Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
Don't know if it is necessarily drift - because I can understand wanting to get paid more for less work I guess. Since I don't get paid based on the amount I fly it is hard for me to understand. I talk a lot with our reserve guys and listen to them while they try to explain how they work the schedules to get paid more for flying less. I'm not there yet obviously so it is a hard concept for me to understand. I guess I still love the actual flying part right now. Even if taking that flight in the day means that I stay until later into the night to do the paperwork - I do it. I've taken this week off for the holidays and it is killing me looking out the window at all this beautiful weather we're having and not flying! I'm sure I'll get a lot smarter as I get closer and closer to that hopeful new career. Thanks for sharing.
USMCFLYR
Sorry, even MORE drift.
I still like flying as well. But it's no secret, airline flying simply isn't the same as military. Especially something like single or two seat tactical jet.
I see what you're saying. And if I'm not mistaken, in your job for every hour of flight time you're probably looking at what, 4-5 hours AT LEAST with briefings? In airline flying, it's not uncommon to fly 5-6 hours a day. Problem is, it can take 10-12 hours duty sitting in the airport to do it. Do this 4 days in a row, with progressively earlier and earlier wake up calls, 1-3 hours ahead of your body's time zone. Also, for every hour flown you can count on 3-4 hours time away from base. There were many months where I flew 80 hours, it took 300+ hours away from my house to accomplish this. If you choose to commute, toss that in there as well. With that being said, many times the LAST thing you want to do is get into an airplane. Hence the mentality, extract MAXIMUM pay credit for the least amount of time away from home. It's all a part of the career choice and more than likely isn't going to change soon. It will be years (if ever) if we se the kind of work rules the majors had pre 9/11.
Now if I was in your shoes, I'd feel like I was getting ripped off only getting to fly as little (relatively speaking) as you do.