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Old 05-24-2007, 07:46 AM
  #31  
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Default A hobby

Originally Posted by FlyingCheap View Post
Maybe I've read too many posts on APC to remember, but why is it again that you hang out here so much SkyHigh? I mean, I used to work in consulting and I wasn't happy, but I don't hang outside my old office building telling my ex-coworkers that they would understand how miserable their lives were if they just took the time to reflect on their sacrifices.

On the other hand, if all this negativity is just to get people to drop out of flying so that we can have a real pilot shortage, then more power to you! I'm with you brother ... I can feel my seniority climbing right now
Writing on this forum is a hobby of mine. I spent so many years as a pilot that it doesn't go away overnight. This is a topic that I am passionate about and feel that I have something to add.

I don't see my views as negative. To a smoker an ad campaign to reduce smoking in teens might seem to be negative. My points are not negative just in opposition to most here.

SkyHigh
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Old 05-24-2007, 08:05 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by KoruPilot View Post
Well said 80kts.

What I suspect with some people who are holding a very negative attitude is that they want a job within 30 minutes of where they currently live, starting at $100K a year. Your expectations have to be realistic to start with (yes, even with good time you'll have to 'start over' to some extent), however, I still don't know how with that kind of time one couldn't find a reasonable job in a city that they were happy with. I have a good job, but I keep in touch with friends flying in different places, and I keep in touch with a contract company I have a relationship with. They called me the other day to see if I was interested in a position that came up. They called me even though I am short on time on the type they had the position on; the reason being I keep up good relations and have made pretty reasonable career decisions along the way. They also do not have many other options to fill the position.

I didn't have anywhere near 11500 hours when I was hired onto a 777 mate. I worked my but off to get the job though. I'd say just keep trying but I fear any possitive statement would fall on deaf, defeated ears, which sucks 'cause with the time and the right attitude you could be doing very well in 12-18 months. But that's just my opinion.
I agree with what you said. Part of SkyHighs problem is he's going after just Alaska. I have almost 3000 121 PIC, check airmen, 4 yr, grew up in NW, recommendations, and flying 737s currently. Do you think I've ever been called for an interview there? Heck no. Meanwhile friends flying 1900s are getting hired there left and right. Don't get me wrong I still think Alaska is a great place, but at some point you just have to say f@#* Alaska and move on. There are other good jobs out there.
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Old 05-24-2007, 08:23 AM
  #33  
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SkyHigh,
I didn't mean to make it sound like you shouldn't keep after Alaska. If you want back into aviation though there are other airlines out there. I made the terrible mistake of focusing on Alaska for four years and it cost me four years of seniority. Am I bitter? Of course I am.
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Old 05-24-2007, 02:51 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by SkyHigh View Post
Writing on this forum is a hobby of mine. I spent so many years as a pilot that it doesn't go away overnight. This is a topic that I am passionate about and feel that I have something to add.

I don't see my views as negative. To a smoker an ad campaign to reduce smoking in teens might seem to be negative. My points are not negative just in opposition to most here.

SkyHigh

Amen brother! You heard it here kids. Smoking is bad for you and so is flying. Drop out before it's too late!

I think I just went up a few more seniority notches.


Just funning with you Sky Everyone's opinion counts
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Old 05-25-2007, 04:54 AM
  #35  
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WHAT pilot shortage? They're still accepting low-paying regional and start-up jobs, right? There is NO shortage.
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Old 05-25-2007, 10:05 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by FlyingCheap View Post
Amen brother! You heard it here kids. Smoking is bad for you and so is flying. Drop out before it's too late!

I think I just went up a few more seniority notches.


Just funning with you Sky Everyone's opinion counts
A blast from the past:

Tune In

Turn On

Drop Out

(especially if you work for a major or are senior to me!)
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Old 05-25-2007, 10:39 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by HPilot View Post
SkyHigh,
I didn't mean to make it sound like you shouldn't keep after Alaska. If you want back into aviation though there are other airlines out there. I made the terrible mistake of focusing on Alaska for four years and it cost me four years of seniority. Am I bitter? Of course I am.
You are right I should have bailed on my Alaska Airlines dreams a decade ago. However, my dream always was to be not just any airline pilot but an Alaska Airlines pilot. Being a former alaskan bush pilot and after growing up in the Seattle area there is no other company in my eyes. No better life than to fly up and down the west coast. ANC one night and Mexico the next.

Had I known that it was going to be this hard to get hired at a po dunk northwest company I never would have taken lesson one. I have well placed friends acorss the country who have offered to help at many of the finer companies. In the last two years I have been called up for interviews at some of the flex jet operators and a few regionals, however unless I can see a way it can help me with my quest I have no interest.

Lets face it the life of an airline pilot is difficult. Pay is not what it use to be. Work rules are harsh and I don't believe that the future be any better at all. To add on top of all that having to live someplace away from everything you value in life it just isn't worth it. Flying is great but in the end it is just a job. It isn't worth throwing my or my families life away over.

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Old 05-25-2007, 07:27 PM
  #38  
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Lets face it the life of an airline pilot is difficult. Pay is not what it use to be. Work rules are harsh and I don't believe that the future be any better at all. To add on top of all that having to live someplace away from everything you value in life it just isn't worth it. Flying is great but in the end it is just a job. It isn't worth throwing my or my families life away over.

SKyHigh[/quote]

AMEN Who gives a flying *&%# what you fly, pay your bills, grab a birdie, love your kids, say your prayers, grab some sleep....
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Old 05-25-2007, 08:15 PM
  #39  
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Sure the is a shortage and thats why guys are going to work for skybus for bread and water. And those of you that hope there will be a shortage just sounds like wishful thinking to me, the only hope alot of you got right now. Im just a long time flight instructor and the instructors that work here arent able to get jobs with only multi comm., but its a hell of a lot more easy then it used to be. im not saying people arent though but they had something special to get that interview.

I do think there is going to be a shortage in many other countries though especialy china. i instructed the chinese for a while an i can tell you i will never take a ride on a chinese airline. those guys are terrible and thats no joke.
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Old 05-25-2007, 09:10 PM
  #40  
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Hi!

No shortage? Then why would a regional hire a guy without interviewing him, and they knew didn't have a commercial license yet? When I applied to the regionals the first time, I had my ATP-MEL, and I got a letter saying I didn't meet the minimums.

Why would an intn't airline offer a guy 777 captain off the street when they knew the guy had no widebody and no oceanic experience? Previously, this airline only hired capts off the street that were type-rated and had experience.

cliff
YIP
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