Reporting for Duty: My Morning Routine at RedQ
When I first put on the uniform—not the red one people expect, but the classic white shirt with the “zebra” tie and silver epaulettes—I felt a huge wave of achievement. After all the years of high-interest loans and selling houses, I was finally standing there as a First Officer.
Of course, the walk to the office at KLIA2 is famously long, but honestly? I didn’t mind. I’d walk twice that far just to keep this job (actually not, it’s still very far).
The “Quiet Before the Storm”
My day usually starts at RedQ. The first thing I do is sign on at the computer to print out the flight plans, check the weather reports and NOTAMs to have an idea how the flight’s gonna look like for the day.
While the briefing area is usually buzzing with people, I like to find a quiet spot away from the crowd. This is my “focus time.” I sit down and go through the paperwork, checking the aircraft status and the weather for our route. Once the “brain work” is done, I head out for the essentials: a coffee and my go-to chicken wrap. (And yes, I’m that guy—no sauce, no pineapples. Just keep it simple). I’ll then meet up with my captain at the briefing area and we’ll discuss about the plan for the day, thereafter we’ll head to the aircraft.
Flying the A320: From Diamond 40 to Fly-By-Wire
Transitioning from the Diamond 40 (DA40) I flew in flight school to the Airbus A320 was an interesting jump. The A320 is a gentle yet nimble plane.
The biggest difference is the Fly-By-Wire system. Because it’s all electronic, the sidestick can feel a bit artificial compared to the mechanical “feel” of a trainer plane. But in terms of handling, it’s surprisingly conventional. Every aircraft has its own “pattern” and personality, and I found the A320 very easy to get used to. It’s a nice, responsive plane to fly, especially when you’re aiming for that “baby butt” landing.
Deep Talks at 35,000 Feet
One of the best parts of the job is the people. Every Captain has a different personality. Sometimes the cockpit is quiet and we just focus on the flight, but other days, it’s a total vibe.
The best days are when I’m paired with a Captain who is not only a great pilot but a great mentor. I’ve had some of the best “deep talks” about career growth, life, and money while cruising across the Malaysian coastline. And some of them? They really know how to feed their FOs! Having a Captain who shares their food and their wisdom makes the long shifts feel like a breeze.