Lowest Low and Highest High

[shon7]

Just started a new job and I absolutely hate it. But - the money is good and I'm saving it up to finish my training. My boss is a complete jacka$$ but I have to put up. Have been feeling quite low.

Anyway, I was ranting and raving to my buddy who is a CFI about this and he advised that the lower I feel now - the better I will feel when I first get that cherished flying job. (nice of him - and it convinced me somewhat).

So as motivation for all us wannabes - what have been your lowest lows and highest highs during your career path.

 

[Counselair]

Low- Watching a friend spin it into the ground at night giving a guy an intro flight about ten years ago. The guy won the intro flight in a radio giveaway contest.

High- Circiling Mt. St. Helenas in an MD 80 at 1,000 AGL for TWA. That was pretty cool.

Best of Luck in Your Career,

Counselair

 

[mar]

Ah geeze, Councelair...

I'm not even going to pretend my low approaches Coucelair's. That would be absolutely friggin' tragic. I can't even imagine.

But in 1995 I was new to Alaska and living in the bush. If you've never been to Bethel I'm not sure I can describe it but in the winter it's dark and cold, almost lunar.

I had just resigned from a job in lieu of being fired. I was unemployed and living in a trailer. A couple months later I found a job working as a front desk clerk in a hotel. One night I had to wait tables. That night, one of my former coworkers and his wife came in for dinner.

I had to take their order.

I felt about this (a millimeter) big.

Pretty stinkin' low.

The highest? I guess here I'm with Councelair--the highest is whenever I (a mere mortal) get to do things and see things others don't:

--Flying over steaming volcanos
--...over glaciers
--...over wildlife
--One flight in particular. I was a new engineer on the DC6. Turning base to final on a clear frosty morning with a great crew and Louis Armstrong coming over the ADF.

I thought I could that job for the rest of my life.

By the way, Shon7, I agree with your friend: The high will be even sweeter because you have been low.

Nature always finds a balance. Always.