I know of a guy who got hired at UPS without a degree and only a small amount of airline experience. His father was well connected in the industry. As I understand it the next wave will have to have Atlantic crossings in their logbook. Most here I am sure do not have that kind of background. UPS is the golden fortress and to date I do not know of a single peer or colleague who has succeeded in getting hired there.

I am sure that there are a few regular guys who slip through the cracks. Anything is possible. I could also win the lottery; however, I am just not comfortable placing so much of my security and future into the hands of fate. The odds are that most will fall short and will have to face a heavily discounted version of their dream.

We all need to be our own advocates. Eventually it becomes obvious that our chances are slipping away. Some will choose not to see the writing on the wall and will wake up one day as a lonely 54 year old captain of a turboprop sitting next to an FO who is silently wondering "how badly did this guy screw up?". Others will choose to take action and find their place in the sun elsewhere. Open ended sacrifice is not possible without it exacting a high personal price. It is essential to reach a plateau of success before it begins to take its toll. I am not interested in martyrdom. I have a life to live.

SkyHigh