The bid results came in mid-October, 2013. It wasn't until Jan. 5, 2014 that Jim departed for Houston and six weeks of Boeing 737 training. Ground school is never fun....ask any pilot! After ground school, Jim flew to Miami for simulator training. He was finally due home from school on Feb. 13th, but a snowstorm hit the East Coast and DC airports were closed. Ultimately, he returned home on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14th, our 34th wedding anniversary. He had 3 days off to tie up loose ends and depart for Guam (Sat-Mon., Feb. 15-17th). Communication was nearly impossible with GUM flight ops during this 3-day federal holiday weekend with a 15-hr time change.
On Monday, Feb. 17th, we took five 18 x 18 x 30 shipping boxes to UAL cargo to send to Guam. We were allowed 3,000 lbs. of shipping....our boxes totaled 297 lbs! We only brought things we thought would make our lives easier for 12 months....4 sets of snorkeling gear, printer, lots of partially-used suntan lotion bottles, etc. Note, we have 2 extra sets of snorkeling gear for YOU when you come to visit us:-)
Tuesday, Feb. 18th, Julia drove her car and we drove the rental car to Dulles. Our own car was picked up at home and shipped to Guam the first week in January. UAL had given us a rental car until we departed VA. The cars were filled with 2 large suitcases, one carry-on suitcase, and one tote for each of us.....8 bags total! We turned in the rental car and stood in line for 1:50 hrs. to check in our luggage for the DC-Tokyo-Guam flight. UAL was experiencing a computer outage on/off that morning. They announced that the Tokyo & Beijing flights would be departing late due to it. We were traveling on a positive-space ticket with Jim in Business and Pat in Economy, both could be upgraded pending load. With all the confusion, we ended up sitting together in First Class! Our normally 14+ hr. flight was blessed with good winds and only a 13+ hr. flight plan. We needed those good winds, as we left DC over an hour late, and had only a 50 minute ground stop in Tokyo to go through a security check and reboard another plane to GUM. Once again, we were running for our flight. Finally at 10:15 pm, Wed., Feb. 19th, we arrived GUM!!!
Thursday, Feb. 20th, was our first day in Guam. Jim also celebrated his 25th anniversary with UAL that day! We are staying at the Marriott for 10 days until March 1st. UAL booked us on the 18th floor with a beautiful ocean view. It's a very nice room....nothing spectacular. The perk though is the great hot buffet breakfast, snacks throughout the day, and evening cocktails/hot buffet in the 19th floor Executive Lounge. It's packed, esp. during the evening with military, DoD personnel, NASA, and other US govt. personnel, with occasional Japanese/Russian tourist. There is a joint military exercise going on right now for 3 weeks with the USA/Japan/Australia. Every hotel in Guam is maxed out! Warning, next Feb. when Jim retires, Guam will host it again!!! We spent some time on our first day getting car insurance, picking up our car, getting it inspected, getting Guam plates and getting a cell phone. Once that was done.....cocktails/buffet back at the hotel and asleep by 7:30 pm.
Friday, Feb. 21st, was Jim's 64th birthday.! We had breakfast up in the Lounge, took some birthday photos on the balcony, and then headed over to the airport, 2 miles away, to clear our five boxes in customs. The van driver from the Marriott loaded the boxes up and drove us back to the hotel after we turned in our rental car. They are now in their storage area until we claim them. Pat spoke to a Lounge staff member and they had a beautiful birthday cake from the hotel chef waiting for him at 6 pm in the Lounge.
While Jim was taking a catnap on his birthday, Pat went with the realtor to check out several places. We found a residence that should be perfect for our needs for the next 12 months, but will tell you more about it when we hopefully sign the least in the next 2-3 days. Will keep you posted!
Saturday, Feb. 22, our 3rd day in Guam, Jim had his first initial international qualification trip to Manila, Philippines .It went very well with the instructor commenting how Jim "greased" his landings on his first B-737 flight with passengers. Pat picked him up at the airport and he was tired, but relieved that his first of the required 25-hrs. of instruction was done.
Today, Monday, Feb. 24th, 5th day in Guam, Jim was scheduled for a turnaround to Osaka, Japan. He has to do a night flight and returns at 0140. One more scheduled line trip after this and he's done with international qualifications and his 25 hrs. of observation and he can start his March 2014 schedule as pilot in command with his copilot.
Since Guam is where American's day begins.....it is now Tuesday, Feb. 25th here in Guam, at 10 am. Back in VA, it Monday, Feb. 24th, at 7 pm!!!!
