Originally Posted by
jungle
So, let us hear your suggestions for a better life, it is clear that people hope for a lot of things, some in vain and some not.
People do get stuck in a life not of their own choosing, but if you look at their history it is clear they made a series of choices along the way that brought them to their present condition.
For you aviation was a dead end and you chose another life-others will do this also in many fields. Nothing really new here, but if you are not happy it is time to move on.
Some might find your life a true nightmare, but it suits you and that is all that really matters. You often comment on the lives of others as being a nightmare, but they clearly don't see it the way you do. You have called both Military and Airline pilots sociopaths in the past, and you are welcome to your own point of view, but in reality control over the outcome of life is largely an illusion.
Most of us do what we can to make the puzzle fit, most of that fitting is internal.
Jungle,
Plan B:
We are all here trying to find our own form of nirvana. Its true. The issue is that most who come to this profession hold expectations and dreams that are not commonly attainable anymore.
I believe that most who make the attempt at aviation are from middle class suburban households. They have hobbies, friends, relationships and a lifestyle comfort zone that is not easily reached as an airline pilot. The bottom rungs of aviation forces one to sell off big portions of their overall quality of life to keep the dream going. We move to armpit cities at busboy wages for undisclosed periods of time. Devoid of hope. At the whimsy of heartless companies.
In my opinion the worst that is asked of us from our careers is to become an ex-patriot aviator. To have to sell your home nation and culture to reach the next rung on the ladder is too much. Most pilots I believe have or want a family. They want their kids to play baseball and to know their grandparents. Moving to china or to the middle east to remain employed is the ultimate sacrifice for the profession.
An adventurous life is great for some however most I believe grow into an innate desire to live a life that is familiar and full of the things that make them happy outside of work. The lust for aviation is an illusion for most that take them far from the life they dreamed of and need to find a way out. This section of the forum is intended for the lost soles to try and find options.
Of course the best thing would be for all of us to be able to work for the companies of our dreams at a fair wage in the base of our choosing. If you can figure out how the rest of us can do that we will be all ears.
Skyhigh