Tour of Duty 29th March 2008 to 3rd May 2008
Part I: 29th March to 6th April
It was time to hit the road and I got word about a truck from Oakland, CA to Edmonton, AB. I finally got word the truck was ready and after tying up some loose ends, I got a hold on a ticket on Southwest SNA-OAK and got transport to SNA.
There was a line inside and I waited to pay for the ticket (cash) and checked bags which weighed 45.5 pounds and 40.5 pounds. I then cleared security and there was no secondary screening. There was a longer line for ID check as opposed to the line for the metal detectors. My boot bag was examined by hand.
Southwest #871 SNA-OAK B-737-700 Seat 22A Boarding Pass B49 Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:00, actual 1:03 Scheduled departure 11h30, actual 11h36 Scheduled arrival 12h50, actual 12h51 Ticket cost: $130.50
Plane was nearly full with load of 131 or 132 out of 137 seats occupied. The middle seat next to me was open. Announcement was made it was 54F with low overcast at OAK.
Pushback was 6 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 6 minutes and takeoff to the west. I saw Fashion Island, Corona del Mar then went over the Pacific Ocean and turned north. There were some clouds over the ocean. Landfall was at 0:14 while drink order was taken, I saw the Malibu area with Oxnard to the distance partially blocked by clouds. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:18 as I got pretzels. I saw mountains, the San Joaquin Valley and more clouds. I thought I felt descent begin at 0:38 and seatbelt sign went on at 0:46. Clouds were thicker and descent was announced as we were going through 18,000 at 0:47 and it was 53F at OAK. I saw the Dumbarton and San Mateo Bridges and we landed south to north. Taxi was 5 minutes and we arrived at gate 30 one minute late. I got my bags 22-23 minutes after arrival.
The customer came and picked me up and I got the truck. The truck was a cab and chassis of a garbage truck and though it was a 2000 model Volvo it looked much older due to wear and tear and the inside was trashed so it looked like a pig sty inside. During inspection I found that the drivers side door would not lock/unlock from the outside.
Trip: Oakland, CA to Edmonton, AB 1,721 actual miles Routes: Interstate 880 to Interstate 80 to US93 to Interstate 84 to Interstate 86 to Interstate 15 to Alberta 4 to Alberta 3 to Alberta 2 to Alberta 216 Maximum elevation: 7,227 feet at Donner Summit on Interstate 80 about 30 miles west of the CA/NV state line Permits needed: Trip Permits for ID and MT
I got started and fueled up at the 49er Truckstop in Sacramento. Diesel was $4.099/gallon. The 49er is the only full-service truckstop left on Interstate 80in California. I then ate dinner at the Silver Skillet restaraunt and elected to proceed east. I elected to shut down for the night in Colfax, CA in the Sierra foothills.
Next day was Sunday and I had directions to Calvary Chapel of Truckee, CA. I aborted plans to attend service as I saw "NO TRUCKS" signs prominently displayed at the high school where the church held Sunday service. I proceeded to the Reno area and ended up attending Lighthouse Baptist in Reno and got there late due to getting directions. Sunday evening I attended Lighthouse Baptist in Winnemucca, NV and the message was on Victory in the Christian Life. You can't have victory without a fight or at least a test was the main point of the sermon. I fueled up at the Flying J in Winnemucca where diesel was $3.909/gallon, the lowest on this trip. I saw a few flurries and decided to call it a night in Winnemucca and it was a good thing I did as there was more snow farther east.
Next day I headed east. I saw downtown Wells, NV was cordoned off because of destruction from the earthquake that hit a few weeks earlier. Temperature got down to 19F in Twin Falls, ID the next night. I went over Monida Pass into Montana and shut down in Dillon where I paid $60.99 at the Super 8. There were some snow flurries between Butte and Helena but the snow did not stick. I attended midweek service at Heritage Baptist Church in Great Falls, MT. The message was on Psalm 35:1-14. I met a man I had not seen for about 20 years then proceeded to Conrad, MT where I called it a night.
