Cleared for Takeoff : IOE Trip Two, Days 1 & 2 – Delays, Detours, and Downtown Adventures
I've been slacking a bit on the blogging front, but here's the detailed scoop on the start of my second IOE trip. Initially planned as a straightforward four-day trip with a Columbus-based crew, things quickly became adventurous—and not always in the ways we'd hoped.
Day 1: Finding My Feet (and Parking Spot)
The trip kicked off with a relatively easy noon report time, allowing me to leisurely drop the kids off at daycare and set out for the airport. I factored in extra time because I was navigating a new parking garage arrangement. (It is simply not sustainable for the company to park us at the central garage. One it's almost always full; two it's very costly. My 5-day trip last time cost the company over $200 just for me to park there.) Traffic on the turnpike was mild, but manageable delays popped up here and there. The real confusion began upon arrival: HR had told me to pick up a parking pass from the parking garage office, which turned out not to exist at the garage itself. Thanks to an intercom and a friendly but somewhat confused voice on the other end, I was directed to find an "inspector-looking" individual downstairs for assistance.
Luckily, I spotted another pilot—a BOS-based company FO who's been navigating the area for quite a while now—who became my unofficial guide. He walked me through everything: the parking pass pickup process (it turns out I needed to go to the central garage at the airport itself), buying subway tickets, and tips on catching shuttle buses. Unfortunately, I got randomed yet again and didn't get to properly thank him after we parted ways. Hopefully, I'll cross paths with him again soon.
Once settled at the gate, I met my new crew and immediately felt at ease. Our line check airman this time around had an easygoing vibe, making my nerves melt away. Our first leg was a quick turn to Newark—well, quick by plan, anyway. Newark was down to one operational runway due to construction, and ATC staffing shortages compounded delays. Weather also added a twist: gusty crosswinds meant the captain wisely took the landing. I flew the return leg to Boston; the landing was decent, though slightly off-centerline due to crosswinds and a shoe getting briefly stuck. But hey, the flare was nice!
That night we stayed in a great hotel near the beach, incredibly convenient as my car was parked just a minute away. Taking advantage of the location, I met family friends downtown, navigating the subway easily thanks to that friendly and resourceful hotel receptionist lady. We enjoyed a memorable (albeit pricey) Italian dinner, complemented by perfect spring weather.
Day 2 (today): Newark Turns, Ground Stops, and Surprises
Today started at an uncomfortably early 4 AM wake-up for a 5 AM report. The crew shuttle felt like a sauna, with the heater blasting on a short ride to the terminal—none of us brave enough to complain. At TSA, they inexplicably confiscated the knife from my silverware set, something that had never happened before, but we rolled with it.
Our plan for the day: another Newark turn, followed by an overnight in Charlotte. But Newark had other ideas. First, as we were preparing for departure, we got word that the flight was delayed for an hour due to congestion at EWR. Way to start off the day as all of us were hoping for the opposite. Being the first flight out of BOS, how bad can it be. But never underestimate Newark. I walked out to get a smoothie from my regular spot, while the CA and the rest of the crew guarded the ship. Finally, we were able to board all our pax, pushed back, and taxied up to the runway. We were number 1 to go, I began my before take off flow, which starts with dinging the FA twice. I did my first ding, and right at that moment, towered called up with the most dreaded news that a nation-wide ground stop was issued for Newark-bound flights. Awesome. We got sent off to a holding pad with some other EWR-bound planes for an additional 40 minutes before finally departing.
One highlight of this leg is that we got a small reroute that brought us right over the Barnes VOR, and I got to see my home airport 7B2, where I trained and worked at for the past 5 years, from up above. I was tempted to tune into the CTAF and listen in, but since I'm still in IOE, I didn't want to overstep my boundaries. I'm sure there'll be plenty of opportunities down the road.
I did the landing at EWR and it was by far my best, right on centerline, smooth flare, and good braking action. Landing in Newark revealed the full scope of the backlog—planes lined up everywhere. Our turnaround was lightning-fast (23 minutes), but a gate hold meant another 40-minute wait at the gate before we joined a queue of 25 aircraft awaiting takeoff. It was quite a learning experience seeing the CA coordinate between the Gate Hold, Ramp, Ops, dispatch, as well as the cabin the crew as we navigate the delays, compounded by some passengers needed to deplane. To me, this is the true value of IOE and line operations - the real world issues that the classroom training would never be able to replicate. During this delay, our airline reshuffled assignments, canceling our next leg to Charlotte. Instead, we'd overnight back in Boston.
Once in Boston, I faced another hiccup: the scheduling system, assuming Boston was my home base, hadn't arranged accommodation. Thankfully, after a quick call, the company sorted it out, placing me in the same comfortable hotel as the crew.
These schedule shifts meant that our upcoming legs—Charlotte to LaGuardia, then LaGuardia to Boston—were canceled, leaving us just one flight from Boston to Richmond tomorrow. Consequently, my scheduled line check is likely to be delayed. Although frustrating, there's an upside: we now have ample time in Richmond, and I plan to explore downtown, enjoying some good local food and sights.
All in all, despite logistical challenges, these first two days of Trip Two were filled with valuable learning experiences, memorable interactions, and unexpected adventures—exactly why this new pilot life keeps me on my toes.