Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
Sky:
I read your post again and I didn't see where you quantified your comment that is was solely expressing views of Regional Airline flying. Your first post seem to lump ALL flying careers into your singular view of doom and desperation.
I pointed out a different experience of aviation. As you always say Sky - my view is just as pertinent as yours. I'm new to professional aviation, but even since leaving my easy life where everything was 'given' to me as you have pointed out before, things are still not approaching the end of the world. I know that you don't believe there can a balance in a career in aviation, but I think you are wrong. Maybe the key word in your last post above was job satisfaction. Maybe you were never going to find job satisfaction in aviation
I'm sorry for that.
USMCFLYR
USMCFLYR,
I took the jobs that were offered. Most were on the poor side of the equation. You have enjoyed better situations. All I can say is that you should consider a mile in my shoes before you make judgments.
You have only exchanged one government job for another. I can assure you that the private sector is not nearly as financially rewarding or secure however I bet you already know that since you did not pursue an airline career.
It is possible that you will never know what a true sweat shop job in aviation is really like. All the better for you. I can tell you that a legacy airline job is much better than that of a regional. Longer legs, more money and better conditions all around.
I liked my job well enough to endure hardships and sacrifices that a plumber would not. My last job was the best. One leg a day usually and a good hotel at the end. Too bad.
Heaven and hell in the airlines is a measure of only a few degrees. We wear the same uniforms fly similar craft on the same routes. However one goes home to a nice upper middle class neighborhood the other to a bunk in a crash pad with six other pilots.
Aviation is becoming more turbulent every year. Mergers, shutdowns, layoffs. A 25 year old pilot could have as many as 40 years in the industry. That is plenty long enough to be tossed out and have to start over many times. It is unlikely that modern careers can go unscathed.
A hero one day could be someones FO tomorrow and the guy on the street the chief pilot at the next great start up next week. It is unlikely that I will ever find my place in the sun however fortunes can change in an instant. I still have reason for hope in that.
In any case I can not afford to waste any more years on dead ends. I have seen the results of that in my past co-workers and for the sake of my family have taken a different course.
Skyhigh