Pilot to Attorney?
08-27-2009, 09:08 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: 767A (Ret)
Posts: 6,248
Herbicide for "greener grass"
ufgatorpilot,
Great post; informative, humorous, and well-written. Pilots and attorneys are not the only professionals who have found the reality of day-to-day work much different from the school experience, and vastly different from media portrayals. Best wishes for your ratings!
Great post; informative, humorous, and well-written. Pilots and attorneys are not the only professionals who have found the reality of day-to-day work much different from the school experience, and vastly different from media portrayals. Best wishes for your ratings!
08-27-2009, 10:02 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Position: I am the Stig
Posts: 281
Just to play the advocate here;
Good for you as far as feeling like a pilot. For those of us still lucky enough to employed, couple years ago I took a 100% paycut via furlough. When I got a job, it was 65% less than the job I got furloughed from. Now, after a displacement, I'm making 48% less than I did last year. And what I was making last year wasn't even six figures.
That can depend on the size of the domicile, or fleet you are on in the airlines. Also, by some weird coincidence, if you are are reserve you can end up flying with the SAME people over and over again. For a reason.
Weather, junior manning, weak CBA, etc.
Don't think this this any different in the airlines. Being too junior to hold weekends, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Having to bid a weekend line because you may have needed a set of weekdays off and now being stuck working EVERY weekend of the month because you can't trade/drop it. As far as getting "overtime"/holiday pay in the airlines, in most cases, forget that too. Thought you were going to be home for dinner but because of weather you're getting home at midnight but didn't fly more than you were scheduled too, guess what? No overtime pay.
As opposed to doing a 2+ hour flight somewhere?
I had a commuting issue recently where I found I wasn't in compliance with the contract. EVERY time I walked by the chief's office, I walked as fast as I could, or flat out avoided it at all costs.
Don't think that eccentric weirdos with dress problems don't exist in the airlines. Believe me, there's plenty of odd balls, whether it's how they wear their uniform, run their cockpit, how they interface with FA's, gate agents, rampers, mechanics, hotel staff, etc.
See what you're saying as far as taking away from time you could get paid for, but.......
Preflights, endless jepp/CFM/FOM revisions, 12 hours of duty and getting paid for 5, interfacing with MX/DX/gate agents/rampers/scheduling and often in the process doing their job for them, waiting on the hotel van on an 8 hour "rest" period, etc. As far as making up for "billable hours", some airlines don't pay their pilots for cancellation. Others only pay their pilots for the scheduled time. IAD to LGA/JFK/EWR may be scheduled for say 1:30, could take you 4 hours to get there, you get paid for 1:30.
Kinda like an airline job.
Again, I'm just playing the advocate here, not trying to pee in your cheerios or be a debbie downer.
A friend of mine quit his engineering job, couldn't stand the cubicle/office/9-5/boredom/bureaucracy, whatever. Went to a flight school and everything, got a job at a regional. Stuck with being an eternal FO, with no upgrade in sight, bringing home $1900 a month on reserve after two years, guess what? He's now taking a leave and going BACK to his engineering job, for the reason you said, the QOL isn't there and the pay isn't worth it.
Sorry, but with this crowd, you can't put that bit of info in there without saying in which capacity and which employer.
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
I don't even know where to begin...
I'll start with what's good about it, since that's a relatively short list.
(1) I'm at a big firm so the pay is good, though I'm making 20% less than I was making last year. They stopped the 401k match this year too. And what I pay each month for health insurance doubled this year. It all kind of makes me feel like a seasoned airline pilot.
I'll start with what's good about it, since that's a relatively short list.
(1) I'm at a big firm so the pay is good, though I'm making 20% less than I was making last year. They stopped the 401k match this year too. And what I pay each month for health insurance doubled this year. It all kind of makes me feel like a seasoned airline pilot.
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
(3) For the most part, I like the people that I work with so I'm very lucky. If you work at a place where you don't like the people, you will be miserable. Unlike the airlines, you don't switch crews every trip so if you work with people you don't like, you are stuck with them until you find a new job or they find a new job....
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
What I don't like about the job... I'll try to just focus on the big ones.
(1) I think my number one complaint is that my job does not does not end at a certain time. I have to cancel dinner plans all the time because something comes up at work late in the afternoon that needs to get done. So I don't have as much control over my schedule as I would like.
(1) I think my number one complaint is that my job does not does not end at a certain time. I have to cancel dinner plans all the time because something comes up at work late in the afternoon that needs to get done. So I don't have as much control over my schedule as I would like.
