Homeward Bound

Waiting is the hardest part.

Our westbound jet has already landed with a maintenance problem, so we must sit and wait for it to be repaired before we can go home. We have already been slipped for 24 hours from our original takeoff time, and since our jet may or may not be fixed, they have placed us in a "rolling" alert status, otherwise called a Bravo alert. In a Bravo alert, we have a 48 hour window of opportunity in which they can call us anytime to go fly.

Managing sleep during a Bravo alert is quite difficult. I would normally try to sleep right up until we are alerted to fly, but I cannot sleep for 48 hours straight. The worst case scenario would be being awake for 12 hours or so and then being alerted to fly the 20 hour day to make it home.

But there are other problems as well. We are essentially restricted to our billeting quarters during a Bravo alert, so trying to overcome boredom is a constant challenge. Eating meals and getting exercise is a further complication. It is somewhat similar to what I’d imagine what life would be in a white-collar prison.

As luck would have it, we are alerted just before sunrise, and I have been awake nearly all night; I have kept my body clock tuned to Pacific time and it is now nearly 9 pm on the West Coast. It will be a tiring day and I will have to sleep on the aircraft. But at least we are going home.

We drive onto the flight line and notice rows of silent jets in the pre-dawn darkness: C-17s, C-5s, KC-135s, a Boeing 737, and several Boeing 747 cargo charters. The sun is painting the eastern sky a dull shade of pink; it will be a beautiful day to fly. Soon the air will be filled with the sound of jet engines.

Our jet has a few problems that weren't noted in the maintenance forms; one generator is not working and the number three engine bleed air valve will not open. The first is not a significant problem, but if icing is encountered during our flight, we would be unable to keep that engine from icing up. A quick look at the weather on the East Coast shows it will not be an issue, but it may be for our West Coast base. We decide to take the jet as is. If there is icing in Seattle, then we will have the jet fixed on the East Coast.

We call for the passengers and we get ready to go. As soon as we are airborne and climbing out over the low countries, I climb out of my seat and head for the bunk with the hope of dreaming my way towards home.