Next day I fueled up at the Pilot in Shelby, MT where diesel sold for
$3.999/gallon. Then I proceeded to the border at Sweetgrass, MT/Coutts, AB. I went to US Customs and got the title cleared. Then I crossed the border. I was not sent to Immigration but there were some sorts of paperwork issues that the broker had to work through and that cost me a few hours. After the broker I went to Customs where things went quicker and I was finally cleared. I stopped in Ft. MacLeod where I took some pictures then continued to Claresholm where I called it a night.
Next day I continued through Calgary and there were a couple areas of precipitation south of Red Deer and some rain in Leduc. I checked into the Airport Motel in Leduc and offloaded almost all of my gear. Then I continued to Edmonton where I made delivery.
The customer appeared to be surprised that I made it. Minutes after I completed delivery flakes of snow started falling. A local person who I shall not name graciously gave me transport back to the Airport Motel but only after buying me a late supper at Tim Hortons.
Next morning it was -5C (23F) and snowing when I woke up. I checked out of motel at 11h00 and got shuttle to the airport. The company booked me on West Jet going to Hamilton, ON with connection in Calgary as the next run was to be from Burlington, ON to the Philadelphia area. I had all kinds of time to kill so I did not check in right away but finished up some paperwork. After I finally checked in I cleared security and my briefcase was hand searched.
West Jet #74 YEG-YYC B-737-700 Seat 12A Exit Row Cruising altitude not given Estimated flying time 0:34, actual 0:27 Scheduled departure 16h40, actual 16h57 Scheduled arrival 17h25, actual 17h35
Plane was mostly but not totally full. There were no seatback television monitors. There was more legroom in the exit row. Pushback was 17 minutes late folowed by taxi/hold of 5 minutes followed by takeoff to the southeast. Weather was clearing and I saw Highway 2 and the snow-covered prairies. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:03. Due to short duration of flight only covee and water were offered. Descent started at 0:08. Weather was 4C (39F) and cloudy in Calgary. Seatbelt sign went on at 0:13 and there were bumps. Landing was north to south and taxi was 6 minutes. We arrived 10 minutes late at gate D50.
West Jet #222 YYC-YHM B-737-700 Seat 12F Exit Row Cruising altitude 41,000 feet Estimated flying time 3:19, actual 3:13 Scheduled departure 18h20, actual 18h38 Scheduled arrival 23h58, actual 00h05 +1 Ticket cost: unknown
I had exit row again and the exit row was allowed to preboard. Boarding stopped and announcement was made an oil leak was found and a ground run on left engine was done for 5 minutes and passengers already on board were told to stay seated with belts fastened. Announcement came that maintenance gave the thumbs up so boarding resumed. Plane was not very full so I had empty seat next to me. Announcement was made temperature was 9C at YHM.
Pushback was 18 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 9 minutes and takeoff to the south. I saw downtown Calgary immediately after takeoff. It looked like there was some precipitation in the area. Announcement was made there were movies available for $5.99 plus GST. Turn was made to east and seatbelt sign went off at 0:11. Buy on Board was offered at 0:21 and I got Chicken Caeser Sandwich for $6 plus Lindt Chocolate Bar for $2. A drink run followed and I got cup of soda.
Highest actual altitude was about a little over 40,000 feet not the 41,000 announced/ We passed just north of Moose Jaw and south of Regina, SK. It was getting darker as we progressed over Saskatchewan and almost dark over Manitoba. We flew over the northeast corner of North Dakota, northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan before crossing into Ontario. This was the first time I recall crossing US airspace on an intra-Canada flight. At 1:52 we passed just north of Duluth, MN. At 1:55 there was another drink run and I got cup of soda and pretzels or cookies were offered. We passed just north of Saginaw, MI and there was a water run at about 2:45. I felt descent begin at 2:50 and saw the Port Huron/Sarnia area with the Detroit area farther to the distance. At 2:57 announcement was made wind was 12km/hour from the south with broken clouds and 5C
(41F) at YHM. Seatbelt sign went on at 3:00 just after a bump. Seatback TV went off during descent. We landed and taxi was 4 minutes and we arrived 7 minutes late. We disembarked by stairs from the front exit and walked directly into bag reclaim. I got my bags 17 minutes after arrival and hired a taxi to take me to the Bell Motel in Burlington where I spent the night.
