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DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Any similarity between reality and the characters in this story, any air carrier or private corporation described by this story, or actual behavior of individuals is entirely coincidental.
The Pilot part 5
It was the first day of June and Leo had the next two days off. The Memorial Day weekend had been very chaotic; all holidays were. With a three day weekend, many people extended the holiday by taking Friday off so that they could have a four day weekend out of town. That meant full flights for the airlines.
Gene had texted Leo several times over the past few weeks. Some were just general in their content. Most included a bit of sex talk. Some even had images of Gene doing something naughty to make Leo horny. But with their vastly different schedules, time together seemed impossible to find. Even though Leo had a few days off, Gene would often be in a hotel somewhere miles away. For instance, this Memorial Day, Gene was flying a legal team to Curacao. He'd be spending the next three days there waiting for the lawyers to conclude their business before flying back to Miami.
At 3:30 in the afternoon, Leo's phone rang. It was a number that he didn't recognize, but the area code was 305... Miami.
"May I speak with Leo Ward?" a man spoke in a quiet and even tone of voice.
"This is Leo."
"Leo, my name is Tyler Williams. I'm the Flight Operations Manager for Fuller Dixon. We're a law firm based in several cities. I'm calling you from our Miami Office. I believe you may know the reason for my call."
"Yes, Mr. Williams. I'm am acquainted with one of your pilots. Gene Hammerschmidt."
"Excellent. And please call me Tyler. Gene has submitted your name as someone in whom we may be interested in recruiting as a member of our flight services team. Do you have a few minutes to talk with me?"
"Yes, I do. Gene had mentioned recently that you may be looking for a new pilot."
"Well, Leo, what I would like to do is begin the process. One of our senior pilots is planning to retire in mid-July, so we will be looking at several candidates as potential new hires. I just want to be sure I have some basic information first. Then, if you are interested in continuing the application process, we will require that you send us several documents as verification of your credentials and experience. How does that sound with you?" As he spoke, Leo was drawn in to Tyler's deep baritone voice. While there was nothing pretentious about Tyler's words, Leo was definitely aware that this was a phone call of a very professional nature.
"Of course. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have."
"I'll try to keep this part short. Now, I believe you understand that we are a private law firm and that our pilots are not hired through an agency or through any advertisement. Right now, we operate three Challenger 650 aircraft under Part 135. Each of our aircraft are based in different cities in the United States so that we can best serve our teams of legal professionals and clients who need on-demand travel. It is not a requirement for employment that you currently possess a Challenger type rating. However, in the event that we offer you a position, you will be required to obtain a type rating through a training course at a Bombardier facility. Do you have any questions about what I've just said?"
"No, I understand." Leo had to sit down in order to concentrate on what Tyler was telling him.
"Wonderful. Now, can you tell me, are you married or partnered or have any dependants?"
"No, I'm single," Leo replied.
"Have you ever been arrested or convicted of any crime?"
"Never!"
"Can you tell me what airman certificates and type ratings you possess?"
"Yes, I hold a Commercial and ATP Multi with Instrument certificates. I am also a CFII. I have type ratings in Embraer 135/140 and 170/190, as well as Beech 1900 and King Air 200. I earned my BS in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle in Daytona."
"Very good, Leo. One more... would you be able to come to Miami within the next two weeks for a personal interview?"
Leo texted Gene, "I'll be in MIA on 6/8. Will you be around?"
It was seven hours later when Leo received a response. "Schedule says I'll be on Prince Edward Island that day. Hate to miss you."
Leo wasn't working that particular day, but decided to use the company benefit of flying when a seat wasn't sold. He checked on how the morning flight from Columbus to Miami was selling and there were still twelve seats available. He put a crew hold on one and crossed his fingers.
When he arrived at the airport on the morning of June 8, he checked with the ticket counter. His seat was still available. It seemed to him a little strange to be at the airport in regular street clothes. It felt like being in disquise. He had his crew ID with him and presented himself to the ticket manager so that he could get a crew ticket and boarding pass. "Vacation week, Leo?" the ticket manager asked.
"No, I have a meeting in Miami," replied Leo. The ticket agent looked him up and down suspiciously. It wasn't the first time a First Officer flew off to Miami, or Atlanta, or Chicago, or Dallas for a "meeting." The manager assumed Leo had a job interview at a competing carrier. In a way, his assumption was correct.
Leo went through security like every other passenger, but he held his crew ID under his boarding pass and ticket. A TSA agent recognized him standing in line and waved him over and sent him through the scanner. Leo wasn't planning to spend the night and had already reserved a seat on the last flight back to Columbus. All he was carrying was a briefcase containing some of the documents that Tyler Williams had asked him to bring to his interview. He had original copies of his logbooks and Airmen's Certificates and various transcripts, along with his passport and medical certifications.
The gate agent recognized him immediately. She was one of his favorites and was always in a cheerful mood. Even at the end of a long and stressful day, Charlene was always still smiling and laughing. "Honey, who you sneakin' off to see? Or did you just come in today to see me?" Charelene laughed. "Mmm Mmm, child you look good even when you not in that uniform."
