What do pilots do during cruise? (serious)
09-29-2007, 07:37 AM
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: KC-135R IP/EP
Posts: 273
From a KC-135 guy, we def. prefer refueling the C-17's vs. the C-5's 'cause you guys have an 80% chance of showing up on time where as FRED is about 50% (I think I'm being generous on that one)...HOWEVER, anytime it's 2am over the Atlantic and the receiver pilot says, "This is gonna be my first real operational A/R", it doesn't matter what he's flying, my hands are on the throttles, ready for the br&akaway...
When I was an airline guy (CRJ's so no long legs), I would always go "help the F/A's clean up the cabin" after the first leg of a trip so I could grab a USA today (clearly written for pilots with the color pics and short articles), local paper, and a few magazines, kept me sane for a couple of days...like someone else said, unless you are in Indy center where they have you switch freqs. every 4 seconds, you can usually get some time in to read (unless your company forbids this). In the tanker, I read until I get sleepy, then I take a nap, then I wake up hungry and eat, then I get up to pee, then I just repeat the cycle multiple times until arriving at my destination. 2 pilots, and 10-15 hour legs...although I have thrown a football in the back with some crew chiefs while killing time over the Pacific...
When I was an airline guy (CRJ's so no long legs), I would always go "help the F/A's clean up the cabin" after the first leg of a trip so I could grab a USA today (clearly written for pilots with the color pics and short articles), local paper, and a few magazines, kept me sane for a couple of days...like someone else said, unless you are in Indy center where they have you switch freqs. every 4 seconds, you can usually get some time in to read (unless your company forbids this). In the tanker, I read until I get sleepy, then I take a nap, then I wake up hungry and eat, then I get up to pee, then I just repeat the cycle multiple times until arriving at my destination. 2 pilots, and 10-15 hour legs...although I have thrown a football in the back with some crew chiefs while killing time over the Pacific...
09-29-2007, 09:35 AM
#33
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Simulated Cruise
To simulate what it is like at cruise place a chair facing a large white wall and sit there motionless for 5 or 6 hours, no books, magazines or music. Then find the grouchiest and most uninteresting person you know to sit next to you to act as the captain. Repeat for several days.
Skyhigh
Skyhigh
09-29-2007, 12:00 PM
#35
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: Dream within a dream
Posts: 1,306
Sky, you are the most inconsistent person I know. A few threads ago, you said that if you could, you would gladly give up your current job in turn for being a captain at ALK.
Make up your mind, for crying out loud!!! Or, maybe if you can't maintain a consistent argument, stop denouncing the profession. It isn't working on me.
Make up your mind, for crying out loud!!! Or, maybe if you can't maintain a consistent argument, stop denouncing the profession. It isn't working on me.
09-29-2007, 12:11 PM
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: Dream within a dream
Posts: 1,306
Sky, I think that your problem isn't so much that you don't like the profession. I think you love the profession. I think you envy every single pilot out there who goes to work and loves what he/she does. I think you envy these pilots because they have attained a career that didn't work for you. How else could one explain your inconsistent attitude and wilingness to denounce every aspect of the industry? It seems like you're pointlessly trying to justify your failed career. Many of your arguments are selfish and dogmatic, and do not contribute to the overall knowledge of the members of the forum. Any sensible person won't let their dreams be deferred by one man's comments.
09-30-2007, 06:11 AM
#39
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Flying
Originally Posted by Planespotta
Sky, you are the most inconsistent person I know. A few threads ago, you said that if you could, you would gladly give up your current job in turn for being a captain at ALK.
Make up your mind, for crying out loud!!! Or, maybe if you can't maintain a consistent argument, stop denouncing the profession. It isn't working on me.
Make up your mind, for crying out loud!!! Or, maybe if you can't maintain a consistent argument, stop denouncing the profession. It isn't working on me.
I am sure that Alaska Airline captains get very bored at cruise as well.
SKyhigh
09-30-2007, 06:29 AM
#40
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Dream
Originally Posted by Planespotta
Sky, I think that your problem isn't so much that you don't like the profession. I think you love the profession. I think you envy every single pilot out there who goes to work and loves what he/she does. I think you envy these pilots because they have attained a career that didn't work for you. How else could one explain your inconsistent attitude and wilingness to denounce every aspect of the industry? It seems like you're pointlessly trying to justify your failed career. Many of your arguments are selfish and dogmatic, and do not contribute to the overall knowledge of the members of the forum. Any sensible person won't let their dreams be deferred by one man's comments.
I long for the potential this career had and lament the realities we live with today. No matter how hard I try I simply can not pursue such a reckless path with the responsibilities I now have and the beliefs I carry about the future of our industry.
My perspective is unique in that I have first hand knowledge of the industry and have an honest view since I am not forced make my living from it anymore. I share these truths with others and people on this forum should use my comments as the starting point for their own exploration of the facts. Everyone needs to decide for themselves what they are willing to risk for a return that is suitable for them, but they need to have real facts and not thin hopes.
In the end I was born to be a pilot. Every day I search for a flying job situation that would meet the needs of my family and I. I don't think I will find one but I still look. I started the profession with high expectations and standards. I think it is foolish not to due to the high cost of entry. Others seem to feel it is alright to blow a fortune on a career that pays less than a mailman.
Skyhigh
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