Called up the Troutdale tower today to find out about getting a tour this weekend. They were unable to grant my request at this time. Inproper credentials? Elevated homeland security threat level? FAA not letting me "through the fence?

Nope, the Swine Flu "pandemic" strikes again! Per company policy the controller seemed embarrased to admit there will be no tours due to the Swine Flu threat! He was nice enough and invited me back in the spring. Always wanted to see what its like on the other side of the mic....

Well in the interest of safety make sure you all get your "shots."

Swine Flu Shot
• 1 part Bakon Vodka (made with Idaho Potatoes) (it does exist, not too bad actually)
• 1 part Jaegermeister
• 1 part Goldschlager

Take it easy,

Matt

Couple of years ago, I was able to tour KEUG tower. They have twr/grnd and approach control. I found it very interesting and worth the wait.

Dokmow wrote:Couple of years ago, I was able to tour KEUG tower. They have twr/grnd and approach control. I found it very interesting and worth the wait.

I have heard good things about ATC tours, I definently plan on stopping by again in a few months.

Tower tours are great. Columbus Ohio got a new extra tall tower 3-4 years ago. I got to tour that just before they opened it. It was very interesting. Here is the funny part. Columbus has two parallel runways. The tower is in the middle. Whoever the powers to be were, went and toured some other towers to see what they wanted and liked. Normal so far. The one at Indianapolis, IN was what they liked. They also have two parallel runways.

So they said, "Build us one like that". My friend works for the company that won the contract. So two years later, this new tower is about finished. You were supposed to be able to see both runways from one spot. At this late stage, someone realized that they could not see both runways. Turned out that Indy's runways were farther apart then at Columbus.

The proper fix was to raise the floor about 18 inches, at a cost of $3 million. When I was there, they had milk crates on the floor to simulate the raised floor for testing the view.

Instead of raising the floor, they decided to hire more people and buy more equipment, to handle both sides at a cost of $1 million per year. Great thinkers in the FAA again.

They were not BS'ing you.. The Jackson Hole tower has the same quarentine here too.. it's a contract tower run by SERCO. All the controllers and us pilots laugh at that ban, like they can't catch the coodies when shopping at the grocery. ????

fern_hopper wrote:Called up the Troutdale tower today to find out about getting a tour this weekend. They were unable to grant my request at this time. Inproper credentials? Elevated homeland security threat level? FAA not letting me "through the fence?

Nope, the Swine Flu "pandemic" strikes again! Per company policy the controller seemed embarrased to admit there will be no tours due to the Swine Flu threat! He was nice enough and invited me back in the spring. Always wanted to see what its like on the other side of the mic....

Well in the interest of safety make sure you all get your "shots."

Swine Flu Shot
• 1 part Bakon Vodka (made with Idaho Potatoes) (it does exist, not too bad actually)
• 1 part Jaegermeister
• 1 part Goldschlager

Take it easy,

Matt

fern_hopper wrote:Swine Flu Shot
• 1 part Bakon Vodka (made with Idaho Potatoes) (it does exist, not too bad actually)
• 1 part Jaegermeister
• 1 part Goldschlager

Dude, Jägermeister and Goldschlager? I rather have the flu!

I thought Bacon Vodka sounded kinda nasty until somebody said ,,,,,,Bloody Mary,,,,,,Now I am foaming at the mouth......MMMMMMMMM

low rider wrote:I thought Bacon Vodka sounded kinda nasty until somebody said ,,,,,,Bloody Mary,,,,,,Now I am foaming at the mouth......MMMMMMMMM

I was thinking the exact same thing.

Damn...Jäger and Goldschlager mixed...might as well add some Clamato, red wine, and Rumplemintz too. That'll get the party started (at the ER.)

1SeventyZ wrote:

low rider wrote:I thought Bacon Vodka sounded kinda nasty until somebody said ,,,,,,Bloody Mary,,,,,,Now I am foaming at the mouth......MMMMMMMMM

I was thinking the exact same thing.

Damn...Jäger and Goldschlager mixed...might as well add some Clamato, red wine, and Rumplemintz too. That'll get the party started (at the ER.)

It really is as bad as it sounds!

(Insert vomiting smiley)