Why do I get the impression that Airline Driver is the be all and end all for most of the posters here.....
I was thinking the exact same thing!!
With a sweat-stained shirt covered in oil, dirt under your fingernails, sunburnt neck and tatty old thongs, you close the cowl on the aircraft you paid for yourself, built yourself, and fix yourself... point it into wind at an aerodrome with no known name in the middle of nowhere, and go wherever the hell you want, at whatever speed you want....
AMEN TO THAT BRUTHA!
I know i have made it in Aviation when i
a- Enjoy dragging MY aircraft out of the hangar
b- Admire looking at a perfectly smooth composite wing as i climb over it into My cockpit and note the G-meter pegged at +4 from my last act of aviation.
c- I can open my wallet and see My aircrafts Rego certificate behind my aircrew licence!
d- when on a long flight, you can practice your 8 point hesitation rolls and not upset anyone!