zippypinhead
First time poster, long time lurker...
I can't believe nobody has mentioned my favorite in the area:
www.spondivits.net
They're up on Virginia Ave just north of the airport. For the last thirty years I always try and stop for a bowl of gumbo before I turn in the rental car.
The place used to be just about overrun with Delta pilots and flight attendents. Then they started with all the stupid human tricks at security and the crews have less time...
When I was younger and still flying...........
Many airline types started hanging out at Spondivits as soon as it opened.(mostly while undergoing annual training. Most crews on layovers, if they were smart, steered clear or at least remained low profile. No crewmember wanted to be greeting their passengers next morning and have one of the pax say, " Hey, didn't I see you at the bar last night?")
Bad ju ju. Unwinding little after all day long in a classroom or simulator is one thing, but to be doing so during a rest layover can bite you on the seat.(if a pilot ever tells you that he flies better hungover than sober.....don't believe it <g>.
Lots of tales about hard drinking aviators, but it was my experience that the vast majority were very responsible. A lot more so than say other professions that deal in the life or death bidness....
The old 24 feet between bottle and throttle was mostly old fighter pilot talk. (I was not at Tailhook '91 in Vega., You didn't see me, that's my story and I am sticking to it!)
Of course there can be exceptions but as I said, the vast majority are extremely cautious about this. Way too much riding on it.
The old saying goes, " I wish I made as much money as my in laws think I make, Had as much time off as my neighbor thinks I have and had as many sweet young things chasing me as my wife suspects ".
Mostly myth I must say, found mostly in novels and movies and not reality. (but then again <g>)
