SkyHigh

Brianb,

My point is that aviation is not a viable or worthy risk from a financial perspective nor does it offer the best opportunities for an outside life anymore. Any career has the implied obligation of providing a return that is worthy of the sacrifices it takes to get there.

People should know what they are getting into. They should be told that the trend is for continued decline in pay and working conditions. I became a pilot so that I could live a better life, earn more and have more time off. To be treated with the respect that my sacrifices and skills warrant.

Aviation is becoming a working hobby job that can not support itself. The economic cave in will bring a lot of reality back to career choices.

Skyhigh

SkyHigh

I am just here posting my views of the industry for better or worse. Love it, hate it or just leave me alone. This forum is a hobby for me. I believe that some here appreciate hearing a different perspective.

Skyhigh

NTT5418

I love that people post their opinions on the industry. This forum is where I got all my "non flight school biased " views on the industry. I think if people would read through this before they decided to go into aviation, they will be more informed on what it is like beforehand. I commend people like you sky... you tell it like it is, no glitter, no bs. I don't think your goal is to discourage people from going into aviation, just to inform them.

NTT5418

I'm sorry... i think my post came out wrong. I'm not casting any stones, I've done my fair share of criticizing people. I only went through my ppl before I decided it just wasn't for me. I contact my old Cfi's now only to hear that they got furloughed from their regional, couldn't find another instructing job, and are now working at home Depot. That really bothers me.

Learflyer

I've said this before in other threads. If you go to a State Police forum, Plumber's forum, or truck driver forum, the same things are being said about their particular industry they're in. It's hysterical. I guess there are NO perfect jobs out there?

Ski Patrol

Wow the chosen comparison speaks volumes in and of itself.....& the time/$ investment is not even close to that of an educated pilot.

Learflyer

Ok. add in a few of your own then. How's about Lawyer/Doctor/Engineer then? The biggest ***** fest I saw was on a Physicians Assistant message board.

SkyHigh

Every industry I am sure develops a case of tunnel vision. Longshoreman who make over 120K with only a high school diploma still think they need to strike.

Early on I started to notice a diffidence in how my friends were able to live who were not pilots. They were getting married, buying houses and starting families while I was still living like a college student long after graduation.

As pilots we can start to think that 40K is a good living when plumbers and mailmen are doing better. It is natural to loose perspective. As pilots we do not earn what we should while others earn too much but think they need more.

It is a good idea to take a good look around at other careers once in a while and take a realistic measure of how you are doing.

Skyhigh

wrxpilot

I've seen the same on engineering forums, and the same on my girlfriend's firefighter/paramedic forums.

GoPats

Lear,

I don't think anybody on this forum has ever suggested that there're no gripes in any other career field, blue or white collar. However, you need to view everything through a more relative than absolute prism.
Sure, people in the medical field complain but what are they complaining about and what is their argument's point of reference?

And yeah, the economy is still dragging right now and several fields are treading water. However, just about every field will bounce back (salary, conditions, QOL) when the recession is truly over. Will aviation? Do you really believe that airlines (especially the regionals and LCCs) will give out significant raises and impoved schedules? If you want a good illustration just stay focused on AMR over the next few months. Wait and see what "they" do to that union and those people's lives in BK court.