Rnav

[PHP]I seldom see pilots leaving aviation to be police officers or firefighters or steel workers or other jobs, but I see a lot of people leaving those professions to be pilots.[/PHP]

I have met a couple who have gone from aviation to police work. This included military pilots and airline pilots transitioning to police work. I think its a smooth transition since both jobs involve high stress situations... Just an observation.

but forget being pilots, all cops want to be firefighters! LOL

SkyHigh

I instruct a bit and have had a few brushes with local corporate jobs over the years. Occasionally I get to sit right seat in a kingair. Outside of that it has been a long while since I had to earn a living as a pilot.

Skyhigh

SkyHigh

You have to take the whole situation into consideration including QOL and the amount of control one has over their life. I would argue that plenty of common professions might stink but offer access to having a better life. It is about making the choice to endure a passionless profession so that you can have a home, family and security over forsaking all else to make it to the top of aviation.

Skyhigh

JohnBurke

Therein lies the difference between thee and we.

You see it as having to earn a living as a pilot. Most of us see it as a great opportunity, a privilege, a job we've earned and wear well, and one with a great deal of upward mobility, to say nothing of exceeding job satisfaction.

Your language is telling. You "had" to make a living as a pilot. Most of us get to. Big difference. Even when you were making a failing feeble attempt, it was a burden to you.

The day it becomes a burden to me, I'll quit. I don't foresee that happening any time in the near future.

Really? I enjoy 6 months of free time a year, minimum. I'm home nearly every night (presently every night). I'm typing this from my own bed, lying next to my wife, who'd happily typing on her ipad. There's little traffic in our quiet neighborhood, and no street lights. We can see the starts. We have wildlife around the house. It's idyllic. How many professions have six months or more off a year?

This profession doesn't "stink." That you might think so doesn't change a thing. You never made it. You're a walking case of sour grapes; the missionary of misery. Your view on what the industry is really doesn't count for much as you haven't much credibility or a leg up on which to stand. It's a great job, and a great career. That you might think or profess otherwise does not alter the job or the desirability thereof.

Passionless profession? I've been doing this job a long time; a lot longer than you attempted to do, and have seen a little bit more of the industry than you. There's seldom a day I go to work or look out a cockpit window, or stand in a hangar with a wrench in my hand, or any other assignment in this business when I don't reflect on how thankful I am to be able to do this job. I do that because I remember how badly I wanted to do this job when I was a kid without the two proverbial nickels to rub together. Now I'm living the dream, and more passionate about what I do than I ever was as a dreamer looking skyward. I have no regrets.

Security is an illusion in any profession, but I have a family, a home, transport, and a full pantry. I haven't forsaken anything to be able to do this job.

You posted at length about your in depth knowledge of the fire industry and how those flying in it had to forsake everything, had no families, lived in one-bedroom apartments and couldn't support a house-plant, but that was all untrue, just as all your other lamentations about the industry. Regardless of whether it's the airlines or corporate or utility flying, you really don't know anything about the industry, and your cries and whines and claims are untrue, borne of ignorance from beginning to end. You entered the industry unknowing and ignorant as you've often said, and exited it the same way, never having known where you were going or how to get there. In the mean while, your peers surpassed you and went on to success, and continue to do so every day. We're all still here working for a living (and loving it), after all, while you expend so much energy to tear down the industry you never knew.

Isn't it time to give it a rest and live your walter-mitty james bond lifestyle as a king in your chosen profession? Nobody believes you, because as we live our lives in this profession, we know better.

Enough, already.