USMCFLYR

TM -

So now I'm one of the "flag waivers" am I. And how did I come to be named in that group TM? Exactly what is my "determined manner"?
I'm a flag waiver because I ask for a balanced approach?
I have supported a family on what a regional pilot makes; or do you think that 2ndLts are rich? Since I have never said that everyone's dream come true in this industry I'm wondering what defense I have put forth that is so misinformed. See......you are no different unfortunately. You see this as some type of **you against them** game. Interesting, but wrong.

USMCFLYR

SkyHigh

I like to write and have a lot of passion about this topic. I also feel that I have much to give.

Right now in the regional forums there are people who are writing much stronger statements. It seems like everywhere you look on APC there are angry and disappointed pilots making sever comments.

I do not understand why I am being singled out other than the fact that I am a consistent source.

SKyhigh

SkyHigh

I have never been in the military however it seems to me that the military provides many things that are taken for granted like housing.

Skyhigh

SkyHigh

There are many things about aviation that I am not cut out for. I do not like to be poor. I hate loosing so much control over my life. I was humiliated by the working conditions. The hours were hard to take at times.

Flying the plane however was great. The hardships that came with it were survivable but to endure all that for little pay and security was asking too much.

Sitting next to a disgruntled guy who was 25 years older than me for 5 hours crossing the country sometimes was fun but usually not. Most of the older captains that I flew with near the end of my career were pretty crusty and often insensitive to others. They were not well off and few still had families in tact. I realized that I did not envy their position in life yet here I was in line to be their replacement.

I did use the time to make a study of their life stories however. The information was useful to make sure I did not make the same mistakes. I continue my research here.

Skyhigh

USMCFLYR

On many bases - you will have completed your tour by the time you could have moved onto base housing; so even if you wanted to live on base housing - timing has a lot to do with your luck. So if you don't live on base you get some extra money to live out in town on top of base pay. Again - depending on the area - that can be little to help you based on the rate. If you would like to really dig deep into this though you can research all the pay charts. They are posted out on the web. As for "taken for granted" - I'm not sure who you are saying are taking these things for granted. The point of the previous post was not to start a who gets paid less debate, but rather to correct TM's view that I have never lived on a slim dime - especially when he knows nothing of my upbringing, family history, or former/current financial status. It seems that according to him that if you have never flown for a regional airline that you should have no opinion in the matter. Going back through a few of my previous posts - I can not find one where I say that I know what it is like to work for a regional or find a post where I tell a person that an aviation career is all a bed of roses. I find many posts where I admit that I am but another person looking for a job in the professional pilot industry and that it is a tough industry and that if you decide to jump into it then you had better have a good plan. I believe that I post in a very balanced manner - that is balancing the goods and the others - just like I mentor and counsel people on whether they should stay in the military or get out almost on a weekly basis. If I'm not a "flag waiver" as TM called me in the military career aspect - I doubt I'm much of a "flag waiver" on a career that I have yet to enter.

USMCFLYR

SkyHigh

Everyone who I have known that went into the military at least had a bunk to sleep in, health insurance and food to eat even if they had no money left. Many of these things are overlooked as a portion of your true compensation when in the military.

On the outside while working for a regional I had to pay for a lot of things that are provided for in the military. My take home pay at a regional was $492 every two weeks. Out of that I was supposed to provide a living for myself. It was not easy or fun.

Skyhigh

USMCFLYR

[QUOTE]I'm sorry Sky you are losing me here. What exactly are you trying to argue here? You are wrong about the true compensation being overlooked. Every year the DOD puts out a paper that shows what your *true compensation* is - meaning what you would have to make in the **real** world to be provided with the same benefits that the military provides - so nothing is overlooked. Maybe ignored, but that is the individuals choice.

Absolutely everyone that enters the military is given a bunk, health care, and food (even if that food if two MREs a day). That is one reason why the military is such a great choice for many. Do you know what an E-2 makes per pay check - and if he is married and supporting a family and trying to live on the outside then they have often been spotted in food stamp lines.
http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/mili...ayCharts35.pdf

So....if you are trying to point out how bad you had it when you started out - I'm sorry for that; and I'm glad that you are not in that situation anymore.

Now....what does that have to do with the tone of your posts? Because you had a bad time in the industry anyone who chooses it is destined to failure? Sad.

USMCFLYR

FlyOrDie

I can understand how you can say that but what I don't understand is your overall attitude that aviation is a dead end life. My own father was hit with the recession of the early 1980s and didn't fly for 15 years, but he got back into it and has been happier flying than he ever was at his office job, flying brings him satisfaction.

I agree 100%, with this disclaimer, the downsides are just like any other career we have the choice of pursuing. One day everyone wakes up and realizes that they have a job and all jobs suck at some point. Its called a job for a reason, not super happy fun time.

I can't help but feel that your statement is a tad condescending. "Boy someday you'll understand what its really like" I have an awesome job, 8 days off a row in a month, I live in base and do practically zero overnights, I make $48.61 with a 60 hour guarantee. Am I being too positive? Or am I just an exception?

I came to the career changers forum because I will probably face some sort of career bumps down the road and was looking for ideas of how to over come those obstacles.

atpwannabe

Now ain't that the truth!!!!

....however, I will say that I do empathize with those guys in terms of seeing employment, goals and plans come to an abrupt end or drastically curtailed due to being furloughed.

My plans to the flight deck have been modified as well. Just about 5 or 6 months ago, I decided that I'd get my ratings & licenses, instruct, and then apply to the regionals. Now, with some saying that the upswing in hiring won't be seen for at least another 2 years or more......I've revisited the idea of taking the PFT route. I just don't know. I do know that some hard decisions will have to made sooner than later.



atp

FlyOrDie

Anything but the PFT route...