Ok, Skipper, I've read your post above and I am deeply moved by it. A wonderful post, which I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. Thank you for sharing those experiences with me.
You know, it probably won't surprise you to hear me say that I have heard many similar tales, each a testament to the 'aviation spirit', for want of a better phrase. Nonetheless, I would really ... really ... appreciate it if you took a moment to ponder just one moment in your own story and ask yourself if things may have turned out less happily for you in slightly different circumstance.
What if your partner had not been there for you and had not been so supportive?
The point I make is that her support may well have made the difference between your success and your failure. There may be many youngsters out here without that 'privilege'. Why not give them the chance you've had? If they have achieved their frozen ATPL (and I think an IR was an ATPL pre-requisite), why not allow those with recent IR currency a crack at your scheme. After all, Hamrah (and/or some of his colleagues) can surely exercise their skills to pick the worthy, irrespective of currency.
Again, thanks for the above post. Wonderfully well written. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
P.S. Sorry for the delay, but I had trouble getting back to the site. All's well now.
[ 29 January 2002: Message edited by: interested ]</p>