Let me slap you before I show you how to act
. . . whay not leave this part out and still educate?
Relax just a tad. I think you're reading too much into people's responses that aren't realy intended. It is VERY difficult to read inflection, tone, and intent from the written word, especially when people's writing styles differ so much from their in-real-life personas. My first bit of advice for you is to always give a person the benefit of the doubt when trying to interpret tone and intent. Most people are here because they want to help others, not pick on them.
Secondly, in my personal opinion you really can't seperate "life lessons" from advice on the aviation profession. I speak from experience. I made the change about four years ago, and reduced my salary by well over 50% to do so, and have never been happier. BUT, I'm happier because of the life lessons that I've added to my repertoire, in conjunction with what I've picked up about being a professional pilot. They go hand in hand. The way that my wife and I have handled the changes are much more important in my happiness than what those changes were, you know what I mean?
As far as learning life lessons, I'm of the opinion that you should never quit. The older you get, the more that you realize that experience is a great teacher, and learning from others' experiences is a very valuable tool. Let's see, you've been an "adult" for 12 - 13 years. Kristie has been so for 20+ (almost twice as long), and I was an adult when you were born (close to three times as long). Maybe, just maybe there is something that we can add to what you've already learned. Maybe not. But if you shut us off from even offering info I can guarantee that you won't learn from our experience.
I recommend that you be careful about cherry-picking the answers that you want to hear. I can understand that you might feel defensive about people talking about issues that are not directly aviation related, but you just might be missing some valuable information along the way. At the very least you can end up with people thinking to themselves "I'm not going to bother giving this guy any advice. He won't listen anyway." I can tell you that right now I'm on that fence myself.
Please, just keep in mind that people are here to help, especially Doug and Kristie. Really.
I loves me some Steve C <3 <3 <3
I've been an adult for . . . well nevermindbut some of my mentors are nearly half my age! I try to soak it all in and take the advice that fits, and just appreciate that some one was willing to spend the time to share the rest.
As Steve mentions, experience is a great teacher. That reminds me of a plaque that was on my kitchen wall from when I was a small child that read,
"Learn from the mistakes of others . . . you won't have enough time to make them all yourself."
Well . . . enough of that.
OK . . .One last thing, some of the people I have met through this site I have become very fond of. As a matter of fact I have had dinner with seven of them over the last few weeks in two different cities. I refer to them as my "internet friends" but my life is enriched by them, and I have learned from each of them, not just about aviation, but about life (and a lot about you kids lingo!).
This place is special.
Welcome to JC and hopefully we will meet you at one of our M and G s or even at the big event in Las Vegas this October.
Dale
Let me slap you before I show you how to act
I read that people were pissed off in this thread . . . why be pissed off? Be amused . . . it's just letters in the ethersphere . . .dude:bandit:
I mean bro
You may be right, I will try to assume that some people here are not questioning my competence, I do REALY want your opinons. Like you said it is hard for me to interpret their tone in writing. I might have gotten on the defensive from a comment from a person early on. I understand going into the aviation field is a life changing experience, but so is any job change, but I do need to understand that most of you guys are here to help, and I do appreciate that. My appologise to Kristie if I came across ungrateful. I did not mean to sound that way to anyone. Thanks for the adjustment.
..
kids are expensive
marriages are expensive
divorce lawyers are expensive
child support is expensive
repeat above in that order
then you have:
alcohol
strip clubs
cigarettes
no worries! we're all just here to help whether you want to hear it or not.. hahahaYou may be right, I will try to assume that some people here are not questioning my competence, I do REALY want your opinons. Like you said it is hard for me to interpret their tone in writing. I might have gotten on the defensive from a comment from a person early on. I understand going into the aviation field is a life changing experience, but so is any job change, but I do need to understand that most of you guys are here to help, and I do appreciate that. My appologise to Kristie if I came across ungrateful. I did not mean to sound that way to anyone. Thanks for the adjustment.