"Thanks, Ms. Charlene. I'm just seein' how the ride feels."
"Mmm Hmm... I know that's right!" The two laughed again.
Charlene allowed Leo to board ahead of all the passengers. She just looked at him and motioned with her index finger. Then, she scanned his boarding pass and unlocked the jetway door.
The cabin crew was busy with provisioning the aircraft as Leo arrived at the main entry. The cheif stew for the flight looked up and was surprised to see him, "Leo! You're not working today?"
"Nope. Having a little downtime in Miami," he replied. There was no reason to go any further with a flight attendant. He knew that the news would spread quickly amoung the cabin and flight deck crews that one of their own was riding in back. The less she knew, the better. Gossip in the airlines was often out of control and everyone talked about everything and everyone.
He found his seat and placed his briefcase in the overhead. The first passengers were starting to board the plane so he settled into his seat and checked his phone one more time before the plane pushed back from the gate. There was a text from Gene. "Good luck!"
Leo took a cab from the airport to an office building in downtown Miami. As the cab pulled up to the tall building, Leo felt the excitement churn in his belly. He had dressed smartly for the interview. Since summer was now officially in full swing, he had on a pair of lightweight linen pants that accentuated his thick thighs and hugged his trim hips and butt. Although it wasn't vulgar, there was definitely an indication of a nice package up front. He also wore a light blue polo shirt that was a similar style to the one Gene had worn in the bar at the Marriott. Shoes and belt were of a light brown leather by Gucci. He had long ago learned that when you go to an interview, you dress the part so that your potential employer can imagine you in the job. He hadn't copied the attire of Fuller Dixon's pilots, but he captured the style and appearance so that he gave the impression that he would fit in.
A large sign with the Fuller Dixon name and logo sat next to the main entrance to the tall office building. They occupied the top five floors and Tyler's instructions told him to go directly to the 18th floor. As the elevator doors opened, it was very apparent that Fuller Dixon was a major player. Everything was done in glass and shades of blue. Men and women in smart business attire walked confidently and calmly through the corridors on the inner perimeter of the private office spaces. A lovely woman with a slight Carribean accent greeted Leo, "Good morning, Sir. How can I help you?"
"My name is Leo Ward and I have an appointment to see Tyler Williams."
The woman extended her hand. Leo detected the slightest fragrance of pineapple. "Welcome to Fuller Dixon, Mr. Ward. Please come with me." She led Leo past a row of offices occupied by working attorneys and legal assistants. Most of the offices had transparant walls of glass and Leo could see out into Biscayne Bay. A number of cruise ships sat docked along the northern edge of Dodge Island. A few of the offices were shielded from view by a milky opaque glass.
The receptionist directed Leo to an alcove with comfortable chairs arranged in small conversation groups. "Please make yourself comfortable. Mr. Williams will be with you in a minute."
Leo's wait was brief. "Good morning, Leo!" Tyler Williams entered the seating area with his hand already extended toward Leo. He wasn't tall, perhaps only 5'7", but he appeared very muscular and trim. Leo guessed him to be close to 50 years of age. He had very dark hair with a hint of grey at the temples. He wasn't wearing a jacket, but had on a crisp business shirt and tie and charcoal grey pants that showed off his very muscular legs.
"Good morning, Tyler. Very nice to finally meet you," Leo said with a type of cheerfulness he usually used on passengers.
"Thank you so much for taking the time to come to Miami. Come on back to my office." Leo followed Tyler around a corner into a very large inner office. A younger man sat at an array of computer screens and Leo recognized several weather displays showing different parts of the United States and the Carribean. Three monitors were placed higher up on the wall. One seemed to show the icon of an airplane travelling across the upper midwest of the US. A magenta line indicated the course it had already flown, and the planned course leading to a destination somewhere in South Dakota. Leo inferred that these monitors displayed the present position of the Fuller Dixon fleet.
Leo followed Tyler into a smaller office at the back of the large room. Tyler closed the door and pressed a button next to the door. Instantly, the clear glass wall to the outer office turned milky and opaque so that he could no longer see the operations room.
"Please have a seat. Can I get you anything? A coffee or water?" Tyler asked.
"No, thank you. I'm fine." Leo sat across from Tyler's desk and placed his briefcase on the floor next to his chair. For the next several minutes, Leo and Tyler engaged in small talk. It was the type of conversation that men might have when they meet at a business cocktail hour. Leo was pretty useless when it came to talking about professional sports teams, so Tyler quickly abandoned that topic. And moved on to Leo's apparent physical conditioning.
"Well, it looks like you are finding plenty of gym time," Tyler laughed as he looked Leo up and down. "Do you mind standing up? We like all of our flight crew members to be in top physical shape." Leo stood and was surprised when Tyler stood with him at the same time. Tyler moved around behind Leo and seemed to be checking out his body. Tyler placed his hands on Leo's shoulders and as he came around Leo's left side to return to his desk, he let one hand linger and slide down Leo's back. "Looking good, man!"
"Thanks." Although it wasn't something Leo expected in a job interview, he felt a little bit of a tingle at the intimacy of their interaction. Tyler was standing next to his desk close to Leo's chair.