Part I: 29th March to 6th April
It was time to hit the road and I got word about a truck from Oakland, CA to Edmonton, AB. I finally got word the truck was ready and after tying up some loose ends, I got a hold on a ticket on Southwest SNA-OAK and got transport to SNA.
There was a line inside and I waited to pay for the ticket (cash) and checked bags which weighed 45.5 pounds and 40.5 pounds. I then cleared security and there was no secondary screening. There was a longer line for ID check as opposed to the line for the metal detectors. My boot bag was examined by hand.
Southwest #871 SNA-OAK B-737-700 Seat 22A Boarding Pass B49 Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:00, actual 1:03 Scheduled departure 11h30, actual 11h36 Scheduled arrival 12h50, actual 12h51 Ticket cost: $130.50
Plane was nearly full with load of 131 or 132 out of 137 seats occupied. The middle seat next to me was open. Announcement was made it was 54F with low overcast at OAK.
Pushback was 6 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 6 minutes and takeoff to the west. I saw Fashion Island, Corona del Mar then went over the Pacific Ocean and turned north. There were some clouds over the ocean. Landfall was at 0:14 while drink order was taken, I saw the Malibu area with Oxnard to the distance partially blocked by clouds. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:18 as I got pretzels. I saw mountains, the San Joaquin Valley and more clouds. I thought I felt descent begin at 0:38 and seatbelt sign went on at 0:46. Clouds were thicker and descent was announced as we were going through 18,000 at 0:47 and it was 53F at OAK. I saw the Dumbarton and San Mateo Bridges and we landed south to north. Taxi was 5 minutes and we arrived at gate 30 one minute late. I got my bags 22-23 minutes after arrival.
The customer came and picked me up and I got the truck. The truck was a cab and chassis of a garbage truck and though it was a 2000 model Volvo it looked much older due to wear and tear and the inside was trashed so it looked like a pig sty inside. During inspection I found that the drivers side door would not lock/unlock from the outside.
Trip: Oakland, CA to Edmonton, AB 1,721 actual miles Routes: Interstate 880 to Interstate 80 to US93 to Interstate 84 to Interstate 86 to Interstate 15 to Alberta 4 to Alberta 3 to Alberta 2 to Alberta 216 Maximum elevation: 7,227 feet at Donner Summit on Interstate 80 about 30 miles west of the CA/NV state line Permits needed: Trip Permits for ID and MT
I got started and fueled up at the 49er Truckstop in Sacramento. Diesel was $4.099/gallon. The 49er is the only full-service truckstop left on Interstate 80in California. I then ate dinner at the Silver Skillet restaraunt and elected to proceed east. I elected to shut down for the night in Colfax, CA in the Sierra foothills.
Next day was Sunday and I had directions to Calvary Chapel of Truckee, CA. I aborted plans to attend service as I saw "NO TRUCKS" signs prominently displayed at the high school where the church held Sunday service. I proceeded to the Reno area and ended up attending Lighthouse Baptist in Reno and got there late due to getting directions. Sunday evening I attended Lighthouse Baptist in Winnemucca, NV and the message was on Victory in the Christian Life. You can't have victory without a fight or at least a test was the main point of the sermon. I fueled up at the Flying J in Winnemucca where diesel was $3.909/gallon, the lowest on this trip. I saw a few flurries and decided to call it a night in Winnemucca and it was a good thing I did as there was more snow farther east.
Next day I headed east. I saw downtown Wells, NV was cordoned off because of destruction from the earthquake that hit a few weeks earlier. Temperature got down to 19F in Twin Falls, ID the next night. I went over Monida Pass into Montana and shut down in Dillon where I paid $60.99 at the Super 8. There were some snow flurries between Butte and Helena but the snow did not stick. I attended midweek service at Heritage Baptist Church in Great Falls, MT. The message was on Psalm 35:1-14. I met a man I had not seen for about 20 years then proceeded to Conrad, MT where I called it a night.
