[ClearedForOption]

Thanks!!!

> Would you go back to SA if you had the chance or are you done with that?

Actually, I loved it at Southern, they are great people to fly with and I keep in touch with a few of the guys and send notes to the Chief Pilot every 6-8 months or so letting him know I am still alive. I learned so much just sitting in the jump seat, I can't imagine what I would learn in the right.

The minimums are:

> Our First Officer minimum requirements are: ATP; 3,000 hrs; 500hrs turbo-jet 41,000 lbs; 1st Class Medical; US Passport.

You typically work a 20/10 schedule, sometimes back to back.. which can mean 40 days on the road. With a family... that's a long time to be away from them. (but, since I don't have a family it's not a issue) There was a time when they had a Miami domicile, and that was good, (if you lives in MIA) because most guys could be @ home on rest time between trips. For most people though it was "home basing" - so you would be in the hotel between trips. But in freight, you never know... one day you can have the greatest contract in the world, home every night, and the next you are flying up asparagus from Lima to MIA, and haven't seen your bed in 39 days.

But, heck yeah! I would be back there in a second. I liked the lifestyle and the fact that you don't fly the same routes all of the time. I'm hoping to apply with Atlas/Polar, SA, and Connie (Kalitta) when I have the experience. I know everyone jokes around that the freight doesn't talk back, etc... but l like that the flying is interesting and the potential for having an adventure in a foreign land is always there. There is something to be said fo not knowing where you are going to wake up tomorrow.

I never liked the maintenence practices though... the revolving DI's especially... INS #1 INOP, repaired, then INS #2, repaired, Then INS#3, and etc... But, who knows if it's still like that, it's been a few years. The new VP of MX is a real stand up guy, I flew all over the place with him, and knowing him he wouldn't have put up with any BS practices after he took over after the CH. 11.

> What do you mean by "scamed in Florida""?

I don't want to get sued for slander, so let's say it was a Aerial Messages outfit in Daytona that apparently didn't even have a plane to teach in when I was there... they promised jobs galore to low timers who wanted to banner tow and I walked away with nothing but a bad taste and a missing $1000. So, to anyone reading this, first research ANY flying outfit on the BBB website before giving them your money.

It was a good life lesson... actually pretty cheap in the long run.

> Also, loved the airport cafe at the south east corner. Is it still there?

Yep, the Spitfire... the prices are too high, and I've eaten there about 836,000 times which could be the reason why I am sick of it....

-Rich