"Please have a seat. I'd like to look over some of your documentation. Did you bring those with you?" Tyler picked up a folder from his desk. Leo bent forward to retrieve his briefcase. As Leo raised his head, he couldn't help but notice the nice bulge that had formed at the front of Tyler's dress pants. The faint line of the ridge around Tyler's cock was visible just to the right of his zipper. Leo was guessing Tyler didn't have a long dick, but he had a thick one.
Tyler took the records from Leo and went back to sit at his desk as he compared the originals to his copies. He had a few questions about the type of experience Leo had working for a commercial carrier. He wanted to know of any abnormal occurances that Leo may have had to handle like off schedule descents or decompressions, actual in flight failures, or anything that would have informed Tyler about Leo's ability to think and handle himself under an emergency. Next, they reviewed Leo's knowledge of operations outside of the US. Tyler informed Leo that it wasn't infrequent that transatlantic trips were scheduled. Flights from New York to London were commonplace.
As the interview progressed, Leo started to feel much more confident and relaxed that his responses were being well received. Tyler explained the type rating requirement again and the associated training that would be expected. He then began to describe some of the differences Leo could experience from his commercial flying for a regional airline.
"Trips that our crews fly tend not to be as routine as the ones you may have experienced in your commercial career. Our pilots fly to places that often are not served by the commercial carriers. Since you stay with the plane while it is away from Miami, you may find yourself in a hotel for several days. Of course, we pick up the cost of your accomodations, but we also have a budget saving policy that most of our flight crews like to take advantage of. If you choose to stay in a hotel in a single room, that's fine and we will pay that cost. But, if you and the other pilot choose to share a room, we will reimburse each of you for 25% of what it would have cost us to house each of you separately. The reimbursement comes in the form of a bonus at the end of each calendar year. It can add up... along with some other bonus premiums for additional services that might fall outside the scope of your contract with us." Tyler said the last part of that with a slight smile and twinkle in his eye.
They continued to discuss the parameters of a flight crew's duties, including provisioning the aircraft and keeping it immaculately clean, as well as some of the benefits that came with the job.
"Of course, we offer a full benefits package that includes 100% health insurance, vision, dental, life insurance, short and long term disability and 3 weeks paid vacation. Our pilots receive a salary that is paid twice monthly. After each trip, an expense report and receipts are submitted here to flight operations and you are reimbursed in the next paycheck for approved items." Tyler explained these conditions very carefully. "And, starting pay is $90,000."
Tyler shredly observed Leo face when the salary figure was named. Then, he continued, "New hires will fly as Second In Command during their probationary period of one year. If we pay for your type rating, then you will be required to remain under contract with us exclusively for your probationary year. Don't worry, it goes fast. You will also meet with me once every two months during your probation to receive a feedback report. We'll discuss some of the observations of your fellow pilots and cover things that could be improved, or things at which you are doing very well." Tyler seemed to squirm a bit in his seat. "I've already spoken with the pilots who have recommended you for this position, so I'm sure you will perform beyond our expectations." Tyler winked.
In his mind, Leo thought the interview had taken a strange turn. He wondered exactly what Gene, and apparently Rob, had told Tyler to make him say that. He also didn't think it was just his imagination that Tyler was being a bit flirtatious.
"So, do you have any questions about anything that we haven't covered?" Tyler asked.
"Nothing is coming to mind at the moment. I may think of something later, though." Leo took a chance and winked back at Tyler. If there was an innuendo about other 'activities' that may tip the scales to Leo's advantage, he wanted to at least signal that those activities were on the table.
Tyler almost licked his lips as Leo winked at him. "Nice... well, I think you would make a great addition to our flight crew. I know I would enjoy working with you if I were at 40,000 feet for a few hours." Tyler laughed and Leo smiled broadly. "So, I'm going to offer you the position right now. How long will it take you to leave your current job?"
"Wow! First off, thank you very much! I didn't expect a response today." Leo was nearly in shock. He had expected at least a few weeks before he would know anything about the position with Fuller Dixon. "I think I can be available in about a month."
"Wonderful!" Tyler stood and moved to shake Leo's hand. As the men shook, Tyler used that opportunity to place his left hand on Leo's bicep and gave it a squeeze and a brief caress. "We can set up your training dates and work up your contract. I can have that to you as soon as you can give me a firm availability date. We'll have you fly back here to Miami, as a passenger in the Challenger, and complete your induction with Human Resources. You'll meet the rest of the pilots at that time before we send you off to either Toronto or Dallas for your rating. You should allow a few days of orientation here before that."
"This is amazing. You guys don't fool around," Leo said as they entered the larger operations room.
"Well, I wouldn't say that," Tyler said in a hushed voice. Then Tyler introduced the younger man who was working at the computer station. "Carlos, meet our newest Miami flight crew member. This is Leo Ward. Leo, this is Carlos. Carlos does all of the dispatch work for all three aircraft."
"Hi, Leo," Carlos said as they shook hands. "I'll look forward to working with you." Carlos looked Leo up and down in the same way Tyler had.
"Thanks," said Leo. "I think I'm really going to enjoy this"
...to be continued.