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How do you deal with people who think you make the big bucks?

Old 11-06-2008, 10:50 PM
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Default How do you deal with people who think you make the big bucks?

I've noticed that when I tell people that I hope to someday be an airline pilot, the most common first reaction is "That's a cool career, they make A LOT of money too." Then I usually tell them that actually when you start out you don't make much money at all. One guy responded with, "Well it's atleast $100k starting out though right?" I'm not even close to being an airline pilot yet but I was practically embarassed to say that I might not even make $20k the first year.

How do you regional guys respond and deal with these ignorant people? You must meet people all the time and once you tell them what you do for a living I'm sure most people think you are loaded. I'm sure it's annoying as hell to hear these kinds of comments all the time.
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Old 11-06-2008, 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Lowtimer77 View Post
I've noticed that when I tell people that I hope to someday be an airline pilot, the most common first reaction is "That's a cool career, they make A LOT of money too." Then I usually tell them that actually when you start out you don't make much money at all. One guy responded with, "Well it's atleast $100k starting out though right?" I'm not even close to being an airline pilot yet but I was practically embarassed to say that I might not even make $20k the first year.

How do you regional guys respond and deal with these ignorant people? You must meet people all the time and once you tell them what you do for a living I'm sure most people think you are loaded. I'm sure it's annoying as hell to hear these kinds of comments all the time.
Shrug and look away? I don't know. I was riding the train to work one day and someone asked me that. When I told him how much we make he called me a liar. That was funny. Most people are shocked when I tell them.
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Old 11-06-2008, 11:50 PM
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Good question. Your right, it never fails to hear how you as a pilot must now be rolling the cash, heard it a million times! So much in fact most of the time now I just let em think what they wanna think. Mind you, if they ever saw my house or my car, they would see the reality of working in this profession. Reminds me of going to work the other day. Unlike most at my airline I ride the Delta bus from the parking lot in ATL (our lot is overfilled). On the way, the bus driver and I got to talking, and he gave me the ole "money bags" comment. I told him he had no idea and then told him the sad truth. He was in total disbelief. The funny thing is, I found out the bus driver makes more than me. Pretty ironic, and sad all at the same time...

I think I need a drink now
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Old 11-07-2008, 03:09 AM
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carry a paycheck stub around and show it to them!
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Old 11-07-2008, 03:33 AM
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bingo...........
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Old 11-07-2008, 03:49 AM
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You grow a pretty thick skin to the comments of the uneducated and ignorant flying public. It never ceases to amaze me some of the things that come out of the mouths of "experienced flyers" who think that since they fly once a week they know all there is to know about the airline business. When someone strikes up a conversation with me and it's obvious that they are not well informed as to the realities of the profession, I do my best to honestly and politely explain how it REALLY works. Same works for weather and maintenance delays. And if all else fails and you're still a lying sack of dog doo in their eyes, a simple smile and "enjoy your day sir/ma'am" always works.

The one that you'll hear more than the "money bags" comments is the "what's your route" questions. Even had an agent ask me that one!
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Old 11-07-2008, 03:52 AM
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Maybe they are thrown off by the big watches!
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Old 11-07-2008, 04:00 AM
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Its easy...I dont explain. It is none of their business. My friends and family know if they ask but as for others it really never comes up in conversation.

When it does come up in conversation to someone who simply doesnt have a "need to know" I simply state the truth "I do alright."

That is the truth, I make pathetic awful money but I am good with money and so is my wife who has a great job and I do alright. But my friends who do know get a kick out of it when I name professions who make more than me to include taxi drivers, 7 eleven clerks, full time mcdonalds employees, school bus drivers and the list goes on.
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Old 11-07-2008, 04:21 AM
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I also tell them I do alright. Then I pull out a one dollar bill (the largest bill I have) and blow my nose with it (A-Rod style).
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Old 11-07-2008, 04:24 AM
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Its easy...I dont explain. It is none of their business
Excellent. And for the few who I would tell and who didn't believe me ... well, all I had to do was show them my car and they'd come around.
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