SFO-ATL and a Few Extras!

I will be away on vacation in Michigan through August. I will be back then, but please visit Captain Rand Peck's blog in the meantime at http://randpeck.blogspot.com/

I have fallen slightly behind behind in my posts, now I have DL46 and several extras! I recently flew DAL46 from San Francisco to Atlanta. The flight was operated by a 767-300ER. I was originally scheduled for a NWA 757 SFO-MSP, but a crew rest contigency made us go through ATL. I got to the airport at 0500 for our 0600 flight out. We loaded up and waited for our company 737 push back out of our alleyway. Shortly after, we pushed back and taxiied out and around to 1R. Here we are climbing out with traffic directly below us, a US Airways 737 I believe.

Here we are shortly after completing our climb, cruising over the Sierra Nevadas.

Due to thunderstorms over the plains, we flew a more southerly route to avoid them. This took us through Texas as pictured here, with traffic heading southbound under us (bound for DFW or IAH I would assume).

We are now completing our four hour journey from the west coast. Here we are now on our downwind leg for approach into Atlanta's 26R.

After my First Officer made a rather firm landing, we taxiied in to the gate.

Here is a shot from flying NWA217 on the 757-300 from MSP-PDX. I took this shot a while before takeoff, but just after this was taken, the snow started really coming down! We had about a 45 minute delay due to de-icing.

The long-hauls are fun in themselves, but I also love the chance to get out on the light aircraft in the midwest. I took this shot from Pinnacle 2472 from Minneapolis to Hancock, Michigan. Hancock is a small, uncontrolled airport in the upper peninsula of Michigan. To put it into perspective, Hancock is about 100 miles northwest of Marquette. This was a beautiful afternoon shot of the cirrus clouds in the sunny, spring, Michigan sky!

Here are a few US Airways shots. In this shot we are prepping in Ft. Myers for our flight to Charlotte. The flight attendants have the rear doors open to cool the aircraft.

Here is a shot from the tower as AWE1126 prepares for its trip up to CLT.

Here is my last shot. This is of AWE1461 from CLT-RSW.

Stay tuned for my 100th flight with Delta Virtual! I also have a few pictures from Alaska coming up. I also just got my bid back for June, and I was able to get a 5-day Japan trip!

Until next time, keep the blue skies up and the engines rumblin'.