Air Pirate
06-08-2013, 02:15 PM
Wasn't sure if this should go in under Bon Vivant, but definitely fits here. I just took a job with a new start-up airline here in the PDRK, leaving a stable FedEx contractor. One or two years ago I would have said this was crazy, as I realize that I have always tended to be probably over-cautious. But I did the research and was thoroughly impressed. As many here probably know, aviation is similar to the firearms and training industry in that the overwhelming mantra is that anything perceived as "new" or "different" is not merely rejected by the powers that be, but attacked and derided out of ignorance or fear of becoming irrelevant or obsolete. It's the classic case of the "naysayers" that Gabe and others refer to.
Just as Gabe and a few others have revolutionized their industry, Surf Air is poised to revolutionize an industry that has long been as stagnant and appetizing as a West Nile filled drainage pond. But the mosquitos and their larvae who say "It will never work" are more than welcome to wallow in the comfortable warmth of their mediocrity. I've seen the numbers, met the exec's, and in the past have flown with types of people who I know will be our members. I find it interesting that an industry that was started by people who were told "It will never work" and "Man isn't meant to fly" yet still persisted in the face of opposition, is so resistant to change. I'm not surprised however, as I know people are still people.
In the spirit of our community here at WT though, I decided that I was sick of mediocrity. I'm tired of settling for the "needs" mentality. I WANT to be part of something revolutionary. I WANT to be able to reach my potential. I WANT to work with and for people who feel the same way. I WANT to be on the ground level of something that has great potential. So here I am!
Is it risky to be part of a business model that has never truly been tried to this extent? Yes. Is it risky to work for a company who's CEO & COO don't have direct experience in this industry? Yes. Is it risky to do it in the doom-n-gloom/sky-is-falling political and economic climate of today? Yes. But is there the possibility of great return and reward? YES!!!
General Jimmy Doolittle spoke often of the difference between calculated risk vs. gambling. And this is anything BUT a gamble. So all that to say that while I'm not the actual entrepreneur in this situation, I proudly get to be part of an operation with an entrepreneurial culture of excellence that will has every chance for success and proving the naysayers wrong once again, just like those who told Orville & Wilbur, "It will never work."
-On a side note, I'm in the free country of TX at DFW training for the week if there are any WT brothers who would be game to meet up for dinner! Just shoot me a PM.
Just as Gabe and a few others have revolutionized their industry, Surf Air is poised to revolutionize an industry that has long been as stagnant and appetizing as a West Nile filled drainage pond. But the mosquitos and their larvae who say "It will never work" are more than welcome to wallow in the comfortable warmth of their mediocrity. I've seen the numbers, met the exec's, and in the past have flown with types of people who I know will be our members. I find it interesting that an industry that was started by people who were told "It will never work" and "Man isn't meant to fly" yet still persisted in the face of opposition, is so resistant to change. I'm not surprised however, as I know people are still people.
In the spirit of our community here at WT though, I decided that I was sick of mediocrity. I'm tired of settling for the "needs" mentality. I WANT to be part of something revolutionary. I WANT to be able to reach my potential. I WANT to work with and for people who feel the same way. I WANT to be on the ground level of something that has great potential. So here I am!
Is it risky to be part of a business model that has never truly been tried to this extent? Yes. Is it risky to work for a company who's CEO & COO don't have direct experience in this industry? Yes. Is it risky to do it in the doom-n-gloom/sky-is-falling political and economic climate of today? Yes. But is there the possibility of great return and reward? YES!!!
General Jimmy Doolittle spoke often of the difference between calculated risk vs. gambling. And this is anything BUT a gamble. So all that to say that while I'm not the actual entrepreneur in this situation, I proudly get to be part of an operation with an entrepreneurial culture of excellence that will has every chance for success and proving the naysayers wrong once again, just like those who told Orville & Wilbur, "It will never work."
-On a side note, I'm in the free country of TX at DFW training for the week if there are any WT brothers who would be game to meet up for dinner! Just shoot me a PM.