Top 10 Things I won't miss about the US

1. The obsession with the US flag

All countries have flags, and taking pride in your nation and its flag I can understand. Feeling the need to fly the flag in every place of work and every meeting room I don't understand.

2. Number of ad breaks per TV show

The reason a show lasts a hour in the US when it only last 30 mins in the UK is simple; they have a lot of really short ad breaks. More annoyingly, they have then 30 seconds from the end of the show, just to keep you waiting

3. US spellings offense, defense, fence

I can understand that spellings in English aren't the the most logical. But if you're going to implement new rules, and least do it across the board.

4. US paper sizes

I have no issue with the US paper sizes, were it not for the fact that they aren't compatible with all the European stationary I have.

5. Inability to drive

This is self explanatory; the Americans can't drive. I shall have a separate rant about this when I have the time.

6. Denominations of currency

Having coins in multiples of tens makes for easy accounting. Having to work in 1,5,10 and 25's isn't so easy. Plus having $1 note complicates the situation, meaning all payment machines need coin and note inlets. Don't get me started about having all the notes the same size

7. Stupid News casts

Throughout my entire placement I have had to use the bbc website to get the "real" news, as American news doesn't cover anything that hasn't happened within a 5 block radius of the news station.

8. US customary units

The US plus 2 other very minor nations are the only countries in the world which don't use the metric system. For someone who can't remember when the UK had the imperial system this entire system seems archaic.

9. Snacks

What the US people consider a snack would be considered by anyone else to be a main meal.

10. Lack of alcohol at sports matches

This one I have worked out. Basically, Americans are loud and obnoxious in everyday life. Europeans require alcohol to become loud and obnoxious. Thus Americans can enjoy sporting fixtures without alcohol to help them.

Friday Week 17

Not a lot to write home about this week. Slowly getting things together to go home and tidy up projects at work.

Just popping out to have some leaving drinks with the team

Monday Week 17

Nothing to write home about, went to work, got wet, came home again

Sunday Week 17

The forecast had been good for the weekend, so I woke up early and drove down to Crystal ski resort. The rain on the freeway didn't bode well, and it continued all the way up to the resort where the fog had also set in. Like everyone else there I knew the weather was aweful, but having made the journey decided to grin and bare it. There had been 2 inches of snow on Saturday, but the rain made it really sticky and slow. Worse still, I had to stop every couple of minutes to wipe the rain off my goggles. To top off a wonderful day, I got stuck on a chairlift for an hour when they had a "technical problem". Lucky friendly Americans make for interesting conversation.

This took me to about 1400, when I decided to call it a day. The resort compensated everyone on the chairlift half their lift pass costs, so it wasn't all bad

Saturday Week 16

So today was my last full day in Seattle. So I used the opportunity to visit my favourite coffee shop and my favourite food stall. Had a nice wander downtown, caught the monorail to the space centre before walking home over Queen Anne hill; this is one thing I won't miss.

For once, the sun was actually shining, so I took the opportunity to have a nice (dry) run around Lake Union

Friday Week 16

Normal sort of day in the office today, nothing to write home about

Thursday Week 16

First day back in the office since being in Yuma. Spent the day updating the work drive, since I didn't have access to it in Yuma. Also completed my tax calendar, which I have to do as part of my visa requirements. What disturbed me the most about this was I'm down to be working 26 days in January.

Wednesday Week 16

Day started with a well deserved lie in. I then took the opportunity to have a wander around Seattle, as I only have 2 more non-work day free to do stuff. Went to Pike Place Market to pick up a few souvenirs and had a wander along the harbour since it was a nice day for a change.

Had a meal at the Space Centre, then went to see the Seattle Opera's performance of "The Barber of Seville". I have to say that even though a couple of the men were a bit weak, it was a really well produced, and extremely funny.

The day ended by having an argument with a taxi driver about who was the best Bond actor. He didn't know what he was talking about.

Tuesday Week 16

Not a lot to say today, left Yuma at 0845 to fly to Phoenix before connecting to Seattle. I requested to connect through Pheonix as, unlike Los Angeles, you don't have to go through security again.

