HF and VHF. Which do we use, and when?

[captjns]

HF is a very useful tool.

In 2001, we were flying a bunch of cruise ship passengers from Florida to Quebec with a drop off in Toronto. Our STA in Montréal-Mirabel International Airport was about 2200 local time.

Mirabel is in the middle of no-where. Great runways though! There is a hotel at the airport but our company was not the most compassionate when it came to short layovers. We had no idea as to what time the hotel closed.

Soooooo enter into the picture…. HF. Somewhere in the Carolinas, I had my F/E contact Miami Radio to establish a phone patch to the hotel. There were two cases of cold Canadian brew and trays of hot food awaiting our arrival at the Best Western in St. Germain later that evening.
It was a win win for all concerned. We supported the economy at the hotel. We filled our bellies after a long day of flying. Miami Radio increased their income by some $17.50 that day.
God bless HF. And I miss the Flight Engineer. Good job to the Best Western too.