Celebrating World Pilots' Day with Captain Martin

1. 

   First of all, I wish everyone a Happy Pilots’ Day 2022!

   This year, we have all the reasons to celebrate it.

   After those two years of the pandemic, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

   Everyone has been recalled and life is surely coming back to normal.

   It wasn’t easy for anyone, I think about all the pilots, mothers, and fathers who had to reorganize their entire life with a minimum wage… YOU persevered through those unprecedented times and this is something Remarkable. Kudos to you all!

   Every day, I realize how precious it is to go to work with the same passion for the last 25 years.

   This passion came to me on my father’s farm when I was 9-10 years old. Every time that the Crop Duster Planes were coming to our farm, my father would give me a "day off from school"!

   I remember watching them for hours on my little tractor. It was simply magical what they could do. I also remember, vividly, the smiles of the pilots in between refueling. Those guys were passionate and I could see that they had found the perfect balance between serious work and serious pleasure!

   I ended up going to University for Economics and then a student loan program (from the government ) became available. I told myself "that's it, there's my chance to do it"... I borrowed $53 000 CAD and it was the best investment of my life.

   For young folks who want to become a pilot, I have one piece of advice; are you ready to make a few sacrifices to make your dream come through?

   To become an Airline Pilot is amazing but the journey to get there is for the dedicated and the passionate.

   In 2022, the timing is on your side. We are experiencing a pilot shortage all over the world and the demand is increasing like never before in the Aviation industry.

   All you need to do is ask yourself a few questions:

   • Are you ready to study for the rest of your career?

   • Are you ready to miss important family events (Birthdays-Holidays..)

   • Are you willing to work 15 days/month and on weekends sometimes?

   • Are you ready to commute and/or move for a few years to get your Airline License?

   If you answer yes to all those questions, your first pilot job will be there for you once your Commercial/ Multi-Engine/ IFR licenses are completed. Don't hesitate, do it Now!

   My personal biggest challenge, when I started in 1997, was to find my first job. I remember driving from Quebec to Vancouver with a bunch of resumes on the rear seat of my car... Stopping everywhere there was an Aviation Company. Times are changing in the last two months, in your favour, and if you are really ready to put in the best of you, "A life of great excitements, magnificent views and amazing people will be your rewards for persevering."

   I had the chance to fly with the Inuits of Nunavik for 15 years. I will never forget their kindness, their beautiful landscapes, and their willingness to help anyone in need. They are amazing people and I wish you get the same opportunity that I had. I flew the Twin Otter off-strips, landed Dash-8's and Hawker-748 on frozen lakes - you'll see what flying is all about.

   For a few years now, I'm a Captain on Boeing 737-800 for Swoop Airlines in Edmonton. It's the "perfect size company" for me. Everyone knows each other and every day we keep on building bonds with each other. I love it and it shows when I fly. I found myself privileged to go to work with a smile!

   Happy Pilots' Day !