I must not be the same. Somehow I have more concern for my well being than many others here. I am not comfortable with merely reaching mediocroty one day. My life goals are much higher that what an airline career can currently give.

I remember clearly as a boy that pilots were highly regarded professionals. They lived in the best neighborhoods. Drove new cars. Were home all the time. My school friends who had fathers that flew for the airlines would do things like live in Europe for the summer or rent a beach house in Hawaii for a month. Pilots had the money and the time off to do things like that.

It seemed back then that it was a profession worth striving for. The sacrifices worth the effort and expense. Now it is humiliating to be a pilot. The pay is comparable to most middle class professionals and they are gone all the time. Life as a pilot is getting steadily worse. There is no doubt about it. The reason is that the job is easy to do now, training is easy to come by and quality experience is everywhere. The regionals are handing over brand new jets to people with only a handful of hours.

I am clearly not the same as you. You are much older and are enjoying the sunset of the industry. Me and my generation only have hardship and losses ahead. I understand that you can not have the same perspective. Your eye is on the door. You bought your home 20 years ago and are senior. You can't possibly imagine what it is like to envision having to provide for a new family with today's expenses while on reserve.

When I write it is from the oerspective of a young person who is just starting out in the industry. You already are gainfully employed and counting the days. Don't feel bad but understand that yes we are diffrent for many reasons.

SkyHigh