Don't judge a career by other's failures. If you want it--go get it.

I flew F-15s and currently fly for Fedex. I also got turned down for my first CFI job. I took an extra quarter at Auburn to graduate and had to wait an extra 8 months to go to UPT without a job. I didnt' get an F-15 out of pilot training--I got an OV-10. Later I had my F-15 assignment moved, cancelled, and changed multiple times. I did not get a second follow on F-15 assignment (at first) but was extended to have another shot. I could not get hired by Delta in 1995 (didn't really have the time or contacts) and the FedEx guy in ANC told me I needed more time but could "throw boxes a while and see what happens...". I didn't get told I was hired by the ANG until about 5 months before I separated from the AF. Once again....when I got out in 2001/02 Delta was not hiring. FedEx DID hire me, but cancelled my class after 9/11 and I had no idea when I would start--but suspected the wait would be several months.

Point to all this "me" talk? There is a lot of "nope", "not yet", "not now", "thanks but no thanks" in that story. There is also a whole lot of the FIDO (F--- it, drive on!) philosophy too. At my airline, there are tons of guys who took a long, wandering path to get to where they are now. Focus on your goals, keep moving towards them every day, keep an open mind and a positive attitude...and enjoy the journey. I had no idea 10 years ago I'd be where I am now, but I had a vision of some "similar" things I wanted, and I kept moving.

Just remember--somebody is going to be flying that F-15/F-22/777/747/787 in 10 years. Why not you?