So, I have gone almost a month without posting. Guess it's a testament to how busy things have been and how little energy I've had.

Today is different though. I'm heading to NC for five days starting tomorrow, so I'm just a little excited and the energy levels are slowly climbing.

Work has been, well, work. And boy is there ever lots of it. We had the A380 start making thrice weekly trips to YYZland and it's been a bit hectic whenever it shows up. I feel for the guys at Servisair who work the flight, as it takes them TWO HOURS just to get the thing offloaded and the bags inducted to the carousels.

While that is happening, we have two belts that are tied up (EK uses one for its Priority bags and the other for the regular passengers) during the afternoon rush (usually 3:30-4:30/5pm -- EK arrives at 3:45). The roadway gets crowded and, now that it's summer, hot and humid. I've sweat off a couple of pounds thanks to the afternoon rush.

I'll be getting baggage agent training sometime after July. This would qualify me for a few more duties (and a change of uniform to shirt & tie) as well as give me the opportunity to work with the customers if I wanted to. I think there's a pay raise in there as well, but I'd have to wait for an opening before I could actually be doing the work.

Also applied to a job with Flight Operations but, as usual, haven't heard anything back. It was an interesting job that fit most of my previous experience. Still have my fingers crossed about that one.

Life goes on..

Didn't get the Barney Miller Theme Song.. which is because I've never watched Barney Miller.


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What's That Bass Line? Score: 90% (9 out of 10)

Need to get the calendar here on to April for a change.

Updates:

Work - We just had the summer bid. I got to choose from the scraps left over, which consisted of 'Other Relief'. I'll be doing whatever, whenever, wherever. Not sure what time I'll be working. I listed AM as my preference (with the caveat that I get nothing before 7AM), so we'll see what comes up in the next few weeks. Also put in for an Acting Deployment Coordinator (I'd get to tell people where to go >:) ). I'll hear back on that by the end of the month.

School - Haven't posted much about it here, but I applied last month to go back to school full time in the fall. Things at Air Canada are such that I can't make a career there with the background I have. So, at the end of August, I'm heading up north to North Bay and schooling at Canadore College. I'll be taking a pre-technology course this year to prepare me for entry into the Avionics Maintenance program in 2010.

Life - The choice of schooling means a move and a change of job & lifestyle come the fall. Should be interesting. It's a little intimidating, but I'm doing as much planning as I can to make sure it goes as smoothly as it can. I'll have to pay a few visits to North Bay to set up housing for the fall - maybe find a roommate if it comes to that.

Much fun in the coming months!

It returns!

...

Or something..

Anyways. Work has been a big bore this week. I'm on Recovery Crew (or 'Mobile 1' - our radio callsign) this week. Apparently, I'm somewhat of a good luck charm, because we've barely done any work during the week. Usually, the recovery crews are tasked with docking & chocking arriving flights whose crews were unable to get to them in time. So, if a crew is backed up with a prior flight, we get called out to bring the plane in and put the bridge on.

We did that three times today in an eight hour period. Got called out a total of 10 times, but seven of those times, the crews were already there by the time we got across the field to do our thing.

On the flip side, I've enjoyed watching both 'Role Models' and 'Australia' in the past two days.

This is definitely not a position that I'd enjoy. Too much down time.

Last weekends travels to Thunder Bay (CYQT) were a lot of fun. So much so, that I'm doing it again this weekend. But just to bring my friend and his gf down here for a few days during their Spring Break. Four flights in four days. Six hours total flying time.

A few weeks later, at the end of the month, I'll be flying again. This time, I'm heading down to Tampa (KTPA) to see my Blue Jays in Spring Training action. I'll be seeing them take on the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies (new season - 08 means squat :) ). That is, assuming that I get on the plane and make it down. It's Florida, so it's a pretty popular destination. Still, however, the loads are looking decent, so I have a chance. If not, I'll have to book on CO or AA and see what they can do for me (Tess - you can hook me up, right? ;) j/k).

Flying, flying and more flying. Lots of fun coming up :)

Just getting the LJ calendar to roll over.

I'm sickly. It's not fun.

Work is work. It's just something I do to pass the time between sleeping.

Went to Thunder Bay last weekend to spend some time with a friend and former co-worker. Had a good time and want to go back again soon.

..since I last posted. Didn't realize that it had been that long a while.

Nothing really new going on, other than making a concerted effort to get off the ramp. I've applied to a few jobs around the system, so it's sit and wait time. Also considering moving companies if it comes to that.

Heading up to YQT (Thunder Bay) tomorrow to spend a few days with a friend from work who's now at school up there.

I'll have to take my camera with me to work today and get some of those pics that I promised :)

First (legitimate) day off in four months. The work week didn't go too badly, all things considered.

I spent this cycle in zone 5 (US transborder), working all our US bound flights. The back held up, despite crawling around in Embraers and CRJs. Even managed to get on the loader my first day back to offload some cargo pallets from a Jet Airways flight.

Wednesday saw the airport hit with a snowstorm (what a welcome back from Ma Nature!). As usual, things were a bit of a gong show (you'd think we'd know how to handle snow up here), but I managed to slog through it.

It was good to get back to work, however. A friend who was in the same class as I was let me know about an opportunity as a step-up Baggage Agent. I made a call, so we'll see where that goes.

Travel plans are being made for the latter half of the month. It'll be good to get away.

A year after an accident at work herniated two discs in my lower back, I've finally been cleared back to full duties.

I'll be going into work Friday to visit with the nurse and get my new schedule.

This means airside pics during the winter :D

Took these just before the end of September. Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28998225@N04/sets/72157612724207456/

Well, if you count the meme as an actual post of substance, this would be post #3 for the year. Up to you..

Went up to Humber today and grabbed books for my courses this semester. $200+ in books for two classes. Hooray. At least I'll be able to sell them back to the bookstore at 50% purchase price when next semester rolls around. Which should cover half my books for that semester.

And then I'll be done. I'll have a certificate in Business Studies by the time summer rolls around. Not sure where I want to go after that. I think that I may just abandon the whole specialized degree approach and go for a general business degree instead (ERAU just raised their rates to $750 per course, so it's playing a part in this decision). Have to figure out where I can do that.

Onward..

Should I make it something substantial?

( Matt starts 2009 off with a rant.. or whiny bitching.. take your pick )

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to ask the Governor General to prorogue Parliament this morning at 9:30AM, in an attempt to stave off his defeat in the House of Commons.

Coward.

In an interesting twist, there is talk that the GG will not accept the request. Harper may resign if that's the case.

Been there, done that..

( Cut for the sake of friends page )

Lots done, lots still to do..

Temporarily borrowed from excaliburca

1. Stop talking about politics for a moment or two.
2. Post a reasonably-sized picture in your LJ, NOT under a cut tag, of something pleasant, such as an adorable kitten, or a fluffy white cloud, or a bottle of booze. Something that has NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS.
3. Include these instructions, and share the love.