JAX is not my home…

Today, there's a large weather system with an active front running from northern Mexico, across Texas, up through Quebec, and into the maritimes. This weather pattern is not uncommon, but sometimes it is more active than others. Yesterday and overnight, it spawned tornadoes across several areas of the US and hit Montreal with a significant…

Coldest Flight of the Year (part 3 – conclusion)

Second Officer’s Log:Winter 1976, B727, YWG Departure Gate  “Okay,” captain Dal said, “let’s do this.”  I began reading the unfamiliar checklist, speaking loudly over the outside noise. We accomplished each step slowly and deliberately. We couldn’t afford any mistakes. We were stepping beyond the standard daily routine. We were going the extra mile to accomplish…

Coldest Flight of the Year (part 2)

Second Officer’s Log:Winter 1976, B727, YWG Departure Gate  We were stumped and stuck in Winnipeg. We retreated into the bridge just as Captain Dal and FO (first officer) Bear arrived with our flight attendant crew close behind. We all huddled together taking stock. We had no electrical power from the ground power unit. No APU.…

Coldest Flight of the Year (part 1)

Second Officer’s Log:Winter 1976, B727, YWG Departure Gate  Arctic air gripped the prairies as Winnipeg’s overnight temperature plummeted to -40°. A frigid wind sucked heat from everything it touched, including our Boeing 727. I peered at it through my reflection in the boarding lounge window. The plane sat frozen in pools of feeble yellow light…