People should know my background!

They should know that I started flying at 14. Graduated from the top of my class in college. Struggled as a CFI, bush pilot, forest service pilot, air-ambulance/charter/corporate pilot, and finally as an airline pilot. I have plenty of heart and drive. My main flaw is that I have at least a shred of self respect.

I stupidly expected that after all the sacrifices, moves, jobs and effort that at 36 I would be worth at least a job that pays a middle class wage and would offer me the opportunity to live within 300 miles of where I wished.

I never thought that my career would expect me to move overseas to keep it alive. I did not expect that it would have me sacrifice the happiness of my wife and children. And I certainly did not expect to be impoverished after so long in the saddle.

I will not accept those conditions. You seem to imply that those characteristics make me less of a person somehow. Others are willing to lay down with turned up belly to the industry. I hold myself to higher expectations in life and if aviation will not produce then I will seek elsewhere.



SkyHigh