After 11 years of chaseing a dream, here's a few thoughts

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 7:57 pm

My whole life I wanted nothing more than to work for the airlines – specifically Air Canada. Now that I’m working at Jazz (almost there), and an interview sometime in the not too distant future, I have a few thoughts about our little industry, and the paths I’ve taken, and the mistakes I’ve made or seen.

First and most importantly – Life is a journey, enjoy the ride!! Don’t be in a rush to get to the next stage, enjoy what you have now.

Do not sacrifice relationships (weather it’s family, friends, or lovers) for this industry, it’s not worth it. A flying job will always be there in one form or another, relationships won’t.

Don’t get yourself killed for an employer who will only think of your sacrifice as an insurance increase.

If you’re not happy where you’re at, leave. Life is too short for regrets and bitterness.

Your name (reputation) means more than what’s on your resume.
This is a small industry, give me a stranger from a different side of the country, within 3 names, we will have a common acquaintance.

life is not fair. Don not compare your success’s in life with those of your peers. As long as you’re content, that’s all that matters.

Anyway, a few things I’ve witnessed, done, or wished I hadn’t.

Cheers.

bob sacamano · Post by **bob sacamano** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:01 pm

Good points for starters in this industry.

Golden Flyer · Post by **Golden Flyer** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:20 pm

A good question... Can one be succesful and gain profits within this industry? In other words... "Can you reap what you have sown"?

jet a1 · Post by **jet a1** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:37 pm

in some cases yes, in others no. here's the thing though, no one will ever know what you've sacraficed to get success. there are no marching bands to say congrats when you finally achieve your goal. all you're going to have is the self pride of knowing that you stuck it out. the rewards you ask about are there but they're memories that sneak into your head as you gaze out the window on a long flight or when you answer someones questions....the same ones you had yourself not to long ago. the rewards for me are thinking back to all the planes i fuelled, towed, bags i loaded, jobs i had, even the non-aviation ones(cleaning out husky cages in -40 in invuik always brings a smile to my face) i look back on all the time it's taken me to get here and i think the non aviation things i've gotten from chasing this aviation dream are way more impressive than the flying ones. funny how that worked out. and it goes along with KAG's point about enjoy the ride, and don't sacrafice too much. there's nothing better than achieving a goal and having someone there to share it with!!!
later.
jet.

Golden Flyer · Post by **Golden Flyer** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 9:12 pm

jet a1 wrote:and it goes along with KAG's point about enjoy the ride, and don't sacrafice too much. there's nothing better than achieving a goal and having someone there to share it with!!!
later.
jet.

VALID POINT

. . · Post by **. .** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 9:20 pm

jet a1 wrote:in some cases yes, in others no. here's the thing though, no one will ever know what you've sacraficed to get success. there are no marching bands to say congrats when you finally achieve your goal. all you're going to have is the self pride of knowing that you stuck it out.

I think duke summed it up best when he used to say "honour is mans gift to himself."

av8tor_assrope · Post by **av8tor_assrope** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 9:37 pm

well i guess i should jump in hear and publicly thank kag, jc and jet for being patient, offering advice and answering a lot of my questions (sometimes stupid) over the last little while.

cheers

looproll · Post by **looproll** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 11:06 pm

Thanks KAG. Nice post.

cinical · Post by **cinical** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:46 am

I like what KAG said about enjoying the ride and not worrying so much about the next job and the next job and so on. If you don't enjoy today and tommorow it will all be for nothing.
When I first started out I was so set on " that first job" it was my number one priority, everything else came second....and I regret that. Although it was important to me..it shouldn't have been number one and I lost things because of it that I wish I still had. Made decisions that affected relationships in terms of priority's, for what?...hrs in a log book and "getting there." Now, it has dropped down a few notches on the priority list cause I give it what it gives me..no more no less.

And to Jet A1.....great point about reaching your goal and having someone to share it with. True True.

And KAG..your comments on reputation and your word.........for the new people......whatever you do in this industry...make sure you can sleep at night and I guarantee you'll succeed.

Front. · Post by **Front.** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:51 am

And KAG..your comments on reputation and your word.........for the new people......whatever you do in this industry...make sure you can sleep at night and I guarantee you'll succeed.

