Local Pilot Publishes Book About His 'Canine Wingman'

This Q&A feature helps readers learn more about Mount Vernon area residents working in our business community. This week’s Q&A profiles Randy Plante, Captain, MD-80, 140-passenger aircraft with American Airlines and new author.

Randy, who has flown planes for American Airlines for 21 years, recently wrote and self-published his very first book, “My Wingman Oliver. A Book About A Pilot and His Loyal Companion.” It's a humorous reference guide about searching for, and adopting a shelter dog, as well as details about he and Oliver’s adventures during their first year together in Alexandria. The book was published in November 2011 and recounts how Plante initially became interested in adopting a dog — after attending a doggie happy hour at the Hotel Monaco on King Street in Old Town. In the book, he describes the process he went through to eventually end up with Oliver. The book also includes stories about the duos’ adventures together in dog-friendly Old Town with its 20 dog parks, doggie happy hour, dog bakeries, a canine cruise and restaurant with a dog menu. In addition, the book functions as a reference guide for people considering getting a dog, including a top 10 list for the dog adoption process, as well as a check list of supplies for new owners.

Growing up in Syracuse, NY, Randy moved with his family to the Hagerstown, Maryland area during his college years. He attended the University of Maryland, where during his senior year, he was the cadet commander of the university’s 235-cadet Air Force ROTC detachment. After college, Randy became a pilot in the Air Force and flew the F-111 fighter jet on two assignments. American Airlines hired him in 1991, and one year later, he joined the Air National Guard. He received an Air Medal for serving on a two-week tour during the Bosnia War, flying missions into Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Four years ago, Randy moved to the Mount Vernon community from Old Town. He has two adopted shelter dogs, Oliver, 10, and Abby, 1. Both dogs are German Shepherd mixes.

How did you become interested in your line of work?

Way back in high school my older brother had his private license and would take us flying. I really enjoyed it, but back then, I didn’t know it would lead to my current profession. When I was in college, I was still unsure about what I wanted to do, and my brother suggested becoming a pilot. I suppose that’s how it all happened.

Describe a typical shift as a pilot.

That’s tough to answer because one of the greatest challenges of today’s airline world is that there is no ‘normal’ or typical day. Ever since I made Captain four years ago, I’ve been what’s called on reserve, or “on call.” The reserve pilots are used if someone calls in sick, a pilot uses a vacation day or there are weather delays or cancellations somewhere. It’s a very different type of schedule and often involves a lot of weekend work. On the MD-80, I fly domestic and that includes the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

What do you enjoy most about your line of work?

What’s fun about my job with the airline is that I never know where I’m going next. And the bonus is that I love to travel. I’m a great believer that people should like their job and enjoy what they are doing. And with the travel, I get to eat local food and drink local beer, that part of it is great. As far as my writing, it’s all related to my passion: dogs and talking to people. The writing part just goes hand-in-hand with that. It was definitely a challenge, and took many long years of hard work, but writing and publishing a book has been more rewarding than anything I’ve ever done.

Where is your favorite place to go in the Mount Vernon area?

I like to take the dogs walking at [George Washington’s] Mount Vernon [Estates]. I bet a lot of people don’t realize you can take your dogs there. I’m also a member of the Mount Vernon Yacht Club and enjoy going out to the Point. We also visit the Grist Mill Dog Park pretty regularly.

What are your hobbies?

I used to love to golf, but then I got tendonitis from writing. With two dogs in tow, just like kids are for many people once they become parents, they really have become my hobby. I now realize that I start making choices about what fun things to do usually based on whether the dogs can join me or not. For example, we invited dogs and their parents to the Barrel Oak Winery (in Delaplane, VA) to a combination book signing and birthday party on Saturday.  It’s a great place to hang out, and they welcome kids and dogs.

What are the last couple of books you read?

Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen Ambrose and His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis.

If you weren’t in this business, what would you be doing?

My dream job is to only have one job. To work at home writing, be with my dogs and have my weekends off!