Tales from The Lone Star Tavern

Memories, Thoughts, and Emotions.

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 09:12:00 +0000

First off I would like to say that I am not a writer. I have a roommate who is an amazing writer that I try to get to do it for me on a lot of things but not this. I wanted to share a couple of my memories of a great friend in hopes that the ones who knew him will smile, those who didn't well I hope you smile too and wish everyone had a chance to meet him.

Last week I lost a dear friend, mentor, and storyteller. Joe Anduze was something else, there are about a million and a half words that can be used to describe him. Depending on whether or not you liked him those words could be good or bad. Everyone who knew Joe has some story to tell about something he did. I have a few but not as many as others since I only knew Joe for around 4 years.

When I first met him, he was an interviewer for the company. I was 20 years old, new to flying and trying to get my first "real job." Like many wonder pilots before me I was crazy nervous and this was the only thing that mattered most to me at the time. I had luckily made it through the first part of the interview process and was sweating bullets getting ready for the sim eval. That morning I had spilled some coffee on my nice white shirt. I didn't have time to iron and change shirts, but thankfully my jacket covered the spill. I went into flight safety to meet up with the other interviewees and get ready for the eval. Around 08:00, this angry looking guy came in and said alright let's get this over with, I thought to myself "great this ought to be fun." Joe took us to a room and started the brief. "I'm only going to say this once so listen up, pay attention, and take notes." He explained to us what would happen next, what to look for, what not to worry about, and we all piled in the sim. When it became my turn to fly Joe looked at me white knuckling the yoke and sweating. "Damn son, you need to relax. Take off your jacket and relax, this is the easy part of the interview." I calmed down some and then away we went. Right off the bat I was having a hell of a time managing the airplane. My scan was off, I was over correcting, getting frustrated, and sighing Joe just laughed. "Eric! Settle down its ok. Your doing fine, you are already hired. I just need to see you do a few things and we can all get out of here." I finally relaxed and was able to get back and finish the next few maneuvers Joe asked. As I was doing the last part of the eval (the ILS), Joe could see that I was finally relaxed and wanted to have some fun with me. BANG! I jumped in my seat and looked back at Joe so quick that it could have snapped my neck. He started yelling, "Boy do you want this job?! Do you think you can handle it?! Do you think you can handle hearing bags of ice being slammed against the wall as the flight attendant gets ready for the next flight while your flying an ILS down to minimums?!" I of course scared at this point I nervously replied "Yes sir I can!" He just laughed and said good, welcome to the company. I sat there just lost as to what just happened and was thinking, "did that really just happen?"

During training I met my roommate and a few others and we all moved out to "the farm." This place was not only our residence but became a way of life that I and the others will never forget. We had a grass strip, hanger with airplanes, a pool, lake, huge house, and make shift shooting ranges on top of 50 acres. Joe liked to come out and hang out with use anytime we had parties. He would always tell stories from his jobs as an Air Traffic Controller, Chief Pilot, pilot for an airline operated by a Certain Intelligence Agency, Maintenance Test Pilot and so many others which would have the entire party huddled around the bar to listen. I learned so much from this man with a beer in my hand, sitting on a stool "thinking can this shit he's feeding us be true"? I of course knew the answer was yes and was amazed at all the things this man had done.

Yesterday was the funeral. I couldn't help smile and tear up at not only the turn out of at least 100 people, the Joe stories, and all the great things people had to say about him. Joe's wife likes to say that Jeremy and I are his poster child/protege/(I'd even add problem child) pilots. I like to think that not only being raised up believing in hard work in life will get you every where, I also believe if it wasn't for Joe I would not be here and I definitely would not have done as well as I have here. After hearing so many stories of what other people have done wrong or right, I put that in to my work and strive to make sure that Joe was happy with his decision to hire me and make it a pay back to him for giving me a chance.

