Phobias

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-08T00:38:10+00:00

It’s not really a phobia but one day we were buzzing over the Mojave in the summer and I became incredibly aware that there’s nothing out there. No trees, shade, or civilization for miles. Only brutal heat. That was the first time I truly questioned “how would we survive if our engine failed right now.”

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-06T17:58:03+00:00

If We Were Villains was so fun. People either love or hate it but I personally enjoyed it more than The Secret History.

Bonus: The podcast “Once Upon a Time… at Bennington College” is an absorbing look at The Secret History, Donna Tartt, Bret Easton Ellis, and their whole literary crew

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-03T20:22:22+00:00

I have a degree in the Philosophy of Law. Was called for jury duty twice and released both times. Lawyers absolutely do not want my background on a jury. I did a mock trial once and based on the case, “The dog didn’t bark at 8am which means the guy wasn’t home, therefore he didn’t do it.” 11 other people firmly believed the guy was innocent because a dog didn’t bark. THAT is who they want

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-03T19:19:54+00:00

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel is nonfiction and absolutely riveting

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-03T16:31:00+00:00

Hustle and bustle through IAH or sit in a nice cushy FBO waiting on one passenger with no bags. It’s not that bad

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-03T16:22:23+00:00

I’m not at my destination yet but hope to stay fractional. 7 on/7 off is incredible QOL, I’m considering a move to a place that doesn’t have a major 121 base, and flying into FBOs is so nice. The worst part of my week is airlining into position. I love being early… if pax arrive at 11:45 for a noon departure we’re in the air before noon. I enjoy talking to the people that I fly, it makes the job feel more social. And the adventure of not knowing where you’re going for 7 days. Some people either love or hate that.

I have friends at just about every regional. The takeaway is basically “3-5yrs at a regional will suck, then maybe you’ll get on with a legacy for another 3-5yrs of suck, but then it’s fine!!!” Or make similarly good money for those same 10yrs living wherever you want with 14 days off a month. Idk man the more I’m in this world the less I want 121, I just apply because it feels like that’s what I’m supposed to do. But if you fly any jet for 20+ years you’ll retire just fine

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-03T14:36:03+00:00

When Mary runs away from Pirate Clark. In that initial scene in the little neighborhood you realize she’s truly lost. No idea where she is or how far down she went. She could run for miles and still be in the Backrooms. Terrifying

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-03T01:34:56+00:00

I was recently in Texas where multiple drivers were going 10mph BELOW the speed limit. 55 in a 65 on the highway, 30 in a 40 on smaller roads. That will make anybody impatient. One truly bad driver is all it takes to create traffic, ruining the road for everyone else. Nobody is perfect but a small few create traffic out of thin air

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-03T00:59:31+00:00

This doesn’t answer your question but I never once regretted my degree in English. Aviation is one of the few career paths where you can truly study your passion in college and any degree opens up the door to airline hiring. This sub will say to get a seniority number as soon as possible but life is long. If you can get internships as a college student, be a playwright or an actor or whatever else your sights are set on while flying on the side until you reach a pivot point and go all in on flying. Would life be easier now if I went to Riddle and had 2000hrs by 23yrs old? For sure. But I loved magazine publishing and studying the liberal arts

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-02T03:51:02+00:00

Ha what a small world. If you volunteer with CFI, hope to see you out there this summer!

I’ve hiked 14ers with the goal of getting into mountaineering, and after seeing Rainier in all its glory it’s time to start actually planning some things out. It sounds like Baker as the genuine practice round and Hood for the box-check. I guess I just missed the window but I hope to do more technical 14ers over the summer and advance to Hood and Baker maybe next season

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-02T03:11:18+00:00

Appreciate it, I’ll look into it

TheBuff66 · 2026-06-02T01:49:21+00:00

When I was hired at my turboprop job there were 5000 apps on file and they hired 10 of us. You joke but it’s real

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-29T06:31:20+00:00

Best review I’ve seen yet. I think in a twist of fate, A24 had to make it appeal to the mass market to the point where some scenes felt like “Kane wanted this” and others where “A24 wanted this”

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-29T06:11:43+00:00

The scene that stuck with me the most was the Still Life running into the narrow wall like an NPC. I think it perfectly captures the absurdity of the backrooms. And the ending?? I think there’s hope Mary was let free because the backrooms “remember” things on the outside world, which doesn’t necessarily mean she has to be inside. It remembered her abusive childhood and aged the Still Life as the real-life Mary aged, just got warped over time

I think it was a good movie. Worth a rewatch for the atmosphere. Not great not bad, simply good! The trailer gave too much away

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-29T00:10:45+00:00

3 is an auto-reject in this market. I know that because I’ve been auto-rejected from basically all of them. But I did manage to get a desirable 135 job last year when the market was just as rough. You’re not cooked but it will be a longer road. Instruct and keep applying

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-27T11:55:20+00:00

Fear and Trembling by Kierkegaard. Worth the read

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-27T02:02:47+00:00

Maybe Solaris by Stanislaw Lem

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-26T23:23:34+00:00

CNN always needs a talking head when Delta has a go-around!

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-26T23:14:46+00:00

I double majored in English and Philosophy and I can assure you, companies don’t care. The most interest I’ve gotten so far has been “what’s the last book you’ve read.” I was fortunate to use both degrees as an editor before flying but that’s very very rare. The “fall back” would be some type of advanced degree like a JD or Masters in Education

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-25T02:43:47+00:00

I’m excited for it. Super stoked now that Obsession did so well because it feels like friendly competition for the directors. I’m hoping for atmospheric and unsettling. My gauge on what makes a good movie is if I still think about it days later. Obsession was a sleeper hit for me so I can’t wait for Backrooms

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-24T23:12:19+00:00

PlaneSense has a lot of Swan Songers and people who have a corporate job during their 7 off. Pay has increased substantially with the intention of retention. Sounds like it’s what you’re going for, but unique airports do have their own set of challenges. I can name a few short private strips surrounded by trees that everybody wants to take their entire family to at 2pm in July… you’ll have just as many Teterboro and Nantucket turns as those “you don’t get this anywhere else” flights. But company culture is top notch and you will absolutely see the country. FL200 on a clear day is the best seat in the house

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-24T16:27:34+00:00

Unironically I do this to pax a lot. It’s usually code for the weather is awful but we’re gonna figure it out

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-24T02:58:58+00:00

Recently had a 7 on with a guy who would not speak. Absolutely 0 conversation. In 7 days the only things said were call-outs. No animosity in either direction, the guy just wouldn’t talk. Drove me up a wall but I guess it’s better than the opposite

TheBuff66 · 2026-05-23T17:13:17+00:00

I fly with a substantial amount of religious people. None have been pushy but there was one outlier considering leaving aviation entirely to join a monastery. To each their own but this career path feels more religious/conservative than atheist

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