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  Charlie said, “Looks like we might actually get out of here on time tonight. Did you get the ATIS yet, Robby?”

  “Just about to do that right now, boss.”

  ATIS was the acronym for automatic terminal information service and involved a continuous recorded message that could be monitored at any time, thus relieving the air traffic controller from having to repeat the information to each airplane.

  Robby adjusted the volume on the overhead speaker and dialed the ATIS frequency into the radio. “Atlanta information Bravo. Atlanta weather, wind 030 at 8, visibility greater than 12, sky 25,000 scattered, temperature 89, dew point 58, altimeter 30.12. Atlanta departing Runways Eight Right and Nine Left. Advise on initial contact you have information Bravo.”

  Robby copied all the information onto his scratch pad. He and Charlie both adjusted their altimeters to the barometric pressure of 30.12 inches of mercury and confirmed the airport elevation at 1020 feet above sea level. Charlie inserted a temperature of eighty-nine degrees Fahrenheit into the flight management computer.

  Robby handed Charlie a piece of paper and said, “I’ve copied the clearance, and it’s as filed, so we’re good to go.”

  From the interphone someone said, “Cockpit, maintenance.”

  Charlie answered, “Go ahead, maintenance.”

  “Yes, sir, I buttoned up the access door, did the light go out?”

  “Yeah, it’s out. Thanks a lot.”

  “Did you put it in the book?”

  “No, we didn’t write it up. The logbook is clean, thanks.”

  Charlie said, “Let’s run the checklist, and we’ll be ready.”

  Tony picked up the laminated page and began calling out the long list of challenges. After each challenge, Charlie looked at or touched the item being checked and gave the proper response. After the last item, Tony said, “Checklist complete.”

  It was usually during the reading of the checklist that it occurred to them that every word uttered in the cockpit was recorded.

  Molly spoke to Britt when she and Allen came through the door.

  “Having fun yet, Britt?”

  “Absolutely, it’s like the circus is in town.”

  Allen handed her his hang up bag and said, “You can take care of this.”

  Molly rolled her eyes, and they moved up the aisle to row four. Allen took the window seat without asking Molly if she had a preference and immediately pushed the attendant call button, causing a tone to sound and a little white light to illuminate above his seat. Nancy heard the tone and walked down the aisle until she found the seat with the whine light illuminated. She smiled at Molly and asked Allen, “Can I get something for you sir?”

  “A martini, no olive.”

  “Yes, sir. Can I get you something Miss Jackson?”

  “A bottled water would be great if it’s not too much trouble.”

  Allen took his cell phone out and placed a call.

  Britt walked to the front of the cabin with the hang-up bag. Nancy was mixing a martini.

  “That guy is a world-class jerk.”

  “You must have met Mr. Smallwood. I’ve been given the privilege of hanging his bag.”

  “Don’t hang it yet, I want to put some lipstick on a couple of his shirt collars. We’ll see if his wife thinks he’s a jerk too.”

  “Nancy, only you would think of that.”

  “Nah, Pam does it too.”

  Britt checked her watch and saw that it was ten minutes until six. Everything was under control.

  Ray Slackman sat at the bar in the Cavu lounge. At ten till six he finished his fourth beer and asked Annie for one in a bottle. He laid some money on the bar. “Are you leaving early Ray?”

  “I’m just going to get some fresh air. I’ll be back.”

  He walked out the door and across the hot parking lot to his pickup truck. After opening all the windows in hopes that a breath of wind might cool it a degree or two, he dug his portable scanner out of the console and turned it on. He had programmed the proper aircraft frequencies into the little radio so that he could follow the progress of Flight Eleven on its departure. He selected manual and chose the first frequency in the sequence, which was Tri Con ramp control. Hopefully, the flight would push back on time and his beer would last while he enjoyed the action. All he really needed was the actual takeoff time so that he could determine when to make his first phone call. While he waited, he went over his elaborate plan once again in his mind.

  Ray had removed three working cell phones from the lost and found in baggage claim. The phones could not be traced to him, and he would use them to place three strategically timed phone calls to Tri Con. The first would be to make his demands and give them time to gather his money. After the flight was over the ocean, he would place the second call to reveal the flight number and how to deliver his payoff. Once he received the money, he would make the last call and tell them which circuit breakers to open to prevent the fuel dump. He thought, Maybe I’ll just forget about the last call. That would be a nice payback.

  The plan was foolproof, and he was very proud of himself. He could sense a feeling of power and control that he had never experienced before. Ray felt ten feet tall.

  Chapter Eight

  At five till six, the Tri Con gate agent walked in the door with a handful of papers. He made his way up the aisle in business class to the cockpit.

  “Captain, we’re all set. Are you ready?”

  He handed the papers to Charlie.

  “Is it too late to sick out?” Charlie asked.

  The agent laughed as Charlie signed the dispatch release and handed it back to him.

  Robby said, “We’ve been thrown out of better places than this.”

  The agent laughed again and said, “You’ve got the final weight data there, and it shows 197 total on board. Do you have everything you need?”

  Charlie said, “Yeah, that will do it. We’ll see you in a few days.”

