CHL Renewal

[tracker]

A word for the wise;
My CHL expires in April, so I took the course in March
thinking five weeks would be enough time for the wheels
of a friendly bureaucracy to grind; now, here it will be well
into June before I receive it. My instructor and I failed to
sign the back of the photos and since he is some kind of
a secret policeman, he was hard to track down.
Bottom line: start about three months ahead to assure
uninterrupted carry privileges.  

[MountainMan]

Much easier in Pennsylvania - go in with your money and ID and old license - 15 minutes later you walk out with a new carry license good for another five years.

[Michigunner]

We have to get finger printed again and provide new photograph, and wait.

Bill

[tracker]

Obviously, my caution only applies to Texas and those
states that require a renewal course and mail-in applications.

[theirishguard]

Tom, I'm waiting for mine as we speak
Tom

[tracker]

Dave brought up a good thought; maybe I could move
To Beaver or Slippery Rock--freeze all winter but get
a walk-up renewal as a consolation prize. At least,
Beaver has a fantastic restaurant: "The Wooden Angel".

In any case I am duly grateful for the CHL privilege no
matter what any small inconvenience the bureaucrats
may pose to us.

[tracker]

Did I leave ot Blue Balls Pa.? Shame on me; then, of
course, there is Intercourse down the road a piece.

[MountainMan]

Tracker

Sounds like you have been here a few times.  I'm not too far from Slippery Rock.   Maybe some lay overs from your flying the big one days.

I think they may have added a photo requirement in PA. for carry - will find out when I renew in a few years.

[tracker]

Dave,
You are right; way too much time on autopilot at FL350
looking at the Captain's Atlas for interesting things.
Pennsylania is a great state with much history.
My contact with Beaver was during a furlough with the
airline and I was working for Sperry Co.. I took several
US Air execs to the Wooden Angel, among many other
restaurants around Pittsburgh.

[MountainMan]

Glad you had a chance to enjoy Western Pa.  Know a number of US Air (ways) employees.  As you know the company owners have not been on their favorite buddy lists.

The complaint they have now is the planes are dirty and the luggage handlers they hire now at low wages couldn't care less about your luggage.

One of the big complaints has been the type of passangers the lower fares have attracted.  People that have never flown before - a number who were never taught proper manners when having to sit in a seat for a long period.  I hear this one a lot.

[tracker]

You hit the nail on the head; low fares are a two edged
sword. I flew full fare to N.Y. two weeks ago on Airtran.
They do a good job under the conditions but 176 pax
on a 737-800 is a bit tight.
BTW, I probably had as much fun in western PA as anyplace
I have had the privilege to touch wheels.

[BillinPittsburgh]

Hi Tracker & Mountainman,

I lived about 5 minutes from the Wooden Angel and the less expensive Wooden Indian for about 3 months before moving to the Philadelphia suburbs.  If you are in Beaver again, check out the Grand Valley Inn or Greg Powell's.

[tracker]

Will do, Bill; thanks, especially since I lost my expense
account.  

[bigyimmy]

I moved from Hopewell (Beaver County - Wooden Angel area) about a year ago.  From US Airways onto bigger and better things in Memphis.  I still have family in the area.  I enjoyed 15 years of easy licensing.  In Tennessee you must have a training course and qualify shoot.  I did that about a year ago.  I figure in the future I will move to Greensboro, NC. and finish my days there.

[tracker]

It is interesting that Texas and Tennessee, two prominent
pioneer background states have more difficult CHL qualifications than many others.