Next day I fueled up at the Pilot in Shelby, MT where diesel sold for
$3.999/gallon. Then I proceeded to the border at Sweetgrass, MT/Coutts, AB. I went to US Customs and got the title cleared. Then I crossed the border. I was not sent to Immigration but there were some sorts of paperwork issues that the broker had to work through and that cost me a few hours. After the broker I went to Customs where things went quicker and I was finally cleared. I stopped in Ft. MacLeod where I took some pictures then continued to Claresholm where I called it a night.
Next day I continued through Calgary and there were a couple areas of precipitation south of Red Deer and some rain in Leduc. I checked into the Airport Motel in Leduc and offloaded almost all of my gear. Then I continued to Edmonton where I made delivery.
The customer appeared to be surprised that I made it. Minutes after I completed delivery flakes of snow started falling. A local person who I shall not name graciously gave me transport back to the Airport Motel but only after buying me a late supper at Tim Hortons.
Next morning it was -5C (23F) and snowing when I woke up. I checked out of motel at 11h00 and got shuttle to the airport. The company booked me on West Jet going to Hamilton, ON with connection in Calgary as the next run was to be from Burlington, ON to the Philadelphia area. I had all kinds of time to kill so I did not check in right away but finished up some paperwork. After I finally checked in I cleared security and my briefcase was hand searched.
West Jet #74 YEG-YYC B-737-700 Seat 12A Exit Row Cruising altitude not given Estimated flying time 0:34, actual 0:27 Scheduled departure 16h40, actual 16h57 Scheduled arrival 17h25, actual 17h35
Plane was mostly but not totally full. There were no seatback television monitors. There was more legroom in the exit row. Pushback was 17 minutes late folowed by taxi/hold of 5 minutes followed by takeoff to the southeast. Weather was clearing and I saw Highway 2 and the snow-covered prairies. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:03. Due to short duration of flight only covee and water were offered. Descent started at 0:08. Weather was 4C (39F) and cloudy in Calgary. Seatbelt sign went on at 0:13 and there were bumps. Landing was north to south and taxi was 6 minutes. We arrived 10 minutes late at gate D50.
West Jet #222 YYC-YHM B-737-700 Seat 12F Exit Row Cruising altitude 41,000 feet Estimated flying time 3:19, actual 3:13 Scheduled departure 18h20, actual 18h38 Scheduled arrival 23h58, actual 00h05 +1 Ticket cost: unknown
I had exit row again and the exit row was allowed to preboard. Boarding stopped and announcement was made an oil leak was found and a ground run on left engine was done for 5 minutes and passengers already on board were told to stay seated with belts fastened. Announcement came that maintenance gave the thumbs up so boarding resumed. Plane was not very full so I had empty seat next to me. Announcement was made temperature was 9C at YHM.
Pushback was 18 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 9 minutes and takeoff to the south. I saw downtown Calgary immediately after takeoff. It looked like there was some precipitation in the area. Announcement was made there were movies available for $5.99 plus GST. Turn was made to east and seatbelt sign went off at 0:11. Buy on Board was offered at 0:21 and I got Chicken Caeser Sandwich for $6 plus Lindt Chocolate Bar for $2. A drink run followed and I got cup of soda.
Highest actual altitude was about a little over 40,000 feet not the 41,000 announced/ We passed just north of Moose Jaw and south of Regina, SK. It was getting darker as we progressed over Saskatchewan and almost dark over Manitoba. We flew over the northeast corner of North Dakota, northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan before crossing into Ontario. This was the first time I recall crossing US airspace on an intra-Canada flight. At 1:52 we passed just north of Duluth, MN. At 1:55 there was another drink run and I got cup of soda and pretzels or cookies were offered. We passed just north of Saginaw, MI and there was a water run at about 2:45. I felt descent begin at 2:50 and saw the Port Huron/Sarnia area with the Detroit area farther to the distance. At 2:57 announcement was made wind was 12km/hour from the south with broken clouds and 5C
(41F) at YHM. Seatbelt sign went on at 3:00 just after a bump. Seatback TV went off during descent. We landed and taxi was 4 minutes and we arrived 7 minutes late. We disembarked by stairs from the front exit and walked directly into bag reclaim. I got my bags 17 minutes after arrival and hired a taxi to take me to the Bell Motel in Burlington where I spent the night.