Would you recommend your career to your son?
02-06-2013 | 07:18 PM
#61
Banned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 0
Being an airline pilot doesn't at all compare to the 10 years I spent working full time at a blue collar/manual labor job through high school/college to pay for training, college, living, etc as far as the term "work" goes. But at the end of the day, being an airline pilot is STILL a J-O-B job.
But the stagnation of the last 10+ years has FOR SURE changed what was historically a "short" stint at a regional before moving on to the "brass ring" and "be in the show".
I know, I know, there's a "pilot shortage coming!!!!!'
Funny, when I got my first job in 2000, there was one also. Ehhhh, not so much a year later. Then end of 2006 into 2007, "there's a pilot shortage coming!!!!!". Then at the then of 2007 into 2008, ehhhhh, not so much, just barely missed that one trying to stuff the "magical 1000TPIC" in the logbook.
Like I said, it's NOT work, but continuous 12-15 hour days with 10 hr "rest periods" and going up and down multiple times in a day combined with long sits and lots of bag drag feels like as I stated above, a J-O-B. Even when coming home from EVERY trip and religiously updating my airlineapps.com, fedex.pilotcredentials.com, swa.pilotcredentials.com, etc etc etc.
Don't get me wrong, I DON'T hate this job. But at the end of the day, the job AND the journey for the "brass ring/being in the show" IS work.
Your mileage may vary, no purchase necessary, include proof of purchase, details inside..............
But the stagnation of the last 10+ years has FOR SURE changed what was historically a "short" stint at a regional before moving on to the "brass ring" and "be in the show".
I know, I know, there's a "pilot shortage coming!!!!!'
Funny, when I got my first job in 2000, there was one also. Ehhhh, not so much a year later. Then end of 2006 into 2007, "there's a pilot shortage coming!!!!!". Then at the then of 2007 into 2008, ehhhhh, not so much, just barely missed that one trying to stuff the "magical 1000TPIC" in the logbook.
Like I said, it's NOT work, but continuous 12-15 hour days with 10 hr "rest periods" and going up and down multiple times in a day combined with long sits and lots of bag drag feels like as I stated above, a J-O-B. Even when coming home from EVERY trip and religiously updating my airlineapps.com, fedex.pilotcredentials.com, swa.pilotcredentials.com, etc etc etc.
Don't get me wrong, I DON'T hate this job. But at the end of the day, the job AND the journey for the "brass ring/being in the show" IS work.
Your mileage may vary, no purchase necessary, include proof of purchase, details inside..............
02-06-2013 | 07:35 PM
#62
Working weekends
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 0
From: Left Seat
no argument that being a pilot is better than "that blue collar/ditch digging/manual labor/flipping burgers job"
and admittedly, its better than most jobs, the actual doing-the-job-at-work as a pilot. but for job security, family stability, etc, it ranks low on the scale.
and admittedly, its better than most jobs, the actual doing-the-job-at-work as a pilot. but for job security, family stability, etc, it ranks low on the scale.
02-06-2013 | 07:53 PM
#63
Banned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 0
no argument that being a pilot is better than "that blue collar/ditch digging/manual labor/flipping burgers job"
and admittedly, its better than most jobs, the actual doing-the-job-at-work as a pilot. but for job security, family stability, etc, it ranks low on the scale.
and admittedly, its better than most jobs, the actual doing-the-job-at-work as a pilot. but for job security, family stability, etc, it ranks low on the scale.
"it's a fun and cool job, high probability of being a crappy career......."
Can apply to Corp/frac/91/135/121/ACMI/supplemental/non-sched etc etc etc.
02-07-2013 | 04:17 AM
#65
On Reserve
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
As someone who is just now getting started with a total of 2 hours working towards a PPL. I can honestly say that because of this forum and all the good info here, I am going about starting my career the best way possible. So thanks everyone who posted.
02-07-2013 | 04:28 AM
#66
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 49
From: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
Given the current turmoil of the airline industry in the US, I would have to say NO! My children, by the grace of the Sky Gods, chose other professions to pursue. Many expat contracts offer good opportunities, commuting provisions, terms and conditions, respectable pay and respect. With proper planning, compensation earned one can allow children to attend top notch non State Unies without the excess baggage of student loans. With what’s happened to the QOL and pay and benefits in the US, many pilots can’t make the same claim, especially if a second family is in the picture.
