1000 Hours Total Time!!!!!

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Getting that magic 1000 hours..

I started off as a glider pilot, back in 1993 (Next June it will be 10 years since I started flying!!!)
Having got my Silver C I did my PPL (On a real aeroplane with a small wheel at the back) under the old system where I only had to do enough to achieve the standard-took about thirty hours four me but I did go solo in under 7 hours)
Then off to the states to do 100 hours and the IMC and Night.
Back in the UK I started glider towing (Most clubs wont trust you with their aircraft unless you have at least 100 hours TT)
Spent an enjoyable but broke summer at Sutton Bank in Yorkshire, using Pawnees and SuperCubs to tow gliders,
Did the same thing in the Pyrennes in Spain (That was fun!) and in Scotland later the same year.
Did my (British) CPL and the intitial part of my IR in Florida early last year (Had to complete it back in the UK-can't take the test over there or at least, couldn't then) First time pass which was just as well as I'd run out of money by then.
I built the final 270 hours since qualifying flying Parachutist (mainly tandem) up to 10000'-hence the sign-in name.
I actually got into thanks to Wannabees. I was on site 'listening' to an aurgument amongst newly qualified JAA CPLs saying they couldn't get work, JAA was a big con etc, and someone saying-"Get on with it, work for nothing for a year or so towing gliders, flying parachutist, don't expect to fly 737s straight off."
Advice which many people didn't seem to want to take. But I thought 'Actually he's right' Later that day I got bored of sending off CV's, thought, 'Lets do something more proactive' and went to the local Parachute centre asking if they needed anyone and they said 'Yes.'
Like most things in this game it was pure luck, I just walked in when he'd just lost a pilot to the airlines. There are many pilots (private and hours builders/newly qualified CPLs) who would love to do it. I obviously fitted the profile with my glider towing experience as well.
I don't get paid (Apart from the odd couple of notes thrown at me for positioning the aircraft for maintence) but to have done that much flying and stayed current is obviously priceless.
The parachute flying is great because you get to fly a slightly larger aeroplane (sadly only a single though) and I've kept in Instrument flying practice. Although they have to be able to see the DZ on the run-in its frequently necersary to climb though cloud on the way up.
Its hard work but good fun, and the social side is great.
Its very satisfying to do a 'job.' Flying all day on mulitiple fights sharpens your flying skills and teachs you how to be consistent and safe. Its not like hiring a PA28/C152 on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Some people think that 'as a CPL I should get paid' Maybe so. But look to the future and know that if you can get into a situation like that and work for them as if they are paying you a good wage it will pay off in the end.
However next stop is to get paid! I'll let you know how I get on!
Best of luck to everyone out there. Don't give up!!!