It was quite a shock to the system going from 28C and blue skies in Yuma to 5C, wet and overcast in Seattle. After having worked at least 8 hours everyday since the 3rd, I'm having a well deserved day off tomorrow

Monday Week 16

Nothing to do on the engines today, and no engine related testing for a few days, so we sat in on the test flight. The reason for choosing this flight was that it was a fuel dumping test, which involved max rate turns, side-slips, pushovers and pull-up. Then after every test, a T33 would pull up alongside and photograph the wing-tips to analysis whether there was any fuel impingement on the aircraft. See the Yuma photo album for pictures. For some reason we aren't allowed to take photos up in Seattle, but when on a remote no one cares.

Last night in Yuma, flights booked to go back to Seattle tomorrow. The bed in my hotel room requires a special mention; it has a remote control attached to it so that you can change the firmness of the mattress of either side of the bed - a number between 0 and 100. Its effectively a posh air bed, with springs, that rates the firmness of the bed based on the pressure in the mattress. The problem is the pressure changes when you lie on it. I made this mistake the first few nights; set the setting the same on both sides of the bed whilst lying on 1 side. As a result, to other side was much firmer, and thus higher, than the side I was on. The solution was to set the bed on each side separately whilst lying on the appropriate side to get a level bed. I'd seen the adverts on TV for these beds, I can safely save I won't be buying one.

Sunday Week 16

Turned up to work at 0730 in time for the pre-flight brief, only to discover the aircraft was grounded pending a repair on a thermocouple. Unfortunately the part had to be flown down from Seattle and didn't get in until 2000, so the flight was cancelled.

We used this opportunity to do further work on the engines in time for our tests happening later in the week.

Saturday Week 15

Actually did some engine related testing today, but because of the cure time from yesterday's work the aircraft couldn't be realised before 1400, meaning it arrived back from its second flight around 2000. Taking photos inside the engine in the dark is hard. Got told I could have the rest of the evening off, thus I get to write up the results. Spanner was thrown in the works though when Boeing requested a meeting with Derby tomorrow and for us 2 present our results. So 2 problems:
1. Results aren't in a presentable format
2. Boeing don't seem to realise tomorrow is a Sunday, thus no one in Derby will be around

Friday Week 15

Slow morning as the aircraft flew on unrelated testing. Started work on the engines just after lunch as one of our sealing compounds requires 24 hours to cure. Finished working the engines late afternoon, giving time to catch up on paperwork before returning to the hotel.

Thursday Week 15

Spent the day writing the paperwork required to do some mods to the engines, arguing with Derby about the right course of action to get the required results. Its amazing that, no matter how much resistance Derby provide, we'll still get our paperwork in place quicker than the other vendors. Afternoon entertainment was provided by the Harrier that "broke" on landing, shutting the airfield down for the rest of the day.
Decided to continue the "traditional" American theme by going to a hot-wings restaurant, followed by "True Grit"; the re-make, not the original. It was an odd film, but entertaining. My only problem was I realised how I switch off whenever anyone talks in a really strong southern accent; its too much effort to try and understand them. Though I did have a Peter Griffen moment by getting excited when the name of the film was said during the movie.

Wednesday Week 15

Engine related testing today, but only a few key data points been taken, so flying was finished at lunchtime. Spent the afternoon cataloguing the results and distributing to the team in Seattle and Derby. Slightly earlier finish that usual today meant we were able to spend the evening at the local shooting range. Just hand over a form of government issued ID and you can hire any manor of firearm you can think of for $10. The Walther P22 with laser sight looked good fun. The catch to all this was the cost of the ammunition; for the .22 calibre it was $5 for 50, for the .357 it was $50 for 50. The only concern I had was, given recent events in Arizona, that 5 men turning up at a shooting range might look a little odd.

Tuesday Week 15

Not a lot to do today as the flying wasn't engine related. Did the usual job of talking to Derby in the morning and talking to Seattle in the afternoon. Got back to the hotel at 1600, where I promptly fell asleep and didn't wake up again until 2200. Its been a long few days.

Monday Week 15

Only an 11 hour day today, though since it was a weekday wasn't able to have a lie in and had to be at work at 0800 to talk to Derby; luckily we're on MST so have an extra hour to place with. Same old same old, paperwork preparation in order to get clearance to do the required mod work on the engines followed by carrying out the mods. Flying tomorrow but not engine related testing so should only be a half day at work tomorrow!