Those of you in your late 40s with 16 years or greater seniority, still in the right seat, who commute, take a look in the mirror. How many of you still have that robust appearance as you did when you were in your 20s? The pressures from your spouse and children associated with a full day’s commuting to and from your base, after a 5 day trip with 3 day or even 4 days off. Is that what you want for your kids?
Long days are gone for junior F/Os on reserve living 45 minutes from base.
Go ahead, and treat your kids to a private certificate at the local airport. Encourage them to attend a good school. Hopefully they will seize the opportunity, get a good education that will prepare them for the real world so they can earn a decent living.
They can earn the required ratings, and hours, to start the interview process. Hopefully they may reconsider the thought of becoming an airline pilot every time they see the tired and worn look on their parent who is or was a pilot, and say to themselves, “It just ain’t worth it.”.
Those of you in your late 40s with 16 years or greater seniority, still in the right seat, who commute, take a look in the mirror. How many of you still have that robust appearance as you did when you were in your 20s? The pressures from your spouse and children associated with a full day’s commuting to and from your base, after a 5 day trip with 3 day or even 4 days off. Is that what you want for your kids?
Long days are gone for junior F/Os on reserve living 45 minutes from base.
Go ahead, and treat your kids to a private certificate at the local airport. Encourage them to attend a good school. Hopefully they will seize the opportunity, get a good education that will prepare them for the real world so they can earn a decent living.
They can earn the required ratings, and hours, to start the interview process. Hopefully they may reconsider the thought of becoming an airline pilot every time they see the tired and worn look on their parent who is or was a pilot, and say to themselves, “It just ain’t worth it.”.
Last edited by captjns; 02-07-2013 at 04:39 AM.
02-07-2013 | 05:31 AM
#67
Disinterested Third Party
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,758
Likes: 74
1. Would you recommend to your son or best friend to start a career "today" to be a airline pilot?
or
2. Knowing what you know now, would you do it again (aka. start a career in todays world to be a pilot again)?
or
2. Knowing what you know now, would you do it again (aka. start a career in todays world to be a pilot again)?
I don't recommend careers to anyone. It's an individual choice. If my kids wanted to be airline pilots, I'd certainly have encouraged their choice.
My kids preferred the military.
02-07-2013 | 05:42 AM
#68
Working weekends
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 0
From: Left Seat
Given the current turmoil of the airline industry in the US, I would have to say NO! My children, by the grace of the Sky Gods, chose other professions to pursue. Many expat contracts offer good opportunities, commuting provisions, terms and conditions, respectable pay and respect. With proper planning, compensation earned one can allow children to attend top notch non State Unies without the excess baggage of student loans. With what’s happened to the QOL and pay and benefits in the US, many pilots can’t make the same claim, especially if a second family is in the picture.
Those of you in your late 40s with 16 years or greater seniority, still in the right seat, who commute, take a look in the mirror. How many of you still have that robust appearance as you did when you were in your 20s? The pressures from your spouse and children associated with a full day’s commuting to and from your base, after a 5 day trip with 3 day or even 4 days off. Is that what you want for your kids?
Long days are gone for junior F/Os on reserve living 45 minutes from base.
Go ahead, and treat your kids to a private certificate at the local airport. Encourage them to attend a good school. Hopefully they will seize the opportunity, get a good education that will prepare them for the real world so they can earn a decent living.
They can earn the required ratings, and hours, to start the interview process. Hopefully they may reconsider the thought of becoming an airline pilot every time they see the tired and worn look on their parent who is or was a pilot, and say to themselves, “It just ain’t worth it.”.
Those of you in your late 40s with 16 years or greater seniority, still in the right seat, who commute, take a look in the mirror. How many of you still have that robust appearance as you did when you were in your 20s? The pressures from your spouse and children associated with a full day’s commuting to and from your base, after a 5 day trip with 3 day or even 4 days off. Is that what you want for your kids?
Long days are gone for junior F/Os on reserve living 45 minutes from base.
Go ahead, and treat your kids to a private certificate at the local airport. Encourage them to attend a good school. Hopefully they will seize the opportunity, get a good education that will prepare them for the real world so they can earn a decent living.
They can earn the required ratings, and hours, to start the interview process. Hopefully they may reconsider the thought of becoming an airline pilot every time they see the tired and worn look on their parent who is or was a pilot, and say to themselves, “It just ain’t worth it.”.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
