SkyHigh

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source

ad·dic·tion (-dkshn)
n.

Habitual psychological and physiological dependence on a substance or practice beyond one's voluntary control.



I had a discussion with a guy today who declared his intent to me to become a professional pilot.

He claimed that he made the decision since "he couldn't imagine himself doing anything else" and "couldn't stay away from the airport". As I conversed with him I couldn't help but notice that he must have been at least 48 so I asked if he was financially independent. He told me that he owned a home but was not a wealthy person. So then I asked him if he understood that the pay wasn't that great and that most likely he would be well into his 50's and in debt before he began to have even the possibility of earning a real living. He replied that he knew that but again stated that "he couldn't imagine doing anything else".

We continued to discuss his "addiction" to aviation and I pointed out that at his age he really couldn't afford to take such risks with his future. Being old and poor is a severe consequence that he seemed to be setting himself up for. I have known many such people who intentionally ruin themselves. Only in America would such a logic be commended. Elsewhere peoples lives are dictated by logic and reason. In America we have the illusion that anything is possible and that we are charged with the responsibility to pursue whatever silly prospects that we desire without giving credence to the consequences.

Addiction is a word that fits most aviation careers. The hungry, self defeating and relentless pursuit can have similar results as a drinking or gambling habit. Fueled by visions of the coveted fancy well paid pilot job thousands throw away a small fortune every year in flight training and then follow with years of underpaid dead end jobs in hopes of scoring big in the next hand. With each passing year the addict throws down another lost year of gainful employment and a lost year of their lives. As time goes by it becomes more difficult to accept failure and one becomes more deeply invested, playing out the years of their lives till it is gone.

At least drinking and drugs have a built in retirement plan.

SkyHigh

kansas

Your friend's decision does not appear wise, I'll admit. Who knows? Maybe he'll fall into a great corporate gig and not have to pay so many dues. But the guy who makes a modest living and loves his job is sure getting a lot more out of life than the guy that bathes in his money and hates every second of the 40+ hours he spends at his hated job. Some of the happiest people I've ever known had jobs that paid far less than many airline pilots, because they did what suited them. What's so wrong with that?

Thank you for citing your source this time.

P.S. Merry Christmas!

SkyHigh

Kansas,

He is a single guy without anyone depending upon him so I guess he could damage himself if he chooses. However he is awfully short sighted on his future. There are certain realities in life that can not be brushed aside. We all need to be able to earn a living and to provide for our futures. If everyone were to throw caution to the wind then we would be a country of banner pilots and ski bums who lived in VW vans and six to a two bedroom apartment. Most people upon reaching adulthood set aside childish things and get to work creating a real life for themselves. If he was 18 instead of 48 he then would have a decade to blow and not be to put out by the experience but by his age he needs to put some thought into retirement planning and less into getting himself deeply into debt over a silly childish obsession.

The thing that makes his plan so irresponsible is that he knows that he will not earn any money at it yet he muster up any self discipline to put aside childish ideas. To his own credit however he did concede that it is due to his own selfish nature that has prevented him from building himself a life of some kind.

My aim of this thread is to point out that aviation can exert such a powerful pull on a person that it can overcome ones ability to prevent severely damaging them self. It is similar to an alcoholic or gambling addict. To the average guy this career doesn't make any sense yet here they come leaving a broken trail of ex-wives, home, friends, family and financial security behind.


Skyhigh

And a Merry Christmas to you too I might add.

Skygirl

And isn't that what has made America great? The so-called "illusion" that anything is possible has made us the most innovative nation on this planet! Let's go to the moon - DONE! Let's build the World Wide Web and internet - DONE! Let's build the best aircraft in the world - DONE! etc.etc.etc. Do you catch my drift Skyhigh? Sometimes you have to reach for your dreams, even on a smaller scale. For example, I've always wanted to live right on San Francisco Bay with a stunning view of the City and Golden Gate Bridge. I'm in the process of moving into that residence now. The other night, as my ex-husband and son were helping me move some stuff into my new home, my ex paused and looked out at the view and said to me, "You always wanted this view." I replied, "sometimes you have to go for what you want!"

Skyhigh, give it up for a few days, and have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

SkyHigh

Courage and innovation has advanced our nation and is revered and honored as an American strength. It is another issue all together to use that as license to be irresponsible. The risks must be worth the rewards and we all need to strive to be self supporting. I am happy for you that you have achieved your goal of living on the bay but I am sure that you wouldn't do such a thing if it meant certain financial destruction.

Sometimes we get what we want and hopefully most of the time get what we need. Many irresponsible people greedily pursue an unfit dream at the expense of themselves and others and that is wrong.

SkyHigh

Merry Christmas !!

LAfrequentflyer

Good for you...Skyhigh can't enjoy christmas...he misses the inside of the cockpit on x-mas day too much to move on...I bet he feels like he's missing out of the 'life' when he read about the MESA guys sleeping in the plane or camping out at the hotel - in the same room...

-LAFF

SkyHigh

Man, shared hotel rooms are the worst.

Skyhigh Merry Christmas !!

Pilotpip

Is it lonely on that pedestal Skyhigh?

SkyHigh

Actually I am afraid that so many people are preaching the same message now that I am loosing my soap box. I am finding it increasingly difficult to be able to comment on many threads since others are beating me to the punch.

SkyHigh

calcapt

You and others have convinced 99 percent of the American population that silly prospects are just that - silly. The other one percent haven't bought into your ideology and those are the ones celebrating their various successes today. The gravest of consequences are reserved for those who never try.