No one is stopping you. I mean someone has to get up at 3:00AM to fly them. My point is that wages and benefits are not in congress with the sacrifices it takes to get the job and to do it. Most pilots are getting the same raw deal that I got however they keep coming back for more. I wanted something more from my life than crash pads, airport couches and top ramen.

I too was prepared to get up early and to be gone a lot but not for mailman wages.

Skyhigh

Don't forget that you can also be killed as an aerial applicator. The hazards of the job should not be overlooked. You should be paid very well for taking the risks that you do.

Skyhigh

I completely agree with this (bolded) point. But nonetheless, quitting the career isn't going to make things better (you know, the whole "there's someone out there who will fly it if you don't"). I wonder if you have considered becoming a lobbyist for pilot wages and QOL. You seem to have a little bit of time on your hands, why not use it to help correct what's wrong?

That is what I do here everyday. Untill pilots stop showing up to work for nothing there is no hope. My aim is to try and raise your expectations to a point where you will not accept a life of peanut butter sandwiches and crash pads.

All pilots should get paid a livable salary and have enough time at home to have a life. We can not make laws to change this. Pilots need to change.

Skyhigh

You know as well as I do that is never going to happen. If U.S. pilots stop showing up, I expect cabotage will take full effect and then we will really be screwed.

BTW, I happen to like peanut butter sandwiches

I like peanut butter sandwiches too but it stinks to be forced to live on them.

As a profession we really are hosed. Automated planes are easy to fly and people are still willing to blow a fortune in hopes of making 30K a year as a pilot one day. There just is no incentive for companies to pay more.

I hope that you have a solid plan "B" figured out because one day you might want to have an actual life.

Skyhigh

Face it Sky, you gave up on your dream. If it had worked out for you, you'd be singing a different tune right now. Perhaps one day you will come to the realization that aviation is not all doom and gloom. I know it pains you to admit otherwise but i have faith that you will, one day, see the light. Keep up the good fight.

Those people that are willing to blow a fortune on their training are fools at best. There are those of us that did our research and were able to keep our training costs down to a more manageable level.

As for a plan "B," it's currently in the works. I am, ironically enough, working part-time and making more than I was at the regionals

No it is not all gloom and doom, however it depends upon what you want. My guess is that aviation jobs will be easier to get in the future because most will not want to do them anymore. Therefore if what you want is merely to fly a jetliner then you are in luck however your mailman will live better.

The main issue is the overall decay of the profession at all levels. It would have been nice to have reached my goals however in time I expect to look back to realize what a blessing it was to get laid off when I did.

I did not give up on my dream. Mine always was to be a well rewarded and respected professional who was able to live a life of their own choosing and in those regards I am still on that path. If anything aviation was a hindrance to my goals. What is your dream?

Skyhigh

No matter how you figure it flight training is still hugely expensive and getting more so all the time. A mailman only has to take a civil service test to get his/her job.

Now it seems as though an aviation degree will become the norm at the regionals. Add another 100K to the pile.

Skyhigh