Some comments on growing old.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:01 am

I have been posting here for some number of years and have never indicated that I have not made many, many mistakes during my career, quite often I critize bad decision making by pilots in general with the hope that having made the same bad decisions myself and survived and thus learned from said mistakes I am qualified to comment.

I have no problem with anyone here taking me to task for past transgressions, however when you do so at least have the fu.kin brains to find some other argument other than attacking my age.

For all you pre adults or adults still stuck in the infantile stage of brain development I have a message for you.

Yes, I'm getting older which is a natural progression of life and some day each of you will also face that same stage of your life.

Here are a few things to consider the next time you feel the urge to use the age factor to try and discredit what I post.

I am still actively engaged in aviation and still at the top of my ability to fly aircraft and able to do so safely.

I have flown aircraft you may not have even seen pictures of and in areas of the world you probably have never heard of.

If you really feel that you can show me how to fly or make sound decisions why not turn off your computer and lets go flying so you can improve my abilities as a pilot? And if you really want to slag me find something specific that I have done to back up your slagging.

There now I can have my morning coffee and decide what I will do today...

Snowroller · Post by **Snowroller** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:13 am

They attack your age Cat cause they can`t outsmart ya

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:25 am

So... one spoonful of Metamucil or two?

It's not just about growing old with some of these folks, it's about growing UP. It isn't about age, it isn't about your chosen career, it isn't about the level of experience one has within that career, it isn't about what piece of equipment you fly or even want to fly. It's all about LIFE EXPERIENCE that makes an individual mature or not. Too many posters here have done nothing but graduate from High School (?), pursue flight training (maybe kiddie college), and had a job or two within this business and suddenly they think they've attained some level of superiority over others. Ask yourselves this: "What do I really know?"

My grandfather (Lieutenant Colonel) taught me that age does not necessarily garner respect. What you have done in those years is what garners respect. I didn't really understand it at the time because my 'educators' were always telling me to respect my elders, unequivocably. Now I know.

I think you'll find that the ones here who respect you, are the same ones who are worthy of your respect. As for the rest, we can take a guess at what they 'really' know.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:29 am

" So... one spoonful of Metamucil or two? "

Not even close Airtids, what I need is two horney women to service me this morning so I can get a good start to my day.

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:51 am

., Larry, et al: You guys are far more evangelical than I.

If someone comes to me and says, "Hey, can I get some spin training from you?", I will gladly run them through the basic matrix. I don't really like doing it, but if it keeps them alive, and they ask for help, I see myself as ethically and morally obliged to do so.

But if someone tells me they're going to roll their 172 inverted on takeoff halfway down the runway, push to the vertical, and do a 1/2 outside snap followed by an upright cap to level, unlike you guys, I'm not going to try to dissuade them, all I'm going to say is, "Would you wait a minute until I get my digital camera?"

See, I believe in the inalienable right of someone to remove themselves from the gene pool. It's a damned shame they have to take an airplane with them, but dammit, it's their airplane, and as long as they don't hurt anyone else, well, why not?

Besides, I might be wrong. Maybe a 172 can do a half-roll to inverted half-way down the runway, a push to vertical, a half outside snap, and a cap.

I haven't been flying as long as you guys (only 35 years) but a little humility goes a long way, or so people keep telling me

Norskman · Post by **Norskman** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:52 am

Its "old" (aka experienced) guys like you, who I wish could teach young guys like me, about flying. I've flown with a guy who was so old I was more afraid of him having a heart attack, then having the plane crash. But he still had his medical, and he was still an experienced pilot, and he could still do some amazing stuff.

When you keep ignoring the lessons of people with more experience then you, bad things happen. Trust me. I've got experience in ignoring experience (fortunately in non fatal events).

It doesn't mean I'm going to agree with everything you say, and it doesn't mean I'm necessarily going to like you. It just means I will respect the experience you have.

clunckdriver wrote:...when I rag on about the details of flying and the importance of knowing your aircraft as well as the builder I sometimes see the look on the young pilots face which is an indication of what he/she is thinking...

I think the same could be said about knowing your car while you are speeding down the highway. If you have a complete understanding of what you are controlling, you have more of a chance to make a critical situation better. Maybe you still crash, but it could make the difference of being dead or alive at the end of that crash.

Thanks for wanting to share your experiences with us.

w squared · Post by **w squared** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:31 am

This isn't a thread about flying, it's a thread about experience.

One of the most valuable lessons that I've managed to learn the hard way is that if you have the chance to learn from somebody's else's mistakes, you should take it. Those that have benefited from their experiences (in any field) have probably made their fair share of mistakes, and I for one am happy to learn from those...I have no need to make those same mistakes myself.

I've never been one to suffer fools gladly, but the one thing that is almost guaranteed to get me wrapped around the axle in double-quick time is having to deal with someone that refuses to learn from their own mistakes...especially when I have to fix the problems that they've created.

One thing that I've learned myself is that experience often allows you to see connections and causality relationships that training won't. Just because you don't understand why someone's experience is telling them that something is important doesn't mean that their concern is not valid. Seeing these things allows you to prepare for the potential incidents to come, or at least think your upcoming decision matrix through. At the very least, you'll know when it's time to make sure that you have clean underwear on before something really, really bad happens.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:38 am

Hey Cat,

With age comes experience, and you've got a wealth to share. I may only agree with you 90% of the time...lol, but I've got the utmost respect for you. This culture of ours devalues age like nowhere I've ever been, it's too bad because we're missing out on a lot of wisdom and experience.

