Flying

One of my biggest dreams has always been to be an airline pilot. Unfortunately, it's practically impossible for an Shomer Shabbos Jew to get hired by an airline. I did extensive research on the legal issues involved in forcing an employee to work on a day their religion does not allow them to work. There have been numerous lawsuits against companies that do this, alleging violations of the various laws that protect us from religious discrimination. Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations for  employee's religious needs. The airlines get around this because they're employees are unionized and are on a seniority system, where the more senior employees get first pick of schedules. The courts have ruled in several similar cases that the companies do not have to make an exception in cases like mine. 

I could go through the process of getting hired by an airline, without telling them that I can't work on Shabbos and then just not show up. They'd have a hard time firing me for it, because I could tie them up in lawsuits for years and in all likelihood it would be easier for them to buy me out, or even ignore my refusing to work on Shabbos. I wouldn't feel good about myself if I did that, so I've pretty much put my dreams aside, for now. I got my Private Pilot's License in April 2008 as a way to try to satisfy my dreams of flying and to give myself the freedom to get out of Detroit when I needed. 

Flying for me is all about freedom. There's an indescribable feeling you get when you're flying a plane, by yourself, thousands of feet above the ground. It's a great escape from the stress and troubles of life. It doesn't allow you to focus on anything besides what you have to do to fly the plane. You do get to see incredible views of the world around you in the process. 

For a couple years I flew around Michigan occasionally and really enjoyed it. It was expensive, but I don't regret one penny I spent on flying. I continued my training, hoping to get an Instrument rating (that's what lets you fly in the clouds and low visibility weather). I was hoping to fly around the country one day and possibly even work as a flight instructor, for fun. Then one day, I stopped flying.

I don't know why I stopped, my best excuse was the money. I always said I'd still fly and I would occasionally stop by the airport and see my old instructors. I'd tell them I would be scheduling a flight soon, I'd check the current prices, but five years went by without a single flight. Pilot's certificates don't expire, but they require a valid medical certificate which does expire and a certain amount of recurrent training. I don't have either of those now. 

I went to the airport a couple weeks ago, to watch the planes. I stopped in the flight school, just to chat. I got the current prices, met some new instructors and walked back to my car. About halfway to my car, I stopped. I thought "I'm not going to come back if I leave now, why don't I fly now?". Then I thought I was being stupid. You're supposed to schedule a flight at least a few hours in advance, there's no way I could fly now. So, I kept walking, but I didn't get into my car. 

I called Nehama and told her what I was thinking, I kind of expected her to tell me not to fly, that would've been a convenient excuse for me to chicken out. Instead she said "what do you have to lose by asking?". I went back inside and asked if anyone was available to fly with me and what do you know, there was. I went out for a short flight. I did all the flying from takeoff to landing and some practice maneuvers. I won't say it was like riding a bike, I lost a lot of skill and instinct in the 5 years off, but I did ok. The instructor didn't have to correct anything, he just let me get comfortable and fly. It was awesome. 

Last week we went on a short trip to Northern Michigan. The first stop we made in St. Ignace was the local airport. We met the guy in charge who offers sightseeing tours to tourists, surprisingly it wasn't too expensive.  He was the kind of guy that I think of as an old time pilot. Always willing to talk about flying to anyone who will listen. The next morning we booked him for a half hour flight around Macinac Island. I want Nehama to get into flying, so I had her sit in the co-pilots seat and I sat in the back (I can't tell you how hard that was for me to do). The weather was perfect, the air was smooth and the view was magnificent. Nehama had a great time and G-d willing, I'm going to get her to actually fly a plane in the near future!