New Pipe Smoker With A Question? Ask an Old Fart

I've notice since embarking down this pipe smoking slope. That often times I have to relight the tobacco four or five times to keep it going. It is just me or is the tobacco?

Or is it common to have to relight the pipe? It seems to me that it should be lit once, then smoked to the bowl is finished maybe I'm just to optimist.

Basically, how do I keep it lit?