I just got back from New Mexico. My, how things change in a hurry. If you remember, I had finally found some work running parts around for a local auto parts store. It was only a couple weeks back but now seems like a lifetime ago.

I finally got the call from AeroTech. My bird was ready to come north. It needed it's yearly inspections and TLC. I was ready to go. Time to go to work! I had one problem. I was still working for the parts store and I wasn't going to walk out on them. I had to put my helicopter on hold for about a week so I could give notice as a driver. Roy, who was my manager, went to bat for me. When he hired me, he knew I would be leaving. A part time job 20 hours a week couldn't compete with my helicopter. He hired me anyway. Roy was the only reason we kept the roof over our heads that last couple of months of winter. He didn't deserve to have me just walk out.

I gave my notice on a Thursday. I had about a week and a half to go. I worked an extra shift Saturday. Here's where things got interesting. It was a real slow day. I had only made one delivery. We had pizza for lunch. It was kind of a tradition there to call in lunch and share. It was cool.

After lunch, I finally got the call. James pointed at me in the bull pen. I was going to bat. I don't watch much baseball anymore! I had a mission...a delivery. I hadn't even gotten my little micro car out that day. I was in the BIG truck. Ford F-150 delivery truck. I was stylin'!

I made my delivery to a small shop I had never been to before. Real small parking lot. The shop owner was an old biker type, he was cool. He was wearing his dad's old WWII flight wings. He had cool old projects everywhere. I made my delivery and off I went. I got in to my truck put it into reverse, started backing out, and I'm not sure if I felt or heard the crunch first.

Yep, I just backed into the side of a low sitting car hauler trailer that I didn't notice behind me. In the company truck. OOPS! How's that for a nice slow afternoon.

There were some interesting conversations, a couple of phone calls made, pictures taken, and apologies galore! I went back to the store, listened to the assistant manager get loud, stomp around, clap his hands, get another employee involved, and decided I had enough. It wasn't worth it for three more shifts to do. I simply said I think I'm leaving now, then clocked out and went home. Never looked back.

The day after that happened, I got another call from New Mexico. They needed me down there NOW. I didn't crunch the side of the trailer intentionally. I guess it worked out though, that I was able to get my butt to work.

My helicopter is ready. It's been government inspected and passed with flying colors. These guys were thorough. My pilot will bring it north in a few days. Summer is here. We still have two feet of show on the ground.

These pictures are of an Air Tractor Model 802. It's an agriculture plane that's big and tough. Yep, that means it's a crop duster. It's also a very good fire fighting air plane. They were practicing for fire season. I had my camera and had fun taking action shots. I think they turned out well. Hope you like them!

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Once Again

Roll With The Changes!