Joe I am going to miss you and your stories. I know your in a better place now and I thank you for everything. I really like what the priest said, "We come into this world crying while others are laughing. It's only fair to leave this world laughing while others are crying." I totally believe this and dammit I know he'd laugh and call me a pansy for crying as I remember all the great times we had but oh well.

Quarterly Update

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:03:00 +0000

Howdy folks! It sure has been a while since I have posted last. I have been busy with work and haven't had much to say. So let's see here, what has changed since the last post? I have been promoted to a entry level management position in my company. The girl I have been seeing has finally decided that she wants to be with me. Said girlfriend wants to do a diet program.

I have to say I am all around pretty happy with how things are going now. The GF and I have started a weight watchers program. We decided that our weights need adjusting me more so then her. I have a problem with motivation, so I am glad she wants to help out. Her plan is whomever loses the most weight by September will have to buy the other a gun.....did I mention I love this girl?

So that is the latest update, maybe I can keep you more updated now things are changing and I have some more time.

Sleep or lack there of

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 08:18:00 +0000

Don't you hate it when you lie in bed and no matter what you do you just can't fall asleep? I do, for the third night in a row.

Lessons in life

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 21:36:00 +0000

Lesson number one....Never trust a redhead.

New Year once again

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 21:19:00 +0000

Happy New Year everyone. Another year has come and gone and time to see how this one will go. As always it is that time for a New Years Resolution. I have decided I will partake in this tradition, but I plan on keeping up with it unlike the majority of people who just give up on it and say "well there is always next year". My New Years Resolution is for weight loss and healthier eating. During the course of 2010 I lost around 15 lbs but put it back on. Now I can't take it anymore and it is time to lose the weight once and for all. I have a gym membership I plan on using and I am currently researching diets/methods/etc for the weight loss. My problem has always been that I love food. The taste, smell, and look of it all has driven me to eat all sorts of unhealthy things over the years and well it shows. I'm ready to be able to wear clothes from any store and actually look good in them and hey I need to get healthier too. This will be a long process to get to where I want. Oh and I have a huge problem procrastinating which was the major cause this didn't work out so well over 2010. Hopefully I can find a workout buddy or a trainer to help me battle my chronic procrastinating. So what is your NYR? Here is to hoping I can finally beat this and for your NYR to workout as well.

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 18:28:00 +0000

Merry Christmas Ya'll!

The Tale of The Epic Battle On The Raging River of Death and The Waterproof (sorta) iPhone.

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Wed, 26 May 2010 09:28:00 +0000

So there I was....on the hooch in my roommates brand new kayak. We decided it was finally my turn to go down the hooch and reluctantly I went. Up to this point I have never soloed a kayak much less a canoe. So now you see where my reluctance comes from not to mention my sense of balance isn't the greatest either. I finally got in and decided "ok well it's now or never" as I paddled my way down the river not knowing what was ahead. The trip was nice and somewhat soothing. The scenery was nice and it was quiet, something I haven't heard in quite sometime. Once I started getting close to the end I realized that maybe this was not one of my better thought out plans. The rapids started getting white, the kayak harder to control, the sweat pouring. Then I realized the sweat was all the water that I was splashing around. Still the rapids where crazy, and I was bouncing off of rocks. Finally I made it through and thought "well that was not so bad". I was right that wasn't bad at all compared to what I was about to get into. I was on the last mile and a half getting ready to find my landing spot. Ahead I notice two routes, the left all white water and the right calm and smooth. Naturally I picked to go down on the right side which again not one of my more thought out plans. The speed picked up and I found a spot to land. The only problem was the tree jutting out from the bank was getting closer and closer, faster and faster. I tried to paddle to land just before the tree but my attempt was foiled. I hit the tree using my arm to prevent the tree causing the boat any damage which once was again not one of my better thought processes (I'm starting to see a pattern here). As I hit the tree, the kayak tipped over some and the water rushed in sinking the kayak and I started slid-ding down river. Between gasps of air and trying to catch the boat, paddle, my hat, and iPhone all from floating away, I realized this was a bad idea and why I don't get around water more often. I was able to get a grip on the rocks and step up throwing the items onto the bank. I look around and realize there are around 20 people spread out on the lawn of the leasing lodge and not a single one was looking at me or seemed any part interested in what was going on. My roommate saw me emerge from the water and came to see what was going on. I was soaking wet and still trying to realize what just happened. My phone was dead and arm scratched up, and the boat was salvaged. After collecting my thoughts and my things, it was then I decided this water stuff isn't really for me. We carried the boat back and I then started trying to figure out how to fix the phone. We started off by the phone in the bowl of rice trick leaving it to sit overnight. It helped soak up most of the water, but the damage was done. The master mechanic/engineer that is my roommate, took apart my phone and figured out my battery shorted out. We ordered a new battery in hopes that would fix the problem. After a day and a half of agony of no phone, the battery came in and he put it back together and to our surprise it worked! So the moral of the story is, a. dont carry your phone kayaking and b. don't kayak alone on your first trip. This has been another Tale from The Lone star Tavern, y'all drive safe now.

