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There is something about the airline industry that really grabbed me.

I worked for some very good people who have helped me along the way and actually enabled me to have the opportunity to be selected to join the Astronaut Corps.

I hated being a flight attendant. I did it for a month and then quit.

It took me a long time to get selected as an astronaut. In fact, I applied for 20 years before I was selected.

Two months after I got out of test pilot school, I saw an advert that said NASA was recruiting more astronauts. The best job you could have as a test pilot was being an astronaut, so I volunteered.

I was a naval officer and aviator. I tested airplanes and got selected to be an astronaut later on.

Then there was the challenge to keep doing better and better, to fly the best test flight that anybody had ever flown. That led to my being recognized as one of the more experienced test pilots, and that led to the astronaut business.

I wanted a woman who had the body and the power of a real pilot. I interviewed hundreds of woman, but Jessica just seemed perfect for the part. I couldn't get her out of my head. I continued to bother her and she finally gave in.

I had my share of rejections.