Recent content by MSmith

The owner's manual for my wife's 2007 Toyota Camry isn't much better. There's one sentence about starting the car with the Start button (keyless system) that says something like "Pressing the button will change the power and start the engine". I'm still wondering what "change the power" means.

I have a clear memory of my tonsillectomy when I was 6 (this is the mid-70s). I clearly remember dreaming that I was eating the world's largest pancake. That's it - and it was only subjectively 2-3 minutes long through the whole operation.

We have one here at work for the smokers. It's about 10 feet from the building.

With your attitude, I'm certain that you'll beat it and be back in the air at some point. Never give up.

I don't believe that there ARE major regulatory changes in the last 2 years that would affect you (even if you are instrument-rated). Take the ADIZ training from AOPA - it's worth the time.

I've done it in really hot weather. Sometimes the lower air pressure outside makes it hard (and occasionally impossible) to open, but once it's open it's OK. I believe that the POH for that plane requires opening the window and turning on the vents in case of the need to use the alternate...

Thanks, everybody!

I know I requested that we keep narrowly to the topic, but I really want to hear that story too!

My brother is a police officer in the DC area. Recently, he was detailed to an airport to "detain the pilot of aircraft Nxxxxx and inspect the aircraft until the Secret Service arrives". The pilot cooperated grumpily. It seems that he busted a Prohibited Zone, scrambling F-16s. My...

The father called the mother of their daughter and said "I've got her; you won't be able to get her". Still think it was an accident, Jesse? AP Story

If you count only deaths not due to cancer or infectious illness or old age: Suicide 1, Flying 2 Not even a car accident. I just don't know many who have died young.

I have to say - the odds of hitting the one house on the approach to an airport (if it was even on the approach) that is owned by your in-laws seem small. For that matter, the odds of hitting a house (as opposed to a street or yard) are pretty small. Any sane pilot would be aiming to AVOID...

I made a purchase from Buy.com once for computer equipment for work. They required me to FAX the front and back of my Amex PLUS my driver's license. I did so after yelling at them a bit. (I had to make the purchase for work - no way around it.) The moral of the story is this - I will NEVER...

That would be me. Feel free to merge them.

I'm with Bill - it's just not so simple as push a button and have the payroll system spit out the results. The preliminary W2 numbers need to be audited (read: check some and see if they're right). It's REALLY expensive to issue corrected W-2's and it's a bit painful for employees who might...