South West Departing From Buffalo

SWA#825, KBUF (Buffalo) to KMDW (Chicago Midway).

A mid afternoon flight in the PMDG 737-700. Departure weather at KBUF was wind 260/09kts with clouds few 2'500, 4'000 scattered and 10'000 scattered with temperature of 21C.

At the Gate KBUF

The departure was off runway 23 to the south west using the BUF.2 SID. Vectors to JHW VOR and then to the DJB VOR and on the J60 jetway.

Rolling on runway 23 at KBUF

J60 takes you along the south shore of Lake Erie. Past places like Erie and Cleveland. The headwinds at FL380 were well over 100kts for most of the trip.

Arrival weather at KMDW was looking good though. Wind was 006/03kts, CAVOK, and temperature of 27C. Calling for a GSH.3 arrival on runway 04R.

Short final 04R KMDW

Runway 04R is just a touch over 6'400 feet. I used auto brake MAX and flaps 40. Nothing like plunking your 737 down in the middle of a city block. I hand flew the last 1'000 feet and took over the throttle at the 500 foot call out. Not much room for error here at Midway.

At the gate KMDW

One hour and thirty five minutes on the log.

I would like to do the return leg later this evening if I have the time.

A quick side note, I flew with a heavy heart today. My favorite first officer's old age finally got the best of him and we had to see him off last week. Been a long time since I flew without my dog Chance by my side in the right seat here. The shot below is from last March as we did the briefing into KPDX.

RIP old buddy!

Approach Briefing with my F/O Chance