[crashmbern]

well guys i just got home from san juan. and IOE went pretty well. can't give that much details on everything because all the flights kind of just blended together over the past couple of days. the biggest problems i had at first had to be the load manifest and the flight release. basically finding what i actually need on the flight manifest for weather and stuff and then getting the load manifest done.

In training we dealt with the ATR 42 and then using the weights for the atr 72 in SJU with the straight 72 and the 212A. I hadn't really done the load manifest for about a month, so i had to get a few bugs out of my brain. but then i realized you can get most of the manifest done before you go out to the plane. Then your about to go and the flight is basically waiting for the FO to get the cargo weights and the pax weights done before we can taxi, which adds a little bit of stress.

As far as flying goes its not to bad down there. the language barrier isn't that tough but i have only flown to the Dominican republic, st. thomas, st. croix, nevis, and bonaire off the coast of venezula. I heard goin down the island chain can get a little bit harder. Since we are international we have to call for engine starts when we are at an outstation about 10 minutes before we go. then your getting your clearance as your taxing out.

Once you know what your doin its gets pretty easy. the first couple of flights i was ready to pull out my hair. now its time for reserve, just waiting for scheduling to get a hold of me and i am officially there b*tch.

adam