Hey guys,It's been a while since I've posted....sorry, but I've been extremely busy.Here are a few pics from my last trip. It was a "3-dayer"...KMSP-PANC, PANC-KMSP-KMKE, KMKE-KDTW-KMCO-KMSP. We saw everthing from crystal clear Alaskan skies, to snowbound Michigan getting the backside "wrap around" effect from the blizzard that hammered the east coast this last weekend, to sunny Florida.http://images.andale.com/f2/109/127/632235...29_P2150012.jpgI thought this was a cool picture...it shows the "pull out" sun shades on the newer model 757s. We're at FL390 a couple of hundred miles from ANC. That's the gulf of Alaska you're looking at.http://images.andale.com/f2/109/127/632235...17_P2150013.jpgFirst Officer Bruce modelling the newest fashion in integrated O2 mask and smoke goggles. He's sucking O2 because I'm headed for the "little Captain's room" (lav), and we're above FL250. Lovely, isn't he?http://images.andale.com/f2/109/127/632235...76_P2160019.jpgAfter a great layover, we launched into a bright, blue Alaskan morning sky....that's Mt. McKinley.http://images.andale.com/f2/109/127/632235...51_P2170021.jpgLovely morning in KDTW, eh? We were greeted at the jet after our layover in KMKE by a Line Check Airman. I will be doing my yearly recurrent checkride next month, and once every two years I have to be "line checked" in the cockpit. Don was a wonderful guy to have checking us, and as you can see, the wx in DTW sucked. It all worked out great, he said we did an excellent job, and this pic was taken after we pushed from the gate headed for Florida.more later....BBall-----------------------Capt. William "BBall" BallBoeing 757, Northwest AirlinesSenior Editorwww.frugalsworld.com

Great shots, keep them coming!!John/Meridianhttp://www.iol.ie/~shamrockstudios/Signatures/Signature2.jpg

Thanks John,here are the "more later"........http://images.andale.com/f2/109/127/632235...89_P2170023.jpgWe're just about to turn into the "de-icing bay" for RWY 3L in KDTW. Bruce was new to the jet, did a terrific job, and was really fun to work with.http://images.andale.com/f2/109/127/632235...07_P2170024.jpgThey're squirting a DC-9er. We now do a procedure at selected airports where we leave the engines running, and (depending on some factors) can be de-iced and ready to rock and roll in under five minutes...they've really gotten it down to a science.http://images.andale.com/f2/109/127/632235...15_P2170026.jpgBack in the "old days", working the bucket on the de-ice truck was a nightmare (at some smaller stations at the commuter airline I used to work at in the late 70s and early 80s, we pilots had to de-ice our own planes...it was NOT a fun job :(). They used to stand in an open basket, and on a windy day, just as much glychol got on you as the airplane it seemed...nowadays, they sit in a little "cockpit" complete with two joysticks, and from what I hear, it's pretty darn good duty. :) http://images.andale.com/f2/109/127/632235...18_P2170027.jpgAfter a couple of hours enjoying the Florida sun, it's back to the "great white north". Here we're holding short while a USAir "seven five" has it picture taken with an American beauty.http://images.andale.com/f2/109/127/632235...57_P2170033.jpgWe are on the last leg home, the sun is setting over Tennesee, the air is smooth, jet is humming like a kitten, and (most) all is right with the world. :)take care guys,BBall----------------------Capt. William "BBall" BallBoeing 757, Northwest AirlinesSenior Editorwww.frugalsworld.com

Nice pictures; thanks for sharing them.

More great pictures Captain Ball. Thanks for posting.That storm offered a chance to test out the autoland feature in PIC last night. I jumped on VATSIM (the closest I will ever get to the BBall world) at KLGA a little after 1100 PM EST and filed KLGA.LAGUARDIA9.MERIT..ORW.ORW3.KBOS FL230. There also were a lot of others testing their skills on the Boston arrival with full ATC coverage (excellent I might add) last night. After lifting off in New York, the next time I saw the ground was at 20 feet RA over runway 4R in Boston. Every time I do that I get a hugh rush in those last few seconds listening to the altitude callouts and not seeing anything. I can't even emagine what it must be like the the cockpit in the real world.

Great pictures once again! Oh how I'd love to have your job. :-lolJohn/Meridianhttp://www.iol.ie/~shamrockstudios/Signatures/Signature2.jpg

I don't know how you do it... If there's even a lick of wind my autolands are way off the runway heading. It usually puts me down on the grass somewhere near the runway.John/Meridianhttp://www.iol.ie/~shamrockstudios/Signatures/Signature2.jpg

Excellent! :D

I hope that comment wasn't directed at me Greg! hehe j/k ;-)John/Meridianhttp://www.iol.ie/~shamrockstudios/Signatures/Signature2.jpg

William, very cool pictures as always. Glad to see you keeping busy unlike my lazy butt! Best Wishes,Randy J. [email protected]" A little learning is a dangerous thing"AMD XP 2100 |MUNCHKIN 512 DDR RAM |ECS[/b ] K7S5A MB |[b]GF3 64 MEG |WIN XP PRO |MITSUBISHI DIAMOND PLUS 91 19"

Nope. :-lol

MAN HOW MUCH I HATE YOU FOR HAVING SUCH A COOL JOB!!!:-fume But of course I

Yeah I get that too so now if there is wind I will hand fly her in. The real bird will "crab" in autoland config but I don't see that in PIC although it might but I never line up correctly.Best Wishes,Randy J. [email protected]" A little learning is a dangerous thing"AMD XP 2100 |MUNCHKIN 512 DDR RAM |ECS[/b ] K7S5A MB |[b]GF3 64 MEG |WIN XP PRO |MITSUBISHI DIAMOND PLUS 91 19"

I thank you Cap't,I see that you are keeping well and enjoying life.Even those earlys that you so much dislike don't seem to have dented your natural eye for the wonders of nature.In times that are some what strained to say the least! it's so refreshing to see you share your passion across all divides. Kind of put's things back in perspective,long my you share your posts with us.you are a rare thing these days a true Gentleman.

I just don't get how it works for some people but not others, like me and you. :-)John/Meridianhttp://www.iol.ie/~shamrockstudios/Signatures/Signature2.jpg