His request approved, the ABC News photographer quickly used

a cell phone to call the local airport to charter a flight. He was told

a twin engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.

Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside a

hangar. He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut and

shouted, 'Let's go.'


The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and took off.

Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, 'Fly over

the valley and make low passes so I can take pictures of the fires

on the hillsides.'

'Why?' asked the pilot.

'Because I'm a photographer for ABC Cable News,' he responded.

'And I need to get some close up shots.'

The pilot was strangely silent for a moment. Finally he stammered,

'So,  what you're telling me is .... You're NOT my Flight instructor?’