The anticipated dreaded exciting big day has arrived: Day 1 of the “15-day program”. What does this signify? Well, for starters, the exodus of my husband…but also, it means it’s C’s first day on the flight line! He is thrilled to be back in the cockpit for his dollar ride today. As a longtime pilot, he’s itching to get up in the air again after so long a hiatus from flying. The daily grind of the program also begins today, meaning he’ll finally get into a steady routine that he can get used to – something he’s been looking forward to.
With the good, of course comes the not-so good. As of today, C is on formal release. This means 12-hour days every day for the first few weeks (or months). So if his first scheduled activity for the day is at 0800, guess what time he gets home? That’s right math whizzes: 2000 (aka 8:00 p.m.). In between scheduled trainings (be they flights or sims or classes) he stays in the flight room, buried in books and study materials. When he gets home, it’s more of the same – a quick bite to eat, a kiss for the wife and kid, and back to the books.
Obviously, the schedule is a hectic one. I’m already starting to see his eyes swirling with the heaps of information being thrown at him. Yesterday, he compared his day to being doused with a fire hose from three different directions. I’m not sure which one of us has been more anxious for both the beginning and ending of the 15-day program. Even when H and I are missing him though, we’ll look up in the sky and know that one of those planes we see might just be him and that he’s one day closer to becoming a USAF pilot!
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| Okay, so this isn't actually C's flight - but the point is it COULD HAVE been Thanks to K for the great picture! |
