Elite Club For Those Who Ride the Wind

[KIFIS]

A few years ago a learned body in the USA carried out a survey of various highly paid professions in which persons were asked if they had their life to live over again would they have changed anything? Would they have chosen another pathway? Only two percent of those asked said they were happy and content and would do it all again. From this survey was born the exclusive “ Two Percenters “ club. Following on is simply to say that to qualify for membership to this special club one has to be able to say “ I would not change a thing ”. I know for sure that I am a member and as such feel very very privileged. I also happen to think there are possibly more “ Two Percenters “ flying aeroplanes than there are “ Two Percenters “ in any other profession. However I must admit that I wonder about today’s generation of “ automatics only “ pilots . Does the new knob twiddling give the same satisfaction ( and give it for a lifetime) as the old type flying which was basically the control wheel in one hand and the thrust levers in the other?

KIFIS

[Longslip]

Two men locked behind bars
One saw hell, the other stars.

Same point of view, different perception and I guess the same goes for the 2%ers v. the 98%ers. I'd like to think I belonged, and there are not many things I can think of that I'd do differently.

[TowerDog]

Sign me up for the 2% club.
Flying has been good to me and never dull with all the simulators and bankruptcies etc.

Never flown a glass-jet yet, but will have no choice in a year or so. Have to choose between B-767 or B-737-800.



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Men, this is no drill...

[Genghis the Engineer]

I love what I do, have done, and look likely to continue doing.

I suspect however that I'm eliminated from the list if it's still a requirement to be highly paid - that has somehow eluded me.

G

[Longslip]

No, no, Genghis. You qualify even more if money and types are not the issue. Doing what you love doing and making the most of it is fulfilment. The ever-elusive rainbow and the even more elusive pot at its end will only undermine that sense of fulfilment.

He is happy that is satisfied.

[Longslip]

Actually, Genghis, you've got it right. If you can enjoy what you're doing without worrying about money, types etc., you belong.

He is happy that is satisfied.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Of course I worry about the money, I'm sure even Richard Branson worries about where his next tropical island is coming from.

But the only reason I'd change job is if I saw something more exciting to do, not (just) for the money. The last time I changed job, was because a previous employer took my professional flying away. (Yes I am an engineer, but I'm also an aviator, I wouldn't wish to give up either side of it.)

G

[DB6]

I ride the wind most days, especially after a good curry. They used to call me SRN6. Ho ho ho.

[SunSeaSandfly]

Since I was 5 years old I dreamed of aircraft. I have flown models, small recips, large recips, small turboprops, large turboprops, medium jets, large jets, air taxi, corporate, commuter, and flag carrier. I have been pilot, trainer, manager, and Ihave ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT OF IT. The Aviation industry is the most challenging and satisfying business there is.

I cannot claim to have been highly paid, and that is the only thing I might have changed if I could do it all again, and, oh yes..... I always hankered after biplanes and barnstorming! Maybe if I have a few dollars to spare in my retirement, now there's a thought.