Update

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:20:00 +0000

          Well howdy folks, it has been a minute since I have posted anything on here. I figured it was about time to update you fine people on what has been going on in my life.

   Since my new job as a Crew Scheduler I have been pretty much working non stop. The normal schedule is four 10 hour shifts. At the time I had a pretty decent schedule too. I worked 11:30-21:30 Sun-Wed. So for once I had a set schedule that had weekends off. Unfortunately I did not have enough time to enjoy it. I start my new schedule tomorrow where i work Thurs-Sun 15:30-01:30. The time is great because I can go back to my normal sleep cycle of staying up late and sleeping in, and I will still have time to do things in the afternoon before work like go to the gym. I just wish I had the seniority to have the weekends off then that would be the perfect schedule as far as the office goes.

           This job has taught me so much in my very short time there. I used to think that Crew Schedulers were idiots, had no clue of how an operation should run, and all they do is watch TV and eat pizza instead of work......WRONG WRONG WRONG! Schedulers get a bad rep because they are the middle man and catch so much flak. All Pilots and Flight Attendants think that every thing happens to them and only them, that there are schedulers out to get them. What they (crews) don't understand is that the schedulers are paid to staff a flight. So that means make sure that there is a Captain, First Officer and one or two Flight Attendants depending on the size of the airplane. So as we get sick calls, fatigue calls, flights get stuck in outstations, crew time out, flights cancel, flights divert, flights come in late....we as schedulers have to keep track of every crew member to make sure that they are good on their duty times, and make sure each flight is staffed properly and try to get everyone out on time. Now that may not sound that hard in these high technology times, but its not so easy when you have 850+ flights a day, lots of crews and a computer system that has a mind of its own. Now I admit we are all people, and we make mistakes just like everyone else does. To crew members once a scheduler made a mistake they are deemed an incompetent idiot who should not be able to work for our company or any airline again and should go work at Mc D's where their skill set will not be as challenged. Previously as a FO, I thought this and I know I was wrong and there are still a bunch of crews who think this way and do not care when anyone tells them different. There is a solution to this insane problem. If the airline was to do a day in the life of program and have a crew member and a scheduler change places for a day I think more people will understand how each side of the operation works and maybe just maybe everyone will get a long better. The problem is everyone is to lazy and wont do it unless they get paid for it which in times like this why would a company go waste money just for people to go sit around and watch others work.

         Another issue I am having is all these crew members complain about simple assignments and start yelling at me for "messing with their life" and how their quality of life has gone to shit........wow really guys????? My quality of life has gone to shit since when I got furloughed and what pisses me off is these people are so ungrateful, and have no clue what they have. I would give anything to sit ready reserve again or even go to crappy overnights and stay in crappy hotels. I know I used to bitch before, but I was ignorant then. I didn't know what I had till I was furloughed and now who knows when it will be before I get to enjoy my life dream again.


