My 21yr old has decided after 2 years at VMI that he’s not going to return. I’d be lying if I said his dad and I weren’t disappointed, but he just sent me this video of his his first flight lesson and he is euphoric.
It’s so hard to get rid of your old ways of thinking when it comes to your kids. My parenting truth though is that we need to love them, guide them, but let them forge their own path.
Good mom
I’ve been flying for 20 years. It’s Liberating, plus all the family memories while building confidence in my kiddos
Some of my fondest childhood memories are flying with my Dad in his Balanca. 👍
Nicee 😄
Flying is sound choice 🫂
He sound check out flying gliders too. Builds good stick and rudder skills.
You’re doing a great job at parenting, doubting yourself and going with the flow, instead of being overly strict and unflexible 💜
I’m sure he is proud of you also 💜
Thanks for modeling how parents can let go of their kids as the grow and spread their wings 🛩️
Tough industry to break into since the old farts keep pushing their mandatory retirement age so commercial seats don’t open up as frequently as in the past.
Not true at all. There is an enormous pilot shortage. So much so, that all the major carriers now have accelerated pathway programs. My son is interested in Delta Propel.
There are a TON of options for pilots who want to make a career of it. If he's good at it he'll have no issues finding a job.
Okay, seems my information is out of date. My buddy was stuck in regional package hell for years and years trying to get enough hours for a commercial seat. Wish your son all the best.
Yeah I think that was the case as recently as 5 years ago, but not any more. They are expecting a shortage of 30,000 pilots. One of our Delta pilot friends recently had a female copilot on his transatlantic trip that had only been with Delta for 3 years. He told us it took him 14 years to get the same seat.
I see so many kids in their late teens and early 20s that are incredible pilots already. I don't really know any of them well, but we always talk to each other when we're out there prepping our planes.
It's a unique experience, and I hope he enjoys it. The excitement of taking to the air is like nothing else.
My nephew is a senior in high school. Flies on his own now. Going to college for flight as well. Ironically he doesn’t drive a car too well but 🤷🏻♂️
That’s awesome. All of these fast track commercial airline programs love kids who are motivated. He will do well.
That’s so cool. It’s great to see kids with a skill that gives them a career opportunity. I know so many 20 somethings with degrees who are working jobs which don’t require a college degree.
My 12 year old is already asking for lessons lol. He loves the simulator and says he could easily have his 1500 hours before college.
Oh man, two kids in flight school is gonna be expensive. 😂👍
PS - it's worth every penny.
The world is changing.
The skills & knowledge that were valuable yesterday may not be valuable tomorrow.
Some skills (eg first principled or critical thinking) are timeless.
At the end of the day, you can influence but not control their path.
