Why did you become a pilot?
 

What was it that inspired you to get started in the airline industry?

When I speak with current pilots (yes, some of them are regional), the first thing they tell me is passion. One once told me the following: "Pilots love to rant about their contract, their union, their pay, benefits, whatever. But the truth is, despite this, every single one of them is putting up with these inconveniences because they have a true passion for what they do."

lame...who cares!?

I do, because as someone who is thinking about pursuing this career, I want to hear what got people to actually decide on it.:)

Really? I thought it was a nice change of pace topic!

It's just "in my blood" as you would say. Father was a pilot for thirty years and I flew my first C150 with him at age 5. Grew up fom there flying gliders in the rocky mountains and he rest is history.

turboDVR42 is a cynic.

No doubt about it: pilots do put up with a lot of BS; some deal with it better than others.

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of Dad taking us to the O club for cokes after church on Sundays, then to the little municipal airport to watch the airplanes take off and land.

Airplanes are cool. They never did nor ever will make me rich but I make a decent living. I go to a lot of cool places. I've been at it for 30+ years. No regrets. Thanks, Dad.

Mustache May at AWAC and pervin on chicks at the airport. What other reasons could their possibly be?

Passion doesnt always pay the bills my friends or control the economy!
Sky, good luck with your research. You need to look at ALL angles/aspect of this job.

Oh dear Lord, haven't you read ANYTHING on these boards?! Do not pursue aviation as a career. Why are you even considering it? The low pay? Career stagnation? Missed holidays with loved ones? Alienation from friends and family? Which one is it. Only a moron would get into aviation today. If that's an insult to all the thin-skinned, then so be it.

I think you get into aviation because of passion. Then you realize, what the hell was I so passionate about? You will find a lot of things that you never could have imagined about this career. And you will come to terms that passion could never keep you happy in the career.

To the OP: One word---->Chicks! :D

You do realized that some people, on this board, are happy in their career?

What was your W2 last year?

Lucky for me, I grew up in a family that rarely celebrated holidays on the actual day. It's just a day, celebrate when everyone can be there...it's more meaningful.

As I see more and more of your posts, I'm beginning to think the alienation isn't caused by aviation...

Not insulted at all...but this is an idiotic statement.

Skylover: While HMP may seem fanatical, she is voice of dissent, and be sure not to discount here posts. Make sure you take into consideration, posts like hers and not just the posts that are what you want to hear. It's hard to pull emotion out of it and make practical decisions.

I can tell you I've had a great time with it so far. I've done both the civilian route as well as military, and I've had a blast. I'd highly recommend the military route if you've ever considered it. Check in the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve. You'll do some of the most exciting/challenging flying you could ever imagine and will get paid well while doing it. Sure you will miss holidays/events, but have a long list of friends who have the same problem in their career fields...it's not just aviation.

Goodluck!