[427TJ]

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hope you feel better after letting that all out too?

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Hey, it needed to be said! (Yes, I feel better now, thanks Pete.)

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If these characters aren't screened, shouldn't your pilot's union threaten to strike unless something changes?

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If the union mounted a serious protest perhaps something might be done but it is a highly charged political issue. Make too much noise about foreign ramp workers and you can be labled "intolerant." Make too much noise about TSA/airport security procedures and you can be labeled as "aiding the terrorists." Airlines were dead-set against their pilots carrying guns (air marshall program) but the public was on our side. The word among us is that if a pilot shoots someone trying to take-over the airplane then you'd better kill them. Otherwise the lawsuits against the airline could be crippling.

With anti-union sentiment running high these days our union has to be very careful about which fights it chooses to engage in. There are powerful anti-union interests that would be happy as hell to watch us twist in the wind over an issue that gets spun out of our control. Sounds good to screen these foreign ramp workers, right? Well, the opposition to tighter screening and background checks (that cost money--get it?) would spin it as though we were being "intolerant" or "anti-business" or whatever. The union can't afford a massive media campaign required to fight-off such unwarranted charges so we have to pick our fights carefully. It will probably take another horrific event such as 9-11 to get anything done. It's called "tombstone regulation." Someone has to die before anything gets done.

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On a better thought, how's it feel tooling around w/10,000 HP on tap?

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Nothing like it. We usually use reduced power (not maximum thrust) on takeoff to save engine wear but occasionally we use the full rated thrust. On a cold day and a light load the jet will climb like a homesick angel. Remember, there is always a terrified passenger on every flight so max-power takeoffs must be performed smoothly. No yank-and-bank stuff! A max-power takeoff, properly and smoothly done, usually elicits positive comments from the passengers upon arrival.

I did a ferry flight from Oakland to Phoenix one night, just us two pilots in a new 737-700 (kinda' like the "427 Cobra" of 737s). We did a max-power takeoff with a very light airplane and the tower controller basically shouted "WOW" into our headsets as we lifted off and climbed out. Got the nose up to about 30 degrees of pitch and let'er eat for about 5,000 feet. Then lower the nose and accelerate to climb speed and we were up to 41,000 in no time flat, basically circling Oakland as we climbed. What a rush.