Advice to college kids or fresh newbee pilots out there looking to work in this industry....

The reality is that there are way too many overqualified pilots on the streets deciding to either take pay cuts and stay in aviation or get out. That is if they can even get rehired elsewhere. These are the folks you are competing against. And what is scary is the shelf life on a pilot out of work is not long.

You don't make the cut.

This is a cyclical industry and some get lucky. That trend is over and we are on hard times. As a good person and professional you should never wish ill upon any in this job although too many do. This is a job that provides great satisfaction and challenges that most will never know. At the same time it tests your sanity daily.

What it does do though is require determination to arrive and to continue. Surviving in this industry is difficult. You will not find pity from many, but you will get a nod of understanding. It takes a lot of work whether it be civilian or military to be sucessful and even more to endure.

When a college kid comes in never really having flown it angers many. Especially those that have spent any extended period of time dealing with the tribulations and day to day struggles. Too much these days we see a sense of entitlement among new hires only causing more frustration among the ranks.

Just my buck o' five.....

And I could be completely wrong.