American Airlines Virtual

We've had some pretty nasty weather in ATL the past couple of days, so I decided I needed to come back home after galavanting around the Caribbean. I took a jump-seat ride from TJSJ to Miami where I found a shiny and lovingly-used 737 waiting to depart for Atlanta.

Going to my dispatch planner I plugged in the particulars. Here is page 1 of my dispatch sheet:

Knowing that freezing drizzle is coming down in ATL I figured there was a possibilty that I may have to hold for an extended amount of time so I added about 2k lbs. of fuel and planned for 18.9k pounds. Below is page 2 of the dispatch sheet with the route particulars... notice that the remaining fuel upon reaching ATL is supposed to be 6700 lbs.

The weather in Miami was relatively nice and clear albeit a bit windy, but no big deal. We quickly made our way through the pre-departure checklists and before we knew it we were ready to push right on time...

I don't understand why anybody in their right mind would want to leave Miami. (key words: in their right mind), but there was a one heck of a line for Rwy 12...

It cost me a case of scotch and a slight duel with the cross winds but I asked for Rwy 08 R and was able to make up a little time.

This is the last of the nice weather I'll get to see for a while...

Descending from FL370 I quickly realize what awaits me. Atlanta is somewhere down in all that soup...

I have no idea what this genius was doing, but for a split second I could have sworn I heard Jeff Jett's voice on the radio when he replied to the traffic advisory...

Some speedbrakes and a couple of vectors later we're on final for Rwy 08L at KATL... at least that's what I was told.

We found that runway!!!

In spite of my recent disgust with PMDG, their 737 really is a joy to fly and makes these approaches nearly efortless...

from the front...

This is what a greaser looks like. I"ll post the FSACARS log at the end

letting it all hang out...

This may be Delta's home, but AA owned this runway today.