What do you still enjoy about the job?
08-30-2011, 09:49 AM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: NU Guy
Posts: 437
Originally Posted by Ottopilot
The other day I departed Anchorage just before sunset. We made a turn to the East and I looked back towards the airport. It was a beautiful sight. We then flew over the mountains covered in snow and ice as the sun set. It was one of those moments that I was glad I don't clean toilets or sit in a cubicle for a living.
09-05-2011, 06:55 AM
#45
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
I agree !!
Originally Posted by GoPats
Jungle,
So right you are.
One of the best relevant observations I ever heard:
"We all create our own misery".
So right you are.
One of the best relevant observations I ever heard:
"We all create our own misery".
Skyhigh
09-27-2011, 02:17 AM
#46
Somewhere in Europe
Joined APC: Jan 2010
Position: A330 FO
Posts: 117
To answer the original question of the thread, I like these things about the job:
The variety of working hours (having previously worked in an office, working 9 til 5 gets tedious).
Working with different crew every trip.
Doing a job that is respected (not as much as it once was, but still ok).
Visiting so many different countries and meeting people from all over the world.
Getting to see the sun on a cloudy day.
The variety of working hours (having previously worked in an office, working 9 til 5 gets tedious).
Working with different crew every trip.
Doing a job that is respected (not as much as it once was, but still ok).
Visiting so many different countries and meeting people from all over the world.
Getting to see the sun on a cloudy day.
09-27-2011, 03:55 AM
#47
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: FO - 757/767
Posts: 1,228
Originally Posted by TonyWilliams
No direct supervision over you is nice. Plenty of jobs like that, though.
Not much to think about once you leave the plane. Rarely do you take any work home.
You can get lots of days off with enough seniority, but I doubt that will be the case in 30 years.
Not much to think about once you leave the plane. Rarely do you take any work home.
You can get lots of days off with enough seniority, but I doubt that will be the case in 30 years.
01-01-2012, 06:39 AM
#49
New Hire
Joined APC: Jan 2012
Position: 767ER-B
Posts: 5
You know KSU-Salina has a professional aviator program. ; )
What I like about the career is:
I get paid to layover on the beach in GIG, HNL, OGG, NCE, BCN,...when it's freezing back home in the RockChalk state. Once after getting sun burned on a nude beach I phoned home looking for sympathy only to find out that due to an ice storm the power had been out for a couple days.
I get to help folks fulfill their dreams every day I am at work....couples on their honeymoon, folks going to funerals, carrying businessmen and servicemen, families on their dream vacations.
I meet some of the best pilots in the world at work...skill wise, intelligence, personality, intellectually....
I've seen St. Elmo's fire, plasma lightning, the aurora borealis, Noctilucent clouds, and many other things most folks never see.
I look good in a uniform...at least that's what turns my wife on.
When I'm off work....I'm off, way off...no call, no phones, no problem. My wife is on call 24/7 with her job.
I take a dream "once in a lifetime" vacation at least once a year. I vacation better on a typical international layover than my brother ever has.
I shop during the middle of the week when the lines are short.
Sure, it was very, very hard at first. Sure, a job is what you make of it. Sure there's a lot of stress at times (physicals, training, being away from home), but it beats actually working for a living. There are many other reasons I love this career. It's not what it used to be, but that is both good and bad. I try to keep my perspective by thinking that the company only pays me for the nuisances of the job, and that I get to fly multimillion dollar airplanes for free.
There is also a great sense of satisfaction after making a perfect landing on a wet or snowy runway; or, that sense of power taking off in a 757; watching the sun come up twice in one day; jetting through wispy pink sunset clouds....
Guiness is better in Dublin. German beer is better in Germany. You get a new sense of respect when you see large predators in their natural environment. You get a better picture of life on this planet and the peoples of this planet if you travel and pay attention and quit worrying about the pettiness in your own life...and the pettiness in these forums.
I've met and flown famous and talented actors, musicians, and politicians too numerous to mention.
Although I don't always feel this way; but, when I am thinking clearly about the career as a whole, it's hard to imagine one better. Even the Richest people in the world want to make more money, have less responsibility, and enjoy more freedom. When asked how much money it would take to satisfy J. D. Rockefeller, he replied, "Just a little more." Those mental traps will never go away for any of us. Sure, I make less than I did in 2000; but, I still sleep indoors, eat too much, and have a better career than most. Doing some mission work or relief work in a third world country every few years keeps me appreciative.
One trap many pilots make is chasing the dollar. They live beyond their means and are therefore frustrated, so they bid up to higher paying positions with less seniority and more hassles. Our home is paid for. Our newest vehicle has +120,000 miles on it. Life is pretty good! And, I owe a lot of it to my career.
Sadly, the divorce rate for airline captains in my category is about 90%. The typical pilot personality is attracted to sexy gold diggers who are attracted to glamorous pilot types. That's a combination destined for disaster. Pilots then change airlines, airplanes, and operations so it makes sense to change wives while chasing the dream of personal happiness. It is phunny how many male pilots trade half of all they own plus $60,000 in attorney fees, plus half of their future earnings to be with someone younger, sexier, or more likely to stroke their ego. Good luck with that one.
