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Old 11-26-2005, 04:22 PM
  #41  
Irish Pilot
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Originally Posted by ToiletDuck
I went to college and majored in aviation to be a pilot. I am being hired tomorrow as a CFI where I plan to continue until I obtain my main goals. I would not had made it this far were it not for dreams. If you don't like it. Don't do it...This is what we like and we will defend it. You don't chose to be an aviator. It sounds like you chose.
With all due respect, you are pretty new to the industry. Wait until you have put in your year or so of 12 hour days instructing for pennies only to find out you have to take a pay cut to go to a regional, move to some random spot on the US that you dont really want to live, and to live with 5 other guys until you upgrade and can afford to split an apartment. All this while you watch your friends purchasing houses, saving for retirement, starting families.

Yeah but you want to be a pilot!

Look at whats happening to the majors. Have you thought about your retirement? Have you thought about what you are going to do when you are 45 years old, on your 5th airline starting over for no coin, living in yet another town you dont enjoy and trying to commute home...not to mention you have NO retirement plan or funds and you never see your family if you are fortunate enough to have one?

Im not saying it works out like this for everyone, but I know PLENTY of people who have the passion for flying but got out because of what would have been in store for them, and I wont let you ruin their good name because you think people who want something different for themselves "dont like it."

Get real kid, because you are soon to see the real world of flying. And one day you may realise that its not right for you even though you still have the passion. Are you going to consider yourself as not loving the industry as much as an instructor just getting started and hoping to "make it."

Dont be that guy.
 
Old 11-26-2005, 04:52 PM
  #42  
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Oh and FlyBye...if you find it to be right for you to seek a career outside of aviation stick with your guns! For you it may be more important to have a stable job, to be around your family as often as possible, etc. I do encourage you though...dont let anyone (here or elsewhere) lead you to believe that because they have continued flying that they have more passion than you. Its all about priorities and simply luck of the draw.

Anyone who belittles you or your devotion to flying quite simply has personal issues. These people are flying because of an image more than a passion. If they talk down to you because you found it important to get out of flying that is an IMMEDIATE implication that they think they are better than you because they are a pilot! Guess what!? They not only have a whole lot of growing up to do, but they also are in for a big surprise someday.

These people are ruining the career because of their attitude. These are usually the same people who just want to be able to say they are pilots, who will work for peanuts just to sit in a shiny jet, etc... These people are so devoted to an ideal that they may not see what is really important in life.

Now for the disclaimer...

I am not saying that those of us who are still in the industry are people who dont know whats important or that everyone in aviation will end up bending over to keep the dream alive. I am not saying we love our families any less because we take a career that keeps us away from home. I am not saying we dont have the desire to be financially stable. The truth is that the odds are simply not in our favor. Who knows what the future of aviation will hold? NOBODY! All we can do is look at what its taught us so far...

It is possible you will spend the next 25 years in flying only to....

...be furloughed in average of 3 times
...to find yourself with NO retirement savings of any kind
...to have drug your family all over the states from company to domicile etc.
...to find yourself in the "bigs" only to find yourself furloughed
...miss your kids growing up (birthdays, games, holidays, etc.)
...to find yourself in the "bigs" only to have the company go under.
...to be 45 years old with tons of debt STILL and have NO SAVINGS!

It is also possible you will...

...find a great corporate department near home that has a fairly regular schedule
...find a job early with suitable pay
...make it to a surviving "major" with lots of money (whatever you consider that to be)
...etc.

Even though I truly LOVE flying I do believe the first of the two scenarios to be more likely unfortunately.

No matter what the case me be each and every one of us has to look at our priorities and make a decision in life. To take the gamble with aviation or to go for the more sure thing. (seemingly)

Long story short the most important thing is respect your decision and the decision of others. If you look down on your brother who decided on life outside of flying you are nothing more than an *********, and you are no brother of ours.

(stepping down off the box.)
 
Old 11-27-2005, 05:38 AM
  #43  
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Default Right On Irish !!

Irish Pilot

Well said !!! It is difficult to take off the rose colored glasses and see the truth. The younger generation think they can survive anything, but never stop to ask themselves if they should. In my estimation if you are not on with a good major by the time you are 35 then most of the benefits of doing so will have passed you by. It is a difficult career and one that requires so much more than desire or skill. Moreover it takes luck, health and other variables that are totally out of our hands. Keep spreading the word.

Best of Luck,

SkyHigh
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Old 11-27-2005, 08:10 PM
  #44  
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Default Thank you Irish Pilot

It is definitely true I have not lost my passsion to fly only my ability to justify it. I was pumped up also when I was nearing completion of my degree and would soon begin instructing (pre 9/11)! What a difference several years can make.

Another important thing to remember is you do not have to fly for a living to be a pilot. Many pilots no longer fly for their primary job or do it purely recreationally. This type of flying can also be rewarding and even more satisfying because you are free of the constant worry.

I do think ego also has a lot to do with things as being a professional aviator has a certain prestige and romance about it. However, much less than in the past. Now it seems to have become more of a blue collar job that demands an excutive level of commitment.
 
Old 11-28-2005, 04:52 AM
  #45  
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Default Recreational Flying

I have found it difficult to make the jump to recreational flying. After years of doing it for pay to rent a 172 and do touch and go's has lost its appeal. I own a great Taylorcraft F19. It sits in my own hangar but I can't bring myself to even go out there to look at it. There are no goals left for me to achieve, no hills left to climb. It seems that since the purpose of my flying is now gone so is my drive to do it. I saw others go through the very same thing. The last day they flew as a commercial pilot was the last day they ever flew anything.

SkyHigh
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Old 11-29-2005, 09:37 PM
  #46  
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Default To Skyhigh

For some reason your messages are no longer in my account so I can't get your email. Maybe I rattled some feathers. Can you send it again?
 
Old 11-30-2005, 04:35 AM
  #47  
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Default Flybye

FLyBye

I tried to send you a PM but the system will not let me. Could you try to send me a PM?

SkyHigh
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Old 11-30-2005, 10:07 PM
  #48  
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I cannot send you anything. Here is my disposable account [email protected] if you want to email me there.

I do not know why it is not working it was before. Maybe I don't drink enough Coolaid.
 
Old 11-30-2005, 11:03 PM
  #49  
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Exclamation PM changes

Originally Posted by flybye
I do not know why it is not working it was before. Maybe I don't drink enough Coolaid.
No, nothing that sinister. I'll post a message as to why I changed access to the PM system. Hold on......

HSLD

PS. Drinking Kool-Aid will get you nowhere on this board.
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Old 04-20-2006, 05:47 AM
  #50  
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You shouldn't be getting annoyed at Skyhigh for seemingly ****ing on your dreams. He is giving his free advice about his experiences in the aviation industry, which is FAR more than any of us newbies have. take it as you will. I personally appreciate his insight, whether it be negative or positive. It makes me less naive, and prepares me to have a backup plan. I for one will NOT be moving around the country chasing jobs, especially CFI jobs. If I have to work a primary job and fly as a second job, I'll do that. I want to fly for a living, and I'm going to attept it, but I will not sacrifice the happiness and security of my family. I will take other measures BEFORE my credit and finances spiral out of control. Life is what you make of it, you must ALWAYS plan for the worst, while trying to attain the best. Thank you Flyhigh, I enjoy ALL of your posts.
LeoSV

Last edited by LeoSV; 04-20-2006 at 07:21 AM.
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