Launch Blog

I'm new to this medium so be kind.

This blog is intended to delve into the life of Erik Scheller with periodic snapshots of insights into my family, career, and the fun things I like to do; with a brief synopsis below.

FAMILY
Presently I enjoy a family life wife my wife and 17-month old daughter. That will change in about a month's time when the kids will outnumber the parents. Not quite the Brady Bunch, but with twins on the way life will be interesting very shortly. Much more on this to come.

CAREER
Currently employed by Alaska Airlines as a pilot. For the last two months I've been consumed with training for the 737. Since I was hired in October 1989 I've been flying the MD80 exclusively, almost 8 years as First Officer and the last 10 years as Captain. Now transitioning to the 737 has been quite the adventure in and of itself. Not always fun, but certainly a challenge - and I'm always up for a challenge. Some old MD80 habits are hard to break, but they have been able to teach this old dog some new tricks. SImulator checkride is next Tuesday so gotta be prepared for that one - a career moment!

FUN
I like to race bikes. I've always had a bike to ride. I rode to school as a kid, I rode for fun in exercise in college, and I went on an around-the-world journey by bike in 2000. I used to race triathlons and because of my rock-like swimming ability would have to chase down the faster swimmers on the bike and try to hold them off on the run. In 2002 I turned to racing bikes full time because it was a different avenue to chase my competitive pursuits, and running was becoming too hard on the body. I first raced with the local bike shop sponsored team - Old Town Bicycle, but after upgrading to CAT 2 in late 2005 I was offered a spot in the AxleyUSA team. As I approach 50 I'm probably not in the top competitive shape that I once was and wasted away during my triathlon years, but it is great fun. Several good characters and many great races to cover as the season develops.

Stay tuned