  “Have a good one, gentlemen. I’ll close you right up.”

  The agent walked back to the passenger entrance door and asked Britt, “Are you all set?”

  “We’re good. Thanks for getting us out on time.”

  He walked into the jet way, and Britt pushed the button to roll the big door down from its concealed position in the ceiling. Once it was closed, she armed it, picked up the phone, and pushed the all call button. There was a flight attendant stationed at each of the eight doors. Britt was standing at the forward door on the left side of the airplane, and her station was referred to as the one-left door. One by one, the other seven flight attendants reported that their doors were armed. She pushed the cockpit call button, and Tony answered.

  “The cabin is ready for push back, guys.”

  “Thanks, Britt.”

  She heard the loud warning bell on the jet way as it moved away from the airplane.

  Now that the flight was ready for departure, the mood in the cockpit became more serious. The light banter and humor was replaced with professional concentration and attention to detail. The multi-tasking began as the airplane was pushed back, engines were started, checklists were accomplished, and communications with the tug driver and ramp control were maintained.

  With the flight attendants moving about the cabin, Charlie was careful to slowly taxi the airplane through the congested ramp area. More checklists were accomplished, and when they approached the south ramp exit, Robby called ground control for clearance.

  “Ground, Tri Con Eleven, we’re coming up on six south for taxi. We have Bravo.”

  “Tri Con Eleven, good evening. Right turn on Mike, you’ll follow the Boeing coming out of five south and you can taxi to Runway Nine Left.”

  “Right on Mike, follow the Boeing, Runway Nine Left. Tri Con Eleven.”

  As they joined taxiway Mike, they could see a long line of airplanes waiting for takeoff.

  Charlie said, “Tony, you might as well let Britt know she’s got plenty of time. Looks like at least twenty m
inutes.”

  Britt heard the call signal from the cockpit and picked up the interphone.

  “This is Britt. What’s up guys?”

  “Hey Britt, it’s Tony. Charlie says it’s gonna be awhile.”

  “Do we have time to do the over water video before takeoff?”

  “Looks like at least twenty minutes.”

  “Okay, that’s plenty. Thanks, Tony. Can you give me a five minute warning?”

  “Sure thing, I’ll let you know.”

  Britt called the flight attendants in the back cabin.

  “Tri Con, we do chicken right.”

  “Give it a rest, Alice. We’ve got twenty minutes, so I’m going to do both safety demos before takeoff.”

  “Okay, I’ll let everyone know.”

  Britt punched up the regular safety video, and it started its spiel about seat belts, oxygen masks, and emergency exits. Next she pushed the buttons for the over water demonstration. It explained the life vest and emergency exits, including the slide rafts. At the conclusion, she made sure one of the flight attendants passed by each seat in case anyone had a question. No one ever did.

  Shortly after the video concluded, the PA came alive again.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, good evening from the flight deck. My name is Charlie Wells, and I’m your captain tonight. I just wanted to say welcome on behalf of the flight deck crew and give you some information about our flight. Once we are airborne, the flying time is scheduled for eight hours and eleven minutes. We anticipate an on-time arrival in Madrid, and with the six-hour time zone difference, the current time in Spain is twelve minutes after midnight. It will take us a few more minutes to make our way to the runway, as there are several airplanes ahead of us for departure. However, our schedule takes this taxi time into account, and it will not delay our arrival. The weather along our route of flight is good for the most part, and we expect a smooth ride. The forecast for our arrival is calling for cloudy skies with light rain and a pleasant temperature of seventy-four degrees. We have eight cabin crew members tonight to provide hospitality for you; however, their primary responsibility is your safety. I ask that you give them your full cooperation on matters concerning cabin safety, and if you have any questions about the aircraft or safety matters, please just ask. Thank you once again for choosing to come along with us tonight. We’re very happy to have each of you aboard.”

  Molly thought Good for you, Charlie. Maybe Mr. Smallbrain here will realize flight attendants are not just serving drinks.

  Molly was also impressed that when Charlie concluded his announcement, Britt immediately repeated it in fluent Spanish.

  Allen asked, “What do you think the dinner menu will be?”

  Molly picked up the menu that Britt had given them a few minutes before and handed it to him, wondering once again what planet he was from. Her only hope was that he would drink himself to sleep and leave her alone. Molly reclined her seat a few inches and picked up the in-flight magazine to browse. The business class seats were upholstered in soft leather and were very comfortable. The armrest held a panel that allowed multiple adjustments for the seat. It could be reclined almost horizontal for sleeping, and the footrest and lumbar could be manipulated separately. Each seat had its own entertainment center for movies or games and even a selection called Air Show that allowed the passenger to follow the airplane’s progress along the route of flight. It also displayed the altitude, air speed, and time of arrival. Were it not for her traveling companion, Molly might enjoy the luxurious comforts.

  Ray Slackman had become very uncomfortable sitting in the hot pickup truck. He had heard Flight Eleven push back on the ramp frequency, and he had monitored ground control until he heard them receive instructions to proceed to the runway. Now he had no way to know how many airplanes were ahead of them or how long it would be before they received takeoff clearance. The tower frequency was babbling away on the scanner, and his warm beer had been consumed. He wondered if he had time to run back into the Cavu for a fresh one before Flight Eleven reached the runway.

