Originally Posted by
Herbie
It was a very good post winglet. All I will say is not to let age be the factor that determines in your mind whether or not someone is a good pilot. The guys you talk about that now it's what they have wanted to do since they were little kids probably got there start at a very you age. I started flying at 13 and now, 10 years later, I am in this industry. I think my passion speaks for itself as I have not quit my job at TSA, although it sounds appealing some days.
I am in this one for the long haul boys and girls. It is about time that we get back what is ours in this business. It won't happen over night, and it certainly won't happen if all some of us do is point our fingers at one and other to assign the blame at who crippled this industry. The botom line is it doesn't really matter how we got to this point, it is that we are here and we need to get ourselves out of this rut.
Well said herbie!
I took my first flight in a small plane when I was 10 with my Dad. I've been flying in commercial jets since I was a toddler. Been in love with it ever since I can remember and known what I wanted to do ever since I can remember.
I do remember vividly though my Dad asking me if I was sure this is what I wanted to do. That his career path made it look like a cake walk and that he was EXTREMELY lucky to be where he is today. That the aviation industry as a whole is a NASTY place to be, but if you love it, you'll get through to where you want to be ... you just have to love it unconditionally! -- That was the advice my Dad gave me before I decided to take my first lesson.
Already I have seen the hardships of this industry ... the heartbreaks, the friends on furlough, the accidents, the abuse, the seemingly never ending nights, and the flack we all get from management. But still, every time I get lucky enough to "grease one" it reminds me of why I still love what I do. It truly doesn't matter how bad of a day I'm having ... every time a little kid comes up and says hello and says he wants to be a pilot and his/her parents thank us for the flight, that's what reminds me why I do what I do.
Most all, if not all, of us knew what we were getting into when we joined this volatile industry. None of us were ever meant to fly (per gravity), yet some of us were simply born with the ambition and drive to do it. We just have to keep fighting with the hopes that one day the industry will start turning around
...ok, i'm done