It was time for a move. This is an old story, depicted in a new arena. It's also an evolving story, adapting to a new internet medium.
I started this story in 1998, just a year after I was hired with United. I remember I was in Boston, MA. It was a long layover, I had just learned of AOL's website building function ... and I had an idea.
Why not tell cyber world how I, a farm kid from Iowa with no College, horrible vision, and a passion for flight - went from High School to United Airlines in 9 years.
After all, I had been listening to the grey beards at United tell me for a year that I was 'lucky', 'in the 2% of those hired, without College', and 'had the world by the b*lls.'
You listen to something long enough, you'll start to believe it.
More importantly though, I felt that I had to share my story for others inspiration and fuel. I had seen many people just up and quit, while grinding away at Great Lakes (United Express) ... waiting for a career to develop that someone had sold them. Things had slowed down, and many were not happy with sitting in such a stagnant position for years.
This is where the loyal, the enthusiasts, the ones for love of the task ... stick - and the others don't.
Along my story, maybe those considering bailing on this career will find a little nugget to stick and stay until greener pastures appear on the horizon.
