I will not debate weather one can actually reach a jet powered plane or not. Actually today it is quire easy. The real question is what is the measure of success?

So what then does it mean to be successful in aviation anymore? Is it merely reaching the right seat of a RJ or does it meant to actually make a good living in a sustainable career that is worthy of the risks and cost it took to get there? If that is the case then pilots today have a huge hill to climb.

Even at some of the better major airlines FO wages are not that much better than what the neighborhood UPS driver makes. So my question is: just where is the brass ring anyway? How is all the effort, loss and risks suppose to be even worth it anymore?

If pilots have seen their wages slashed in half over the last 20 years where will we be 20 years from now?

Besides all that to me it is not a good plan to invest a small fortune in training and education into a field that is very dependent on the price of fuel. If oil hits $200 a barrel and we really are experiencing a "peak oil" situation then in 5 years the airline industry will be cut in half.

I am not negative. I just have a different opinion.

SkyHigh