What I like about the career is:
I get paid to layover on the beach in GIG, HNL, OGG, NCE, BCN,...when it's freezing back home in the RockChalk state. Once after getting sun burned on a nude beach I phoned home looking for sympathy only to find out that due to an ice storm the power had been out for a couple days.
I get to help folks fulfill their dreams every day I am at work....couples on their honeymoon, folks going to funerals, carrying businessmen and servicemen, families on their dream vacations.
I meet some of the best pilots in the world at work...skill wise, intelligence, personality, intellectually....
I've seen St. Elmo's fire, plasma lightning, the aurora borealis, Noctilucent clouds, and many other things most folks never see.
I look good in a uniform...at least that's what turns my wife on.
When I'm off work....I'm off, way off...no call, no phones, no problem. My wife is on call 24/7 with her job.
I take a dream "once in a lifetime" vacation at least once a year. I vacation better on a typical international layover than my brother ever has.
I shop during the middle of the week when the lines are short.
Sure, it was very, very hard at first. Sure, a job is what you make of it. Sure there's a lot of stress at times (physicals, training, being away from home), but it beats actually working for a living. There are many other reasons I love this career. It's not what it used to be, but that is both good and bad. I try to keep my perspective by thinking that the company only pays me for the nuisances of the job, and that I get to fly multimillion dollar airplanes for free.
There is also a great sense of satisfaction after making a perfect landing on a wet or snowy runway; or, that sense of power taking off in a 757; watching the sun come up twice in one day; jetting through wispy pink sunset clouds....
Guiness is better in Dublin. German beer is better in Germany. You get a new sense of respect when you see large predators in their natural environment. You get a better picture of life on this planet and the peoples of this planet if you travel and pay attention and quit worrying about the pettiness in your own life...and the pettiness in these forums.
I've met and flown famous and talented actors, musicians, and politicians too numerous to mention.
Although I don't always feel this way; but, when I am thinking clearly about the career as a whole, it's hard to imagine one better. Even the Richest people in the world want to make more money, have less responsibility, and enjoy more freedom. When asked how much money it would take to satisfy J. D. Rockefeller, he replied, "Just a little more." Those mental traps will never go away for any of us. Sure, I make less than I did in 2000; but, I still sleep indoors, eat too much, and have a better career than most. Doing some mission work or relief work in a third world country every few years keeps me appreciative.
One trap many pilots make is chasing the dollar. They live beyond their means and are therefore frustrated, so they bid up to higher paying positions with less seniority and more hassles. Our home is paid for. Our newest vehicle has +120,000 miles on it. Life is pretty good! And, I owe a lot of it to my career.
Sadly, the divorce rate for airline captains in my category is about 90%. The typical pilot personality is attracted to sexy gold diggers who are attracted to glamorous pilot types. That's a combination destined for disaster. Pilots then change airlines, airplanes, and operations so it makes sense to change wives while chasing the dream of personal happiness. It is phunny how many male pilots trade half of all they own plus $60,000 in attorney fees, plus half of their future earnings to be with someone younger, sexier, or more likely to stroke their ego. Good luck with that one.
Last edited by DavidCYWPilot; 01-01-2012 at 07:47 AM. Reason: more thoughts
01-01-2012, 09:27 AM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Capt
Posts: 3,215
I really appreciate having a paid ticket when I commute. Also, that I often get upgraded to better than economy (or at least get exit row seats) a lot of the time. And, that all our international airline segments are business or first class. Being able to stay and eat, in the business class lounges are nice. The frequent flyer miles, and the family travel, are nice so that my family often travels without paying full fares on airlines.
I like getting to go to new places pretty frequently, and for travelling to all parts of the world, meeting new people, and seeing the interesting stuff overseas.
I like that my company is (relatively) stable and the paycheck is good (and that I get paid on time, or early, EVERY check!).
I enjoy flying in a glass cockpit aircraft, with normally 3-4 crew or more-sharing the workload makes it all a lot easier.
I am glad that we have bunks in the back so we get rest better on the longer legs.
I am glad that I have a decent job, and can help provide for my family-with so many out of work, having to work longer for less money, losing their homes, declaring bankruptcy, etc., it is really nice that we have avoided any of that so far.
cliff
YYZ
I like getting to go to new places pretty frequently, and for travelling to all parts of the world, meeting new people, and seeing the interesting stuff overseas.
I like that my company is (relatively) stable and the paycheck is good (and that I get paid on time, or early, EVERY check!).
I enjoy flying in a glass cockpit aircraft, with normally 3-4 crew or more-sharing the workload makes it all a lot easier.
I am glad that we have bunks in the back so we get rest better on the longer legs.
I am glad that I have a decent job, and can help provide for my family-with so many out of work, having to work longer for less money, losing their homes, declaring bankruptcy, etc., it is really nice that we have avoided any of that so far.
cliff
YYZ
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