Originally Posted by
Zapata
Sure, if one comes from the standpoint of nothing in life being guaranteed, then you're right. How about this? Hard work, perseverance and attitude will guarantee success in aviation as much as these qualities would in any other career path. In this context, it is absolutely true.
Yes, a little luck can be involved but hard work, attitude and perseverance prevails. It is these elements that will get one through the bad luck times because it has more to do with how you get up when you're knocked down.If you get back up enough, you make your own "luck".
I'd agree with most of this. I'm definately one of those people who believes I can steer some of my own destiny. But aviation has more uncontrollable factors than other professions. Either of these can be career killers...
Medical Problems: You can minimize this risk if you eat right, exercise, and generally take care of yourself.
Your employer shuts down. No biggy at age 25, but at 55? Not a good time to start all over, and there's almost nothing you can do to prevent this from happening to you. A lot can change in 25 years...
In most other professions, you don't need a medical, and if lose your job you just go find a new one...probably making more money.
People need to know that there are more risks in aviation than in traditional career fields...but the potential rewards are better too. If you actually end up as a widebody CA at age 55, you probably make more money and have better QOL than most of your college buds. But there are no guarantees, and is it worth the risk to try? We each have to answer that one ourselves.