Ready for Takeoff

For as long as I've known Brian he has been flying, one of our first dates was in a small airplane.  He has worked hard over the years to move his career forward, he was a flight instructor, flew freight out of Boeing Field and for the last eight years has flown for SkyWest.  While at SkyWest, Brian was been based in Fresno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Portland and Minneapolis, always commuting to his base to support our desire to live in the Northwest.  When Georgia was in the hospital Brian was able to take leave but given the length of her treatment and recovery he was working during much of it.  Brian is an incredible pilot, patient, focused and safe, he loves flying, but to be able to do his job and do it well during such a stressful time is a true testament to his ability.
In March, Brian was called to interview with Alaska Airlines, the chance to move to a major airline had arrived and we knew this was a big deal.  He studied and prepped, organized his letters of recommendation and went through two days of interviews.  The kids and I were at Costco when he called, I said, "So?" and after a pause he said, "I got it!"  On Monday Brian started the nearly three months of training that Alaska requires.  We knew that he would find out where he would be based within the first day or two.  He'd heard that most new hires are based in Anchorage but were keeping our fingers crossed for something a little closer.  Shortly after training started on the first day I got a text, I got Seattle!  Brian being base in Seattle is huge for our family, it means more time together, more normalcy all while continuing to move his career forward.
Cheers to you Brian, your hard work has paid off and we are so proud of you!

 Early on I had faith in Brian's piloting skills... 

or must have been really smitten to have gotten in that tiny airplane!

 Shortly after he'd been offered the First Officer position with Alaska

The picture we sent to daddy to say congrats!

 Leo sporting his new Alaska Airlines t-shirt and playing with his new airplane

Georgia woke up right after Brian left for his first day of training, she wanted to send him a video...