Wow, can't believe I missed this the first time around. What a great thread.
I guess I'm one of the "old guys" in this thread, but I can certainly remember being one of the pups; in fact I still bring it up when I'm in my whining mode.
My story: I was supposed to be a captain at AA by now. That was the plan starting at 12 and enduring through about my 3rd year as an Eagle FO. Then I realized things don't always go as planned. I had it pretty easy actually, got my CFI in college, did less than 500 hours instructing, then moved on to banner and glider towing while trying to break into "real" flying with about 1200 hours. Managed to ride along a little with cargo guys and eek out a contract King Air job just weeks before being hired as a "Mighty Beech" 1900 FO in '92. Did that for 2.5 years w/ no upgrade in sight so I jumped to Eagle so I could go back to DFW and position myself for AA. Four years into that gig I finally got an upgrade and man was I lovin' it. Then USAirways called, who I wasn't even sure I wanted to fly for. Got greedy and decided I couldn't pass it up, what with the uncertainty of the flow-thru at Eagle (at least I got something right!). Enjoyed the Boeing. Then came Oct '01 when I left a couple of months early to fly a Navajo doing medevac. Thought I had to sacrifice everything to stay flying, so I sold the house, moved the wife and young kids and moved to Be-ver-ly (AZ actually). The living situation was no good for us, but you know - I really enjoyed the single pilot, quick call flying. That was actually new to me although a little out of sequence in my mind. Then by some miracle a start up in my hometown was hiring, and I'm now hanging on by a thread here flying right seat in my DoJet.
What's my point? No really, what's my point? Sorry. Through it all I've had the same feelings as a lot of you. I was the wet kid with big dreams and entitlements. At Eagle, I would stare out the window when the bitter Captains would complain that they could get a 45k job tomorrow not flying (good luck, you've lost touch - and why in the world would you want to?). Then I was the happy Captain briefly before hitting the Bigs. Now I'm starting over, but with a different perspective and added responsibilities. I get frustrated because I have very little turbine PIC, but over 10 years in the industry. I get frustrated because my savings are being depleted while I avoid a second job because a) it cuts into unemployment pay and interview availability and/or b) new aiplanes are a done deal and upgrade is mere weeks away. But the thing is: I just can't see doing anything else. I smile a little every time I take a second to reflect during climb out. I may be hitting the street again soon, and I continually try to envision a life outside the cockpit, but it just never seems like a genuine option to me.
Some of us have (alot) better timing than others. All of us will complain at times, but when it comes down to it, are you able to do what you love for a living? If so, take a deep breath and give thanks, 'cause not too many people can truly say that. Right seat, left seat, even sideways I suppose. You're living a dream.
Blue skies to all. Or grey if you need the instrument time.
I guess I'm one of the "old guys" in this thread, but I can certainly remember being one of the pups; in fact I still bring it up when I'm in my whining mode.
My story: I was supposed to be a captain at AA by now. That was the plan starting at 12 and enduring through about my 3rd year as an Eagle FO. Then I realized things don't always go as planned. I had it pretty easy actually, got my CFI in college, did less than 500 hours instructing, then moved on to banner and glider towing while trying to break into "real" flying with about 1200 hours. Managed to ride along a little with cargo guys and eek out a contract King Air job just weeks before being hired as a "Mighty Beech" 1900 FO in '92. Did that for 2.5 years w/ no upgrade in sight so I jumped to Eagle so I could go back to DFW and position myself for AA. Four years into that gig I finally got an upgrade and man was I lovin' it. Then USAirways called, who I wasn't even sure I wanted to fly for. Got greedy and decided I couldn't pass it up, what with the uncertainty of the flow-thru at Eagle (at least I got something right!). Enjoyed the Boeing. Then came Oct '01 when I left a couple of months early to fly a Navajo doing medevac. Thought I had to sacrifice everything to stay flying, so I sold the house, moved the wife and young kids and moved to Be-ver-ly (AZ actually). The living situation was no good for us, but you know - I really enjoyed the single pilot, quick call flying. That was actually new to me although a little out of sequence in my mind. Then by some miracle a start up in my hometown was hiring, and I'm now hanging on by a thread here flying right seat in my DoJet.
What's my point? No really, what's my point? Sorry. Through it all I've had the same feelings as a lot of you. I was the wet kid with big dreams and entitlements. At Eagle, I would stare out the window when the bitter Captains would complain that they could get a 45k job tomorrow not flying (good luck, you've lost touch - and why in the world would you want to?). Then I was the happy Captain briefly before hitting the Bigs. Now I'm starting over, but with a different perspective and added responsibilities. I get frustrated because I have very little turbine PIC, but over 10 years in the industry. I get frustrated because my savings are being depleted while I avoid a second job because a) it cuts into unemployment pay and interview availability and/or b) new aiplanes are a done deal and upgrade is mere weeks away. But the thing is: I just can't see doing anything else. I smile a little every time I take a second to reflect during climb out. I may be hitting the street again soon, and I continually try to envision a life outside the cockpit, but it just never seems like a genuine option to me.
Some of us have (alot) better timing than others. All of us will complain at times, but when it comes down to it, are you able to do what you love for a living? If so, take a deep breath and give thanks, 'cause not too many people can truly say that. Right seat, left seat, even sideways I suppose. You're living a dream.
Blue skies to all. Or grey if you need the instrument time.
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