It's all about the journey.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:50 pm

“It’s all about the journey”.

No truer words have ever been spoken to me.
When I first heard this saying, I didn’t really understand or appreciate its significance.

When I was a student I had set this goal of making it to an airline (regional) before I turned 25. I had almost attained it, if it wasn’t for the unfortunate events of Sept 11.
It’s funny looking back how my life might have been different, but aside from the tragedy itself, I wouldn’t change a thing.

When I found out I got on, I was excited and a little disappointed – on one hand I had reached my goal, on the other I felt like I might be missing out. Up to that point I had very little experience both in the cockpit, and life in general.

That was going on 4 years, and 2000 hours ago. Looking back I would have missed out on a lot. I have had ups and downs like most, but overall I can say my time in this industry has been a very positive one.

I have met a lot of really cool people, drank in places I didn’t know existed or thought I might never get to see, flown to or over most continents, and scared myself a time or 3. I have seen how the extremely rich live, and those of the third world.
I now have a much greater appreciation for what I have, and the amenities we as Canadians have.

Some, if not all of these experiences I probably would have missed out on…not to mention the cool crap that now adorns my living room walls.

The point of this speal? Take your time and enjoy the journey, you never know where it will lead you.

Cheers.

Snow Monkey · Post by **Snow Monkey** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 1:40 pm

How true a speal.

Never look back and regret always look ahead and enjoy whats to come. My career has been at times frustrating, but looking back always rewarding, even at the time it may have looked pretty gloomy.
You see alot of slagging of companies and how one is better than the other but remember its just a career. You have lots to live for outside of work.

Chillax and enjoy the ride you only get one chance at it. Its better to die tired and worn out than laying there wishing you had!

Good post Kingair!

Rubberbiscuit · Post by **Rubberbiscuit** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 2:11 pm

Well said! Enjoy whatever you are doing wherever you are doing it, because you don't know what tomorrow will bring. That is still my mentality even though I'm with an airline.

Right Seat Captain · Post by **Right Seat Captain** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 5:40 pm

Excellent advice! That's what I've been saying for the past couple of years, that after setting myself up for the road to where I want to go, I'm now looking forward to the next decade as I work my way towards my goal. So much so, that it now seems more exciting than getting to my goal.

It makes me wonder when I hear pilots, in person, and on here, who are always just thinking of the hours...not the flying they are doing. It makes me wonder why they became a pilot.

greenwich · Post by **greenwich** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:00 pm

KAG,

So true!! And well said (as usual!).

Not to sound strange, but I've always seen my career as a graph (remember back to those high-school X, Y graphs). There are lots of up's and downs, but the overall trend of the graph is upwards!

Things do keep getting better...slowly!!

G

cougarhunter · Post by **cougarhunter** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 2:35 pm

It's about time this forum had a positive post! In this industry it seems that the more hours a pilot attains, the more "crusty" one becomes. Those disillusioned high-time whiners should remember the types of crappy, low-paying "ground pounder" jobs they may have had before they got into flying for a living.

gelbisch · Post by **gelbisch** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 3:23 pm

This industry is far from ideal, and getting worse as far as I'm concerned... and I spend my fair share of the time whining, BUT... I think cougar just hit the nail on the head. I had some time this summer between a groundschool course and sim, so I went to work security for a couple months to make some extra dough.

Man, having to actually WORK for a living SUCKS!

pilotbc69 · Post by **pilotbc69** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 2:42 pm

Well put King Air Guy

If you don't stop and look around once in awhile you're going to miss it.

peeelot · Post by **peeelot** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 5:22 pm

I just wanna say that you guys have given me somthing to work for. I am on the edge of letting it all go and I only have 300 hours. But I have to say after reading all of the posts I really haven't given it a chance. I guess I am at one of those down points right now. So to all of you who have posted I Thank you for convincing me not to give up my dream.

Beechball · Post by **Beechball** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 5:58 pm

Well this is a breath of fresh air for a change. I wish I could share the joy but I can't seem to see the bright side of the overall picture. Sure I've had highpoints.... Nice places visited. Other cultures experienced. Good food tasted. Some exhilarating flying experiences, the ones that make you really feel ALIVE. But at the end of the day, I'm still well under $50K with a mortgage and kids. And this, after a "few" thousand hours accumulated. For all of you who feel that if you could start all over you would still go down the same road, good for you. Your perseverance is admirable. I used to be able to it take to that level as well. But over the past few years, the state of the Canadian aviation industry has left me bitter and resentful and disappointed. If I could do it all again, I simply wouldn't. So, it's too late for me to start over, this is all I have. I continue to struggle on... Hats off however to those who haven't lost their optimism (the Liberals are slowly chipping away at you day by day).

cedarjet · Post by **cedarjet** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 8:16 pm

Whatever your goal may be, once you've reached it, it's only downwards from there. Enjoy your journey.

TopperHarley · Post by **TopperHarley** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 9:16 pm

Just remember, things could be a lot worse than they are. Never lose perspective!

cloudrunner · Post by **cloudrunner** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:25 pm

I'll drink to that KAG.

There is something to be said for setting those goals and reaching them. The trick is to keep setting new ones once you get there, and not get jaded and cranky cause you've topped out and flying's no fun anymore.

jet a1 · Post by **jet a1** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 5:47 am

i think these will serve some purpose here.

"success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success. if you love what you're doing, you will be successful" - albert schweitzer

"success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in live as by the obstacles which he has overcome trying to succeed" - booker t. washington

"things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out"

"the road to success is always under construction"

"private victories precede public victories" - stephen r. covey

"ones greatest success comes after their greatest disappointments"
- henry ward beecher

"behind every successful man there's a lot of unsuccessful years"
- bob brown

"AD ASTRA PER ASPERA" (a rough road leads to the stars)

it's worth it,
jet