Holding Pattern

Yup - that is where my blog has been these past few weeks.  In a holding pattern while I deal with the insistent, persistent and multiple details of publishing.  I've been thinking about those of you who loyally check in periodically to see what Lady Skywriter has to say. And I hope you haven't yet flown the coop.

Happily, Fujiyama Trays & Oshibori Towels, Recalling a time when passenger flight was an adventure and the Boeing Stratocruiser ruled the skies is out of the editing process and presently in formatting.  Printing is next.  You can be sure I will keep you posted!

I am reminded of the days when New York flight arrivals were consigned to a holding pattern before landing at Idlewild (now J.F.K.) airport.  Domestic flights were commonly stacked up waiting for incoming transatlantic flights, with diminishing fuel on board, to land before we worked our way down the chain to finally touch down.  On clear days we could visually identify some of our cohorts up there, but the holding pattern condition was often complicated by weather.  As we lazily creaked and groaned in our elongated circles through the impenetrable overcast, I used to marvel at the technology and talent that kept us all separated and in order.  Passengers were less interested in the process, to say the least.  They were concerned about missing connecting flights or keeping people waiting for their arrival.  We did our best to convey passenger information to connecting airlines through pilot radio communications.  But the passengers themselves were out of the communications loop.  Hard to believe now that most of us are equipped with cell phones. So thanks for your patience in the holding pattern.  I resolve to communicate with you in a more timely fashion henceforth.  

Today's acquisition factoids:  Delta has announced that Northwest's big 747-400's will be the first airplanes in the fleet to be repainted in Delta's colors.  The red tail is beginning to fade away sooner, rather than later.  Soon after the first of the year all of the NWA flight personnel will be wearing Delta uniforms.  And those of us who hold NWA World Perks Visa cards are being urged to sign up for Delta's American Express SkyMiles card.  (See an earlier blog titled "World Perks? Any Perks?" dated April 17,2008.)