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
Also, when things are busy, I frequently work on the weekends. My mergers and acquisitions practice gets very busy in November/December b/c clients try to get their deals done before year end. That means I work Christmas Eve and Christmas nearly every year. Since I'm salaried, I don't get overtime for any of this.
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
(4) Much of the work I do is very boring. No, I don't think that working in a different area of the law would be more exciting. I think it's all pretty boring.
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
(5) Now some things that I hate about the job are just relevant to office jobs in general, and not necessarily specific to law firms. Ever seen Office Space? Do you think that movie is a gross exaggeration of what it must be like to work in an office? It's not. I've actually hid under my desk before when I heard my boss coming so I didn't have to hear him recite Shakespeare or tell me about Greek mythology followed by him telling me I'm a philistine when I express disinterest.
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
And then there was the old guy on my floor that was wearing collared shirt, tie, dress shoes, and SHORTS. When I was unfortunate enough to run into him in the kitchen and inquire about why he was wearing shorts, he said he had a skin condition on his leg and couldn't wear pants. UGH!!!! 
Gross. You just can't make this stuff up.
Gross. You just can't make this stuff up.
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
(6) There are a lot of non-billable things that you are expected to do, such as marketing event, bar luncheons, etc. These things sound like they could be fun, but not when they are cutting into your billable hour time. So then you have to make up for the billable hours you missed.
Preflights, endless jepp/CFM/FOM revisions, 12 hours of duty and getting paid for 5, interfacing with MX/DX/gate agents/rampers/scheduling and often in the process doing their job for them, waiting on the hotel van on an 8 hour "rest" period, etc. As far as making up for "billable hours", some airlines don't pay their pilots for cancellation. Others only pay their pilots for the scheduled time. IAD to LGA/JFK/EWR may be scheduled for say 1:30, could take you 4 hours to get there, you get paid for 1:30.
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
In general, the quality of life just isn't all that good and the pay isn't worth it.
Again, I'm just playing the advocate here, not trying to pee in your cheerios or be a debbie downer.
A friend of mine quit his engineering job, couldn't stand the cubicle/office/9-5/boredom/bureaucracy, whatever. Went to a flight school and everything, got a job at a regional. Stuck with being an eternal FO, with no upgrade in sight, bringing home $1900 a month on reserve after two years, guess what? He's now taking a leave and going BACK to his engineering job, for the reason you said, the QOL isn't there and the pay isn't worth it.
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
My mom and sister are about the only people that seem to enjoy their jobs and never complain about work at all. They are both in the airline industry....
Last edited by forumname; 08-28-2009 at 12:06 AM.
08-28-2009, 05:44 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Posts: 341
Originally Posted by forumname
Sorry, but with this crowd, you can't put that bit of info in there without saying in which capacity and which employer.
My mom has complained briefly a couple of times about mergers and how the lists got merged together, and maybe a couple of times about greedy management, but she really didn't make a big deal of it overall.
Maybe my mom and sister are just very positive people, or maybe they've found what they were meant to do in life and focus on the good rather than the bad.
08-28-2009, 08:47 PM
#14
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: B737 FO
Posts: 30
Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot
I do corporate law - mostly general corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and securities laws. It has been pretty slow this year and last year. Of course, I don't wish this economy on anyone, but if the economy was going to go down the tank, it happened at a great time for me b/c I have had more time to concentrate on getting pilot ratings. I would never have had the time to accomplish so many of my flying goals if things were as busy as they were in 2007.
I have known a few people to get laid off.... They were all able to find other employment though so maybe the lawyer market isn't all that bad. I'd have a hard time finding another corporate law job right now, but there are plenty of opportunities in bankruptcy and commercial litigation at the moment.
Yes, as a general rule, I hate my job. But it depends on the day - sometimes I hate it more, sometimes I hate it less. I will say though, I loved law school. I really did enjoy it and learned a lot. I think law school was the best three years of my life.
I don't even know where to begin...
I'll start with what's good about it, since that's a relatively short list.
(1) I'm at a big firm so the pay is good, though I'm making 20% less than I was making last year. They stopped the 401k match this year too. And what I pay each month for health insurance doubled this year. It all kind of makes me feel like a seasoned airline pilot.
(2) I like that though we have billable hours, we don't have to "clock in" and "clock out." So if I have to go to the dentist or whatever, I make the earliest appointment of the morning and then show up to work afterwards. Yes, when you aren't in the airline industry where you might get a random Thursday off, you have to squeeze annoying doctor appointments into your work week.
