I don't know how similar they are either, I have only done one. I know they are both regulated by the government with duty hours, a book of regs, and oversight of maintenance. They also both involve operating equipment.
I wasn't arguing whether they were similar or not, I was wondering how you can give advice on the two when you haven't done either?

Everyone's opinion will differ, but comparing an airline pilot to a bus driver, or truck driver, is much more realistic, IMHO, than comparing an airline pilot to a doctor, which is what some people like to do. The job of airline pilot, bus driver, and truck driver ALL involve operating a large vehicle, with passengers, an/or cargo, from point A to point B. That is a much better comparison, per job tasks, and responsibilities, than trying to compare flying an airplane to performing life saving surgery.

Then why does my father, a surgeon and pilot, talk about all the similarities between the two skill sets? Instrument flying, complex, systems, CRM, and rote procedures, according to him, all hold strong similarity to medical work.

Just because one facet of the industry is in the toilet pay-wise doesn't mean you need to denigrate the profession. I'm not saying truck driving and bus driving aren't challenging careers. What I am saying, however, is that flying can still be mentally stimulating and challenging if you want it to be. When I worked for a 121 operation, you wouldn't believe all the ASAP reports I read that dealt with people screwing up. It's a dirty little secret, but through managing an ASAP program, I can assure you that operating an aircraft in today's litigious world is a lot different than operating a motor vehicle.


On another note, this career is what you make of it. If you see yourself as a button-pushing monkey, you're going to fall into that trap. Self-fulfilling prophecies are incredibly influential on how we conduct ourselves and represent the profession.

I have always read that the blue collar career that translates best to medicine is mechanics. Both have to diagnose, examine, and fix problems within different systems that grouped together produce a functioning machine/organism. Aircraft mechanics and physicians may be a better comparison.

Blue Collar
 

A pilot is a blue collar job just like being a truck or bus driver. It has no place even as a university degree. Flying is a trade, a vocation and nothing more. It should not be compared to medicine at all. Long ago someone compared the mental focus of flying an ILS with brain surgery. Today however flying an ILS involves pushing a button.

A main point about this thread is that it is easier and cheaper to become a truck driver. And make more money as well. Perhaps trucking companies should require their drivers to wear white shirts with epaulets and a pilot hat. Maybe then people will want to compare truck drivers with doctors too?

Skyhigh

If you really think that the actual act of flying the airplane (which can consist of pushing buttons) is all there was to it, I'd contend you were doing it wrong.

That's like saying that all general practitioners do is write out prescriptions.

I want to re-emphasize the fact that ANY job can be challenging and rewarding. If your work is complex, autonomous, and has a sense of reward (be it monetarily or otherwise), you have succeeded. It's a complete joke to relegate one career to the trash because a certain type of person can't see the benefit in accomplishing such work.

We also have a spiffy looking uniform that attracts women !:D
Fred

What do the hours of service for an airline/cargo pilot look like? As far as the DOT hours go it's 11 hours driving, 10 hours off duty and no more than 70 hours without 34 hours off duty.

And here is how those hours really work, 11hrs @ 65mph= 715 miles, so as I sit in traffic, get fuel, grab a bite to eat, and end up off the interstate I average 45mph on a trip. 715/45=15.8 hrs, so i put down 11 hrs of driving and 715 miles in the book when I stop and now I am 4.8 hrs into my 10 hr break, 5.2 remaining. Wait 1 hr on a shower(4.2 remaining) so I go to sleep for about 4 hrs, grab a red bull to drink in the morning and do it all again. 16 Hrs of A$$ in seat time everyday with a six hour break.