If being a pilot is so bad...
 

...then why are so many relatives of professional pilots becoming professional pilots themselves?

This thread is not meant to irritate folks on the board. But this is a conundrum I am trying to figure out. I know many sons (sorry no daughters) of pilots, or nephews of pilots who are training to become pilots. I also know of several pilot offspring who were hired during the regional hiring boom.

Because of that sometimes I think I am not so crazy for hanging on in this career if there are so many 'legacy' pilots out there. Dad (or whoever) must not be dissuading the newer generation from flying.

By the way, I am not a 'legacy' pilot myself-but the first in the family tree.

Thoughts? :confused:

"...then why are so many relatives of professional pilots becoming professional pilots themselves?"

Maybe the answer is....it's not so bad?

You have to want to get into the biz for the right reasons. Money is the wrong reason. I was born for this and would have made it work one way or another. Others give it a try and fall by the wayside, for various reasons. It's really up the the individual and their personal situation and goals in life.

But, don't come to the "leaving the career" forum, expecting a balanced opinion on the career. Hope that makes sense. You're in the wrong place to get "balance"...

its not about the money for me its simply about not wanting to work period

Being on reserve and working 5 or even 6 days in a row is work if you ask me. 16 hour days and 5 hours of sleep is work. Spending more time in a hotel than at home is work. Taxing for 6 hours and deicing the aircraft for the 5th time that day is work. The list can go on but you get the idea.
Thank you for appreciating all the hard work pilots are doing everyday. Next time you negotiate your pay, make sure to tell the management how easy this job is...

Seems like what I said caused more than a little umbridge from you, which is not what I intended to do.

The legacy pilots are decently educated on what piloting is like, and still they come into the business. Current pilots leaving are of course educated on what piloting is like and yet they leave. Seems like a paradox. Why is this?

Most other forums on the site are populated by the 'gung ho' trying to get into aviation types, so this seemed like the appropriate place to ask those getting out if being a pilot is indeed that bad. That's all.

Aviation Families
 

People who are from aviation families usually have a much easier road than everyone else. Not only do they have a pre-made network but often their families own airplanes. Flight training is easy to come by and opportunities are already there for them. It is common for young people to follow in the family tradition even if it is not a good idea. My family use to be in commercial fishing. Everyone knew it was a dying profession yet the next generation kept on coming. It is not easy to break new trail Sometimes even a bad one is better than the unknown.

The hardships and challenges are real. Read Barry Schiffs article on his experiences as a legacy airline pilot and what happened to his kids that tried to follow in his professional foot steps.

Skyhigh

It is what it is. For some, like Sky it didnt work out or maybe better put, didnt live up to his expectations. For others, it has been a great life. For many of us, it has been a combination of the two. Frankly I believe if you do ANYTHING purely for the financial gain possible rarely will you find happiness. Certainly there must be a balance of the two... financial gain and well as personal satisfaction. Some ( more than just a few ) will never find this balance. Each person can decide what is "healthy" for them and their family. And without belaboring the point, there are LOTS of aviation flying jobs which are not airline related. You just have to find what works for you, and sometimes even then aviation might not be a fit for your life, but it also just might fit like a glove.

"...so this seemed like the appropriate place to ask those getting out if being a pilot is indeed that bad."

Just seems like a loaded question if balance is what you're looking for. I would guess that anyone getting out would say it's a rotten career. Makes perfect sense.

And no umbridge....whatever that means....

Happy Career
 

Just to build upon what de727ups and HercDriver130 have wrote:

Some people are happy with prison life. Most people would not be happy with being locked up in a cell but it works for a few. Though aviation is obviously not prison it is an unusual lifestyle that demands a high level of sacrifices. There are people who fit well into an aviation lifestyle however if you are looking for balance (for example; family life, home, financial stability) then you might be dissatisfied as a pilot.

People who come from aviation families are most likely better suited to the hardships that come with being a pilot. They are use to celebrating Christmas two weeks late. They don't mind living a disconnected life out of a suitcase or being jerked around daily by crew scheduling. Watching family events (baseball games, barbecues, birthdays) on video tape instead of actually being there is a normal and happy way to be vicariously involved with their families.

However not everyone will be able to be happy with that kind of life.

SkyHigh

Its just personal preference.

If you are single and/or a "lady's man", have very little ties to family, relatively low expenses, etc, this is a dream job.

If you have a family, wife, and want to build/preserve these, have fairly high overhead, then it is a lousy job.

Apparently its not so bad, because people are still signing up in droves to do this. The lines out all the doors will always be cattle call's of more applicants than positions.