(3) For the most part, I like the people that I work with so I'm very lucky. If you work at a place where you don't like the people, you will be miserable. Unlike the airlines, you don't switch crews every trip so if you work with people you don't like, you are stuck with them until you find a new job or they find a new job....
What I don't like about the job... I'll try to just focus on the big ones.
(1) I think my number one complaint is that my job does not does not end at a certain time. I have to cancel dinner plans all the time because something comes up at work late in the afternoon that needs to get done. So I don't have as much control over my schedule as I would like. Also, when things are busy, I frequently work on the weekends. My mergers and acquisitions practice gets very busy in November/December b/c clients try to get their deals done before year end. That means I work Christmas Eve and Christmas nearly every year. Since I'm salaried, I don't get overtime for any of this.
(2) The billable hour stinks. Just trust me on that one.
(3) In the offer letter they gave me when I took my job, it said that I got 4 weeks of vacation. Now, no one really keeps track of how many days I'm gone, including myself. However, if I ever actually tried to take 4 weeks of vacation, there is NO WAY I could ever reach the number of billable hours that I am supposed to hit. So if I took 4 weeks of vacation and my hours got low, they would give me a hard time about how much vacation I took. Also, I have some friends at firms that really are sweat shops and they are just entirely too busy to even think about taking that much vacation. Also, even if you are on vacation, chances are, someone will be calling you or emailing you about something anyway.
(4) Much of the work I do is very boring. No, I don't think that working in a different area of the law would be more exciting. I think it's all pretty boring.
(5) Now some things that I hate about the job are just relevant to office jobs in general, and not necessarily specific to law firms. Ever seen Office Space? Do you think that movie is a gross exaggeration of what it must be like to work in an office? It's not. I've actually hid under my desk before when I heard my boss coming so I didn't have to hear him recite Shakespeare or tell me about Greek mythology followed by him telling me I'm a philistine when I express disinterest. You can only hear that story about "the face that launched a thousand ships" so many times before it starts to get old. (In case anyone was wondering, it was Helen of Troy.) And then there was the old guy on my floor that was wearing collared shirt, tie, dress shoes, and SHORTS. When I was unfortunate enough to run into him in the kitchen and inquire about why he was wearing shorts, he said he had a skin condition on his leg and couldn't wear pants. UGH!!!! Gross. You just can't make this stuff up.
(6) There are a lot of non-billable things that you are expected to do, such as marketing event, bar luncheons, etc. These things sound like they could be fun, but not when they are cutting into your billable hour time. So then you have to make up for the billable hours you missed.
(7) I'd love to have a job where I can leave at 5:00pm or 5:30pm and not have to feel like I am sneaking out. Is that asking too much???
In general, the quality of life just isn't all that good and the pay isn't worth it.
Regardless, you still owe me a filet mignon.
I think that some people are fortunate to have found what they are meant to do so they are happy. I don't think that most people ever find that. Most people seem to be unhappy with their jobs. My mom and sister are about the only people that seem to enjoy their jobs and never complain about work at all. They are both in the airline industry....
I have known a few people to get laid off.... They were all able to find other employment though so maybe the lawyer market isn't all that bad. I'd have a hard time finding another corporate law job right now, but there are plenty of opportunities in bankruptcy and commercial litigation at the moment.
Yes, as a general rule, I hate my job. But it depends on the day - sometimes I hate it more, sometimes I hate it less. I will say though, I loved law school. I really did enjoy it and learned a lot. I think law school was the best three years of my life.
I don't even know where to begin...
I'll start with what's good about it, since that's a relatively short list.
(1) I'm at a big firm so the pay is good, though I'm making 20% less than I was making last year. They stopped the 401k match this year too. And what I pay each month for health insurance doubled this year. It all kind of makes me feel like a seasoned airline pilot.
(2) I like that though we have billable hours, we don't have to "clock in" and "clock out." So if I have to go to the dentist or whatever, I make the earliest appointment of the morning and then show up to work afterwards. Yes, when you aren't in the airline industry where you might get a random Thursday off, you have to squeeze annoying doctor appointments into your work week.
(3) For the most part, I like the people that I work with so I'm very lucky. If you work at a place where you don't like the people, you will be miserable. Unlike the airlines, you don't switch crews every trip so if you work with people you don't like, you are stuck with them until you find a new job or they find a new job....
What I don't like about the job... I'll try to just focus on the big ones.
