on reserve on my plane, I don't fly that often. Reserve on my girlfriends plane, East coast, narrow body, she flies all the time.

      Excellent question.

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    2. Thanks so much! The life of an airline pilot intrigues me and I enjoy learning these little insights.

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