title: A Day In The Life Of An Airline Pilot
author:  Robert Lawrence 
description: My name is Robert Lawrence. I am an airline pilot. Before I became an airline pilot, I served in the military; graduated from the University of Washington; completed one semester of law school; endured a variety of unfulfilling jobs; was employed as a flight instructor; worked in law enforcement; and otherwise lived a normal life. However, when I reached age 48, I committed to becoming an airline pilot. I made the commitment because I was thoroughly dissatisfied with my paper-shuffling desk job. I craved a life of adventure. Also, I love a challenge. Becoming an airline pilot was the biggest challenge of my life! ROBERT LAWRENCE is an airline pilot, sailor, adventurer, and an author of three books. He served in the US Army 3/75th Ranger Regiment from 1985  86, and is a graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife and two rescue cats.
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  PROLOGUE
  
  
  It was oven hot, and it was Sunday. In the air traffic tower, the control
  operator at Brady Air Force Base lit a cigarette from a still glowing butt,
  propped his stocking feet on top of a portable air conditioner and waited for
  something to happen.
  
  
  He was totally bored, and for good reason. Air traffic was slow on Sundays. In
  fact, it was nearly nonexistent Military pilots and their aircraft rarely flew
  on that day in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations, particularly since no
  international political trouble was brewing at the moment. Occasionally a
  plane might set down or take off, but it was usually just a quick refueling
  stop for some VIP who was in a hurry to get to a conference somewhere
  inEuropeor Africa.
  
  
  The control operator scanned the large flight schedule blackboard for the
  tenth time since he came on duty. There were no departures, and the only
  estimated time of arrival was at 1630, almost five hours away.
  
  
  He was young—in his early twent