jetcareers - View Single Post - If you had your time over again, would you do things differently?

Cruise · October 3rd, 2006, 11:59

I would like to think I would've done things very differently. But, who knows....as they say "everything happens for a reason." I have definitely had bumps along the way. Actually, they were more like bomb craters but who's measuring.

First, I would absolutely still be flying. I love it and don't really have a desire to work in any other profession. That being said, I would've started flying much younger.....was already over 30 when I finally started this whole craziness. When I was younger, my parents told me only military pilots become professional aviators so give it up. D'oh! Being young and stupid, I listened. If I'd followed my heart back then, I could be in a position to be upgrading at a major by now......instead of still sitting right seat at the regional level. But that's all speculation...obviously anything could've happened....we're talking about what if's now. Heck, I could've been swapping planes w/ Doug in the terminal next week....LOL

Next, I would've been more focused in college (when I went the FIRST time...oops). However, this is directly tied to the first point. I wasn't focused because I didn't know what I wanted to do w/ my life. I wasn't going to be flying (see above) and that's what I wanted to do. As a result, I did very poorly (never studied/ never went to class) and quit school....'cause if I didn't quit, I would've been kicked out. Enlisted in the Marines and spent a couple years gaining an appreciation of being back in college. Second round of college went significantly better than the first.....dug myself out of the blackhole that was my GPA and actually finished w/ a 3.0. Went on to grad school and worked in my profession for a couple years.....never really liked it and realized I needed a change. Quit my job, started flying, haven't looked back yet.

I haven't ever been married and don't ever plan to be. I currently have a girlfriend w/ whom I live and I'm seriously considering changing that situation too. I always told myself I would never become married prior to turning 30 and now that I've made it to 35 I really don't think I have the "marry" bug in me. I like my freedom too much to let someone else tell me what to do w/ my life. Happened when I was younger (see first point) and it will not happen again.

All in all, the many trials and tribulations that have become my life have made me who I am. There are a ton of experiences I would never trade. I've traveled and lived in many parts of the world. Met many different people and held many many different jobs. Let's see, in my lifetime I've been a dishwasher, a bus boy, a waiter, a marine, a ski instructor, an inline skate instructor, a retail salesperson, a grass cutter, a landscaper/ hardscaper, an asphalt sealer, a prosthetic technician, a prosthetist, a flight instructor and now an airline pilot. There are probably a couple more occupations that I'm missing but you get the point. I am who I am because of all these things.

Would I change my life if I could? Sure. But, since that's not gonna happen, I'm going to continue to make the most of the one I've got. It's a short ride, you better enjoy it while you can. And that, my friends, is the moral of the story. Enjoy yourself......whatever you decide to do!!!!!!

October 3rd, 2006, 11:59	#37
Cruise Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: ABE, SYR....now EWR. I can't keep track anymore! Posts: 2,443	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I would like to think I would've done things very differently. But, who knows....as they say "everything happens for a reason." I have definitely had bumps along the way. Actually, they were more like bomb craters but who's measuring. First, I would absolutely still be flying. I love it and don't really have a desire to work in any other profession. That being said, I would've started flying much younger.....was already over 30 when I finally started this whole craziness. When I was younger, my parents told me only military pilots become professional aviators so give it up. D'oh! Being young and stupid, I listened. If I'd followed my heart back then, I could be in a position to be upgrading at a major by now......instead of still sitting right seat at the regional level. But that's all speculation...obviously anything could've happened....we're talking about what if's now. Heck, I could've been swapping planes w/ Doug in the terminal next week....LOL Next, I would've been more focused in college (when I went the FIRST time...oops). However, this is directly tied to the first point. I wasn't focused because I didn't know what I wanted to do w/ my life. I wasn't going to be flying (see above) and that's what I wanted to do. As a result, I did very poorly (never studied/ never went to class) and quit school....'cause if I didn't quit, I would've been kicked out. Enlisted in the Marines and spent a couple years gaining an appreciation of being back in college. Second round of college went significantly better than the first.....dug myself out of the blackhole that was my GPA and actually finished w/ a 3.0. Went on to grad school and worked in my profession for a couple years.....never really liked it and realized I needed a change. Quit my job, started flying, haven't looked back yet. I haven't ever been married and don't ever plan to be. I currently have a girlfriend w/ whom I live and I'm seriously considering changing that situation too. I always told myself I would never become married prior to turning 30 and now that I've made it to 35 I really don't think I have the "marry" bug in me. I like my freedom too much to let someone else tell me what to do w/ my life. Happened when I was younger (see first point) and it will not happen again. All in all, the many trials and tribulations that have become my life have made me who I am. There are a ton of experiences I would never trade. I've traveled and lived in many parts of the world. Met many different people and held many many different jobs. Let's see, in my lifetime I've been a dishwasher, a bus boy, a waiter, a marine, a ski instructor, an inline skate instructor, a retail salesperson, a grass cutter, a landscaper/ hardscaper, an asphalt sealer, a prosthetic technician, a prosthetist, a flight instructor and now an airline pilot. There are probably a couple more occupations that I'm missing but you get the point. I am who I am because of all these things. Would I change my life if I could? Sure. But, since that's not gonna happen, I'm going to continue to make the most of the one I've got. It's a short ride, you better enjoy it while you can. And that, my friends, is the moral of the story. Enjoy yourself......whatever you decide to do!!!!!!