(1) I think my number one complaint is that my job does not does not end at a certain time. I have to cancel dinner plans all the time because something comes up at work late in the afternoon that needs to get done. So I don't have as much control over my schedule as I would like. Also, when things are busy, I frequently work on the weekends. My mergers and acquisitions practice gets very busy in November/December b/c clients try to get their deals done before year end. That means I work Christmas Eve and Christmas nearly every year. Since I'm salaried, I don't get overtime for any of this.
(2) The billable hour stinks. Just trust me on that one.
(3) In the offer letter they gave me when I took my job, it said that I got 4 weeks of vacation. Now, no one really keeps track of how many days I'm gone, including myself. However, if I ever actually tried to take 4 weeks of vacation, there is NO WAY I could ever reach the number of billable hours that I am supposed to hit. So if I took 4 weeks of vacation and my hours got low, they would give me a hard time about how much vacation I took. Also, I have some friends at firms that really are sweat shops and they are just entirely too busy to even think about taking that much vacation. Also, even if you are on vacation, chances are, someone will be calling you or emailing you about something anyway.
(4) Much of the work I do is very boring. No, I don't think that working in a different area of the law would be more exciting. I think it's all pretty boring.
(5) Now some things that I hate about the job are just relevant to office jobs in general, and not necessarily specific to law firms. Ever seen Office Space? Do you think that movie is a gross exaggeration of what it must be like to work in an office? It's not. I've actually hid under my desk before when I heard my boss coming so I didn't have to hear him recite Shakespeare or tell me about Greek mythology followed by him telling me I'm a philistine when I express disinterest. You can only hear that story about "the face that launched a thousand ships" so many times before it starts to get old. (In case anyone was wondering, it was Helen of Troy.) And then there was the old guy on my floor that was wearing collared shirt, tie, dress shoes, and SHORTS. When I was unfortunate enough to run into him in the kitchen and inquire about why he was wearing shorts, he said he had a skin condition on his leg and couldn't wear pants. UGH!!!!
Gross. You just can't make this stuff up. (6) There are a lot of non-billable things that you are expected to do, such as marketing event, bar luncheons, etc. These things sound like they could be fun, but not when they are cutting into your billable hour time. So then you have to make up for the billable hours you missed.
(7) I'd love to have a job where I can leave at 5:00pm or 5:30pm and not have to feel like I am sneaking out. Is that asking too much???
In general, the quality of life just isn't all that good and the pay isn't worth it.
Regardless, you still owe me a filet mignon.
I think that some people are fortunate to have found what they are meant to do so they are happy. I don't think that most people ever find that. Most people seem to be unhappy with their jobs. My mom and sister are about the only people that seem to enjoy their jobs and never complain about work at all. They are both in the airline industry....
Wow!! Thank you very much for your time and effort to share your experiences. I agree with the other poster, very funny and very informative! The areas you practice in are areas I have interest in as well, just behind aviation and space law (as you might guess). I have gotten the impression elsewhere, that some other practice areas like probate or wills & estate law are more friendly toward the QOL issues -- do you think this is true?
I'm thinking that you work in Big Law? If so, had you considered a medium, small or boutique firm after graduation? What stage of career are you in? Would you consider a lateral now to improve your circumstance (assuming for just a second that the economy cooperates)?
I'd have to say, overall, you didn't rip the legal industry nearly as badly as I first believed you would. As I'm sure you're well aware with the family members you have in the airline industry, that what you experience as stuff you don't like as an attorney, will just be traded for other stuff you don't like as a pilot (corporate, regional or major airline). Candidly, much of what you said is very similar, if not exactly the same as what we deal with as pilots, just a different venue. Just different grass, if you will.
The benefits to you moving into this arena, is that you have backup. If it works -- great! If it doesn't, it's just a financial hiccup as you move back into law. I see this as a tremendous advantage to those that haven't got another way to earn a living, and there is a lot to be said for alternatives! You didn't ask, so I'll stop dispensing now...
Thanks again for the info.
08-30-2009, 07:22 AM
#15
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Posts: 97
There are several areas of law that would allow a dual careers - law and flying. One of these areas is appeals - which is 90 percent writing, with the occasional client meeting and/or oral argument before a court of appeals.
Another area is civil litigation, believe it or not. Contrary to popular belief, 90 percent of civil litigation cases (and 90 percent of criminal cases as well) terminate in a negotiated settlement (civil) and/or plea agreement (criminal). In civil litigation, there are scant few court hearings unless there is a trial. Accordingly, the events that would mandate your physical presence in the case are depositions and client meetings - all of which can be scheduled and/or carved around flying schedules. Scheduling civil litigation events with opposing counsel is much more flexible than being at the mercy of a court setting hearings (which are much harder to move).
