So I had a chance to sit down and meet with the Rockets corporate pilots (the plane is not owned by Les, it is owned by a company based in Dallas). I asked them a few questions aviation related (which do not pertain to the forum) as well as some questions regarding the team. Some of you may not care for this interview but it was cool to hear it from a non rockets fan perspective. Me: So, tell me about the ambiance on the plane,how it differs night to night after a win/loss . Pilot: The emotions that vary are night and day. The plane has different attitudes depending on the result. The "party" atmosphere I remember in the last 2 seasons was the away game series where Houston won in L.A,Portland and Denver if I am correct. It was when Marcus Camby was with the team and Kyle Lowry was injured. Dragic was having a season to remember. The quietest the plane has been was after the Phoenix Loss last season, the boys knew they had to go into LA with a win, it wasn't more of a devastation, but they were concentrated and already in the mindset of a win. Me: Obviously you dont have eyes on the Cabin but what are some things that stand out to you with the team? Pilot: I have seen a lot of turnover so of course with the younger group the chatter and pranks increase on the plane. The older guys tend to knock out the minute they sit on the chair. Although alcohol was not allowed anywhere NEAR the airplane,Ron Artest was known to pre mix his Gatorade a few times before stepping on the airplane. Tracy also was specific about his type of chair and where he wanted to sit. Me: I am sure you have heard about Royce White Pilot: Yeah we were told by management to prepare for anything. We were told that it would be recommended to have him in the cockpit a few times in flight to see how in control and experienced we were. We were also told that if he did have an Anxiety Attack, that according to his Medical Staff, we might have to prepare to stop at an airport in between to calm him down, or plan flights that were longer with stops. Examples are L.A Toronto,Portland. Thankfully he didnt disrupt anything. Me: Who are the funniest/life of the party people,who is the quiet one who wants his space during the flight? Pilot: By far Bill Worell brings the party mood to the plane. He is a chatterbox. Commentating was a good career choice. He does have a few good jokes in him. Bullard,Patterson,Budinger,Dalembert, and Battier were the quiet ones. Alston,Bobby Jackson and McHale are also quite funny. Me: How often do you get to see games? Pilot: Never really,I have been to a few in Houston and about a handful on the road. Usually the plane is ready for push back the minute the players arrive. That was all the basketball chatter.
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lol at royce and having to emergency stop just for him. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoy_en_la_revolucion/8366202962/" title="The-Twilight-Zone-Nightmare-at-20000-Feet-Bob-Wilson-12 by *The last son of krypton*, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8366202962_807db4776d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="The-Twilight-Zone-Nightmare-at-20000-Feet-Bob-Wilson-12"></a>
First, I'm really glad that long after Hayes is gone and now after Patterson is gone, you're still referring to the Rockets as 'we'. I know we still have Terrence Jones, but I'm hoping at this point you're just a die hard Rockets fan regardless. This board would be a worse place without you. And yeah. I thought the same thing. I can't even fathom how he could dare say the Rockets weren't being accommodating when the organization is willing to inconvenience the whole team for a rookie who never even saw the floor.
I am 100% positive I have seen a picture of chase drinking a heineken on the rox charter plane. I remember because shane was sitting next to him and was drinking a bottle of water. I found the picture to be a very accurate depiction of the two. lol
