While building flight time I work as a route manager for Dish Network satellite Television which gives me the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.

Recently I have had the opportunity to speak with two Dish customers that also happened to be Aviation enthusiasts. One of which was a Pan Am Captain that later went on to be a Delta F.O. after the dissolve of the company and the other being a Pan Am 707 mechanic.

Being only 22 years old and not having remembered anything about the Pan Am years I spent over four hours with these two gentleman listening to their stories. From suds in the 707 lavatory because of too much pine sol to approaches into La Guardia I was in heaven.

So I wanted to dedicate this thread to all of those out there that take the time to stop and be a mentor to the up and coming generation of pilots. You have no idea how much it meant to me to listen to these gentleman tell me their stories.

It's those type of pilots and mechanics that help me remember that flying is not about the recognition or status symbol but rather flying because that's what you love.