The passionate misguided determination of youth.

I remember being an unguided missile full of potential, hope and drive. All that has been replaced with a bit of temper, wisdom and guarded optimism. Though I miss my days of passionate idealistic certainty there is no way I would trade the benefits of being older and smarter.

If lucky enough each of us will have something that sweeps us away. For better or worse, the ability to invest ones self so completely has its value. I wish that aviation wasn't so costly and painful. Like Medusa it sucks people in and kills them. I narrowly escaped too many times to remember.

I understand and respect your determination you younger ones. Keep in mind that this profession can demand a terrible price. I will never forget a good friend and co-worker I had. I cautioned him to slow down. At 21 he had 2200 hours as an Alaskan Bush pilot. His passionate lust for flight time was bringing him closer to the edge everyday. Finally I convinced him to take a few years off and get a degree. On one of his last flights before getting on the plane to fly down to the lower 48 to start college he violently found a mountain top. His passion blinded him from what others could see was coming. His story is one of many that I carry.

More than anything what killed my career dreams is that I discovered that it is much easier and you will have a better life and lifestyle outside of aviation. The 9 to 5 lie isn't true. People do that because is offers significant benefits. Recently I helped a guy get his house construction underway. The place he is building is like a captains house, 3000 square feet and on 5 acres. Its value is near $750,000. He pays for it all as a union heating and air-conditioning repairman.

I saw his financial statements. He earns well over 100K. In time you guys will get tired of being poor and realise that the rest of the world owns homes, boats and has wives and children. The benifits extend beyond mere pay. Slowly I am rebuilding my life and remembering what my hobbies and interests were. Yesterday I looked at a KTM 525 EXC, Fun! Though a part of me will always lament my lost dream of youth things like that sure take the sting of a lost dream away.

SkyHigh