If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? - Page 2

Alchemy · October 3rd, 2006, 01:30

Would've gone back to August 2001 or earlier and figured out some way to stop 9/11.

fo4ever · October 3rd, 2006, 01:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by MQAAord

Twice in my life I've had the opportunity to pursue being a pilot. Both times I've elected not to do it.

The first was at the same time as when I got asked to be an instructor at Eagle. Be a ground school instructor or do a pilot-mill academy thing. I chose to teach new-hires. Very good experience, glad I took it. Second was after 9/11. Keep going on my ratings or accept recall (and subsequent second furlough 6 months later) and do the 'family thing'. I chose the family route, and I couldn't be happier.

Airplanes will always be there for me to fly, but my family is #1 right now.

So I have twice chosen not to be a pilot, and for me I wouldn't have it any other way.

Ahem, you ARE a pilot, you just don't do it for a living. You will get more ratings.

For now you get paid with smiles.

:-)

Doug Taylor · October 3rd, 2006, 01:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan

If you had your time over again, what would you have done differently? Would you have done things the same? Would you still be a pilot?

I just had an epiphany.

When your life flashes in front of your eyes before you die, are you going to enjoy the show or be bored to death? Pardon the pun.

jtrain609 · October 3rd, 2006, 01:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I just had an epiphany.

When your life flashes in front of your eyes before you die, are you going to enjoy the show or be bored to death? Pardon the pun.

If I got killed tomorrow I'd be scared to death when I saw my life flash before my eyes and I saw all the times I almost got 86ed in an airplane.

I'm glad I've got a nice, safe job now.

Kingairer · October 3rd, 2006, 02:41

I wouldve losened up earlier realising that things would eventually happen. Studied less, drank more beer, stayed out later, woken up later etc etc There is plenty of time for the rest.

Maximillian_Jenius · October 3rd, 2006, 03:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtrain609

I'm glad I've got a nice, safe job now.

Yea...unless you or your student decide to take a "Chevron run" on roll out!

Doug Taylor · October 3rd, 2006, 03:24

Chevron rocks, bro.

44 oz coke and a hot dog for $0.99!

Maximillian_Jenius · October 3rd, 2006, 03:29

What would I do over if I had time...probably not reply to this thread!

Seriously:

1.) Start flying in highschool.

2.) Not allow my mom to control me so much growing up!

3.)Take a year off after graduating highschool.

4.)Not assert my independence in college when moms said "You don't have to work in college I'll give you an allowence,you only need to get good grades. I'll pay for school and get you a car." Yea that was stupid.

5.) Deal with my orientation better and faster then I did.

6.) Kept my eyes on the prize and cared less bout "flossin" and looking nice and drivin the newest fastest whip.

Other then that no regrets and I'm a well adjusted adult!

Maximillian_Jenius · October 3rd, 2006, 03:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Chevron rocks, bro.

44 oz coke and a hot dog for $0.99!

Just not on roll out when you're a 737-300!

FlyChicaga · October 3rd, 2006, 09:58

I'm too young to have any real regrets or things I wish I did differently. There are some small things I would have changed. I would have chilled out more in college and taken time to enjoy it more. I had a great time, but sometimes I think I missed out on some things by spending so much time focused on flying. Plus, I probably would have not been such a know-it-all loudmouth when I was getting my ratings, spouting off on message boards and such. Even so, I'm really happy with where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going. There have been bumps in the road, but so far this has been a fun, interesting life and career!

killbilly · October 3rd, 2006, 10:21

Would have gotten the medical waiver I needed for the Marine Corps
Would have busted my arse, applied for and completed the MECEP program with a degree

-----or-------

Would have stayed in school instead of chasing a paycheck
Would not have gotten married/divorced

Cruise · October 3rd, 2006, 10:59

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!!!!!!

Tim · October 3rd, 2006, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I just had an epiphany.

When your life flashes in front of your eyes before you die, are you going to enjoy the show or be bored to death? Pardon the pun.

I definetly want to enjoy the show........

Bandit_Driver · October 3rd, 2006, 13:44

If I had it to do all over again:

Started flying while in HS
Gone directly to WMU and played Baseball instead of football
Attain my ratings under part 61 and majored in something else like IT or programming.
Not run up credit debt in college. Putting the MEL rating and other BS on the CC wasn't the brightest idea.
Gotten married sooner
Gone to Comair instead of Shuttle America

TXaviator · October 3rd, 2006, 14:27

and for the record, i would have done nothing differently. no regrets and more good memories and adventures from even the last 5 years than most people have in a lifetime.

Flying Ninja · October 3rd, 2006, 16:57

Not that I have to say it, but I would have skipped CAPT and saved all that money and went the CFI route with a local FBO.

Incidentally, I just saw this on one of CAPT's recent press releases:

"CAPT also offers a full-immersion, one-year program that trains individuals with no flight experience to the highest standards of the commercial airline industry. It uses the latest technologies to deliver airline-specific training, including in-flight video cameras, self-reflecting journaling, line operations safety audits, and a curriculum built on a foundation of crew concepts and crew resource management."

I don't know where they got this idea that their training meets the "highest standards of the commercial airline industry". If you plan on going to CAPT, you might want to ask them where they got that crap from. As for that in-flight camera stuff, it was a great idea except when equipment started breaking, that whole idea went out the window. The whole idea of video was to review it with a CFI in post-brief. Ask me how many times it was done. I can count on one hand. They simply didn't have the CFI time resource to do that. Great idea, poor execution. And that "self-reflecting journaling, line operations safety audits" part is another bunch of non-sense. You basically fill out a form and that form disappears. You'll never see it, hear about it, or talk about it ever again. It's a pure waste of time, much like everything else "innovative" that they do at their training facility.

