TonyMontana

After 9-11, looked like I was gonna be back in the right seat of the SAAB, after being there for more years than I can remember. Looking forward to that pay cut and getting to fly again with all the people that were on my "do not fly with" list again. At that time I was married into a "medical" family, and was encouraged to give medical school a shot. Took the mcats and scored well. Applied to a few medical schools. Took my "worthless" aviation degree, some letters of rec, and a copy of our 16 year pay indexed, no strike, flow thru(no thru) ALPA negotiated contract, and interviewed at LSU.

It seemed that I was running the show during the interview, those MD's were realy interested in my story. I detailed my actions during the 9-11 fiasco, the then current state of my present industry, and the prospects of moving on to a Legacy carrier(which for me was ZILCH since I wasn't related to anyone at any legacy).

I got in. Worked as an orderly in the morgue, as an E. R. tech, and even mowed lawns during school. There I was, a "Mighty" SAAB Captain, shuffling dead people around. I was encouraged every now and then, because one of the Med school docs knew about my story and would occasionally give me kind words of encouragement.

It was kind of "dark days", I was out of my element-all those young people there, then me at 40, but I figured if anyone else there could do it, so could I. My hatred for what I percieved as a wasted lifeas an Airline Pilot up to that point propelled me forward. I endured 9-11, a divorce, a child custody battle, sleeping in the hospital for a couple weeks during school cause I was homeless for a couple weeks. It was the most difficult thing I have ever done-and the most worthwhile.

I made it.

So can ANY of you guys.

I picked a medical career because that's the thing that will always be here and always be in demand. There are many facets to this industry, and many areas that your "worthless" 4 year aviation degree can get you into-PA, RN, Medical Sales, Pharm Sales, PT, OT-the list goes on.

Now I rub shoulders with the best, am respected and treated in a way that I NEVER was by my "Mainline Airline" peers.

PLUS, if I ever want to, I can go right back to an airline job, cause i'm sitting on a ATP/MEL/SF340 with 11,000 plus hours. I fly a Pitts for fun now-that's how I relieve the flying bug.

I know my story is a threat to some here-that's why people like Sky, myself and others are attacked like we are. Some people don't want to face the reality that what they are doing right now, wont support a family. Some guys will however, get tired of living out of a roll a board suitcase, and tired of being away from home and family on every significant birthday, holiday, and anniversary, tired of trying to commute home after a long 4 day, only to be bumped by a smirking mainline guy. Tired of trying to explain poverty wages and the "promise" of future advancement to the "Mainline" mabee to a non understanding wife. Tired of pax comments about your "puddle jumper", and when will you be a real pilot?

Those are the guys that I am here to offer my help-and I have helped about 15 so far.

After all. isn't this site about Pilots helping Pilots?