  Once they were established on the taxiway, Charlie scanned the overhead panel and then set up the flight instruments for departure. Now there was nothing to do but slowly move up in line as the other airplanes took off. Charlie was careful to stay far enough behind the airplane in front of them to prevent their exhaust fumes from entering the air conditioning inlets and polluting the cabin. He stayed slightly to the right side of the pavement so the prevailing wind would also help that situation. When they advanced to number five in line for departure, he said, “Tony, let’s sit them down.”

  Tony called the cabin.

  “Britt, we’ve got about five minutes. Let us know when you’re ready.”

  “Okay, I’ll call you back.”

  She kept the phone in her hand and selected PA.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, in preparation for takeoff, please place your seat backs and tray tables in the up and locked position, and if you have carry-on articles, please place them under the seat in front of you.”

  Nancy and Pam had already begun walking through the cabin, checking seat backs and tray tables. One by one everyone checked in and reported ready to go. Britt stuck her head in the cockpit and said, “We’re all set, guys. I’ll lock the door for you.”

  Charlie called for the before takeoff checklist, and the items were quickly accomplished by the time they were number two in line. They had changed to the tower frequency, and when the airplane in front of them began rolling down the runway, the controller said, “Tri Con Eleven, taxi into position and hold Runway Nine Left.”

  “Tri Con Eleven position and hold,” Robby replied.

  Charlie moved them onto the runway and lined up on the white centerline stripe. He discussed the normal departure procedure with the two copilots and explained what he would do if anything unusual occurred. He included the possibility of dumping fuel and returning for landing.

  They didn’t have to wait long for clearance. “Tri Con Eleven, wind 040 at 10, fly heading zero nine five, Runway Nine Left, cleared for takeoff.”

  They began rolling, and Charlie cleared his mind of everything except the task at hand. The rumbling noise and vibration of the wheels rolling on concrete faded away as they lifted off and climbed to the east. When the wheels tucked into the fuselage and the doors streamlined, the noise level on the flight deck dropped to almost silence momentarily, leaving only the hum of electronics and the whisper of the slipstream on the windshield.

  He narrowed his focus and refused to be distracted by the constant radio chatter. Listening for his call sign primarily, he subconsciously tried to keep up with the other airplanes on the frequency enough to know where they were. His eyes rapidly scanned the instrument panel with only occasional glances out the windshield for situational awareness. Robby and Tony continued to read and respond to checklist, adding to the background noise.

  The hectic departure sequence continued until they were handed off to Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control. “Atlanta Center, Tri Con Eleven with you out of twelve point six, climbing to fourteen.”

  “Tri Con Eleven, good evening. Radar contact, you’re cleared direct Greenwood, climb and maintain flight level two three zero.”

  Charlie engaged the autopilot and programmed Greenwood, South Carolina, into the NAV computer. He slid his seat back slightly and relaxed for a moment and then began surveying the aircraft systems. When he scanned the overhead panel, he noted that they had over sixty thousand pounds of fuel in the center aux tank. The wing tanks would remain full until all the center aux fuel had been used. That meant that he would not have to worry about imbalance in the wing tanks causing aircraft trim problems.

  The weather ahead looked smooth, and he reached up and turned the seat belt light off and said, “Get up off of it ladies.”

  Chapter Nine

  When the tone sounded in the cabin and the girls saw that the seat belt signs were off, they got up and began placing meals into the ovens. Bev
erage carts were loaded, and they prepared to do a beverage service prior to serving dinner. From experience, they had learned not to roll the cart into the aisle right away because a line would form at the lavatories immediately after the seat belt light went off. The cart blocking the way would create a logistical nightmare.

  Bertie swam upstream against the flow of people heading to the aft lavatories, even though she was wider than the beverage cart, so that she could check on her unaccompanied minor. The little girl was sitting in her seat holding her teddy bear.

  “Mandy, are you okay, sweetie?”

  “Yes ma’am, but I’m hungry.”

  “Me too, sweetie. Would you like to go for a walk?”

  “Okay.”

  Bertie took the little girl and her teddy bear to the rear galley. She sat her down on the flight attendant folding seat and gave her several choices of beverage. She chose orange juice. Then she scavenged the galley for snacks and came up with pretzels, peanuts, and cookies.

  “You’re not allergic to peanuts, are you, Mandy?”

  “No ma’am, I like peanuts.”

  “Good, you just stay here and enjoy your snack. In a little while we’ll have a nice dinner for you. Do you like chicken?”

  “Sure do.”

  Nancy had already responded to Allen’s whine light twice more. When he pushed the button again, she told Pam, “Go pour a beer on him. I’m not going.”

  Pam had been serious earlier when she said she was coming down with something. As soon as the airplane began pressurizing after takeoff, her sinuses had opened up and she had already used half a box of tissue. Her nose was red and her patience was thin. As she left the galley, she saw Molly going into the lavatory. When she approached 4A, Allen was alone.