Now, the flexibility that I just described can almost only work if you are a solo in private practice, because the demands of law firm practice are too inflexible for flying. When you get out of law school, however, you don't know how to do anything. The best way to get to know what you're doing is by starting your career in a law firm (or a District Attorney's office, etc) where there are seasoned lawyers to teach you what to do. Once you know what you're doing, you can leave to try to start your own firm. It takes time, however, to build up a reputation (for referrals), a client base, and a staff you can rely upon to run the show while you're gone flying and/or training.
I'm a solo in private practice, but I've decided I am going to be an airline pilot as well. I'm in training to try to hit the next hiring wave in three to four years, and will continue to run my practice while I train/sit reserve, and (hopefully) someday hold a line.
I love practicing law, and love flying. I can answer any questions about the former, knowing you guys have answered many of my questions about the latter.
Another area is civil litigation, believe it or not. Contrary to popular belief, 90 percent of civil litigation cases (and 90 percent of criminal cases as well) terminate in a negotiated settlement (civil) and/or plea agreement (criminal). In civil litigation, there are scant few court hearings unless there is a trial. Accordingly, the events that would mandate your physical presence in the case are depositions and client meetings - all of which can be scheduled and/or carved around flying schedules. Scheduling civil litigation events with opposing counsel is much more flexible than being at the mercy of a court setting hearings (which are much harder to move).
Now, the flexibility that I just described can almost only work if you are a solo in private practice, because the demands of law firm practice are too inflexible for flying. When you get out of law school, however, you don't know how to do anything. The best way to get to know what you're doing is by starting your career in a law firm (or a District Attorney's office, etc) where there are seasoned lawyers to teach you what to do. Once you know what you're doing, you can leave to try to start your own firm. It takes time, however, to build up a reputation (for referrals), a client base, and a staff you can rely upon to run the show while you're gone flying and/or training.
I'm a solo in private practice, but I've decided I am going to be an airline pilot as well. I'm in training to try to hit the next hiring wave in three to four years, and will continue to run my practice while I train/sit reserve, and (hopefully) someday hold a line.
I love practicing law, and love flying. I can answer any questions about the former, knowing you guys have answered many of my questions about the latter.
08-30-2009, 08:38 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,383
Just don't get into Commercial Real Estate Law. My wife practiced that and was laid off in Feb with no jobs to be found. The actions of the artificially inflated real estate market drove her and 25 other partners to the streets last Feb! The collapse of the housing boom last year still hasn't happened yet in commercial real estate!
08-31-2009, 03:38 PM
#17
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: B737 FO
Posts: 30
Originally Posted by Counselor
There are several areas of law that would allow a dual careers - law and flying. One of these areas is appeals - which is 90 percent writing, with the occasional client meeting and/or oral argument before a court of appeals.
Another area is civil litigation, believe it or not. Contrary to popular belief, 90 percent of civil litigation cases (and 90 percent of criminal cases as well) terminate in a negotiated settlement (civil) and/or plea agreement (criminal). In civil litigation, there are scant few court hearings unless there is a trial. Accordingly, the events that would mandate your physical presence in the case are depositions and client meetings - all of which can be scheduled and/or carved around flying schedules. Scheduling civil litigation events with opposing counsel is much more flexible than being at the mercy of a court setting hearings (which are much harder to move).
Now, the flexibility that I just described can almost only work if you are a solo in private practice, because the demands of law firm practice are too inflexible for flying. When you get out of law school, however, you don't know how to do anything. The best way to get to know what you're doing is by starting your career in a law firm (or a District Attorney's office, etc) where there are seasoned lawyers to teach you what to do. Once you know what you're doing, you can leave to try to start your own firm. It takes time, however, to build up a reputation (for referrals), a client base, and a staff you can rely upon to run the show while you're gone flying and/or training.
I'm a solo in private practice, but I've decided I am going to be an airline pilot as well. I'm in training to try to hit the next hiring wave in three to four years, and will continue to run my practice while I train/sit reserve, and (hopefully) someday hold a line.
I love practicing law, and love flying. I can answer any questions about the former, knowing you guys have answered many of my questions about the latter.
