Pilot Spencer

Never would I have ever guessed that at 24 years old, I would ever experience what I did last night. Nothing like acting as co-pilot in a King Air for Hollywood stars. (at Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/B46OXipBhrP/?igshid=ixs6tfo532qe

Representing Cedar Point on the River Rouge 🎢⚓️ Day two of working on a tugboat and WOW. Aboard the Tug Cheyenne with tug/barge Evans McKeil and Niagara Spirit pictured, which we assisted the last two days. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqbWxZ8lxyF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17pw9cik1o9s0

This past week I received some unwelcomed news. My Coast Guard recruiter texted me telling me MEPS had disqualified me because of a Eustachian tube issue (which may or may not have caused issues while flying) which my doctor said I MIGHT have. When I received that news, I was honestly crushed. I then realized, even though I’ve been saying I can see myself chickening our last minute for basics or just see myself not making it, I want it. This is something I truly want in my life and truly want to pursue as a career. I don’t want it just as a get out of debt free card, this is something combining the things I love. Flying, boating (and apparently now) law-enforcement. Normally I would dwell on this saying “guess it isn’t meant to be” or “what else can go wrong” but no. I am choosing to take this and run with it. I won’t give up. I want to be a Coast Guardsmen; semper paratus. Always ready. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpss6QClhGs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wkrnofr3ln00

And so ends season 3 with the Jet Express. It’s been one hell of an emotional year here. All kinds of ups and downs. But I will always be thankful for the friends I’ve made here. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpgHekoFY7U/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vzzl36e03hvg

@daniel_cookk caught me in the sunset last Sunday. Sometimes I look okay. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpBFrTMghtl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=od2onv2kt837

Me: “Is this caption a yay or nay” Daniel: “Absolutely nay, how basic are you trying to be” Me: “Very basic but caption me” Daniel: “You do you” Therefore: you do you. thanks y’all for dealing with this random caption... Jet Express 1 departing Cedar Point marina with a load of “casualties” post mass casualty exercise. For those who don’t know these are both my jobs... crew/tickets/dock/bartender at the Jet. Fuel pier attendant at Cedar Point 🤷‍♂️ (at Cedar Point) https://www.instagram.com/p/BouwixjgR7I/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1c9qq273zbi6a

My two favorite people and I went to visit Jet 3 out of the water ❤️ Amazing how different her keel is than the other boats. https://www.instagram.com/p/BoLHy7eA27I/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ftcoawdv0jm2

Another view of the storm the other night. (at Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnYpEjtF0sK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wmgug43wo72u

Lake Erie was a little mad last night... (at Put-in-Bay, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnUTPA9lzbg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bdcbtori53s

Was given my four bars today and actually almost cried behind handed them. 3 years ago when I applied, I joked about applying for captain but had the goal to prove that just because I was gay didn’t mean I was above working my ass off and now here I am. Thanks Jet 1 for being a good girl the last two days for the official start of my captain training. I’ve got a lot to learn but I’m excited as can be. . . . #greatlakes #passengerferry #jetexpress #lakeerie #lakeerielove #captain #boatcaptain

And here is my stereotypical avgeek post wishing the Dash-8 a happy retirement. She’s kind of a special aircraft to me since she was the second, third, and fourth aircraft I flew on (that I could actually remember) back in 2013, doing EWR-PHL-SBY-PHL. These photos, from when I decided to do a turn to TRI aboard her (and almost got stuck there because I messed up my listing). It was a fun aircraft to fly aboard and was kind of a dream one for me to fly one day. It will be missed.

Happy Fourth, y’all

View of the GM building from Jet II as we took a slight detour on our way home from Detroit Yacht Club last night.

Just an attempted artsy shot from a charter around West Sister Island. (at West Sister Island)

Yesterday, I got to crew during a joint training exercise between the @uscg Station Marblehead and the Jet Express, Miller Boat Line, and Kelleys Island Ferry. Easily coolest experience of my life. Back in March I started looking into joining the Coast Guard. Today I finally sent in my application to a recruiter. Now it’s time to just wait and see what happens.

After watching last night’s 60 Minutes “investigative journalism” piece on Allegiant, I am fuming. I continue to see posts about it and comments about it and it just makes me more and more angry. Having worked their flights, sure I’ve seen some issues. But far more often than the occasional maintenance issue, flights were either on-time or even early. My one flight experience with them was met with an early departure from Toledo and early arrival into Sanford and a great and friendly crew aboard an MD-80. Every airline has their issues and Allegiant has been growing at an astounding rate over the last few years, (sadly) retiring the 757 from their fleet already and phasing out the MD-80 while introducing BRAND NEW Airbus aircraft. The piece last night more or less portrayed Allegiant employees as naive and willing to take risks to complete flights. One of the last flights I worked there was a bald spot on a main gear tire (since you know landing 80 tons of metal at landing speed can wear a tire down) and the captain refused to fly the outbound. So what did Allegiant do? They sent another MD-80 with two new main gear tires in the cargo bin up late at night. That aircraft ferried in was there only long enough to unload the tires and fuel up. Then back to Florida it went. Allegiant cares about its passengers and employees. The “facts” presented last night were outdated and blown out of proportion. I will always be proud to have worked for allegiant and would love to one day work as crew aboard their aircraft. You’re pathetic 60minutes for the blatant smear campaign you aired last night. #allegiantstrong