Tuesday I have to go in and meet with the FAA over getting some privileges updated to my pilots license. Needless to say the last few weeks have been some of the most stressful times I have ever had.

I know I used to poke fun about wrecking planes almost 10 years ago. And I like mah booze and sky hoes. I also remember somewhere in that time I was more confident in my abilities. I had a I can go anywhere and do anything attitude in my chosen field. However the past few years I fell on very rough times that took some of that ambition away as well as some of the lunacy that IS the airline industry. And even forced me to walk away from what I wanted to do for a while.

Which leads me to now. Even with all of the stress and as ready as I feel I wonder if I'm worried about a minor checkride how the hell am I going to handle a plane full of passengers?

Perhaps I'm just stressing out over nothing as I have always been a worrier.

Who dares wins.

> I had a I can go anywhere and do anything attitude in
> my chosen field. However the past few years I fell on very rough times that took
> some of that ambition away as well as some of the lunacy that IS the airline
> industry. And even forced me to walk away from what I wanted to do for a while.

Yeah, life can be a bitch sometimes, but it also helps to adjust one's attitude. Just don't let it go too far on the other side.

> Which leads me to now. Even with all of the stress and as ready as I feel I
> wonder if I'm worried about a minor checkride how the hell am I going to handle
> a plane full of passengers?

As usual: you'll wreck the friggin plane and come back to tell us :D

> Perhaps I'm just stressing out over nothing as I have always been a worrier.

We all tend to make things bigger when we feel a bit stressed and beaten... Thinking that the obstacle is 90% in one's head usually helps a lot, and makes everything look more easy to face.

That being said, I guess you're not new to this kind of stress, just think about how many times you have faced a similar situation in the past and what was the outcome.

> Tuesday I have to go in and meet with the FAA over getting some privileges
> updated to my pilots license. Needless to say the last few weeks have been some
> of the most stressful times I have ever had.
>
> I know I used to poke fun about wrecking planes almost 10 years ago. And I like
> mah booze and sky hoes. I also remember somewhere in that time I was more
> confident in my abilities. I had a I can go anywhere and do anything attitude in
> my chosen field. However the past few years I fell on very rough times that took
> some of that ambition away as well as some of the lunacy that IS the airline
> industry. And even forced me to walk away from what I wanted to do for a while.
>
> Which leads me to now. Even with all of the stress and as ready as I feel I
> wonder if I'm worried about a minor checkride how the hell am I going to handle
> a plane full of passengers?
>
> Perhaps I'm just stressing out over nothing as I have always been a worrier.
>
> Who dares wins.

... and therefore took extra care, than one who doesn't worry and cut corners.

There comes a time when we must all face our fears and learn that we can overcome them.
Don't let it get to you so. Remember, you've been honing your skills for years now, the responsability may seem big, but your skills have grown to match it, remember that.

Now go out there, get that license and take us all on that mad booze tour you've always promissed. :-)

All work and no play makes me..., well, you know the rest.

> Tuesday I have to go in and meet with the FAA over getting some privileges
> updated to my pilots license. Needless to say the last few weeks have been some
> of the most stressful times I have ever had.
>
> I know I used to poke fun about wrecking planes almost 10 years ago. And I like
> mah booze and sky hoes. I also remember somewhere in that time I was more
> confident in my abilities. I had a I can go anywhere and do anything attitude in
> my chosen field. However the past few years I fell on very rough times that took
> some of that ambition away as well as some of the lunacy that IS the airline
> industry. And even forced me to walk away from what I wanted to do for a while.
>
> Which leads me to now. Even with all of the stress and as ready as I feel I
> wonder if I'm worried about a minor checkride how the hell am I going to handle
> a plane full of passengers?
>
> Perhaps I'm just stressing out over nothing as I have always been a worrier.
>
> Who dares wins.
>

You can do it. All those wrecked planes were just practice :P

No, but seriously. You've been in the game for years. I would be confident in your piloting.

My Junk

> Tuesday I have to go in and meet with the FAA over getting some privileges
> updated to my pilots license. Needless to say the last few weeks have been some
> of the most stressful times I have ever had.
>
> I know I used to poke fun about wrecking planes almost 10 years ago. And I like
> mah booze and sky hoes. I also remember somewhere in that time I was more
> confident in my abilities. I had a I can go anywhere and do anything attitude in
> my chosen field. However the past few years I fell on very rough times that took
> some of that ambition away as well as some of the lunacy that IS the airline
> industry. And even forced me to walk away from what I wanted to do for a while.
>
> Which leads me to now. Even with all of the stress and as ready as I feel I
> wonder if I'm worried about a minor checkride how the hell am I going to handle
> a plane full of passengers?
>
> Perhaps I'm just stressing out over nothing as I have always been a worrier.
>
> Who dares wins.
>

There is a part of Chinese history about this general considered to be one of the most courageous leaders of the time.

The day of the battle, he would survey the landscape with his lieutenants and wait for the enemy to show up. When he caught a glance of the advancing enemy and realize the fighting was inevitable, he would shit on himself - on the saddle. Yet, he would not dismount, he would get down the hill and lead his troops into battle -shit and all. And win.

Our culture glorifies obtaining stuff without struggle, without effort, without worry - but that is a fantasy. Courage is not being stupidly fearless, but shitting in your pants and still walk forward ignoring the smell.







