Reasons guys and gals get into the industry?
12-14-2017, 08:37 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2017
Posts: 7
Reasons guys and gals get into the industry?
What is the ratio of people who get into this career for the money and "glamour" compared to those who simply love flying?
I'm considering becoming a pilot and it seems to me that the people who are least satisfied are the ones who got into the career just for the potential earnings. I would be going down this path because I love flying and being "on the road" and I don't want to sit behind a desk.
I see people gripe about their time at regionals but it seems to me like getting paid $60,000 a year (after a couple of years) to fly jets around would be a pretty cool gig. Of course I wouldn't want to stay at a regional for my whole career but why not enjoy the journey?!
I'm considering becoming a pilot and it seems to me that the people who are least satisfied are the ones who got into the career just for the potential earnings. I would be going down this path because I love flying and being "on the road" and I don't want to sit behind a desk.
I see people gripe about their time at regionals but it seems to me like getting paid $60,000 a year (after a couple of years) to fly jets around would be a pretty cool gig. Of course I wouldn't want to stay at a regional for my whole career but why not enjoy the journey?!
12-15-2017, 04:02 AM
#3
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,281
I think most folks are OK with the journey up to a point... they should know what they signed up for.
The lost gen got an extra decade added to their regional journey... what might have been a fun lark for a few years isn't so funny when you're trying to raise a family on regional pay and schedules.
Millenials tend to want everything now, and the pilot shortage has thrown fuel on that fire.
But as far as motives, it's a spectrum. There's nobody who totally loves flying but doesn't care at all about money and prestige. Some have more need for money than others, I for example live in a high COL area.
Prestige is complicated... people who don't care about prestige may not have good people skills, or be competitive. Competitive types tend to be in the habit of getting things done.
But that said, a love of flying will definitely increase your on-the-job fun factor.
The lost gen got an extra decade added to their regional journey... what might have been a fun lark for a few years isn't so funny when you're trying to raise a family on regional pay and schedules.
Millenials tend to want everything now, and the pilot shortage has thrown fuel on that fire.
But as far as motives, it's a spectrum. There's nobody who totally loves flying but doesn't care at all about money and prestige. Some have more need for money than others, I for example live in a high COL area.
Prestige is complicated... people who don't care about prestige may not have good people skills, or be competitive. Competitive types tend to be in the habit of getting things done.
But that said, a love of flying will definitely increase your on-the-job fun factor.
12-15-2017, 11:07 AM
#5
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,023
Originally Posted by 27roberts
What is the ratio of people who get into this career for the money and "glamour" compared to those who simply love flying?
For those who have the luxury of flying simply because it's fun and the altruistic romance, it's a hobby.
For those who pursue a career, it's not really about "glamour" or what's "cool." It's a job. It's a living. It's business.
Shiny-jet syndrome tends to wear thin in short order.
12-15-2017, 11:21 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,177
kevbo,
A whiny kid?
I got in at age 15 just because I didn’t think anything could be more interesting or challenging as the life of a pilot. Washed and fueled planes at a small uncontrolled field while learning to fly at a employee discount. Quite a few airline pilots in the area. Later, while flying Che is at night, another company pilot sponsored me into the ANG UPT program. A lot of fortunate connections, hard work (ever scrap ice off a plane at 6am at 2F?) and luck to make retirement now. While I was never the type that flies for pure recreation, it’s been everything I hoped for.
Great people, great travel, a few great leadership positions and chance to help another generation. I sent about 18-20 people, guys and gals, thru Reserve UPT. Three are now DL captains, hired 3 years ago in the first group since ‘08.
To the OP, it’s a lifestyle that either agrees with you and your future family plans or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t, few careers can make one more miserable. When I was at EA, I always noted the loudest whiners, looked aged beyond their years. The whole career didn’t agree with them and then, at middle age, their life was about to go bankrupt. I flew with guys who started as baggage handlers, learned to fly and were hired as company employees with little flight experience in the pilot shortage of the ‘60s. They had no other lives. One thing I committed to after that was to have a life and a “life well lived” didn’t require me to be on a seniority list “along for the ride”, come what may and I had no control over it
GF
A whiny kid?
I got in at age 15 just because I didn’t think anything could be more interesting or challenging as the life of a pilot. Washed and fueled planes at a small uncontrolled field while learning to fly at a employee discount. Quite a few airline pilots in the area. Later, while flying Che is at night, another company pilot sponsored me into the ANG UPT program. A lot of fortunate connections, hard work (ever scrap ice off a plane at 6am at 2F?) and luck to make retirement now. While I was never the type that flies for pure recreation, it’s been everything I hoped for.
Great people, great travel, a few great leadership positions and chance to help another generation. I sent about 18-20 people, guys and gals, thru Reserve UPT. Three are now DL captains, hired 3 years ago in the first group since ‘08.
To the OP, it’s a lifestyle that either agrees with you and your future family plans or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t, few careers can make one more miserable. When I was at EA, I always noted the loudest whiners, looked aged beyond their years. The whole career didn’t agree with them and then, at middle age, their life was about to go bankrupt. I flew with guys who started as baggage handlers, learned to fly and were hired as company employees with little flight experience in the pilot shortage of the ‘60s. They had no other lives. One thing I committed to after that was to have a life and a “life well lived” didn’t require me to be on a seniority list “along for the ride”, come what may and I had no control over it
GF
12-15-2017, 11:26 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,177
Having known some WW II Pilots, many learned to fly merely to get out of the mud being a draftee entailed. ALPA believed they had a huge challenge of all the returning pilots driving down wages and potentially being strike breakers. In the end, many just left aviation and went back to what they knew. My father medically disqualified from flying in ‘43, went back as a machinist.
GF
GF
12-15-2017, 11:35 AM
#8
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,281
Originally Posted by galaxy flyer
Having known some WW II Pilots, many learned to fly merely to get out of the mud being a draftee entailed. ALPA believed they had a huge challenge of all the returning pilots driving down wages and potentially being strike breakers. In the end, many just left aviation and went back to what they knew. My father medically disqualified from flying in ‘43, went back as a machinist.
GF
GF
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