counting down until we start on the flight-line.

The last few days (weeks) have been dedicated to Academics (pronounced “Slack-a-demics” for those who lie and say that it’s easy).  It isn’t really hard if you study and pay attention and remained focused on your goal, but it isn’t easy to pass if you take it lightly.  Apparently, according to some others who have gone before us (which until today was every single person, a new class just started behind us so we are no longer the youngest pups) once we hit the flight-line, El Shiznit is supposed to hit Le Fan.  We will see just how bad it really is or is not. 

            You would be surprised around here with the total lack of inter-class interaction.  Maybe it is because we are not in our flight rooms yet, but I swear, I don’t know anyone else on this base other than my flight mates.  I thought for sure, ALL pilots would kinda hang out, but that really doesn’t happen, or at least not yet.

            A word about the flight-line.  We are scheduled to “hit it” on October 24^th, which is just a few days away when you think about it.  We are all anxious to get on with it and have our “Dollar Ride”.  Since you read all the other UPT websites, you know what a Dollar Ride is anyway.  I think what I am most excited about is to finally be in a tweet!  Everyone is supposed to barf as well, but if it happens it happens, and I am not going to get too worried about it because it’s something you simply can’t control.  Once we get to the flight-line, we will be on something called “Formal Release”, which means, no matter what we are at work (Flying, flightroom, studying, or going to the bathroom) for 12 hours, no less, no more.  If show time is 0630, then release time will be 1830.  Wow!  I don’t think it will be too bad because, hey it isn’t work if you enjoy it, right?

            I think it will definitely be intense and that is good, because we perform better when there is a little stress.  As long as I keep my head on straight and remember why I am here and what I have to do to get my wings, I think all will work out.  Nothing worth having is easy and I doubt that this will be any different.  Besides, what else am I going to do, go be a software engineer again? Hell no.  Unless I have a medical problem, they’d have to drag me away from being a pilot. 

            I don’t know how often I will write for this because basically everything in your life, gets shifted down in order to handle all of the extra work and time.  So, if I get a chance to write and feel like it, I will, if not, well, shoot, you can’t do everything. 

            By the way, when you get here, get started on your class patch and don’t settle for something less than your best because you are going to have to wear it for the entire year and you don’t want some lame patch stuck to your arm.  The “Oh, yeah, uuhh, my stupid flight mates voted for it” just doesn’t work.  Get something cool that represents as many people in the class as you can.  Another note, be careful, you have to get the patch approved so some of the really good ideas you have…..you can just forget’em.

            A funny thing happened today, as we were walking into the building from lunch, a new 2Lt walked by and the dude had his hat on backwards…..DOH!  It’s not too easy to point that out to someone.  Hehehe

Back to studying……..