[download a life]

> There is a part of Chinese history about this general considered to be one of
> the most courageous leaders of the time.
>
> The day of the battle, he would survey the landscape with his lieutenants and
> wait for the enemy to show up. When he caught a glance of the advancing enemy
> and realize the fighting was inevitable, he would shit on himself - on the
> saddle. Yet, he would not dismount, he would get down the hill and lead his
> troops into battle -shit and all. And win.
>
> Our culture glorifies obtaining stuff without struggle, without effort, without
> worry - but that is a fantasy. Courage is not being stupidly fearless, but
> shitting in your pants and still walk forward ignoring the smell.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [download a life]
>

pixel-eight.com

> Tuesday I have to go in and meet with the FAA over getting some privileges
> updated to my pilots license. Needless to say the last few weeks have been some
> of the most stressful times I have ever had.
>
> I know I used to poke fun about wrecking planes almost 10 years ago. And I like
> mah booze and sky hoes. I also remember somewhere in that time I was more
> confident in my abilities. I had a I can go anywhere and do anything attitude in
> my chosen field. However the past few years I fell on very rough times that took
> some of that ambition away as well as some of the lunacy that IS the airline
> industry. And even forced me to walk away from what I wanted to do for a while.
>
> Which leads me to now. Even with all of the stress and as ready as I feel I
> wonder if I'm worried about a minor checkride how the hell am I going to handle
> a plane full of passengers?
>
> Perhaps I'm just stressing out over nothing as I have always been a worrier.
>
> Who dares wins.
>

> Tuesday I have to go in and meet with the FAA over getting some privileges
> updated to my pilots license. Needless to say the last few weeks have been some
> of the most stressful times I have ever had.
>
> I know I used to poke fun about wrecking planes almost 10 years ago. And I like
> mah booze and sky hoes. I also remember somewhere in that time I was more
> confident in my abilities. I had a I can go anywhere and do anything attitude in
> my chosen field. However the past few years I fell on very rough times that took
> some of that ambition away as well as some of the lunacy that IS the airline
> industry. And even forced me to walk away from what I wanted to do for a while.
>
> Which leads me to now. Even with all of the stress and as ready as I feel I
> wonder if I'm worried about a minor checkride how the hell am I going to handle
> a plane full of passengers?
>
> Perhaps I'm just stressing out over nothing as I have always been a worrier.
>
> Who dares wins.
>

one can never destroy the power of evil

Like if you're a personal pilot for one of them rich fellas? Or maybe you could help teach flying.

It sounds like public air transit is one of the worst positions to be in now. Sorry man. I've had a friend in that industry and I don't know how they keep from going postal.

You might not even know how much your job is affecting you until you try something else. But it's definitely worth finding some ways to manage stress no matter what you want to do, anyone could get to the point where things are getting to them, and it really makes a difference to be able to handle stressful situations and keep your focus.

I hope you find what you need and that things turn out better for you. I've gone through some rough situations too (I didn't even have internet for a while) but you come out of it... don't be too hard on yourself in the meantime.

Oh man this is going to be a longer post for me to explain thing but its no problem :).

Quick update I passed my oral exam for the FAA (I said oral). Unfortunately the flight portion was rescheduled as the winds were not what I would try to do the check ride in. So thanks to all of the people (especially Death Knight who's quote make my sig on another board) that supported me thus far.

Ok now your questions

> Like if you're a personal pilot for one of them rich fellas? Or maybe you could help teach flying.

For the rich fellows yes and no. Yes in the fact that I can for compensation and hire. No in the fact that the insurance minimums on some of the jets or turbo props that they use would be beyond the scope of my experience or rating for me to fly as pilot in command (come to think the insurance mins might not allow me to fly second in command). In fact depending if the plane were more than 12,500lbs I would have to get type rated to fly that jet. Oh in case your wondering insurance minimums are about 1500hrs total time with 100 hours of multi-engine time.

Which leads me to teaching people how to fly. Again no I would not be able to teach people how to fly unless I get my CFI rating. The CFI rating is useful as it will help a starving pro-pilot get the hours they need to fly the rich guy's jet. Although I'm probably going to skip getting my CFI and just do my multi-engine rating and take a job doing aerial mapping work to build time.

> It sounds like public air transit is one of the worst positions to be in now.

Agreed, my stance has almost always been that it was in bad shape after 9/11. And even if 9/11 did not occur we would still be seeing some of the same problems. Without going into too much detail some of the problems that the industry is facing is not only the shitty condition of the economy but, the shitty management that runs these airlines. In fact before I even plan on going back into the flying game full time I want to make sure my financial house of cards is completely in order (no debt, money in savings in case of furlough, and able to get another office job if furloughed). Its a completly different attitude that when I was dead set on the airlines but, its more sensible.

> Sorry man. I've had a friend in that industry and I don't know how they keep from going postal.

I'm trying to figure that one out myself.


> You might not even know how much your job is affecting you until you try
> something else. But it's definitely worth finding some ways to manage stress no
> matter what you want to do, anyone could get to the point where things are
> getting to them, and it really makes a difference to be able to handle stressful
> situations and keep your focus.
>
> I hope you find what you need and that things turn out better for you. I've
> gone through some rough situations too (I didn't even have internet for a while)
> but you come out of it... don't be too hard on yourself in the meantime.
>
>

Heh one of the things that people here or other board rarely see is that I tend to be a worrier by nature. Its bad when your boss and the FAA tell you to lighten up and not be so procedural :).

Who dares wins.

> Heh one of the things that people here or other board rarely see is that I tend
> to be a worrier by nature. Its bad when your boss and the FAA tell you to
> lighten up and not be so procedural :).
>
> Who dares wins.
>

I definitely feel that... I got kidney stones from stress. Good luck man, and well eventually your body will start "suggesting" it to you that it is a lot easier to relax than to worry. :) Just don't wait until you get kidney stones, ulcers, and busted teeth from grinding! *crosses fingers against anyeurisms* (that must be what the yogurt container on the left has)