Where We Came From. Who We Are. Part IV.I

The pictured flight was from KGCN (Grand Canyon Nat'l Park) to KHND (Henderson Exec Las Vegas NV) and featured a vicious and gusty X-wind at the landing. The OAT at HND at landing was 36*C. For the uninitiated that converts to about 98*F. The Cessna is un-airconditioned.

This is a continuation of my post begun below. Here's a link.

I was left at _________ airport, 250 miles from Miami and told "we may be in touch". What I didn't mention was that it was 3:50a.m. and raining. And every door I could find was locked. I crawled under the wing of a waiting Cessna 310, folded my jacket into something resembling a pillow and went promptly to sleep. About 6:30 I rolled over, the rain had stopped, and an alligator was coming slowly my way and was only about 20 feet away. It seemed closer at the time. I found my way to the perimeter fence and climbed over--remember, in the late 60's airport security was not like it is now--and was on my way back to Miami, riding my thumb.

I got back to town by late afternoon, needing a shave and shower. Marla wasn't too impressed by the "whoevers" I was flying for.

I got cleaned up and about the time I sat down for supper the phone rang and the voice said "Senor, we would like you to fly for us a package." "I'm tired and need some time off to recover. In case you didn't notice, you or your employees left me a long way from home in the rain at night without the offer of a ride home. "I'm very sorry for that Senor, but that is to be expected at times. We need a pilot to fly a package and we need him now. Are you interested in the job Senor?" "...Yeah, I'm interested. Where and when? "_______ Airport and in two hours. "See you then.

I looked at Marla and gave that kinda hang-dog grin I get sometimes.

"Ya basta!! You leave and I will not be here whenever you bother to get back!!

She was there when I got back.

So, long story shortened a little, I popped a little chemical stay awake help and off I went. By this time I was pretty sure I knew where this was heading but so far I hadn't done anything illegal so I figured I was still OK in the eyes of the rest of the world and I could get out anytime I wanted. Ain't that always the way.

I got to the ________ Airport as scheduled and was met by the guy I only knew as El Segundo, who handed me a package. The package weighed 44lbs, exactly. I know this because it was weighed carefully, twice, before being opened when I got to my destination and in my presence.

I guess I knew what was in the package right from the start but didn't think too much about it. A two hour flight, all domestic, and only state borders to cross. No customs.

So off I went in the regular King Air, just me and this 44lb package.

Two hours later I was on the ground at _______. I was met by an unsmiling and muscular guy with the usual gun slightly visible under the sport jacket. And the first thing out of his mouth was "you have opened the package mi amigo and are in very serious trouble indeed. (I hadn't) "No...I haven't. You are wrong. And I don't think I'm really your amigo hombre.

Well, long story shortened here, I got punched a couple of times. I'm not a hero and I'm not much of a fighter. Even less so when the guy opposite is 50 lbs heavier than me and very very fit.

I got my breath back slowly and when I could stand up fairly straight (it would be three more days before I stood really straight) I put my hands up and in plain sight and told the guy I was going to reach in my back pocket, get out my wallet and hand him a phone number I had been given along with the instructions: "You may need this number soon. Keep it and give it to whoever gives you concern. Give him the paper, do not just tell him the number. It would do you no good in that case."

The guy took (snatched more like) the paper, took me into a waiting office area and made his call. I wasn't offered a seat so I stood--rather more of a slump against the door frame I guess.

"He is here Jefe. The package has not been opened. Si Jefe. I will show him. No, he did not weaken. Thank you Jefe, I think so as well"

And the guy hung up the phone and turned to me, but this time with a smile and offered handshake. Oh and by the way, the offer of a healthy belt of Glenfiddich Scotch.

"Come Senor, let us see your delivery.

So we opened the 44lb package and I got a laugh when my muscular friend showed me the contents. 44lbs of the best Colombian...Criollo Chocolate.

"We may be in touch Senor, with a job offer this time. Congratulations, you passed the tests.

"What would have happened if I had opened the package? Armand (I later found out his name) sighed and said "Alas, then your time at this place would have been short and unhappy.

I flew the King Air back to Miami, got home before Marla left for work (see, I knew she wouldn't leave), got some sleep and then waited.

Several days later I got a call to be at ___________ airport at ________ p.m. This was where I got my job offer.

$5000 dollars U.S. every week, whether you fly or not. You will fly for no one else, no matter how much they offer. You will be ready to fly within two hours of our contacting you, day or night, seven days a week. If you are arrested make your phone call to this lawyer. Be sure you understand that, this lawyer only. You are ours until we release you or you die, and you can take that however you wish.

There were a few other provisos, but those are the main ones I guess. Like I said, the whole drug flying business started over a Gin game in Miami I guess.