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Captain Becky Howell |
In 1982, at age 30, Captain Becky Howell began her flying career. She had wanted to be a pilot ever since she was a small child but "back then girls couldn't fly and people with glasses couldn't fly." While pursuing a graduate degree in pharmacy at Texas A&M, she met the love of her life, David Mandot, a corporate pilot, who taught her to fly. "I fell in love with a pilot who had glasses just as big as mine."
Flying with David and teaching motorcycle and automobile driver education around the country suited Becky better than returning to the pharmacy. Her corporate flying experience led to jobs at a few commuters, ATA, and then Southwest Airlines in 1991, her fifth air carrier. Yes, from pharmacist to airline pilot in eight years.
"I love it! One of my early concerns was the difference between corporate flying where you know your clientele very well, and your crew even better, versus the anticipated 'musical partners' in the airline world. Today I love the variability in my crewmates and in my overnights," she says.
Becky holds an ATP, Boeing 737 type rating, Airplane SEL and MEL, Glider, and Advanced Ground Instructor. She and David now have 201 acres that they are turning into a residential airport, "our life-long project."
Becky's advice to others: "Don't give up! The people who don't achieve their goals are the ones who take themselves out of the game. Depression, dejection, rejection, frustration, and money woes do not qualify as 'good' reasons. Never accept the negative information you get from others in the pursuit of your dream, whatever that dream is." And lastly, "Never stop learning."
