Kindle Edition Amazon amazon.com Category:  Memoir Publisher: Peter M. Buffington ISBN-10:  0971208417 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 379 ISBN-13: 9780971208414 Squawk 7700 is a first-hand account of author Peter Buffington's experiences as a commercial airline pilot and the journey he took to reach his childhood dream. Buckle your seatbelt and prepare for an eye-opening, turbulent ride into the world of aviation from the pilot's seat. From student pilot at age 15, to flying instructor, to nighttime cargo pilot, and finally as first officer aboard the ATR42 and ATR72 turboprop airliners island hopping the Caribbean. Squawk 7700 is a riveting aviation adventure. Peter began writing the first edition of Squawk 7700 in October of 2000, completion was in May of 2001. The first edition was published by Morris Publishing in July 2001. Two months after publishing the first edition, the events of 9-11-2001 unfolded forever changing the airline industry. Peter's motivation in publishing his personal story was his desire to see change in the regional airline industry. The regional airline's hiring practices, corner-cutting, and Pay-For-Training were pushing the moral and ethical envelope. Peter knew by publishing his story many aspects of the the airlines daily operations would be exposed. Nearly 10 years passed since publication of the first edition. Two recent air disasters motivated Peter to publish a second edition of Squawk 7700. The crashes of Comair Flight 5191 in Lexington, Kentucky and Colgan Air 3407 in Buffalo New York. Shortly after the US Airways Flight 1549 incident in New York, Peter and Jeff Skiles began working together to see that changes were implemented in the way regional airlines hired pilots, and to expose the daily lifestyle of a regional airline pilot. Jeff Skiles was called to testify before congress on numerous occasions in 2009. Jeff explained why change was urgently needed in the regional airline industry. On July 30th, 2010, the U.S. House and Senate Passed the FAA Safety Bill setting forth new pilot hiring minimums and training requirements. On August 1st, 2010 the POTUS signed the FAA Safety Bill HR 5900.

Pleasantly surprised - one to add to your aviation collection
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The story grabbed my attention after reading the first few pages and it didn't take long for me to decide that I couldn't put the book down. I am a physician who flies for pleasure. I always wondered what a flying career might have been like. The story provides us with a great representation of what the state of the industry is, the sacrifices necessary to become an airline pilot, while presenting us with humorous, nail-biting, and intriguing moments. My personal favorites: When the author takes his college date for an airplane ride (I won't spoil it), the landing at "Beef Island" in the Caribbean, and the colorful descriptions and intensity of flying a turboprop in the tropics. The factual analysis of some of aviation's recent events opened up my mind. I enjoyed the author's perspective and I agree entirely with his viewpoint. A close family friend has a son who is flying for the airlines, and the stories that I hear from him make me recommend this book as "long overdue". Check out this book, well worth it.

Sacrifices abound and soul searching within
The industry has changed much since I flew in the hay day of the airline boom. 1963 -> 1993 - retired TWA, 30 years. This young lad has written a solid tale about how things have changed in today's airline career. Outstanding book about an often overlooked niche of the aviation industry - The 1st 10 years. Sacrifices abound and soul searching within, I look back at my own sacrifice, for each of us was created to die, and within, Peter is a lad of integrity, nicely done.

Candid look at your aviation career dreams
This book was such a fascinating read, I couldn't put it down. As a private pilot, I often imagined the possibility of changing careers to become a professional pilot. Having read this book, I now know much more about the aviation industry from the perspective of someone who lived it. So many things he went through were just remarkable and unexpected for a system tasked with safeguarding the lives of millions every year. Pilots are talented, intellligent, hard working, love flying with a passion, and can do great things under extremely difficult conditions. Where else are you going to find such quality talent in the business world? But no telling how many potential "Sully" Sullenbergers and Jeff Skiles will not be in the cockpit tomorrow because they got burned out and left under such working conditions.