17 June 2007 - Not Ayres Rock

I was having an enjoyable morning today. Was. Watching the golf, breakfast of scrambled eggs. Second day off in a row. Then I got a call from the office.

"Hi David, were you asleep? Did I wake you?"
"No, it's ok"
"Hang on, I might have to call you back....."

Right. Sensible. Call first to see if they're awake, then find out if you need them. The phone rings again.

"Can you do a flight?"
"When?"
"Now"

Aaron Baddeley has just finished putting out on the 18th for a two stroke lead. I agree. Earlier, no chance.

"Someone is on their way to get you"
"Fine - but can I have a shower first??""

I'm at work in 20 minutes, airbourne in 30. That happens, one minute at home, the next half way to somewhere else - just a shame this time it is Bathurst Island in a C210, not Ayres Rock in a C402.

Half way over, I hear on the company radio, the pilot scheduled to do the flight was in a drunken brawl last night, and spent some time in hospital. Not too serious, he still wanted to do the afternoon flight. No can do - if I'm in here for one flight, I'm in here for both.

At Bathurst Island I pick up my passengers, why have been waiting.... ooohhh.. an hour and a half. Not happy, but understanding when I say simply "the other pilot was in hospital" - is that stretching the truth??

The afternoon flight is to Bamurru plains. I have two people turn up to the lounge, and a third marked as "VIP journalist, pick up fron the main terminal". I google her name, but don't find much - I think she works for the (self proclaimed) "Daily Express: The World's Greatest Newspaper".... hmmm

Anyway, it all goes well. Everybody happy. I get back and do the paperwork. One of the other pilots walks in with a $200 tip he has been given..... I've yet to see that myself.