Save yourself $85,000 (plus interest if a loan is involved) and a year's time and buy yourself a $10 journal and do your own journaling and reflection after each flight.

So, bottom line, I would have skipped CAPT. And so should everyone else. There simply are better options out there than CAPT.

Screaming_Emu · October 3rd, 2006, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I just had an epiphany.

When your life flashes in front of your eyes before you die, are you going to enjoy the show or be bored to death? Pardon the pun.

Agree completely, I always tell people life is all about quality and not quantity. Its about where you are now, not where you'll be in a few years. And I'll start living that philosophy as soon as I get out of North Dakota :-P

October 3rd, 2006, 01:30	#26
Alchemy Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 1,721	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? Would've gone back to August 2001 or earlier and figured out some way to stop 9/11.

October 3rd, 2006, 02:41	#30
Kingairer Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Nomadic...World Wide Boobie Bungalow Bouncer Posts: 3,166	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I wouldve losened up earlier realising that things would eventually happen. Studied less, drank more beer, stayed out later, woken up later etc etc There is plenty of time for the rest. __________________ "I do not proofread"

October 3rd, 2006, 03:24	#32
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,824 Blog Entries: 1	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? Chevron rocks, bro. 44 oz coke and a hot dog for $0.99! __________________ Doug Taylor http://76school.flyblog.com (old!) http://30west.flyblog.com (updated 11/28)

October 3rd, 2006, 03:29	#33
Maximillian_Jenius Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KPHX, KFFZ, KIWA Posts: 18,661	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? What would I do over if I had time...probably not reply to this thread! Seriously: 1.) Start flying in highschool. 2.) Not allow my mom to control me so much growing up! 3.)Take a year off after graduating highschool. 4.)Not assert my independence in college when moms said "You don't have to work in college I'll give you an allowence,you only need to get good grades. I'll pay for school and get you a car." Yea that was stupid. 5.) Deal with my orientation better and faster then I did. 6.) Kept my eyes on the prize and cared less bout "flossin" and looking nice and drivin the newest fastest whip. Other then that no regrets and I'm a well adjusted adult! __________________ Rear Admiral www.gayviator.com Maximillian Pegasus

October 3rd, 2006, 09:58	#35
FlyChicaga Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,750	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I'm too young to have any real regrets or things I wish I did differently. There are some small things I would have changed. I would have chilled out more in college and taken time to enjoy it more. I had a great time, but sometimes I think I missed out on some things by spending so much time focused on flying. Plus, I probably would have not been such a know-it-all loudmouth when I was getting my ratings, spouting off on message boards and such. Even so, I'm really happy with where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going. There have been bumps in the road, but so far this has been a fun, interesting life and career! __________________ Tough times do not last. Tough people do.

October 3rd, 2006, 10:21	#36
killbilly Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,966	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? Would have gotten the medical waiver I needed for the Marine Corps Would have busted my arse, applied for and completed the MECEP program with a degree -----or------- Would have stayed in school instead of chasing a paycheck Would not have gotten married/divorced

October 3rd, 2006, 10:59	#37
Cruise Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SYR, ABE Posts: 2,153	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!!!!!!

October 3rd, 2006, 13:44	#39
Bandit_Driver Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DTW Posts: 1,674	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? If I had it to do all over again: Started flying while in HS Gone directly to WMU and played Baseball instead of football Attain my ratings under part 61 and majored in something else like IT or programming. Not run up credit debt in college. Putting the MEL rating and other BS on the CC wasn't the brightest idea. Gotten married sooner Gone to Comair instead of Shuttle America __________________ OOTSK Logbook Pro - Electronic Pilots Logbook

October 3rd, 2006, 14:27	#40
TXaviator Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Austin, TX / Grand Forks, ND Posts: 1,951	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? and for the record, i would have done nothing differently. no regrets and more good memories and adventures from even the last 5 years than most people have in a lifetime. __________________ CPL AMEL-I 175TT / 20 ME ...and a pulse.

October 3rd, 2006, 16:57	#41
Flying Ninja Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NY Posts: 120	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? Not that I have to say it, but I would have skipped CAPT and saved all that money and went the CFI route with a local FBO. Incidentally, I just saw this on one of CAPT's recent press releases: "CAPT also offers a full-immersion, one-year program that trains individuals with no flight experience to the highest standards of the commercial airline industry. It uses the latest technologies to deliver airline-specific training, including in-flight video cameras, self-reflecting journaling, line operations safety audits, and a curriculum built on a foundation of crew concepts and crew resource management." I don't know where they got this idea that their training meets the "highest standards of the commercial airline industry". If you plan on going to CAPT, you might want to ask them where they got that crap from. As for that in-flight camera stuff, it was a great idea except when equipment started breaking, that whole idea went out the window. The whole idea of video was to review it with a CFI in post-brief. Ask me how many times it was done. I can count on one hand. They simply didn't have the CFI time resource to do that. Great idea, poor execution. And that "self-reflecting journaling, line operations safety audits" part is another bunch of non-sense. You basically fill out a form and that form disappears. You'll never see it, hear about it, or talk about it ever again. It's a pure waste of time, much like everything else "innovative" that they do at their training facility. Save yourself $85,000 (plus interest if a loan is involved) and a year's time and buy yourself a $10 journal and do your own journaling and reflection after each flight. So, bottom line, I would have skipped CAPT. And so should everyone else. There simply are better options out there than CAPT. __________________ Graduated CAPT 10/2005 - Summa Cum Laude, Highest Time (459TT/101ME) of any graduate! No Job, Big Debt! Tip: Stay away from CAPT!

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