Conversation
08-31-2008, 07:59 AM
#11
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
I was goiing to mention
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
Learflyer -
I hear you on this. The problem with me on this is that I can't do the TYPE of flying that I want to do unless I'm doing it for someone else
Owning 20 acres of land and flying when I want to would be fun if all I wanted to do was to take my light twin (like I could even afford that!) for a cruise down the beach to a nice dinner (weekend) somewhere for example; but at this point I still have aspirations of something bigger. I can't own that 20 acres and still fly a nice bizjet all over the US, Canada, and the Caribbean and maybe someday/somewhere internationally. That day will come I think. I have always loved flying more than what I fly and I hope the day is in my future when I can be happy with that recreational flying that I miss so much right now.
USMCFLYR
I hear you on this. The problem with me on this is that I can't do the TYPE of flying that I want to do unless I'm doing it for someone else
Owning 20 acres of land and flying when I want to would be fun if all I wanted to do was to take my light twin (like I could even afford that!) for a cruise down the beach to a nice dinner (weekend) somewhere for example; but at this point I still have aspirations of something bigger. I can't own that 20 acres and still fly a nice bizjet all over the US, Canada, and the Caribbean and maybe someday/somewhere internationally. That day will come I think. I have always loved flying more than what I fly and I hope the day is in my future when I can be happy with that recreational flying that I miss so much right now.USMCFLYR
My position is that we all love flying and have our dreams however it has become too costly for the average person anymore. The helicopter guy was making a rational comparison between his career prospects and the cost it took to get there.
I would say that most people would feel the same. Flying is fun but it just demands too much of your life.
Skyhigh
08-31-2008, 08:32 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: UPS 757/767 Capt ONT
Posts: 4,357
"The helicopter guy was making a rational comparison between his career prospects and the cost it took to get there."
I wonder why he didn't do that before he even started? The helicoptor biz has always been harder to get into, higher cost to train, and a lower paying career. It's been that way for a long, long, time. Yet, many folks seem to be happy doing that job. More power to them. Whenever a kid asks me about a flying helicopters for a living, I tell him to join the army to fly. You don't even need a four year degree. But, I don't think there are nearly as many 100K chopper jobs as fixed wing jobs.
I wonder why he didn't do that before he even started? The helicoptor biz has always been harder to get into, higher cost to train, and a lower paying career. It's been that way for a long, long, time. Yet, many folks seem to be happy doing that job. More power to them. Whenever a kid asks me about a flying helicopters for a living, I tell him to join the army to fly. You don't even need a four year degree. But, I don't think there are nearly as many 100K chopper jobs as fixed wing jobs.
08-31-2008, 08:43 AM
#13
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Delusions of Grandeur
Originally Posted by de727ups
"The helicopter guy was making a rational comparison between his career prospects and the cost it took to get there."
I wonder why he didn't do that before he even started? The helicoptor biz has always been harder to get into, higher cost to train, and a lower paying career. It's been that way for a long, long, time. Yet, many folks seem to be happy doing that job. More power to them. Whenever a kid asks me about a flying helicopters for a living, I tell him to join the army to fly. You don't even need a four year degree. But, I don't think there are nearly as many 100K chopper jobs as fixed wing jobs.
I wonder why he didn't do that before he even started? The helicoptor biz has always been harder to get into, higher cost to train, and a lower paying career. It's been that way for a long, long, time. Yet, many folks seem to be happy doing that job. More power to them. Whenever a kid asks me about a flying helicopters for a living, I tell him to join the army to fly. You don't even need a four year degree. But, I don't think there are nearly as many 100K chopper jobs as fixed wing jobs.
Usually it is too late by the time reality begins to sink in.
SkyHigh
08-31-2008, 08:44 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: UPS 757/767 Capt ONT
Posts: 4,357
"I'd rather sleep through the sunset and get up at reasonable hour to go my cubicle and be home 8 hours later with my wife."
Whatever works for you. Glad it's working out. Not everyone could stand working in a cubicle at any cost. Some pilots live in their base, bid reserve, and might do 7 overnights a month. That's one way to be home a lot as an airline pilot.
"Seriously, is flying that much fun after you have been doing it for a while?"
