SYNERGY - Juneteenth 2022

DAVID BRIDGES

Story By: Erin Butts

There are many careers that peak our curiosity. Someone who loves to tell stories may want to explore writing. Someone who is curious about the world around them might become interested in science. For David Bridges, it was flying that caught his attention.

Bridges was seven years old when he went on his first plane ride. His father had a radio show, and one of his work partners was a private pilot. During the flight from New Jersey to Virginia, Bridges was fascinated by all of the devices in the plane - the instruments, radios, switches, and radio communications. It was during this flight that he decided he would be a pilot. By age 10, Bridges wanted to be a Marine Corps Aviator. He planned to attend the United States Naval Academy (USNA).

Bridges achieved his dream, but it was not an easy journey nor a straight path to success. In high-school, Bridges had stopped focusing on his academics. He cared more about popularity, and for his first two years of high-school he often skipped class to take flying lessons at the airport.

Bridges started attending class regularly during his third year of high-school when he met Reverend Russell White. White is the founder of Eagle Flight Squadron, a program that helps young people develop skills in aviation. Bridges said that meeting White was the catalyst for getting him back in class.

However, Bridges previous absences meant that he would have to attend summer school in order to graduate, and because his grades were not high enough, joining the USNA was no longer an option. Instead, when Bridges became a senior he enlisted into the Marine Corps delayed entry program.

After completing the delayed entry program, Bridges served in the Marine Corps for eight years as an Aircraft Mechanic. When he left the Marine Corps, he took an unexpected path and became a truck driver. Some people were confused by this, but Bridges had a plan. While working full-time as a truck driver, he attended a flight school in Oklahoma. His job provided the necessary funds for housing, tuition, and other expenses.

Bridges said his mother always used to tell him, “Whatever you do in life, you always put your best foot forward because you never know who will be watching.” That statement proved to be true.

When Bridges reached his last two years of schooling, he did not have enough money for his tuition, but the owner of the truck driving company (who was also a pilot) appreciated how hard he worked and wanted to help him live out his dream. After finding out that Bridges’ attended flight school and that his grades were above average (he never scored less than a 95% on his tests), the owner paid Bridges’ tuition for his final years of schooling.

After graduating, Bridges moved to Utah and taught flight students for four years. He was then hired by United Airlines, where he first worked as a baggage handler and then worked his way up to being a pilot.

Bridges believes there is an open door right now for aspiring aviators, “Right now there is a pilot shortage.” Bridges says this pilot shortage can lead to great opportunities for people to graduate from flight school and go straight to an airline job.

Bridges has accomplished everything he wanted to do. His current mission is to help youth who are interested, enter into careers in aviation. He hopes that the young people will take the opportunities available in aviation and pass them on to others.