Sunday Week 15

Only a 12 hour day today. Same story as yesterday, but more engine related testing so was a busier day. Luckily the aircraft isn't flying tomorrow so we'll be able to do the required maintanence tomorrow. Got back to the hotel at 2200.

Saturday Week 14

14 hour day today since we can only do mod work to the engines when the aircraft is on the ground, so spent the day getting the paperwork in line for the work we needed to do then spent the evening carrying out the work. Got back to the hotel at midnight.

Friday Week 14

Engine related testing today, so very busy whilst the aircraft was on the ground then has a 30min break when it went up to do the required tests. Long day, didn't get back to the hotel until 2100.

Thursday Week 14

Not a lot to do today since the engine related testing starts tomorrow so did a bit of work in preparation for it whilst watching various military jets practicing circuits. Spent the evening in the hotel gym.
Yuma is a wierd place, the Mexician border runs through the town so everyone is either speaks Spanish or is a red-neck. The local radio warned that the temperature was going to get into the 40s overnight, but not to worry since it would be in the 70s the next day. The traffic news consisted of border crossing times and the radio stations seem to place nothing but country music.

Wednesday Week 14

Had to get up at silly o'clock to get to the airport in time for my flight to Los Angeles. On arrival in Los Angeles I realised that I only had an hour to get from one side of the airport to the other, but on the land side. I then had to check-in, since I was changing airlines, and pass through security. Needless to say I turned up at the gate with my shoes and belt in my hand and just got on the flight to Yuma.
Landed in Yuma and picked up my hire car and drove to the hotel. Since it was 21C outside I then spent the rest of the afternoon in the outdoor swimming pool. I went back to the airfield to meet the aircraft coming down from Seattle and take some colleagues to pick up their car before going out for a meal.

Tuesday Week 14

Work slowly picking up now that more people are in the office and the UK are working again. Lots of paperwork pushing today since the fleet are starting to get airborne again.

I'm jetting off to Yuma tomorrow to support a "warm weather" remote with one of the aircraft, though I'm flying commercially ahead of the aircraft via Los Angeles. No return flight booked as of yet so don't know when I'll be back. The stupid thing is that the airline is charging $20 per checked in bag. So I went out and bought a $25 bag which is small enough to count as hold luggage, even though I could 3 weeks worth of clothes in it.

Sunday Week 14

Spent the day skiing again today. Skied with 2 work colleagues in the morning then had a 3 hour private lesson in the afternoon. This proved to be really useful since the American pistes aren't as well kept as in Europe, so the steeper runs are all really rutted. Thus my technique needed some work. Though 3 hours skiing steep rutted slopes is really hard work!

It was a perfect clear day though, with sunning views of the local mountain ranges from the top of the resort.

Saturday Week 13

Lazy day today, mainly caused by the fact that I didn't get up until 1400. Bought a few food supplies and did some washing and that sums up my entire day!

Friday Week 13

Hogmanay

New Year's Eve celebrations were spent at a colleagues apartment which overlooks the Space Centre and the Space Needle. Since the assembled company consisted of 3 Luxembourgers, 2 Italians, 2 Catalans and 2 Scots we decided everyone would provide their traditional New Year's food and we would perform each countries tradition. So the meal consisted of stuffed peppers, smoked salmon pate, lasagne, tiramisu, pastries and European chocolates.

The Catalans have an interesting tradition that at midnight, for ever bell chime you eat a grape. So we all eat 12 grapes in 12 seconds. We then witnessed the Seattle civic authority effectively setting fire to the Space Needle in aid of New Years celebrations. The fireworks were really impressive when set against the Needle; definitely something other cities should mimic.

Next came a Luxembourg tradition of seeing what 2011 would bring by melting lead over a candle and pouring it into a bowl of water. You then match the same it creates to the guidelines and it reveals your fortune. Needless to say this is open to interpretation.

More eating was then required as in Luxembourg it traditional to eat onion soup after returning from celebrations. There's a similar tradition in Italy, but they have lentils.

The night was topped off with a round of grappa and lemoncello, which apparently aids digestion.

Happy New Year All!

Photos in the Seattle Album