{"id":47739,"date":"2024-10-23T14:01:38","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T19:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.envoyair.com\/?p=47739"},"modified":"2024-10-24T10:19:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T15:19:45","slug":"double-life-flying-high-and-shredding-waves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.envoyair.com\/2024\/10\/23\/double-life-flying-high-and-shredding-waves\/","title":{"rendered":"Double Life: Flying High and Shredding Waves"},"content":{"rendered":"

For some, a person\u2019s career can define who they are. For Envoy First Officer Daniel Collins<\/strong>, he isn’t just defined by the time he spends on the flight deck but \u00a0also by the time he spends riding the waves.<\/p>\n

In this installment of our\u00a0\u201cDouble Life\u201d<\/em> series, we meet with Daniel as he tells about his life as a former competitive wakeboarder and his journey to Envoy.<\/p>\n

From Wakeboarding to Aviation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It all started when Daniel was coaching wakeboarding in Orlando, Fla. one summer during his freshman year of college. He would regularly run into two men from France practicing their wakeboarding skills and became curious.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Eventually, he asked them how they managed to visit so often, and they revealed that they were commercial pilots and frequently bid for Orlando overnight trips so they could wakeboard. With that new inspiration, he called his student advisor at his college and switched his major to Aviation.<\/p>\n

Daniel completed his flight training at Ohio State University after receiving his Commercial Pilot License and becoming an Envoy Cadet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was sold on Envoy\u2019s bases initially,\u201d said Daniel. \u201cThe more I learned about the company, I knew Envoy was the place for me. The flow to American Airlines was a big perk, and the growing fleet of Embraer 175 jets was a bonus that made the decision easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riding the wake <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Daniel\u2019s connection to wakeboarding goes beyond just a fun pastime.<\/p>\n

\u201cI loved that it gave me an outlet that allowed me to scratch a competitive itch while also expressing myself through my riding,\u201d Daniel said. \u201cHours spent working toward each new trick on the water gave me the discipline needed to pursue a career in aviation. It showed me the connection between hard work and success when hours practicing translated into contest wins.\u201d<\/p>\n

During college, Daniel joined Ohio State’s wakeboarding team and traveled across the country to compete at national levels. The team won four conference titles, and he built a network of friendships and relationships with various brands who sponsored him along the way.<\/p>\n

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