The One Where a NEW Chapter Begins

If there's one phrase that defines this entire journey for me, it's this: I feel incredibly lucky to be here.

Every step of the way, that feeling has been echoed by my classmates, instructors, and even the hotel staff. We all know how competitive it is out there—pilots with more flight hours, jet time, and even type ratings still struggle to land an opportunity like this. So the fact that I was accepted into one of the most respected regional airlines, with a class full of talented and driven people, is something I’ll never take for granted. As one of my classmates, CB, put it best: "We’re lucky to be here—so let’s give it 100%."

And we did. Every one of us gave it 100%. But what made the experience even more meaningful was how much we appreciated being here together. We shared the same goal, the same struggles, the same long days and longer study sessions. The camaraderie in our class was unreal—everyone was kind, smart, supportive, and positive. Whether it was one-on-one or in a group, the energy was always encouraging. And it wasn’t just our class—students from other groups, upgrade classes, instructors—everyone at the training center was approachable and helpful. No matter how small the question, someone was always willing to help.

Then there’s the training department itself. I honestly can’t imagine a better-organized program. From the moment we arrived, we were told, "Trust the process." And that’s exactly what we did. The curriculum was crystal clear, carefully scaffolded, and designed to help us succeed—not just pass. Our instructors were endlessly patient, explaining complex concepts and bridging the gap between general aviation and airline operations. We asked a million questions, and every single one was met with support and thoughtful answers.

From ground school to flat panel trainers to full motion simulators, we always felt like the training department had our backs. The examiners, seat fills, and faculty all shared their knowledge with sincerity and care. We absorbed everything like sponges. Yes, there were hiccups along the way—but never once did we question whether help would be there if we needed it.

And don’t get me started on the facility: a state-of-the-art training center connected to our hotel by a jet bridge. We had coffee, breakfast, shuttle service, computer labs, study rooms, gym, meditation room—everything we needed, all in one place. We didn’t have to worry about a thing outside of training. The training department had every logistical detail covered so we could fully focus.

The AQP curriculum itself deserves its own round of applause. It's designed like a perfectly engineered gearbox—every lesson building on the one before it. We’d learn something, get tested on it, and move forward with confidence. It truly prepared us step by step, never throwing us into the deep end without a life vest. My partner and I made it through without any repeats, but we were always told that if we needed additional training, that was a sign of strength, not weakness. The message was clear: being self-aware and proactive is how you grow.

Looking back, I can confidently say that trusting the process was the smartest thing I could’ve done.

Of course, I couldn’t have done this alone.

When I started this journey, I was full of doubt. I didn’t know if I would pass. I didn’t even unpack the uniform—I hung it up and left it in the closet, afraid I might have to return it. I didn’t delete my old work materials because I wasn’t sure if I had to go back to them if this didn't work out for me. Coming from a first career in higher education—teaching, doing research, helping faculty build online courses—I had already built a life I was proud of. But flying had always tugged at me, and I finally decided to give it everything.

And it worked—but only because of the people around me.

My wife is nothing short of a superhero. While I was away chasing this dream, she was navigating her own: transitioning from med school into residency, taking care of a baby and a five-year-old on her own for weeks on at a time. I owe her more than words can express. She never once doubted me, even when I doubted myself. My daughter, wise beyond her years, told me, "I miss you every day, Daddy. But I want you to be a successful daddy." And so I pushed through. For her. For all of them.

My classmates, my instructors, my friends from the flight school who helped me build hours—I owe them all. I may be the one in the uniform now, but none of this was done alone.

And finally, about me: I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be a pilot. But here I am, before my so-called midlife crisis, starting a second career in one of the most challenging yet rewarding industries out there. From flight training & instructing, working(two part-time jobs and a full-time job), teaching, to everything in between, I still make time for gardening with my daughter, home improvement projects, and yardwork—it’s not glamorous, but it keeps me grounded.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’m grateful beyond words. And I’m finally ready to say: this is my new chapter—and I’m all in.