Page 14 of Too Much In Common
5
A pilot’slife shouldn’t revolve around food. Day three of a four-day was always the hardest for Tian. She’d spent two nights in hotels, and the last of her prepared meals were gone. Eating healthy on the road or in the sky was tricky. Occasionally, a hotel would be close enough to a grocery store to pick up fresh fruit or vegetables. The third night was the eat-out night, which usually meant depending on the location, either airport food, an expensive restaurant, or fast food. Delivery usually fell under the category of expensive. Today was different, though. She was flying back into O’Hare and switching crews and planes to go to Seattle. The odd schedule, created by the time off she took for the funeral, meant her roommates could bring her food and swap out her empty containers. This pathetic fact was the highlight of her work week. She needed a different focus than food and flying.
Perhaps she should start an online course or find a new podcast.
The captain’s voice through her headphones brought her thoughts back to the present. It was time for the pre-landing checks. Captain Rochester wasn’t one for conversation, at least not with her. According to rumor, his wife had given him a second chance several years ago. Now he avoided any friendship with any female working for Legacy Air.
The landing and post-flight were as routine as they came. Tian gathered her things and followed Captain Rochester up the jetway. He paused halfway up.
“Thanks, Johnson, for not talking my ear off. And in my book, it doesn’t matter who your old man is, you’re one of the best FO’s I work with.” He touched his cap in salute and continued on, leaving Tian stunned for a moment. They’d flown together for two days and that was the longest sentence Rochester uttered.
Brit stood at the gate desk. “I thought you got lost coming off the plane.”
“No. Just walked slowly. Did you bring my food?”
“Of course. I even traded gates, so I could tell you I put it in the pilots’ lounge fridge. You can drop your dirty containers off with Simone.”
“Thanks. You’re the best.”
Brit rolled her eyes. “Of course I am.”
Tian walked a few gates down and swiped her badge to open an unmarked door leading to an unadorned hallway. A dozen other pilots made use of the lounge. Most of them were on the computers, checking the weather or flight plans. Brit failed to mention the huge note she’d left on the three food containers, cursing any pilot who touched them with a bumpier ride than a camel with fleas running from a hippo. As if such a scenario were possible. Tian took the containers over to a corner and repacked her bag. A first officer she didn’t recognize came over. He didn’t look old enough to be out of high school, let alone have enough flying hours to be an FO.
“You take your food seriously.”
“Don’t we all?”
He shrugged. “It’s easier to buy food wherever I am going.”
“Where are you going?”
“South Bend.”
As she’d suspected, he was new. Only the newest of pilots would have thirty minute flight to an airport so close the average commuter could drive faster than the time it would take to park, go through security, and fly.
Tian zipped up her suitcase. “Have a pleasant flight.”
She stored her bags in one of the pilot lockers and headed to the scheduling office. Simone frowned as she talked into her headset. She pointed to the corner of her desk. Tian placed her empty food containers in the empty spot. Simone ended the call.
“What is wrong?” asked Tian.
“PR and the attorneys are having a tug-o-war, and I’m the rope. Oh, and this resurfaced today.” Simone held up her cell phone open to a video that duetted last fall’s airplane assault with an old Brady Bunch clip of Marsha yelling, “My nose!” on repeat.
“That stinks.”
Simone tucked her phone away. “PR likes it. They say it garners sympathy. I want to return to the flight crew. This job is fine, but—”
“You belong in the sky.”
“Exactly.” Simone let out a sigh. “I was supposed to be back upstairs by now.”
“I know.”
“Maybe I’ll learn something in our defense class tomorrow. Too bad you won’t be there.”
“I’ll take mine on Tuesday. I’ve got to run. I still haven’t made it to the restroom, and I need to check the computer before I meet the captain for my next flight. See ya.” Tian hurried down the hall. Nothing like the mention of a restroom to remind one how badly they needed one. Passengers weren’t the only ones who avoided airplane lavatories.
Back in the pilot’s lounge, she claimed a computer and completed the necessary checks for the flight to Seattle. The storm over Montana might stir up some turbulence, but nothing to worry about, and better than that, there was no expected precipitation this evening at Sea-Tac. Unbelievable for Seattle to have a clear night in January. Tian checked the local Seattle news website to verify the forecast.
