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San Francisco, Monday, 1995-10-16 11:00 local (Z-7)
The Japanese have invaded Brazil. I'm sleeping soundly in Sao Paulo when I get awakened by the beat of helicopter blades. This continues off and on, keeping me awake. I finally get up to investigate. There's a helicopter pad at the hotel and bunches of Japanese are being given very short rides. So much for getting 8 hours of sleep. Anyway, I finally did get some sleep, then operated to Miami, then jumpseated on United to here. I'm currently waiting to see if I get on a jumpseat for the United shuttle to Portland. My van is sitting in the UPS parking lot at PDX. With luck, I'll get on and be home by about 17:00 or so. Without luck it'll get later...and later...and later....
I mentioned that the guy I'm flying with has terrible people skills but is an excellent pilot. He showed me a trick that I will try to remember. American Airlines took off in front of us and got flight level 350 (35,000 feet). That meant we got stuck at flight level 310 (31,000 feet). What he did was then to climb at a steep angle to 31. This meant we were climbing with much less forward speed and thus allowed American at normal speed to open up the distance between us. It worked enough to allow a sufficient distance between us for us to also get 35,000. His situational awareness is excellent.
Terry
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