A-9er
Well-Known Member
As you all may remember, I was let go from G7 back in November. Though my pride was hurt at the time (who likes being fired?), a part of me was relieved. I knew at that point that I wasn't cut out for DX. Truth be told, I knew that during OJT, but I'd come too far at that point to not go all the way and get on a desk, even if only for a short while. My doubts were cemented during my third shift on my own when we had a NASTY IROP day-oh, what a nightmare that was! It was early-mid October, but we had WX that one would expect to see in July; there was a line of TSTMS from CYYZ (or was it CYUL?) to around KTUL with tops to FL400. Need I say more? That was a fine 'how do you do'! I remember saying to myself, WTF was I thinking? Why did I do this?
Before G7 showed me the door, I'd made up my mind to leave; the only question was when. I was going to stay through the New Year to help them through the busy travel season, then go; thankfully, they saved me the trouble of having that awkward conversation. With the exception of the job I held before DX, I never enjoyed telling folks I was going to resign; I certainly didn't relish having that conversation with the wonderful folks @ G7. I knew of at least two DXers preparing to leave, and that G7 was going to be short DXers. I didn't want to add to everyone's agony-both my sups' and my colleagues'. Thankfully, I never needed to have that conversation; thankfully, they saved me the trouble.
I managed to get some interviews after G7, and I think I'd have gotten another DX job had I kept at it. One interview went very well, and I think that that airline would have offered me a job. Before they could though, I backed out. When I sat with their DXer, the old doubts came back; I knew then that I didn't want to get on a desk again. When I got back home, I told them I was going to pursue another opportunity, and thanked them for their time. Why did I apply to other airlines? Why did I go on interviews? For me, it was a matter of pride; I HATE it when folks tell me I can't do something! In the end, I realized that there was no point. Though angry pride can be a good motivator, it will only carry one so far. Why do DX again when I know I'm not cut out for it?
Is that to say I regret attending Sheffield and briefly working a desk? Not at all. Attending Sheffield was one of the most challenging and rewarding things I ever did in my life. It's good to know that I have more mental capacity than I thought, and that I can still do challenging things at my age. I don't regret working a desk, either. Had I not done this, I never would have known. I'd have always had the question, what if I'd done it? I saw a recent 9/11 documentary in which a man related telling his children to never live life saying "I should have..." Had I not gone to DX school and worked a desk, I'd be saying 'I should have'. It's hard to think of a greater tragedy in life than saying, "I should have..."
So, what's the next step? I'll probably go back to electronics. I've dusted off my books, and I'm studying 3-4 hours a day reviewing stuff; it's a good opportunity to fill in some knowledge gaps. Later today, I'll nail down the interview time at a nice, local company this week. Without going into detail, it's a good way to ease back into electronics. I can't wait! If that doesn't pan out, there will be other good opportunities.
Having said that, I wish everyone on here well. I especially wish the wonderful folks @ G7 the best! I'm sorry I didn't get the contact information from some people there; I thought I'd have more time. I'll still lurk here and maybe even post once in a while. Best of luck, everyone!
Before G7 showed me the door, I'd made up my mind to leave; the only question was when. I was going to stay through the New Year to help them through the busy travel season, then go; thankfully, they saved me the trouble of having that awkward conversation. With the exception of the job I held before DX, I never enjoyed telling folks I was going to resign; I certainly didn't relish having that conversation with the wonderful folks @ G7. I knew of at least two DXers preparing to leave, and that G7 was going to be short DXers. I didn't want to add to everyone's agony-both my sups' and my colleagues'. Thankfully, I never needed to have that conversation; thankfully, they saved me the trouble.
I managed to get some interviews after G7, and I think I'd have gotten another DX job had I kept at it. One interview went very well, and I think that that airline would have offered me a job. Before they could though, I backed out. When I sat with their DXer, the old doubts came back; I knew then that I didn't want to get on a desk again. When I got back home, I told them I was going to pursue another opportunity, and thanked them for their time. Why did I apply to other airlines? Why did I go on interviews? For me, it was a matter of pride; I HATE it when folks tell me I can't do something! In the end, I realized that there was no point. Though angry pride can be a good motivator, it will only carry one so far. Why do DX again when I know I'm not cut out for it?
Is that to say I regret attending Sheffield and briefly working a desk? Not at all. Attending Sheffield was one of the most challenging and rewarding things I ever did in my life. It's good to know that I have more mental capacity than I thought, and that I can still do challenging things at my age. I don't regret working a desk, either. Had I not done this, I never would have known. I'd have always had the question, what if I'd done it? I saw a recent 9/11 documentary in which a man related telling his children to never live life saying "I should have..." Had I not gone to DX school and worked a desk, I'd be saying 'I should have'. It's hard to think of a greater tragedy in life than saying, "I should have..."
So, what's the next step? I'll probably go back to electronics. I've dusted off my books, and I'm studying 3-4 hours a day reviewing stuff; it's a good opportunity to fill in some knowledge gaps. Later today, I'll nail down the interview time at a nice, local company this week. Without going into detail, it's a good way to ease back into electronics. I can't wait! If that doesn't pan out, there will be other good opportunities.
Having said that, I wish everyone on here well. I especially wish the wonderful folks @ G7 the best! I'm sorry I didn't get the contact information from some people there; I thought I'd have more time. I'll still lurk here and maybe even post once in a while. Best of luck, everyone!
