Mayday,

I apologize. Yes, that was out of line, sorry.

But now I'm confused. If you're acknowledging that drugs can help (and I'm not saying they're a surefire solution), why are you discounting it as psychobabble???

Anyways, good luck with the book. Anything to help families deal with this problem can only help.

Uhhh...I would second that motion.

Sure, I've made poor decisions in life and I take responsibility for all of them, but drugs wasn't one, even when first offered a toke in 6th grade. yes, it's about the first choice and every one thereafter...it's called life. I could have done coke, heroin, meth, etc. I went to school with guys that got into that ****. I chose not to.

PS- yes, I fly airplanes and fly them well.

We do but I think the program is only a few years old...

Albie,

Compassion is one of the things that make us human. If you did hot have any to share why waste the keystrokes? Do you think anyone reading on this forum really needs to be preached to about the ills of drug abuse. Your post screams of arrogance. This is the first time I ever thought typical "Eagle Driver" about you. I apologize for asking but, did you have trouble shaking the pain killers after your back surgery? Was this story too close to home?

I come to this web site for information and a little electronic comraderie. For many of us this web site is an extension our social network and community while on the road. That being said, I would like to read about something that was funny or special about this late UPS pilot. All of us are more than just one thing and this pilot was more than just a "junkie."

I am looking forward to your next introspective, witty and informative post.

I don't think she woke up one morning and decided to be a meth addict and alcoholic.

Most of us are professional pilots. We made it here by hard work and dedication, but we also had luck. Have any of you ever wondered what might have happened if we weren't given a break or had the opportunity to make our own breaks? I know from my experience, my career could have been altered by many things, including Air Force pilot training slots, the person that interviewed me or gave me a check ride. What if we had a medical problem that didn't allow us to the chance at this career. How many folks have tried and didn't succeed due to various reasons?

Where am I going? We all know people in this job that are alcoholics, addicted gamblers, etc. Are they bad people? They might have started drinking at the squadron bar and due to a genetic disposition, later found they couldn't stop. We all have different genes. Maybe we could get drunk every weekend for years and permanantly stop at any time. Others can't. One addiction often leads to others. I am sure she probably wasn't a meth addict at UPS, probably and alcholic. Life on the street is probably rough and by that time one bad decision probably leads to others.

Anyway, I feel lucky to be where I am. I have worked hard, but at any time I know that my life could have turned a different corner. We can all act like Billy Bad A$$, but should all feel blessed to have a good job and a healthy family. Most of us were raised in decent homes and not a project filled with criminals and drug abusers. We had no choice in parents, genes, or the surroundings where we grow up.

Sometimes a little compassion is a good thing. I hope she rests in peace.

Hopefully,
What we all learn is that we should, as we all like to think we would , to cover each others six. I knew her from flying a few times with her. She was quiet. Didn't know her well enough to intrude, but she was out on medical leave shortly thereafter. Didn't know the story till I read the article. It explains all the no bids and finally her name just off the bid list.

The HIMS folks say it is hard to turn in a bud, but
if it were me, I hope somebody would rattle my cage if they knew I was abusing drugs or alcohol. If I blew them off, then maybe the "turn in" would save my career and life, etc. Amazing help can be provided, sometimes the impetus will come from a buds saving action that they struggle with (the old "what happens on cruise stays on cruise" mindset we all live by).
Yep, she made bad choices, whether it is science or not doesn't matter. Watching your six is human and may mean doing an intervention but it can save a career and life.

Surely I expected someone would say something like this - and I'm talking about your earlier post not this quotation - but not you Albie. You have a little of a ‘cult’ following on this forum and I always enjoy your posts whether I agree with them (most of the time) or not. This one is just surprising to say the least.

You know, since you're a former military pilot surely you understand the bond you, military pilots develop... How about some compassion for a fellow aviator? Did she make bad choices? You bet you and those choices cost her her job, her family and ultimately she paid for those ‘choices’ with her life...

I decided to post this story here because it’s so shocking and so sad but also because it reminds me of my cousin who’s struggled with alcoholism for years… She’s been in/out of treatment programs; she’s been in jail for theft, drug possession, etc, etc… We’ve seen it all…

She’s been clean now for 5+ years and every day that goes by where she stays clean my family praises the Lord. The fact is no one really knows when she made that “wrong decision.” She doesn’t know it either except that one day she’d do just about anything to have a drink. Seriously, she was a regular college kid who had good grades in school and who liked to party every now and then and that was it.

Throughout the years and the many interventions we’ve talked to numerous friends of hers, her college roommates, boyfriends, teachers, acquaintances, counselors, doctors, etc. Everyone said they never saw any signs whatsoever and no one understands why she became addicted to alcohol and later pills.

At the same token, we don’t really understand why all of a sudden one of our ‘interventions’ worked and how long she will stay clean. We’re hoping for the best but we’ve seen the worst before so we’re prepared.

The HIMS program that some of you so eloquently poke fun of is nothing else than a friend helping another friend when other resources have failed; I am a strong supporter of the program and because my family’s ‘intervention’ helped my cousin leave the alcohol and drug quicksand behind her I have no doubt it would work in a professional setting as well.

The key is NOT to give up on someone too quickly which some of you are ready to do as soon as they make the “wrong choice.” Just my ½ ¢

You may not have enough tears or sadness to share, but apparently you don't have any issues taking the time to post these scathing comments.
I'm sure you would not like people talking badly or labeling your three friends who recently passed away, so maybe you can show a little more respect for the dead in the future.

I don't think anyone here is "pro addiction". Yes, there are people that just like getting high, and may or may not be addicts. I am wise enough to know that life is full of gray areas.

Compassion is a wonderful thing. Some of you guys ought to show a little sometime. It does not mean you are weak. Perhaps you will understand when situations like these affect you personally.