F22s and B2s were in the Air!!! Jesse, myself and Justin decided to head out early to th Air Sea Show around 8:30AM to catch all the pregame happenings. We got situated on location just north from the main VIP area which ended up turning out the be the middle of the show. To say the least, we didn’t miss a stunt or any of the demonstrations at all throughout the 9 hour day. This is us in the beginning before we began to suffer the 90 degree sun which now have turned us into burnt skin human beings. I’m hurting so bad that I am constantly putting aloe all over and barely moving. Yes, we did use SPF 35 but I guess the spray kind isn’t as tough and cakey as the regular lotion. Hey, I didn’t think that I was going to stay from Monday to Saturday, but I packed really well in preparation for any extension. I just didn’t think of bringing a beach umbrella or any other of my SPF 55 Sun Block. The show was awesome though! We had an American Airline 767 do a fly by and even circled once or twice around the beach area and just a whole bunch of other aircraft. <-- this link has all the information regarding the aircraft that was a part of the show. Now, I'm back at home in Palm Coast and had a great time sleeping at home. I drove home all aching and slept like a mummy because any friction on my limbs with the sheets would end up causing me pain. I'll be driving back to Fort Lauderdale later on this evening after bit of housework with my Dree Brees autographed Tumi bag. I’ll probably do some two weeks or so and then head back up here. Finding a place in Fort Lauderdale isn’t that easy, but if Manoj ends up coming it, I’m hoping that we could find a less expensive place to live. We’ll see how things go in the next two weeks. =) I’m really looking forward to “working” this week. I can’t hardly wait.

Today we covered a slew of various subjects ranging from safety, anti-drug and alcohol all the way to TSA regulations. Had some pretty good chinese for lunch. It was actually awesome because it was still being sponsored! =) I got to meet more of the crew and even help an individual install a CBT for the HT9100 FMS (Honeywell) into their brand new T42 Thinkpad Laptop. It still says IBM on them, but as you may know, Lenovo did take over all of IBMs PC division. Back from being a dork, work is just awesome. Fort Lauderdale is awesome! I can’t wait to finally just “move” here. I know that I’ll be commuting up to Palm Coast for a little bit because I would have forgotten a few items here or there. It’s also going to take a while to find a place or something.

I need to find a place to live soon! I have a room paid for in the Hampton Inn for 30 days so that’s tight, but living in a hotel isn’t that exciting after a week already.

I’m tired….

The title isn’t that witty. It’s just probably dumb, but I’m trying to become more “fun” rather than just telling you about my daily life.

HR Orientation has just gotten upgraded to another level. Multiple VHS tapes on office conduct , harassment, and diversity really complicates what you can and cannot do while at work. I have worked in multiple business environments in the past, but this is one place that takes all the precautions and puts out all the stops. It’s quite scary really. They even had a video where in one incident, an individual says that it’s kosher and that was offending. It definitely can be, but when used without intention except that of the definition, in my opinion, relieves you from the liability. It truly is not only in the eye of the beholder (dictator) but the listener as well. I am very sorry to all that I might have offended in the past with what I have said with things being kosher or what not.

I find it that Corporate America has reached a new levels of hesistation and caution. Because of the two means, one who cannot take a joke and the other who takes it too far, it ruins the middle ground and turs the water muddy. Not fun I tell ya, but I already can feel that this company is doing it right. There isn’t any reason to not be PC anymore. Family was used a lot today and I hope to make it just that.

I hit the winning 8 ball in today after my counterpart did all the work on the table but then I also stunk it up with hitting it out of turn the next game. I had a great time speaking and learning about the company from different individuals. Tonight sealed the deal for me in supporting my feeling that this is the place and environment that I want to be. I want to grow and this company definitely can provide me the paths and tools that I need. I’m loving every starting moment of it.

I have to admit that the Mexican food in FLL is a great sigh of relief. The food in general is amazing. It’s like I was stranded on an island with only pulled pork and Pork BBQ ribs for 16 months and now I’ve returned. I’m eating too well again, but that will definitely be cut back very soon.

I woke up extra early today to check out prior to the interview sessions, had some breakfast. We got in at 8:00AM with HR to begin filling out paperwork for the application which was a little of a doozy, but nothing that I wasn’t overly prepared for. I got too anxious for this interview that I went a little overboard and did bring more than what they wanted, but they didn’t mind have the extra things. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. David McElroy, the CEO of Focus Air Cargo and listened in on him for about 45 minutes until I was pulled out of the meeting in order to meet Mr. Greg Vanek, Director of Operations. Mr. Michael Klenz drove me to the Corporate HQ and I got some good interview time with him along the way. I met Mr. Vanek and interviewed with him and the Assistant Chief Pilot, Mr. Bob Farina. One of the main questions was that, am I ready to do what I’m set out to do per the contract. I said yes very enthusiastically and he asked how soon I was willing to start. Not willing really, but just how soon could I start. I said immediately, and he said that there will be an HR orientation meeting tomorrow that I could attend pending on how the rest of the day went. I’m telling you, this company is something else. Service…shoot might as make it our slogan because that’s the way that they have tailored this “airline” business. I’m excited and I couldn’t wipe this grin off my face.

I got a quick tour of where everyone works and headed back to the Hotel for the interview. I sat in with Mr. George Grinrod and Mr. Michael Klenz again for some quick questions. They asked what was my personal definition of CRM and went well. I was very happy with the response that I gave. We had lunch which was a veal parmesana that Mr. Klenz recommended to me and it was large and very tasty. I then headed to the final interview with Ms. Fe Eschavvaria and Ms. Gina where they asked the personal questions about life and how I got here. It was a good session.

So, I was given a key to a new room, I checked back in and was invited to stay till Friday for the HR orientation. I have a room at the Hampton Inn for 30 days beginning Monday, May 7th so anyone that is in town, come by and lets go for a swim. It’s awesome! I’m so stoked and can’t hardly wait to dive into things.

After everything was completed, I went upstairs and called a few people here and there. That was a great feeling to have although it is all surreal and still feels like I am dreaming. To be employed in a situation that will get me to an FE spot in a 747 in just a year, is just overwhelming!!! I called up the boys here that I’ve been talking to who also recommended me and spoke highly of me and went out to dinner. It was definitely a great place that tasted like I was back at home. I still miss San Diego, but FLL isn’t that bad. I’m sure that once the humidity kicks in it’s going to be crazy, but I’m sure that I’ll get acclimated soon enough.

from left to right: Jesse Lindbergh, Corey McCarthy, myself, Justin Emigh — Thanks fellas!!!

Mission: to find a place to stay in the greater FLL area. anyone need a roomie?

to begin a new path, click here or to go nowhere, click here. this concludes the CAPT blog. if you missed anything in the previous year beginning January 2005, don’t foget that the archives are available in the right hand side toolbar. just scroll all the way down.