what do you mean by this

That's a broad definition that will vary for a lot of people Sky. You simply CANNOT define this for everyone. Your definition of success is NOT the same as everyone else's. You have a grudge against aviation. We all get that. We understand why. But why do you constantly attempt to get people to leave aviation? Do you do the same for other fields? Do you tell the guy behind the coffee shop counter that he is unhappy & needs a new job because he doesn't make enough? Or what about the doctor that works 70 hours a week an rarely sees his/her children? Do you tell them they need to get a different job?

What defines happiness & success in life is different for everyone. That's something you need to understand.

I do understand that.
 

Johnso29,

I believe that most people share the same basic hierarchy of needs. We all need access to the same things in regards to overall happiness and feelings of success in life. My position is that it is possible but not probable for the average person to obtain the basic elements required for a happy life as a pilot.

A lot of the time it seems to me pilots let the years go by without calculating the opportunity cost for themselves only to realize later that they have blown their best years on a dead end. I saw a lot of miserable pilots wondering how they got to that point in there lives. Trying to make amends without much effect.

My aim is to get some to stop and do the math for themselves. I have many converts here and am credited with averting many career mistakes on APC. Aviation wages a high cost to the average lifestyle. Young people commonly do not think about the consequences of an unorthodox lifestyle. They are making decisions when they are young and impressionable that will effect them for decades down the road.

Lastly I write from the perspective of a new career entrant. I don't try to get everyone to leave aviation. If someone already has a good job at a legacy airline then that is all fine and good. I would not dream of suggesting a change. However if you have a few decades ahead in the profession I would put some thought into a second career now. You never know when you are going to need it.

I could go into greater detail on this subject but I bet that you are not all that interested.

Skyhigh

Being a street cop is great, but if I was a kid today and had any desire to be a cop I would go to college and then go into federal police of some kind DEA/FBI/ATF/Secret service/State dept./Ins/Border patrol/Etc... Good money, benefits and way better job security than the somewhat secure municipal cop.

I think success and happiness are a fine balance that is often easy to lose sight of. IMO working 70 hours a week to make an upper tax bracket is a waste of time. When you beat your kids out the door and miss tucking them in that IMO is not successful.(This is a general statement & not intended to reflect you)

That being said, I can see your reasoning for trying to shine light on people new to the airline career. There are more dead ends then open doors right now. The number of US nationals obtaining commercial certificates & higher has dropped dramatically. The payoff is next to non existent right now.

Thanks for the explanation. Hope all is well with your business & family. :)
We have a boy scheduled to join us in December. :)

Congratulations !!
 

Johnso29,

You were able to enjoy a brief window of opportunity in aviation. Most of the rest of us have not been so lucky. I believe that my experience is representative of the majority and it is not fun, satisfying or financially rewarding. When the door is closed there is nothing you can do to change it. The days of your life go by while you helplessly sit on the outside watching your chances slowly die.

Congratulations on your baby. Best wishes to you and to your family.

Skyhigh

This is what my fiancee is doing. Went to college for a degree in Criminal Justice was just hired by ATL PD and looks to go into the FBI in the future. I worry night and day about how she will be and how she will change once she sees what people are really like out on the streets. Like myself it's what she want's and will not change her mind just like I wan't to fly.

It's very rough; making an entrance into a fire is a common every day theme and doesn't even daunt my father or the other guys he works with. It's just part of the job. I'd like to say I could do it and wish I had the opportunity only to get a view point into his life, but the honest truth is I don't think I could do it for 30 plus years.

I would think that the FBI would be a lot less dangerous than an Atlanta street cop, so her going FBI may be a good choice. As for your dad you might want to ask him if you can ride with his fire company for a day, you will enjoy the guys and maybe get a bit of a different perspective of you dad!

Ya I can't wait for her to get off the streets. Max pay with no promotion is only $55K. FBI will be safer and a lot better paying. Should help ease us into my crap flying pay when that day comes.

I used to go to work with my dad all the time when I was younger. It was quite a wake up call and a lot of good stories to tell the suburb kids I went to school with. Was tough because my dad made me go on every call no matter what time it was.