Originally Posted by atpwannabe
.....but keep in mind, those of us who are attempting to enter the field have to start somewhere. That's just how it is right now.
Look, I understand that folks need to start somewhere and about the desire to get an "airline job", but the fact that people are willing to start out a career (in today’s industry) at minimum wage (just about) is what hurts the profession. It cheapens it, IMHO. You would think that someone trying to make a living in life would see the starting pay and elect to pass on the job. Say I was a still in college or looking for a career change and wanted to be a Widget Maker or whatever. Doing my research of that job market (as everyone should before such endeavor) I find that all the starting jobs out there (almost across the board) paid minimum wage. I think I would definitely pass on that career pursuit.
What is it about being an "airline pilot" that makes people still pursue it? Is it so they can brag to the chics and their friends of how they fly airplanes for a living, or that they just love flying that much, or that they get to wear the shinny pressed uniform (which is about all you get to show for it at the end of an airline career now days)?
Yeah, pay was low a decade or more ago at then commuter carriers, but it was a different industry then. You did your 3 - 5 years got the time and got hired at a "real" airline that (then) offered an excellent living. Oh the times they a change. The industry is slowing becoming a sweat shop. You take a job at that crappy "regional" now and not only is there job insecurity, but you might but stuck at that regional for a LONG time wondering if and when you will lose that job to another carrier who's pilots are willing to wh0re themselves out.
...whatever happen to the fact that it is a high risk job.
I wouldn't call it a high risk job at all. If you call being an airline pilot a high risk job then you probably should be evaluating your flying abilities. The aircraft these days are so automated, forgiving, and backup proofed that a monkey could fly it. The only risk to it is when you have someone upfront that makes poor decisions, and that is why the job is worth better pay. Because it requires experience to make those decisions and the route to gaining that experience and skill as a proficient pilot is deserving of a good paycheck. And experience is not gained at some fly-by-night training school that gives you an FO ticket at 250 hours or whatever.
Sorry about the rant.