       Now please don't take any of this as me bitching and ungrateful for my job. I am glad to have a job especially in these times where people will stay unemployed for a year or longer waiting for anything. My intention of this post is to do two things, update people about my work life and explain to crew members if any actually read this that there is more to life than bitching that you have a Huntsville round trip that will get you home maybe an hour and a half or 2 hours later. As always until next time thanks for stopping in to the Tavern and remember drink the kool-aid responsibly and don't drink and drive. (this has been another public service announcement brought to you by Tex).

When will the training end?!

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:45:00 +0000

Howdy folks!

Well I completed my first week of training thankfully only one more week to go. Our training hours are Tues through Fri 11:30 to 21:30. Yes that's right 10 hour days. AWESOME right? Not so much. Although it is great to be back to work, I just am not a fan of long days. On the other hand it is nice to have 3 days off a week. Anyway back to training, it isn't the most exciting thing in the world but what training program is right? We have been covering things like the pilot and flight attendant contracts, as well as many other things such as what is required of us as schedulers. I work in the OCC or operations control center that is the area responsible for running the airline. It has all the important people that are involved in the operation that aren't on the front line like pilots and flight attendants. In the OCC we have dispatchers, schedulers, sector managers, maintenance control, flight control, as well as some other positions. I tell you coming from being a pilot and only seeing how the operation is run from the terminal, I now have a new look on the operation. I have definitely learned a lot and so far everyone I have met is super nice. I am looking forward to my time in the OCC and will enjoy it until I get the chance to go back to fly. I dearly miss flying but I will make the most of being grounded, the only plus of my new schedule is I get weekends off!

New Beginnings (Part Deux)

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:49:00 +0000

Ok so I know I missed last months monthly blog post. I apologize to my two readers haha. Ive been semi busy the last month or so. My cousin and his wife came in from Germany so I got to spend time with them for Christmas! That was so great. We haven't seen each other in close to three years. My cousin and I are really close, so needless to say they were missed. We went out and showed his wife what small town Texas was like. She was not real big on it. She is a big city girl so I can't totally blame her for not being used to it. Cuz and I went hunting for about 4 days straight and unfortunately didnt get to shoot anything, oh well maybe next time. We did have fun though.

So as you know I was laid off in September and have been livin off da gubmint for 4 months now. I have applied to tons of places and haven't heard much of a peep out of anyone. I applied to several jobs back at the same company I used to work for, and for the longest time didn't hear a word out of them. One day I get a call from crew scheduling saying they wanted me to come in for an interview. So I packed up and went back to Atlanta for my interview. I traveled 1500 miles for a 15 minute interview. That really had my mind thinking when we ended then. I thought I did really well in the interview. The interviewer said he would give me a call in two days to let me know how I did. So I waited. The next day when I got back to Texas, he called and offered me the job! That surprised me and it confirmed that I did do as well as I thought I did. He gave me a start date of Jan 11.

I rented my U-haul and packed up all my stuff and headed back out to the farm this past Monday. The drive was long and boring but the end result was worth it, I was back home with my friends. One of my roomies and I stayed up and had a mini celebration for my return, but it wasn't until the next day that the real celebration started. We had several of our friends come out and cooked up some chili had a big dinner and lots of drinks and conversing. We did have a mission last night and I say we completed it and it was a great success. A friend of ours had bought a real tree for Christmas, and she needed to "dispose" of it. I use the term "dispose" loosely because the way we did it was not your standard way of getting rid of a tree. We decided that the tree needed burnin' and we were going to set it on fire with fireworks and bacon grease. Now all of our great ideas don't come until we are fairly inebriated which this happened to be one of those times. I had a strand of 1000 blackcats that I forgot I had for almost 5 years. I'm pretty sure the shelf life is one year but that didn't scare us. We set the tree straight up and put the blackcats around it like garland. We doused the tree with bacon grease and then attempted to light the tree up with roman candles. Wow one thing I have learned is I never want a real tree for my Christmas tree. Once the blackcats lit off and the flames caught the tree on fire that thing went up so quick it was scary. I do have to say it was great entertainment for all 2 minutes it was on fire. Welcome back Tex haha man I have missed this place and the shenanigans that comes along with it.

