Vagabond,
I believe he is referring to the fix as an analogy in reference to departing the initial approach fix or final approach fix. You call it in an instrument approach procedure as a reference point to where in the sky you are located. Of course i could be wrong because we are talking 37 years experience to 2 but that is what i took it as. The fix being just a point in his life that he passed, a checkpoint if you will.
I am not very philosophical though so dont critique me too bad 2dots.
As for sky says, i totally respect his oppinion. I feel i am somewhat fortunate as i paid roughly 4k for my private, which i feel is alot and after using my VA benefits to complete my training i will be roughly 13k out of pocket which i will pay cash for out of my savings, so at the very least i will not be starting out in debt.
The more i look at the industry the less the majors appeals to me. Of course that is where the money is (if you ever get there) but from what i know of my own dream of flying, CRJ and larger jets does not fit the bill. I have mentioned in previous post that i think the dream for me is a small company like Cape Air or Linear flying nothing larger then a VLJ eclipse. The pay starts higher than the regionals to start (providing you have around 1500 hours TT) and i feel that with my wives nursing income combined with where i end up we can live comfortably within our means while still flying for the love.
I could be wrong though and i absolutely respect every oppinion here because i am going there, but you have been there and that is a big difference.
The part i am not looking forward too, although we have the savings and the wife has the job to cover it, is the time i will put in at 14 an hour flight instructing to build hours although i do value it for the experience. That part scares me a bit making such a low wage. I have often thought about instructing to 1000 TT or so and building multi and then maybe trying to get a banner tow position for variety.
Who knows..maybe i am just rambling here, but i think the love of flying is what you make it.