Thanks! :)

Miss Flying
 

Calcapt,

Sure I freely admit that I miss flying. I also miss smoking and think of it almost daily even though it has been over 16 years since I quit but you wouldn't catch me buying a pack.

There are many temptations in life that we all must resist for our own good. I count aviation as one of them.

SkyHigh

Mhm
 

If you were a flight attendant then you know what you are in for. Best of luck.

SKyHigh

FBOs are the bones of USA GA
 

yeah instead a 19yo CFI working for one of this "factory pilots training school" has a lot real world experience;)

I see a lot people like short cut, but they miss one point (thats my opinion of course)...the most beatiful part is the journey:D

Kaos, favila is not my name. I'm however interested in knowing what it means in italian and why you think it fits me? I know some italian but not much. All I got was 'favola' which means fable. If thats what you mean then I can see where your going with this.

-a presto

There is no shortcut at ATP. Its regulated by the FAA like every other flight training school / academy in the country.

-LAFF

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. :rolleyes:

sparkling
 

you are right favola means fable, but favila means sparkle.
I think you are sparkling of zest for what you are doing.:D

i never mention ATP...eventually you reckon something in my description;)

It's good to see nice, friendly posts on here. I've had quite enough of the name calling and stupidity that haunts the forum more often than I'd like. Thanks, keep up the good work.

Congratulations
 

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 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.

Succeed
 

Your career shouldn't have to be like the show "American Idol" flying is simply a way of earning a living. Most will tell you that after a short time the job becomes exactly that, just a job. Nothing in life is free and to me an airline career demands an unbalanced price when compared to the overall return.

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

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

Life Success
 

It's a tough realization I had to come to terms with; very well put.

I completely agree with you 100%. Wait, did I just say that?

flying is not a job
 

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.

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

Unbalanced
 

I haven known many people with a similar philosophy. They were all airline captains who lived alone in their late 50's usually in a two bedroom apartment. No families and their net worth was mostly limited to a 1970's era corvette.

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

But really, who could stand more of me? :rolleyes:

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!:p

I suspect a lot of pilots are just average (maybe less than average but who's measuring...) guys who wanted a little more than 9 to 5 for the rest of their lives.

Being a pilot is a lifestyle more than anything else...

-LAFF

MHM friggen rocks...Skyhigh is a deusch...'nuff said

...comment immature, to some...yes...to me...nope!

Lax

Are you trying to say SkyHigh is German? If so, you forgot the "t" in Deutsch. :p

I think you are absolutely correct!

HHAHAHA....thanks Uncle....I had a long day...and I needed that - hilarious:)

Yes
 

I agree however they shouldn't limit their focus to just an aviation career. Even you must admit that often the door is closed for a long time and mere persistence will not always pay off. There are only so many spots at the better majors. Most will not make it.;)

I am coming to the belief that those who are born under a lucky star and do make it to a good major must think to themselves "what is all the whining about? I mean I made it. All you have to do is to call your uncle at FedEx and he will get you an interview. What is the big deal?"



SkyHigh

German
 

Yes I am German.

SkyHiel

Sincere Effort
 

My definition of a Sincere Effort would be to strip yourself of all hang ups like friends, family, home and needs of financial security. Streamline your life to the point of the lowest drag possible and persistently push through the loneliness and poverty till that magical day comes in your early 40's when you get hired by a major airline. Then you can relax start making more than just the minimum payment on your 20 year old student loan and step up to two bedroom apartment luxury, no more smelly room mates except for perhaps a gold fish. And, a living room full of recently assembled Ikea furniture.

Keep trying kids and someday you will make it too !! :)

SKyHigh

whats wrong with IKEA forniture???:D

So what's wrong with the 2-bedroom luxury apartment? Perhaps not everyone wants the maintenance and worry of the big house, or perhaps some may want to be rid of the 2M house, and be free of the worries that go along with that. Simplicity can be nice!....it's not fair to assume that your dreams and expectations in life are the same as everyone elses. Some people are perfectly happy flying about the country and living modestly and free.

Nothing Wrong
 

There is nothing wrong with that at all. Some might prefer that lifestyle. They might also like Ikea furnature. I have some at my house. I was merely painting a picture.

I have never said that one can't make it to a major airline. My message is that with significant effort and risk you can reduce your odds considerably, but what will the job be like by the time you get there? How long will it take and will it be worth the sacrifices?

Each of us needs to be the judge of that one. My aim is to provide an understanding of what they are getting into.

SklyHigh

With respect
 

I've been reading through this forum and others for the past 3 days. I have really enjoyed hearing everone's viewpoints, and I mean that.

I have a question that I hope everyone will respond to and be honest when answering, and I'm asking with all due respect.

How many of you decided to make a career change to aviation because you weren't happy in your job? I also want to know if you feel that you are now living your dream? I'm not asking the people that are just starting out but I want hear from the people that have been flying for the airlines for years.

Again thank you for contributing.

I'm happy / satisfied with my job. I just want to do something different after I leave the military...Aviation is that something different...

-LAFF

I guess I could say I'm living the dream. I'm sure everyone else would. I must say, I far, far, exceeded the expectations I had for myself in the beginning.

At the same time, this is just a job. A job I enjoy for the most part and a job I like. Nothing else I'd rather be doing that comes anywhere near the pay and time off. So I guess I'll stick with it...hehe.

There are some MAJOR downsides and sacrifices to this career they don't tell you about at the big academy websites. I think Skyhigh does a good job of pointing them out. I try to as well, though, I more of a lurker at this site compared to the other one.

I've been knocked before for being a discourager when I should be more of an encourager. I'm really just more interested newbies understanding the truth about the career than anything else. Noplace else outside a couple of internet forums really address the reality of the biz.

Career Changers
 

The line between love and hate is razor thin in aviation. A pilot for FedEx might be living the dream while someone at Jetblue is miserable. They both are airline pilots but the differences in bases, pay, perceived future and scheduling can result in a horrible time.

The airlines are like a lottery. Those who strike it rich are mostly very happy I am sure. And let's not forget that every decade or so the airlines go through a difficult time and the deck gets reshuffled. If you look at the statistics far more people change from aviation than to it. In a flash your dream can become a nightmare.


SKyHigh

Note the link below:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...6607#post76607

Where's that vomiting smilie when I need it?

No wonder you failed.

A Lota Nota goodluck to you! I think you should DO IT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmUZGdi7Ty4

"Where's that vomiting smilie when I need it?

No wonder you failed."

HAHA. I think Skyhigh has proved that the cheap shot doesn't bother him. You'll have to do better than that. Like come up with a meaningful post or something....

Prince
 

You are such a prince. You got me! During the interview I failed the "kick the puppy" test. I guess you got it right?

Skyhigh

I cheap shot doesent bother me but they can be fun to respond to.