CJones
Final Approach
In the past, I have read/heard of people who, after flying for a while, simply 'hung it up'. Sometimes it was permanent and sometimes it was a temporary hiatus due to family/life/time/money. There was always a reason for doing so, but I always thought to myself "How can you do that!? Just MAKE the time to go fly and SAVE the money to pay for it! Find a way!"
Well, after not having flown since May, and having to get current at that time to be able to carry passengers (not to mention how far out of IR currency/proficiency I am), I had almost convinced myself to 'hang it up' for a while. With a 3 y/o and a 6 month old at home, and trying to grow the 'job' into a 'career', I just haven't had time to go out and punch holes in the sky. And if I did find time, there was always the guilt of spending money on flying by myself when I should be spending it on stuff for the wife and kids. I had decided that when the time for insurance renewal came around on the RV's, I would tell dad not to add me to the insurance for next year.
.....then I took my wife and kids to ATL this morning to put them on the aluminum cattle wagon for a trip to Iowa. First off, we had to check a bag which added $25 to the cost of the ticket PLUS what I paid extra to get "Economy Comfort" seats since that was the only area I could get two seats side-by-side when I bought the tickets. Then, when I asked for a Gate Pass so I could help my wife deal with the kids while sitting at the gate, I got lip from the ticket jockey saying (and I quote) "We don't just give out gate passes to help you out, you know." I didn't argue with him since he said he was going to give me one ANYWAY (he obviously felt like it was doing me a HUGE favor). Then we waited in the faux security line while trying to entertain a 3 y/o that was tired of sitting patiently. Then, while trying to get the stroller through the scanner, it wouldn't fit and the TSA agent was giving me grief over having to come do a 'hand check' on it (How dare I require to stop propping up on the wall and actually have to DO something). After that ordeal, we waded through the sea of people with a stroller trying not to bump people's heels or toes. I left them at the gate where my wife now has to deal with keeping them both entertained on the plane where she has to worry about them making too much noise... or changing a diaper... or having to feed the little one *GASP* IN PUBLIC *GASP*....
As I walked away from the gate after their plane left I immediately said to myself "Nope. I'm not hanging this flying stuff up. I'll find a way. I am not going to subject my family to this load of B.S. any more - they deserve better." Sure, it may be 4 hours of flying in the RV to get to Iowa instead of the 2 hr flight via Delta, but we are doing it together. And if she needs to pop it out and feed the kid - go for it.. And if he wants to scream, who cares? And if we want to pack 120 ounces of apple juice in case they get thirsty, we can do that.
I want my kids to be able to travel. I want them to see the diverse landscapes that our country has to offer, but I don't want to subject them to the cluster-f**k that commercial air travel has become. They deserve better.
So off I go to search for somewhere to do my BFR and maybe an IPC once I am current in the RV again. It's totally worth it...
Well, after not having flown since May, and having to get current at that time to be able to carry passengers (not to mention how far out of IR currency/proficiency I am), I had almost convinced myself to 'hang it up' for a while. With a 3 y/o and a 6 month old at home, and trying to grow the 'job' into a 'career', I just haven't had time to go out and punch holes in the sky. And if I did find time, there was always the guilt of spending money on flying by myself when I should be spending it on stuff for the wife and kids. I had decided that when the time for insurance renewal came around on the RV's, I would tell dad not to add me to the insurance for next year.
.....then I took my wife and kids to ATL this morning to put them on the aluminum cattle wagon for a trip to Iowa. First off, we had to check a bag which added $25 to the cost of the ticket PLUS what I paid extra to get "Economy Comfort" seats since that was the only area I could get two seats side-by-side when I bought the tickets. Then, when I asked for a Gate Pass so I could help my wife deal with the kids while sitting at the gate, I got lip from the ticket jockey saying (and I quote) "We don't just give out gate passes to help you out, you know." I didn't argue with him since he said he was going to give me one ANYWAY (he obviously felt like it was doing me a HUGE favor). Then we waited in the faux security line while trying to entertain a 3 y/o that was tired of sitting patiently. Then, while trying to get the stroller through the scanner, it wouldn't fit and the TSA agent was giving me grief over having to come do a 'hand check' on it (How dare I require to stop propping up on the wall and actually have to DO something). After that ordeal, we waded through the sea of people with a stroller trying not to bump people's heels or toes. I left them at the gate where my wife now has to deal with keeping them both entertained on the plane where she has to worry about them making too much noise... or changing a diaper... or having to feed the little one *GASP* IN PUBLIC *GASP*....
As I walked away from the gate after their plane left I immediately said to myself "Nope. I'm not hanging this flying stuff up. I'll find a way. I am not going to subject my family to this load of B.S. any more - they deserve better." Sure, it may be 4 hours of flying in the RV to get to Iowa instead of the 2 hr flight via Delta, but we are doing it together. And if she needs to pop it out and feed the kid - go for it.. And if he wants to scream, who cares? And if we want to pack 120 ounces of apple juice in case they get thirsty, we can do that.
I want my kids to be able to travel. I want them to see the diverse landscapes that our country has to offer, but I don't want to subject them to the cluster-f**k that commercial air travel has become. They deserve better.
So off I go to search for somewhere to do my BFR and maybe an IPC once I am current in the RV again. It's totally worth it...
