This weeks question comes from, lisleman a regular reader and fellow blogger:

“FP, did you ever want to get a pilot license?”

Yes! I did think about it. When I first started my career as a Flight Attendant, I actually had know idea that becoming a pilot was an option. Truthfully, I was surprised I was even allowed to talk to the pilots. Yes, I’m serious. Obviously, I soon found out, not only could I talk to the pilots (it was part of my job)but, I could learn how to fly an airplane if I wanted to! How come no one ever told me this?

When I told my mom I was planning on taking flying lessons, her immediate response was, “Oh, no! You can’t do that…you scare me enough being a FA!” Well, guess who surprised me with a flying lesson? My mom. She signed me up at the local airport, and we made a day of it. I loved it, it was a blast. My instructor even let me land the plane but at 25 I thought I was way to old to think about flying as a career….again, true…not that I am not happy with my choices. I love people and enjoy the social aspect of my job far too much to be up in the flight deck.

I asked my FA friends over at twitter if they ever thought about getting their pilot licenses, here is what they said:

skyhighboysyd: I’ve never thought about it but my mom did ask me that question. My answer was I couldn’t even pass high school physics let alone fly!

shesjetlagd: I’ve thought about it, but it is pretty much cost prohibitive.

WN737_FlyGirl: Thought about it but only for personal use, not a career.

bigskymom74: no desire what so ever, I do not want to be a pilot b/c I’m afraid of heights… ironic, huh?

Sluggoaafa: Yes, thought about it. But now I realize that it’s more fun working with a great FA crews. Who wants to be stuck up front?

ChristyLew: yes thought about it but too much $$

brajit: Nope, never thought about being a pilot.

HarrisonEarl: I have a Private Pilot’s license, but never thought of a career out of it. Instead, it’s just a passion.

TraytablesTrvls: Pilot was my original career path before I took a detour away from the pointy end :p I think I blogged about it at some point

erinstandefer: I was doing some ground school and getting flight time before I found out I couldn’t get my medical. I wanted to be behind the cockpit door. I still take my son flying in hopes that someday he can take us up.

FLYbrarian : My 2¢- I have zero interest in being a pilot, but I’d love to be a mechanic! 😀

And a few pilots piped in:)

irishwings: I earned my Private Pilot License about a month before I started FA training at XJ (Mesaba Airlines, now a DL rgnl)

BillWilliamsC21: We have a few former flight attendants now flying the line as pilots. Some in house and some from DAL.

patflannigan: my last FA had about ten hours working on her Private Pilot, wants to take my seat. I’d be happy to scoot over to the left!

FlyNFast: We have several (FAs) doing that very thing right now at AirTran.

And a frequent flyer:

flyingwithfish: I though about being a pilot, but the idea of the ejector seat just seemed way to fun :0)

On a final note, I want to point out a great group that is getting the word out to young children, particularly girls, that becoming a pilot is possible. Check out “Girls with Wings” for more information.