I think so. It loses some lustre, no doubt, over the years. But my worst day flying is better than my best day as a plumber or cubicle worker. To each his own...
"Is flying with some stranger sitting right next to you that much more satisfying than..."
Sounds like you didn't enjoy your work enviornment much. It was best you found something else.
Whatever works for you. Glad it's working out. Not everyone could stand working in a cubicle at any cost. Some pilots live in their base, bid reserve, and might do 7 overnights a month. That's one way to be home a lot as an airline pilot.
"Seriously, is flying that much fun after you have been doing it for a while?"
I think so. It loses some lustre, no doubt, over the years. But my worst day flying is better than my best day as a plumber or cubicle worker. To each his own...
"Is flying with some stranger sitting right next to you that much more satisfying than..."
Sounds like you didn't enjoy your work enviornment much. It was best you found something else.
08-31-2008, 08:55 AM
#15
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
To each his own
"To each his own" is all well and good however my position is that aviation does not suit the needs of the majority anymore.
Most people like the idea of having a family and middle class lifestyle. Aviation use to be a profession that could meet the needs of the average person. Over the last ten years however flying careers have really lost a lot. We are to the point now where the average guy can not survive the demands of an aviation career and be able to preserve the rest of his life too.
Now if someone is a confirmed bachelor or millionaire playboy then the rules do not apply. Under those conditions I imagine that they are quite happy with it. My point is that it is false advertising to tell others that they would be happy too without adding the other conditions. Lets hope that there are enough single millionaires guys to go around.
Skyhigh
Most people like the idea of having a family and middle class lifestyle. Aviation use to be a profession that could meet the needs of the average person. Over the last ten years however flying careers have really lost a lot. We are to the point now where the average guy can not survive the demands of an aviation career and be able to preserve the rest of his life too.
Now if someone is a confirmed bachelor or millionaire playboy then the rules do not apply. Under those conditions I imagine that they are quite happy with it. My point is that it is false advertising to tell others that they would be happy too without adding the other conditions. Lets hope that there are enough single millionaires guys to go around.
Skyhigh
08-31-2008, 08:59 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: UPS 757/767 Capt ONT
Posts: 4,357
"To each his own" is all well and good however my position is that aviation does not suit the needs of the majority anymore."
Yeah, Sky, we get that. I simply think you're wrong. That's why I'm here.
Yeah, Sky, we get that. I simply think you're wrong. That's why I'm here.
08-31-2008, 09:07 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 490
It's been at least a couple of days, so I guess it was time for the dude to bash the profession. Go back to your cubicle. I promise not to make repeated, monotonous posts about how much your profession(whatever that may be)/compensation/etc. sucks if you do the same.
08-31-2008, 09:08 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 112
I love being a non bachelor millionaire playboy.
Working on the twin though
Sky - take your 150 and just do it, you'll see its so much more fun to waste money that trying to convince others that you made a bad choice, and the same could happen to them...
Hey Mr. UPS, gotta seat? Lets spend some undeserved money, I'll pay for the fuel, you pay for some filthy expensive dinner place.
Working on the twin though
Sky - take your 150 and just do it, you'll see its so much more fun to waste money that trying to convince others that you made a bad choice, and the same could happen to them...
Hey Mr. UPS, gotta seat? Lets spend some undeserved money, I'll pay for the fuel, you pay for some filthy expensive dinner place.
08-31-2008, 09:09 AM
#20
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
I am wrong
Originally Posted by de727ups
"To each his own" is all well and good however my position is that aviation does not suit the needs of the majority anymore."
Yeah, Sky, we get that. I simply think you're wrong. That's why I'm here.
Yeah, Sky, we get that. I simply think you're wrong. That's why I'm here.
The vast majority people will not be able to come even close to getting half of what you have. Is it possible that you could put yourself into their shoes? Imagine what it would be like to be stuck in a strange city and trying to make it on 30K with a family in tow.
You have a rare and unusual situation. You do not represent the needs of the average person or pilot. You do not share a common background with most pilots on this forum. You were not in the military and as far as I know did not fly for a regional.
You have been gainfully employed for most of 20 years now. How can you claim to say that I am wrong when you have not walked a mile in my shoes?
Skyhigh
