Extreme Sports

[CCDiscoB]

Reading a recent post in this section about past errors in life got me thinking. Kids now a days are taking huge risks with their futures. Whether it’s physical risks or character risks. These risks seem to be, in my opinion, much greater than the risks my generation took (There is a little “there but for the grace of God go I” …here).

I see on TV these guys doing extreme sports and isn’t funny when we see their knees bend 90 degrees the wrong way. Well you can kiss away any hope of becoming a military pilot. That saying nothing about some of the hardcore drugs that are out there. I wonder how many of these teenagers will be deciding later in life to become pilots only to see the mess they’ve made of their lives. I often read on this board about guys in their mid-20s thinking about becoming pilots asking for advice. The first bit of advice from me will be, can you pass a Class 1 physical and background check?

Can you imagine interviewing a potential pilot candidate and looking at a huge chain tattoo on his neck.

 

[bobbysamd]

Generation gap

Very good post. Your "character risks" phrase says it all. Don't forget about driving abuses as another example of risky behavior.

I never believed that I would see the day that I would be an "adult" compared to young people. I, too, don't believe some of the risky behavior in which young people engage these days. But, it's relative. In my day drugs were big (but not, ever, ever for yours truly!). One kid my age had his life wrecked because of a bad acid trip. He came from a good family; his parents were long-time friends of my parents. You would think people would learn from these experiences. They don't.

People judge you by appearance. Pierced body parts. Sometimes it's forgotten that body piercing can lead to serious illnesses, such as hepatitis. The piercings heal over but hepatitis damage can be permanent. Food for thought.

Tattoos are controversial. Some of our fathers got tattoos during their WWII/Korea/Vietnam military service. I don't know of a soul who has a squawk with someone who sports an anchor or Marine emblem. However, other tattoos are different. To some people tattoos are cool at the moment but to others they send mixed, if not negative, messages. Whatever, but they can be permanent as well and you can regret later that you got them. I've told people that if I were to choose a career besides aviation, it would be as a dermatologist with training in laser tattoo removal. I could make a million bucks.

Oh well, it's too bad that courses in the College of Hard Knox aren't offered during high school.

 

[jeff333]

Well I raced BMX and Motorcross growing up. I had a quarter pipe BMX ramp in the back yard and did some crazy aerials. On the CR-250 I did even higher and more radical jumps. I fell and got banged up from time to time but never broke a bone. Thats funny I ended up being a major airline pilot.

 

[CCDiscoB]

What about the kid, I was just briefed on, who broke his neck doing something too extreme....dead. Wife expecting.

I doubt you did your stunts without a helmet.

I'm not talking about not enjoying life. Hell I'll be the first to sign up if it's fun. I guess it's just the safety officer in me.

BTW, congrats on being a major airline pilot. Tell me, would you race BMX today?

 

[jeff333]

Just like the kids that have been paralized playing hockey or football. If my kid wanted to race motorcross that is fine by me and I would make sure he had the best safety equipment.

 

[jeff333]

(BTW, congrats on being a major airline pilot. Tell me, would you race BMX today?)

I would race BMX if they had an 30+ class.

I race mountain and road bikes.

I also do some drag racing.

Still alive I just ride and drive within my ability.

Jeff

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Get out there and live life

Gimme a break Disco,
I've been surfing and skiing and doing other risky things my entire life. I was a rowdy guy in High School and college and during my enlisted days. I know many other people just like that who go out, live life to the fullest without being idiots about it. It's not a question of whether or not to take a risk, but rather properly managing risk. Many people enjoy the rush of excitement and yet still make smart decisions and are conservative. One can be quite a conservative pilot without being a friggin' pu$$y during leisure time. I also realize I could be one close-out set away from losing my medical on any given day. Or I could just golf all the time...wait a minute, I could get hit with a golf ball..better not do that either.

Hell, talk about risks, every time you strap that Eagle on, you are one handle-pull away from losing your medical, but that doesn't stop you...

 

[typhoonpilot]

Right on Hugh.

Life isn't fun unless you push the edge of the envelope every now and again. I don't mean that in the context of flying a commercial airliner, but in the context of leisure. We could be injured or die of many things, most of which we have no control over. A little well managed risk in your leisure activities makes life more enjoyable.

If you fly an Eagle for a living then you can get that feeling by your job, but if you fly a commercial airliner as smoothly as possible as your full time job then you have to find outlets elsewhere.

As a kid I jumped off of roofs for fun. Later I found a great place in the mountains for cliff jumping into water. Some people died doing that, but that is becuase they were either drunk or didn't know where the submerged rocks were. Bungy jumping, sky diving, and aerobatics are other good outlets.

I agree, no tatoes

Typhoonpilot

 

[Chickenhawk]

I've seen some of the girls Hugh has been with.

Talk about taking risks!

 

[WrightAvia]

Blue Skies, Black Death.

Yea kids think they are invincible. That's why we make them go off to war for us. What are you going to do?...THEY think they invented poontang, blow jobs, drugs, beer, rock and roll, kicking ass. But who are they fooling...both YOU and I, know WE invented that crap! Right?..HEHEHEHEHE!

Been a street motorcylist since the late 70's and a skydiver and base jumper for the last decade. Played paintball, shot trap, waterskied, downhill skied, mountain biked. I say raise hell, but know the risks...wear protective gear, get trained. A helmet saved my life in a state with helmet laws, back in 70's...and at that age, I would have been stupid enough not to have worn one, if it weren't required. I wear one alll the time now, when motorycyling.


Death is natures way of weeding stupid people out of the gene pool. (or was it "if you burn in, we get to split your stuff!")