Invictus

This trip I am headed to Africa once again. First stop is Oostend, Belgium then down south to Lagos, Nigeria and Kinshasa, DRC for a short over night (I'm looking forward to that – the short part) before we get to Nairobi, Kenya.

Africa is a fantastic continent with so much promise; and thats the problem, so much promise. Americans have often been criticized for expecting everyone in the world to think like we think. I for one am glad that not everyone thinks like me. South Africa is a perfect example. If I had gone thru apartheid, I would have become a terrorist/freedom fighter. I don't know that I could have forgiven that repressive regime. And even now when I hear a white South African talk about how their country is worst now than during those years apart; I can only think, 'you reap what you sow'. Why didn't South Africa foreshadow Zimbabwe? The leadership of Nelson Mandela, is the short answer. When given the chance for revenge he and his country saw past blind justice and chose a forgiving peace.

How many times in human history has an oppressed majority come to power only to share peace with their former masters? How many times have we seen reconciliation committees instead of retribution tribunals? South Africa is a singular story, and this history unfolded on a continent most Americans write off as hopeless. Maybe, there are still things we can learn, from beyond our shores.

Sometimes we forget that both sides of the coin are required to pay the ferryman. Warrior and peace-maker are of equal importance. Teancum and the people of Ammon.

Invictus is an amazing movie highlighting one of the truly deserving recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Mandela.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

Baghdad

In all the years I've been flying over Iraq, I think this is the best view of Baghdad I have ever had. When we first started over flights in Iraqi airspace, we could only fly at night. On at least one occasion we could see rockets and artillery fire with their accompanying explosions. A couple of months ago I landed in Iraq and picked up troops on their way home. Things always seem nicer from 40,000 feet.




Moon rise over the Atlantic.

7000 miles

Almost 7000 miles, 15 hours of flying time; thats the distance and time from Luanda to Houston. Of course these statistics depend on winds and route taken (north or south), but no matter the metric, this flight is a ball buster. Now, I know that military pilots often fly greater distances, under more taxing conditions, so I'm not saying my job is harder, but at the end of the day I don't get to blow anything up or ingest government approved speed on the job (I'm just saying).

World Airways has had a long standing contract with SonAir to operate a flight between Houston and Luanda, Angola two times a week. Since I've been flying the MD-11 I have bid this route every month without fail. Not for the exotic locations – we are only on the ground in Luanda for 14 hours (minimum rest for this flight) and all that time is spent in the hotel or under guard traveling back and forth. Not for the interesting flying – three round trips, across the same air space, only 6 landings to split between 4 pilots; not too bad if you liked the movie Groundhog Day. Not even for the prestige of flying passengers – when you fly passengers, flight attendants have to come along too; there is no ego boost with flight attendants around, especially when they each have 40 years of seniority with the company. No, the real reason is time off. If I was to be awarded a Luanda line, I would only have to work a week and a half and get paid for 94 hours of flying time for the month! It's the holy grail.

It just so happens that a senior captain called in sick last month and I got to fly the whole line. The problem is; that line backed up into this month's line, and I am still on the road.

Sunset over the flatlands of Houston.

Meeting the sun along the west African coastline after racing around the world in opposite directions.