Aerial Adventures Hong Kong Style!

Aerial Adventures Hong Kong Style!

Folks from the flight blog, I hope your 2017 is off to as an adventurous a start as ours has been!

We’ve perhaps had it a tad “too adventurous.” We indeed made it out to Hong Kong and back—by the skin of our teeth!

Aerial Adventures Hong Kong Style!

Part 1: The Journey

For the airline employee, it may be cheap to travel “Nonrev”—that is, flying standby, hoping for an open seat—but by no means does that mean stress-free! You literally “stand by,” hovering around the gate, chewing your nails while all the other seats are filled, and silently praying that your position on the standby list will trump those other nonrevs hovering with you.

Basically, Bunny and I got the very last seats on our 310-passenger 777’s—both ways! Hoping for a little Business-class cush, we alas got stuck in middle-seat Coach—par for the course. At least we got to sit together on the way out during the 16-hour flight from LAX!

Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip a day short, as we watched those flight loads slowly filling up the seats as our departure date loomed. In the end, it turned out to be a wise thing to bug out a day early. Due to ATC system changes in Hong Kong, however, our flight was delayed 6 hours, departing after midnight and getting us into LAX after all connections to PHX had departed.

All but one.

Exhausted but determined, we sprinted out of Customs/Immigration and schlepped with our bags six terminals away to try for a delayed United RJ. Mercifully, the RJ was delayed for minor maintenance just long enough for us to frantically jump through all the online hoops to purchase nonrev interline tickets (that is employee standby tickets with another airline) and list for the  flight. Despite the lengthy delay at the wee hour of 2am LAX time, the gate agents were wonderful, and worked with us to secure, once again, the very last seats!

This is what you call, #Crewlife!

We finally stumbled through our front door, to the tune of two loudly-complaining cats (“Where have you two been? We’ve been worried sick!” “Where’s my food?” “Scratch my ears, already!” “The litter box was full so I used your bed.”)

Utterly exhausted, we fell asleep for—get this—12 hours solid!

Aerial Adventures Hong Kong Style!

Part 2: Blog Buddy Swayne

Despite the early bug-out, we nevertheless packed a mighty big wallop of adventure into our 3-night/4-day whirlwind tour!

This was in no small part due to two of YOUR fellow Blog Buddies who both instigated the trip, and joined us on it!

First of all, the young man responsible for this epic jaunt was Swayne Martin, a 19-year old flight student at UND.

He is also one of three intrepid young men behind the phenomenal aviation blog boldmethod.com!

Swayne had invited us to join him, along with his brother Wyatt.

The timing worked great, so I said Heck Ya! and we were off for adventure!

Aerial Adventures Hong Kong Style!

Part 3: Blog Buddy Dante

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But, first and foremost, I must thank the young man truly responsible for our epic experience. Blog Buddy and local Hong Kong resident Dante L. enthusiastically took us under his wing as our personal tour guide.

I had met Dante a year earlier when he asked me to join him on his very first introductory flight in California. I said, “Dante, if you can make it to Cali all the way from Hong Kong, then I can make it from Phx to join you!” Well, the rest is history!

In Hong Kong, Dante turned out to be an incredibly gracious, gifted, and generous host. He had even taken the week off from his two jobs to personally show us around!

THANK YOU, DANTE, FOR MAKING OUR HONG KONG ADVENTURE A TRULY INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!

Let’s tell the rest of the 3-night/4-day adventure via pics and vids. And, don’t miss the final video, in which Swayne and I discuss aviation in Hong Kong, and the challenges pilots such as Dante face.

Aerial Adventures Hong Kong Style!

Part 4: The Pics

Aerial Adventures Hong Kong Style!

Part 5: The Chopper Ride

The undisputed highlight of our trip was a surprise helicopter ride over Hong Kong that Dante set up for us. The weather miraculously complied, as HK’s usual haze cleared up into a spectacular day of unlimited visibility!

Aerial Adventures Hong Kong Style!

Part 6: The Vids

First up, a short video of our adventure in the skies over Hong Kong, thanks to Blog Buddy Dante!

Direct Link: https://vimeo.com/capnaux/hkhelicopter

On the last day, Swayne, Wyatt and I squeezed in a day trip to one of the many outlying islands. As we visited, we discussed the plight of modern general aviation in Hong Kong. Don’t miss it!

Direct Link: https://vimeo.com/capnaux/hongkong

As you can see, a good time was had by all. How can you not when you chum around with such great people?! Really, it just goes to prove: no matter where you are in the world, special memories can be made just by enjoying the company you keep!

THIS IS CAP’N AUX . . . SIGNING OFF!

 

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Short Final

Piano Burning and Other Fighter Pilot Traditions

I review a fun new book by former F-22 Raptor pilot Major Rob Burgon!

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Top of Descent

“I’m from the FAA and I’m here to help you. No, really!”

My interview with an FAA Safety Inspector!