Originally Posted by
Quagmire
LOL, can't say I've ever been called a "cull" before..... good times.
Your ideas do not threaten me, as a lot of what you say is indeed true. The thing is that you are the definition of a "glass half empty" pessimist, and it would be unfortunate for a person to take everything you say as "the way it is." You present the entire industry as a lose lose situation, where that is not the case at all. This industry can be broken down into many different segments and each are in a constant state of change and evolution. I truly believe that we will see dramatic improvement in the years to come. Though it will never return to the "Glory days" of aviation, it will not continue to be the hell that you frequently describe. Call it educated ignorance, but I choose to believe that our career glass is half full and rising.
With my degree it would not be difficult to find a more stable, better paying, home every night job. Would I enjoy it? Hell no. I would stare at my cubical wall and dream about what could have been the view from my cockpit window. I can tell you for certain that I do not look out the window at altitude and dream about would could have been my cubical wall.
I still feel sorry for you, and hope that you fill that void of yours with something more fulfilling than preaching negativity through a keyboard. Good luck, and I hope that your life will one day become "good enough" for you.
Happily living my dream.
-Quag
Perhaps you are misinterpreting my perspective.
I miss flying and my dream however am compelled to post because of the peace, joy and success I have found outside of aviation. People take up smoking because it is fun and they get short term benefits from it without considering the long term effects. I use to smoke too but quit 16 years ago. Every so often I pause to think of how great it would be to lite up but for obvious reasons do not.
Aviation is similar. I love flying and get a chill whenever a 757 flies over head but remember well the poverty, humiliation and miserable working conditions I endured as a pilot. I believe that most self respecting individuals when presented with all the facts make reasonable choices. In aviation there are few places one can go to hear the rest of the story. I am glad that you are happy with your choice. I stuck it out for almost 20 years and watched as most of the benefits of being an airline pilot were taken away.
You might consider my views as pessimism I would say that you are in denial. I am quite happy and for the first time in my life have experienced career satisfaction. I feel that my experiences and opinions here have value to others. I have spent my adult life trying to learn the secrets of success in the airlines and believe that I have a few answers and like to share them.
Debate is a spice of life and as always enjoy and look forwards to your counterpoint.
SkyHigh