Another area is civil litigation, believe it or not. Contrary to popular belief, 90 percent of civil litigation cases (and 90 percent of criminal cases as well) terminate in a negotiated settlement (civil) and/or plea agreement (criminal). In civil litigation, there are scant few court hearings unless there is a trial. Accordingly, the events that would mandate your physical presence in the case are depositions and client meetings - all of which can be scheduled and/or carved around flying schedules. Scheduling civil litigation events with opposing counsel is much more flexible than being at the mercy of a court setting hearings (which are much harder to move).
Now, the flexibility that I just described can almost only work if you are a solo in private practice, because the demands of law firm practice are too inflexible for flying. When you get out of law school, however, you don't know how to do anything. The best way to get to know what you're doing is by starting your career in a law firm (or a District Attorney's office, etc) where there are seasoned lawyers to teach you what to do. Once you know what you're doing, you can leave to try to start your own firm. It takes time, however, to build up a reputation (for referrals), a client base, and a staff you can rely upon to run the show while you're gone flying and/or training.
I'm a solo in private practice, but I've decided I am going to be an airline pilot as well. I'm in training to try to hit the next hiring wave in three to four years, and will continue to run my practice while I train/sit reserve, and (hopefully) someday hold a line.
I love practicing law, and love flying. I can answer any questions about the former, knowing you guys have answered many of my questions about the latter.
I had also not considered litigation seriously due to my perception that this type of work has sporadic and at times, concentrated levels of work to be accomplished that could not always be managed. Thank you for the correction. I also don't think I understand completely the work flow processes for appellate work -- and isn't that type of work difficult to get into?
Should I decide to gain the firm experience you suggest (which I too was planning), how much time at the firm do you think is required before I can strike out on my own? Do ethics allow your book of business to follow you to private practice?
09-01-2009, 08:57 PM
#18
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Grass is greener
Originally Posted by bryris
The problem here is that were dealing with an element of human nature. The grass is greener. We are all searching for something that makes us happy. It doesn't matter if you are sitting in a jet, or sitting at a desk, whatever is causing unhappiness lies inside of our heads.
I've seen happy pilots, happy lawyers, and happy garbage men and unhappy ones too.
The answer must lie somewhere else...
I've seen happy pilots, happy lawyers, and happy garbage men and unhappy ones too.
The answer must lie somewhere else...
It is true that most everyone gripes about their jobs. At the end of the day however some drive home in a new Mercedes and others borrow the crash pad car and sleep on the couch.
I believe that under comparison against other similar professions aviation really has it worse. However, you can't really know how good or bad you have it until you are evaluating your career from the outside.
Skyhigh
09-01-2009, 09:22 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Port of Indecision and Southwest of Disorder
Posts: 587
Positivity......
Whatever you decide just make sure when your 80 and looking back you never had to wonder, "what if?" There are a few negative people on this board and while they do have good insight at times most are not flying the line, but they are hanging around this forum.
09-02-2009, 06:04 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2008
Position: Hotel
Posts: 714
At least 80% of the pilots I flew with during my short go at the airline world told me straight up that they would get out if they could. Kids at home, crap pay, crap management, etc.
I hadn't figured out if this was just a popular thing to say or if it was really meant.
One of my passtimes is to keep a running audio journal. I've been doing it for years now, ever since 2003 anyway. I have a digital audio recorder and carry it with me most places and when the urge arises, and I have some privacy, I'll record whatever I am thinking at the time. That being said, it is interesting now that some distance has grown between me and my last flight for the airline - the nostalgia is coming back slowly - but I only need to go and listen to much of the stuff I said to put it back into perspective - things I said in my own voice WHILE I was actually doing it.
I am not saying it was horrible, but the job itself, minus the flying part, is pretty rough. The flying makes it bearable assuming there is a reasonable degree of growth and progression going on.
I hadn't figured out if this was just a popular thing to say or if it was really meant.
One of my passtimes is to keep a running audio journal. I've been doing it for years now, ever since 2003 anyway. I have a digital audio recorder and carry it with me most places and when the urge arises, and I have some privacy, I'll record whatever I am thinking at the time. That being said, it is interesting now that some distance has grown between me and my last flight for the airline - the nostalgia is coming back slowly - but I only need to go and listen to much of the stuff I said to put it back into perspective - things I said in my own voice WHILE I was actually doing it.
I am not saying it was horrible, but the job itself, minus the flying part, is pretty rough. The flying makes it bearable assuming there is a reasonable degree of growth and progression going on.
Last edited by bryris; 09-02-2009 at 06:45 AM.
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