Career Changer: Brian Love

Students at LIFT do not all have the same path. Brian came to LIFT after working in his family’s business for 20 years. Motivated to live life without regrets, he followed his lifelong dream towards being a professional airline pilot. Learn more about Brian and his pathway to LIFT by clicking below!

Q: What first got you interested in aviation?
A: For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a pilot. My parents were cleaning out a storage space earlier this year and found a bomber jacket that I used to wear constantly when I was probably two years old. The movie Top Gun also increased my passion to be a pilot.

Q: How did you find out about LIFT? And what made you want to come here?
A: I finally decided to follow through with my dream of being a pilot late 2018, but on my way to Colorado for a snowboarding trip we passed through Indianapolis and my wife saw one of the billboards. I knew about ATP, but when I did my research on LIFT, I knew I had to follow through and chase after my dreams.

Q: What were you doing before you came to LIFT?
A: My family owns/operates a funeral home in northeastern Indiana. I’m fourth generation in the business and my wife is one of our funeral directors. I lived above the funeral home for most of my life and worked alongside my father for 20 years.

Q: Why did you decide to make the change?
A: I’ve always considered it an honor to walk alongside people during one of the most critical moments in their lives. It also makes you think about life. We’re not guaranteed tomorrow and at the end of it all, I want to be able to look back and be happy about my choices- how I lived my life and how I followed my dreams. I think it’s also important for my kids to see that they too can follow their dreams. #noregrets

Q: What are you looking forward to most when you become a professional airline pilot?
A: Flying high and traveling with my family. I also consider it an honor to be entrusted by each person to safely transport them to their destination.

Q: Why do you think now is still a good time to start training to become a pilot?
A: We know it’s only a matter of time before the industry rebounds. We are out there every day we can training, so when things start moving along again, we will be ready to transition over and fill the ever-increasing need for pilots.

Q: What do you find similar between flight training and your previous career/job?
A: Meeting amazing new people and [the] camaraderie between pilots/old coworkers. Oh and long hours!

Q: Advice to new pilots or people thinking of becoming pilots?
A: New pilots – be ready for changes. Always be willing to adapt.
[For] People considering becoming a pilot – It’s not easy, but the rewards far outweigh the negatives. You could potentially be sitting behind a desk all day or enjoying a view that very few people ever get to see!