All pilots must eat. Learjet pilots on an overnight have to eat. Due to unusual circumstances, I’ve participated in a variety of eating experiences while flying trips as a backup first officer in a Lear 31A for Elite Air of St. Petersburg, Florida. I say unusual because I am not your usual first officer. My captain, Jason Hepner, is 33 years old. I am more than twice his age (slightly!). Because I have enjoyed a long, happy, well-paying career as a cancer surgeon before I got the chance to fly for Elite Air, I can afford to spring for dinner (and sometimes a rental car) when Jason and I are on the road. This is just what dough is for.
It seems to me that paying for dinner is the least I can do as small compensation for having a patient, full-time, real-time, Lear flight instructor for free. Not only that, but I also obviously like the guy.