That post was Bullshit, don't worry about it.

STL

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:13 am

STL:

No need to explain where you are on these issues as you have learned to think.

And don't lose any sleep over my worring about a few missguided souls exposing their ignorance for all the world to see.

Just ask anyone who knows me if I would give a rats ass about the ramblings of these guys pecking like monkeys on their keyboards...

..I do make exceptions for guys like CLguy reminding me that I have been guilty of unprofessional conduct by getting those strippers to pose naked at the tanker base, that was just plain awful of me and shows a lack of respect for those girls by using an MNR tanker base to entertain us.

What in fu.k was I thinking of...

JohnnyHotRocks · Post by **JohnnyHotRocks** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:29 am

...I guess with age comes a little bitterness too?

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:34 am

Why would I be bitter Johnny?

Fly'inHigh · Post by **Fly'inHigh** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 1:21 pm

Cat Driver: What I need is two horney women to service me this morning so I can get a good start to my day

Are you sure women would do it for you Cat? After reading your posts for the last little while, it seems you could just get it done in front of a mirror. Then sit down and write an angry letter to all the "ignorant" and "unprofessional" pilots of the world who took the bus to school instead of walking up a hill both ways. I know people who ooze experience and have something that you should look up, it's called modesty.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 1:47 pm

There would be some advantages to that fly'inhigh, not only could I watch what I was doing I could make it as tight as I wanted and it wouldn't complain about having a headache.

How come you think all I do is get angry about "ignorant"and "unprofessional " pilots?

Hell there must be some posts where I leave that out.

Modesty huh? hmmmm I guess a lot depends on how one reads stuff, remember if you are not "ignorant "or "unprofessional ' none of this should hurt your feelings.

ooohhh one more thing if all pilots were really profficient and didn't need some extra training I wouldn't be able to make a few bucks training em..

Cat

yycflyguy · Post by **yycflyguy** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:05 pm

Respect is earned not demanded. Coming onto a public forum to pound chest and brag about the experiences that have gotten you to where you are today wont win much respect.

Although there are many inaccurate, sensational posters on this forum I feel that you are being hypocritical to belittle their experiences only because you have more of them or have taught some snotty-nosed-punks how to fly. Professionalism all begins with how how present yourself.

Learn to separate the chaff from the wheat and there is some valuable information to be had here.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:09 pm

Great I'm getting lots of replies and every one has their own merit...

...I just love it when you guys decide what type of personality I have by reading the forum...

...have at it guys let me know where my shortcommings are..

Another thought to ponder, just look at all the hits my posts get to add to the popularity of Avcanada, so by my being so prolific with ideas and comments think of all the entertainment I provide...

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 7:39 pm

Gee, after having read this entire thread, I have to conclude that you must be reeeeeeally old.

My question is Cat the pilot older, or Cat the airplane?

CLguy · Post by **CLguy** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 7:13 am

Cat Driver wrote:

..I do make exceptions for guys like CLguy reminding me that I have been guilty of unprofessional conduct by getting those strippers to pose naked at the tanker base, that was just plain awful of me and shows a lack of respect for those girls by using an MNR tanker base to entertain us.

Sorry . but I just couldn't resist!!! Afterall I am still a little put out that I never received a copy of those pics.

I promise to keep all the other stories tucked away, at least for now!!!

just curious · Post by **just curious** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:51 am

Well Cat, someof the operational advise you've offered up here has benn vary useful. One item I think may have been a mixed blessing.

I co-pilot of mine had helped to photoshop a Heritage Canada sign for the riding academy. Bilingual, heavy, ready to mount. One of the nurses asked what it was all about. We took her to lunch to explain the hsitorical role of the acadamy in educating new pilots, and well...

He's been late for work every day this summer.

flyinhigh · Post by **flyinhigh** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 12:01 pm

Fly'inHigh wrote:Cat Driver: What I need is two horney women to service me this morning so I can get a good start to my day

Are you sure women would do it for you Cat? After reading your posts for the last little while, it seems you could just get it done in front of a mirror. Then sit down and write an angry letter to all the "ignorant" and "unprofessional" pilots of the world who took the bus to school instead of walking up a hill both ways. I know people who ooze experience and have something that you should look up, it's called modesty.

I see you got an original name there you idiot

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:34 pm

Just Curious:

Did anyone tell you about the time I was taken to the hospital in Inuvik uncounsious from that fall off the cliff on Banks Island?

There was a real shock wave of dissapointment that went through the riding academy and among all the nuns in the arctic.

The nurse who got me prepared for the doctors to work on found my 357 Magnum in my parka pocket and told everyone that my big weapon turned out to be a Ruger Blackhawk not what they had all fantized about...

How come all you guys can still remember what happened over a quarter century ago...you getting old too?

Cat

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:38 pm

Flyinhigh, you should not forget to take your medicine, when you forget you get real weird.

just curious · Post by **just curious** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:06 pm

How come all you guys can still remember what happened over a quarter century ago...you getting old too?

No. There was a memo about that that you should have read.

longjon · Post by **longjon** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 4:23 am

Cat you ever fly with Sheldon Luck or are you not THAT old

FLOATER · Post by **FLOATER** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 6:36 am

You have a lot of useful info you could pass on to all ...,just leave out the ohhh poor me...transport beat me up stories.Also don't think its two horny women that you need,,just mention transport and it seems to all excited.

Wasn't Me · Post by **Wasn't Me** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 6:47 am

The one truth that I have learned in my 39 years of flying is that I have a lot more to learn. Yes mistakes were made but it gets better as I fly along.