Now as Monday gets closer I am ready to get off the couch and actually go back to work and have something to do again. I know that is weird to say but damn there is only so much daytime television you can take. My new job is not quite as glamorous as my old one by any means, but it is a paycheck. What I will now be doing is being a Crew Scheduler. I get to be the person I hated while I was a pilot. The one who wakes people up and call them in to go to work. The good thing about the job is I will see things from another perspective and it will give me a better overall picture of how the airline runs. I hope the people I will be working with are half as cool as the people I used to fly with, at least that way when the days are tough it will help me get through. I will try to start posting more now that I have more things to say other than today's episode of Judge Judy was awesome.

Monthly Blog Fodder

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:11:00 +0000

So it seems we have fallen into a new month, which that means it is time for my monthly post. Currently I am doing monthly posts until I find enough information to do more than one post. Nothing major has happened in the last month. Just more job hunting with no call backs. I am really hoping to get called back to the airline soon. All my friends seem to think we will get called back in the spring or summer so I hope that is true because I definitely miss flying and traveling. I am pretty bitter after this whole experience. I love flying and my job I had. At the same time I want stability in my life and would like to not have to worry if I am going to have a job next week. I know that no company/industry is safe, but the safe feeling that you will always have your job is comforting. The last few months I have thought about many career changes, from air traffic control to police officer to computers to banking and more. I keep coming back to the fact that I love flying, exploring new cities, and socializing with my crew. So I think that means that I know I want to stay in my field of "expertise" if you can call it that. It looks like my next step then is to get back into Flight Instructing until we get recalled to go back to the old job. At least there I will still be flying and sometimes going to other places. On much happier news, I have taken a trip back out east to Georgia to spend some time with all my friends. Damn, I have so missed being out here I can't wait to move back.

Cant Sleep......

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:34:00 +0000

Hello all! It is 3:30 am. I could not sleep so I decided it is about time for my monthly blog post haha. I thought it might be a good idea to make use of my domain www.flyingrproductions.com. It was originally picked out for my business that I will be starting once I have a job again. In the mean time I am just going to use it as my own personal website, so you all should check it out. It is still in the construction phase so I will add and delete things periodically. Also if anyone has a website, pictures, or movies they would like me to edit please let me know. There will be no charge (tips always welcomed LOL). I am in need of some projects to add to my portfolio for when I launch my company. If you have questions or are interested you are welcome to email me at ergraser@flyingrproductions.com.

Newb

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:38:00 +0000

Howdy Y'all!

Tex here and new to the whole bloggering thing. I figure this can be your one stop shop for reading the ramblings of Tex. Eventually if you read long enough you might read something that might be somewhat funny! Well I recently moved back into my folks house after being laid off at my job of being a suave airline pilot. I am currently working on becoming an air traffic controller with the FAA. Unfortunately since it is a government job, the process is super slow. I have applied and was selected to take the aptitude test. Now I wait to get my test date and that's still just the beginning of the process. I am hoping within the year I will be out in Oklahoma City going through training but I think that might be wishful thinking on the time line.

In other news, I missed Texas and am happy to be back home. It has been way too long. I am working on getting my concealed handgun license, which unfortunately is quite expensive. On the other hand it will be nice to have a class on the do's and do not's. Tomorrow will also be a busy day with job hunting and going to the local college. I am going to try and get a pell grant and go back to school. I am thinking about getting an Associates Degree in Computer Science. Im not sure what the emphasis will be, either programming or management information systems. What do y'all think?

Well that is all I have for now. Thanks for stopping into the tavern and be careful on the drive home.

New

noreply@blogger.com (Tex) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Under Constructionz.....New post soon!