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Old 09-14-2008, 07:19 PM
  #1  
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Default Back by Popular Demand

Yep-Still here

Still willing to help any of those seeking advice.


Can't let Sky have all the fun.



Got a LOT of pm's and e-mail from guys that I have given advice and help on here asking me to stick around-so I figured i would.
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Old 09-15-2008, 06:58 AM
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Default Tony

Perhaps you could share your story again about how you made the transition from pilot to Physician?



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Old 09-15-2008, 07:17 AM
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Originally Posted by SkyHigh View Post
Perhaps you could share your story again about how you made the transition from pilot to Physician?



SKyhigh

I like to hear it or maybe you can post the link that has it. I did a search for it by clicking on your avatar, but was unable to find "your story".


atp
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Old 09-15-2008, 08:36 AM
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Tony that'd be great, I would to hear the story as well.
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Old 09-15-2008, 08:35 PM
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Welcome back from the dead!
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Old 09-16-2008, 05:22 AM
  #6  
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Default Glad to do it.

After 9-11, looked like I was gonna be back in the right seat of the SAAB, after being there for more years than I can remember. Looking forward to that pay cut and getting to fly again with all the people that were on my "do not fly with" list again. At that time I was married into a "medical" family, and was encouraged to give medical school a shot. Took the mcats and scored well. Applied to a few medical schools. Took my "worthless" aviation degree, some letters of rec, and a copy of our 16 year pay indexed, no strike, flow thru(no thru) ALPA negotiated contract, and interviewed at LSU.

It seemed that I was running the show during the interview, those MD's were realy interested in my story. I detailed my actions during the 9-11 fiasco, the then current state of my present industry, and the prospects of moving on to a Legacy carrier(which for me was ZILCH since I wasn't related to anyone at any legacy).

I got in. Worked as an orderly in the morgue, as an E. R. tech, and even mowed lawns during school. There I was, a "Mighty" SAAB Captain, shuffling dead people around. I was encouraged every now and then, because one of the Med school docs knew about my story and would occasionally give me kind words of encouragement.

It was kind of "dark days", I was out of my element-all those young people there, then me at 40, but I figured if anyone else there could do it, so could I. My hatred for what I percieved as a wasted lifeas an Airline Pilot up to that point propelled me forward. I endured 9-11, a divorce, a child custody battle, sleeping in the hospital for a couple weeks during school cause I was homeless for a couple weeks. It was the most difficult thing I have ever done-and the most worthwhile.

I made it.

So can ANY of you guys.

I picked a medical career because that's the thing that will always be here and always be in demand. There are many facets to this industry, and many areas that your "worthless" 4 year aviation degree can get you into-PA, RN, Medical Sales, Pharm Sales, PT, OT-the list goes on.

Now I rub shoulders with the best, am respected and treated in a way that I NEVER was by my "Mainline Airline" peers.

PLUS, if I ever want to, I can go right back to an airline job, cause i'm sitting on a ATP/MEL/SF340 with 11,000 plus hours. I fly a Pitts for fun now-that's how I relieve the flying bug.

I know my story is a threat to some here-that's why people like Sky, myself and others are attacked like we are. Some people don't want to face the reality that what they are doing right now, wont support a family. Some guys will however, get tired of living out of a roll a board suitcase, and tired of being away from home and family on every significant birthday, holiday, and anniversary, tired of trying to commute home after a long 4 day, only to be bumped by a smirking mainline guy. Tired of trying to explain poverty wages and the "promise" of future advancement to the "Mainline" mabee to a non understanding wife. Tired of pax comments about your "puddle jumper", and when will you be a real pilot?

Those are the guys that I am here to offer my help-and I have helped about 15 so far.

After all. isn't this site about Pilots helping Pilots?

Last edited by TonyMontana; 09-16-2008 at 05:29 AM.
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Old 09-16-2008, 06:11 AM
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You know TonyM - there is a lot of bad feelings in your post above. Even saying hat you can't get a job mainline without having a relative in the business. Even you had a 'in' and a 'mentor' in the story above. You talk about being "attacked" above, yet you are the one doing the attacking. It is OK with me and 99% of the people on this forum that you decided to get out of the aviation field and I (and I would assume most people) say good luck to you. It is you who comes on this forum and attcks the industry and anyone who decides to make professional aviation their career.

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Old 09-16-2008, 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by USMCFLYR View Post
You know TonyM - there is a lot of bad feelings in your post above. Even saying hat you can't get a job mainline without having a relative in the business. Even you had a 'in' and a 'mentor' in the story above. You talk about being "attacked" above, yet you are the one doing the attacking. It is OK with me and 99% of the people on this forum that you decided to get out of the aviation field and I (and I would assume most people) say good luck to you. It is you who comes on this forum and attcks the industry and anyone who decides to make professional aviation their career.

USMCFLYR
I do not think that he is attacking the individual who decides to become a pilot. He and I are attacking the concept that it is a good idea when compared to other choices that demand a similar price of entry. Some might think it is worthwhile anyway and to them I take a bow. I mean someone has to do it right? However to suggest that it is compatible to other professions is where I take opposition.

Just like guys like you and DE727UPS like to flag wave in favor of an aviation career guys like Tony and I are here to present the opposite view.

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Old 09-16-2008, 06:34 AM
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I don't think anybody would have a problem with someone leaving the aviation career and starting over in another career as did you. As much as we hear complaints about having to start at the bottom, that's exactly what you did, and you should be commended for the hard work and determination.



However, ...
Originally Posted by TonyMontana View Post

... the prospects of moving on to a Legacy carrier(which for me was ZILCH since I wasn't related to anyone at any legacy).

is inconsistent with ...
Originally Posted by TonyMontana View Post

if I ever want to, I can go right back to an airline job,

You didn't hold a place in line, did you?



You story is heartwarming and encouraging -- it's always great when a guy finds something that makes him happy.


But here is where you steer wrong:
Originally Posted by TonyMontana View Post

Some people don't want to face the reality that what they are doing right now, wont support a family.

You see, the thing is, what I'm doing right now does support a family, and a large one at that, quite nicely. That's reality.


But, you protest, what about the guy in the right seat of the RJ that can't look forward to upgrade for a long time? Sure -- and what about the med student pushing dead bodies around the morgue and sleeping in the hospital? Could he support a family like that? Should he have quit then?


Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent fokes -- brag about your good fortune all day long. But don't tell me that just because you chose a different path, that the path we've chosen won't work. I can show you too many examples that it will.






.
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Old 09-16-2008, 06:41 AM
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Default To those of you

To those of you who are already gainfully employed as senior major airline pilots then I do not think that anyone here is suggesting that you leave to start over as a college freshmen in the accounting department.

Keep your job and be happy about it. My posts are aimed at the low seniority guys, regional pilots or those who are just staring out. They have a much more difficult road ahead of them.

If you already have a good job then that is great. However it will be much more difficult for generations to follow to be able to produce a similar result. They are the ones who have some difficult choices to make.

Skyhigh
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