Beautiful words there buddy; I am rather new to the industry, having my PPL hopefully in the next few weeks, i really appreciate those big experiences of you guys.

Cheers and good luck with the awesome career KAG.

748 ho · Post by **748 ho** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:55 am

YAHHHHH MEN AFTER 6 TOUGH YEARS OF KICKIN ASS!!!!!!!I AM SITTIN AT AC AND THINKIN ABOUT ALL THE RAMP WORK I NEVER DID!!!!!ALL THE PPC I NEVER BOUGHT ALL !!!!!!! ALL THE SHITTERS I NEVER CLEAN!!!!! HOW I QUIT CHIMP JET BEFORE HE SHUTTERR DOWN!!!!!!!!!!
MEN IT BRINGS A BIG SHIT EATIN GRIN TO MY FACE EVERY TIME!!!!!!!

KICK ASS ME!!!!!!

helinas · Post by **helinas** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:37 am

Priceless comments from KAG and Jet, what else can I say.

I think KAG's comments were one of the finest I have ever read and I would like to thank everybody that has answered my stupid questions as well.

I take things one a time myself, cherish my personal relationship and would never give it up for aviation. My 17 years ramp experience at Canadian and Air Canada combined have taught me alot and I am hopefully moving into the instructing gig for a while until my next opportunity comes and I am in no rush to get to that one until the right time comes along.

It's what you have at home that drives us all to the airport, if we are happy at home with our significant others and our families then everything else will also be happy no matter what you do in life.

Again thanks KAG for the beautiful comments. You are so right and I hope only the best for you at Jazz.

MUSKEG · Post by **MUSKEG** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:14 am

One other thing 748ho, there are still assholes in this industry.Look in the mirror. That brown nose isn't a tan.

bmc · Post by **bmc** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:26 am

I can't tell you the number of times I have sat with experienced pilots with bags of heay jet time and I'd get them talking about their earlier years building time. Every one of them looks back at the early days as the most fun time they had.

donnybrook · Post by **donnybrook** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:38 am

golden flyer, please check your PMs!

Wasn't Me · Post by **Wasn't Me** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:35 am

Life is a journy enjoy the ride once you've reached the destination it's going to be very quit.

highlander · Post by **highlander** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:59 am

Been in aviation since 92, commercially since 97 or so. Still pursuing the dream. KAG summed it all up. Make the most of what you have now.

Don't worry about the future. Whatever will be will be.

YYC the place to be · Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:05 pm

I remember talking to a pilot when I was a rampy who had just been upgraded to what is in my opinion the dream job. He said something to me that I will never forget. he said "after all these years, all the aircraft I have flowen, and all the places I've been, I finally feel that i have made it" It must be a great feeling to look in the mirror and say to yourself "I MADE IT". this was a good one to read guys and gals.

Blue Skies

No more BS · Post by **No more BS** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:10 pm

Right On KAG,

Very wise words indeed.

I enjoyed your post a lot!

twinpratts · Post by **twinpratts** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:23 pm

You said it, KAG.
BTW, Good luck, keep us posted.

Flybabe · Post by **Flybabe** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:01 pm

Excellent post, interesting replies... I won't bore anyone with another story.

Thanks KAG, very refreshing.

loopy · Post by **loopy** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:34 pm

Hey KAG, long time no speak or read. Right on the money pal. I love what I do, but priorities do change over time.

KAG, you know the story. Since we worked together last year, I left that job for personal reasons. I could still end up a victim of the dreaded AIDS (for the newbies, aviation induced divorce syndrom) but if I didn't change my job, my marriage wouldn't have had a fighting chance.

That Duke quote is exactly right. "Honour is mans gift to himself".

KAG, do you remember night time approaches into Sachs Harbour with 25 knots of crosswind in blowing snow at about -25*C? With GWWA, brakes freezing up....ah, the good old days!

SQ · Post by SQ » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:48 pm

hey this is very refreshing and exactly the right thing to read today !!

nice life vision. I shall use it to calm down my impatience... :ctf:

27pilot · Post by **27pilot** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:17 pm

After so many complaints about this industry, I really enjoyed reading this positive post. Thanks for reminding us about some of the fundamentals.

Blue Side Down · Post by **Blue Side Down** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:17 pm

Thanks KAG well put.