I was surprised when asked to be the feature story on a blog (Flight to Success). Karlene Petitt features someone in aviation every week on her "Friday Fabulous Flyer" edition of her blog. This week I decided to direct my blog guests to this story, as many of you might not be aware of my journey to become an airline pilot (not an easy road). Plus, I was so impressed by Karlene's blog that I wanted to share it. Please take time to read some of the amazing stories about the many people she has featured. Enjoy!
(click to link to Karlene's blog)
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I would like to thank Karlene for what she is doing through her encouragement to all of us who are interested in aviation and have earned our living--or hope to--with a job that is always "up in the air". Here is a little bit about Karlene Petitt. She is an amazing woman.
Karlene Petitt is one of only a few women in commercial aviation. In her journey to the airlines, she has worn the uniforms of many airlines. “She has paid her dues...and then some.”
Her aviation career includes: Evergreen B-727 First Officer; Braniff B-727 Second Officer; America West Simulator Instructor B-737 and B-757; Guyana B-757 Director of Training/Check Airman/Instructor; Tower Air B-747 First Officer; Northwest Airlines B-747 Second Officer/Instructor/ Check Airman and B-744 First Officer. Currently she is flying the Airbus A-330 for a major commercial airline.
She is a wife of 30 years, mother of three grown daughters, and a grandmother of four (two more on the way). She holds two advanced degrees: Master of Business and Master of Human Services; has been a pilot for eight commercial airlines; is typed in seven commercial jets (A-330, B-744, B-747, B-757/767, B-737, B-727), maintains an active blog; and has just released her first novel, Flight For Control.
After a ten-year leave, Kathryn Jacobs has been invited back to the N.T.S.B to investigate a series of unexplained airline crashes. But her husband, Captain Bill Jacobs, has his concerns. While her twin daughters are off at camp, and Bill is actively campaigning for the Pilot Union Presidency, Kathryn secretly begins her investigation. What she learns will shock the nation.
Flight For Control is a thriller that reads like a mystery. But to Kathryn, there is no mystery on the condition of the airline industry—it’s broken. Planes are crashing. Pensions are lost. Pilots are financially and emotionally bankrupt due to fatigue, furloughs, and loss of seniority. It’s time that someone takes control before it’s too late—unless it already is.
Oh, Mike, this is so nice. Thank you so much for honoring me, and for your support. You are amazing.
ReplyDeleteKarlene, you are more than welcome. Your blog is touching the lives of not only those interested in aviation, but everyone. It is through the determined lives of others that we are inspired to press on toward our dreams, even when hope has left us. Keep up the good work.
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