You wouldn't do it?
11-01-2006, 07:34 PM
#51
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Congratulations
Originally Posted by calcapt
There are many temptations that I should resist but don't. I simply don't have your fortitude and discipline. Smoking is one evil that never caught on with me. I was never able to resist aviation and now find myself stuck in the left seat of a Boeing. I'll have to find a way to deal with my plight. 
SKyHigh
11-01-2006, 07:45 PM
#52
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: she flies thats all it matters
Posts: 68
SkyHigh I believe to succeed in something you have to give it everything.
having said that it's up to you in what you want to succeed.
"nothing in life is free"...well thats a very sad sentence because life for first is free.
having said that it's up to you in what you want to succeed.
"nothing in life is free"...well thats a very sad sentence because life for first is free.
11-01-2006, 08:53 PM
#53
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Succeed
Originally Posted by kaos
SkyHigh I believe to succeed in something you have to give it everything.
having said that it's up to you in what you want to succeed.
"nothing in life is free"...well thats a very sad sentence because life for first is free.
having said that it's up to you in what you want to succeed.
"nothing in life is free"...well thats a very sad sentence because life for first is free.
To some I guess it is worth it. I have always valued overall life success more than my aviation dreams. I came to a point in my life where I had to choose between my family and self over a greedy long shot of a gainful flying career. Someday if you are lucky you will have a similar choice.
Don't let the "just do It" mantra trick you into throwing away a chance at a full and well balanced life. In the end flying is just a job and kind of a lousy one at that.
SkyHigh
11-01-2006, 09:09 PM
#54
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Miss Flying?
Upon reflection I can't say I really miss the act of flying a plane at all. If someone were to give me a free type rating I don't think I could get myself motivated enough to go through with it anymore.
When I really sit down and contemplate going through the motions to get trained up again and back into the grind it doesn't really sound like fun at all.
What I miss the most is my dream. I miss getting excited about a profession that I know now doesnt exist anymore. The proud sight of a Delta Airlines crew as they stride through the terminal in their double breasted wool uniforms. I lament over the passing of a time where pilots were young highly respected, well paid and lived the life of rock stars.
As I have mentioned before I didn't fail in my career attempts, aviation failed me. The industry changed out from under my feet into something not worth all the years of sacrifice and efforts that I made. I miss my dream.
SKyHigh
When I really sit down and contemplate going through the motions to get trained up again and back into the grind it doesn't really sound like fun at all.
What I miss the most is my dream. I miss getting excited about a profession that I know now doesnt exist anymore. The proud sight of a Delta Airlines crew as they stride through the terminal in their double breasted wool uniforms. I lament over the passing of a time where pilots were young highly respected, well paid and lived the life of rock stars.
As I have mentioned before I didn't fail in my career attempts, aviation failed me. The industry changed out from under my feet into something not worth all the years of sacrifice and efforts that I made. I miss my dream.
SKyHigh
11-01-2006, 10:51 PM
#56
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: 737 Captain
Posts: 777
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
You deserve to be proud of your accomplishment, however I am sure that it took a significant sacrifice to get there that only you know. Nothing is life is free.
SKyHigh
SKyHigh
11-01-2006, 10:57 PM
#57
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: she flies thats all it matters
Posts: 68
flying is not a job
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
Don't let the "just do It" mantra trick you into throwing away a chance at a full and well balanced life. In the end flying is just a job and kind of a lousy one at that.
the prize is immense and the only real cost is your investment of time.
Personally I don't want a balanced life, it is too interesting to have an unbalanced one.
11-02-2006, 12:05 AM
#58
Day puke
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Out.
Posts: 3,865
What I would suggest it you take a long, honest look at what you want to do. If it is flying, consider the following:
$30-40K in training to get Comm ASEL, Comm AMEL and maybe CFI
First two or three years pay will be $15-20 maybe 25k per year
If you want to be home every night, your pay will gennerally max at about $30-60K with a few expections (Allegiant goes to about 90k at ten+ years assuming they continue ops)
If you go the airline route, you will be gone from home many days (read that MOST days) per month
If you want to fly for the "real" airlines, it will be AT LEAST 6 years.
If you just want to fly because you like it, get great at your present job and buy a 172 then have fun. Aviation as a carreer is not for the faint of heart but not as bad as acting.
Good luck in whatever you decide
$30-40K in training to get Comm ASEL, Comm AMEL and maybe CFI
First two or three years pay will be $15-20 maybe 25k per year
If you want to be home every night, your pay will gennerally max at about $30-60K with a few expections (Allegiant goes to about 90k at ten+ years assuming they continue ops)
If you go the airline route, you will be gone from home many days (read that MOST days) per month
If you want to fly for the "real" airlines, it will be AT LEAST 6 years.
If you just want to fly because you like it, get great at your present job and buy a 172 then have fun. Aviation as a carreer is not for the faint of heart but not as bad as acting.
Good luck in whatever you decide
11-02-2006, 04:42 AM
#59
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Unbalanced
Originally Posted by kaos
SH flying is not a job, it is an art believe it or not?
the prize is immense and the only real cost is your investment of time.
Personally I don't want a balanced life, it is too interesting to have an unbalanced one.
the prize is immense and the only real cost is your investment of time.
Personally I don't want a balanced life, it is too interesting to have an unbalanced one.
Each one could tell you exciting sounding stories about life as a CIA contract pilot or their years living in Japan as a 747 captain for some company you never heard of before. In my estimation life is an investment. These guys moved around the world like gypsies never accumulating a real life. In the end all they have is a lot of hollow sounding stories and a solemn loner personality
Not a happy sight I can assure you. A balanced life is friends, family, home and financial security. Not everyone ends up a calcapt. It is my opinion that the majority don't. It is easy to get suckered into the adventure seekers life, but to me it suckers you away from what really matters. Your life should be your art. Flying is just a job don't let it rob you of the most valuable things.
SkyHigh
11-02-2006, 06:47 AM
#60
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: 737 Captain
Posts: 777
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
Not everyone ends up a calcapt. It is my opinion that the majority don't.
SkyHigh
BTW, I am a simple and mostly Plain Jane man who decided he wanted more out of life than working at a steel plant. I struggled through college and clawed my way to an airline job. Any person who sincerely tries could have what I have, with the exception of my good looks and my dog - he's not for sale!
