SkyHigh

Captain Sullenberger made several comments in his article that I would like to highlight:

Sullenberger is uncharacteristically worried. He's worried that when it comes to the bank of experience for airline pilots, there may someday be a significant shortage.

He goes on to suggest that the reduction in percentage of military pilots means that the industry is at risk since of course military pilots are the best. Everyone likes to think that their background is the best way to become an airline pilot. I personally think that everyone should have bush pilot experience. In his case I bet that others might think that everyone should have a glider background.

My guess is that military pilots are increasingly choosing to make the military their entire aviation career and do not necessarily move on to the airlines upon retirement.

Here is another one from Capt. James Ray of the U.S. Airline Pilots Association. "Twenty years ago, the average airline pilot would maybe work, oh, 70 to 80 hours, about three times a month. Now, that pilot's working 70 to 80 hours every week".

Sully stated:

"I know some of our pilots, who have been laid off, have chosen not to return," Sullenberger said. "I can speak personally, for me and my family, that my decision to remain in this profession that I love has come at a cost to me and my family."

I agree; Pilots today have to work too much. When you add post 911 complications to commuting the results are a significant loss in the amount of quality time at home. In addition, in order to make a living many pilots choose to sell their vacations and days off to the company to supplement their income.

Here is my favorite from Sully.

"I don't know a single professional pilot who would recommend that their children follow in their footsteps"

Someone posted on the closed site that an estimate of Sullys income was around $108,000 before taxes and expenses. After four decades of sacrifice and effort 108K is not nearly enough from my perspective. US Air pilots in the early 1980's made between three and four times more then they do now.

The last Sully thread was closed because it was supposedly off topic. I don't think it was at all. Captain Sullenberger was voicing a protest on the Today show. He is right that the profession has lost a lot and he wants everyone to know it. I share in that mission. However, I do not think that there is anything that can be done other than to accept the fate of our profession and strive to adapt to it or get out.

Skyhigh

ewrbasedpilot

Wow........I'd really have to disagree with him on that statement. I've flown in both the military and civilian and seen incredibly talented pilots from both sides. I've seen some incredibly horrible pilots from both sides too. The military is not for everyone, and neither is flying, but to say one is better than the other is not right in my opinion. Some pilots just take more pride in what they do, and therefore they always seem to be better at what they do. It's that way in every profession. The military now requires a ten year commitment after pilot training, so by the time your "dues are up", you've got almost 11 years spent in a profession that requires only 20 to receive a nice pension. Hard to give up such a good chunk of change at that point. (Hence the Reserves and Guard get a LOT of separated pilots who want to keep the bennies and retirement in the equation). I do agree that we spend a lot more time on the job for the pay. Some trips of 12 or 13 hours of flying require being on the road for three or four days.........with sits at the airport (airport appreciation time as we affectively call it) of five or six hours for 1.2 hours of block time. That is unproductive and ridiculous in my book. This profession is hard on the family life, and even hard when you don't have a family. It's just not the fun it used to be. Don't get me wrong........I love my job and the folks I work with, but there's a lot of extraneous BS that comes with it (TSA for example), and that has taken the wind out of the sail so to speak. If I did have kids, I'd let them follow their hearts desire. If they wanted to be in my profession, I'd let them. Why dash their dreams? This is an incredible job............it just has a lot of pitfalls right now.

SkyHigh

As a father of soon to be five sons my position is to provide leadership and guidance in regards to their chosen careers. In my current profession I work with college kids a lot. I always ask them what they are studying. Most of the time it is something fun that really will not translate into a job in the end. I get a lot of answers like; exercise science, english, art history ect...

College is supposed to be fun however if I am supporting the endeavor then it will be towards something of value like; engineering, accounting or medicine. I am buying something other than just a four year party for my kids. I hope to secure for them the means of supporting themselves and to build into them a work ethic.

I am with Sully in regards to recommending an airline career for my kids.

Skyhigh

Roll Inverted and Pull

"I am with Sully in regards to recommending an airline career for my kids."
Sky High


Imagine that.....he isn`t recommending an airline career....who woudda thunk it!

de727ups

I wouldn't recommend aviation to my kid, either, because the only reason he has an interest in flying is because he see's what a great job I have. That's the wrong way to look at it.

People should get into flying because they love flying. It can be a great career for those who can put up with the downside. Of course, it's easy to be critical of the career at the moment with the economy and age 65. Who knows what the future will bring.

Skyhigh, you even said that yourself.

Here's some good Skyhigh quotes from the past:

"No one can really say what will happen".... Skyhigh 5/20/08

"I have no issue with those of you who advance knowingly into this profession." Skyhigh 6/7/08

"I am not trying to stop a true believer from joining the ranks" Skyhigh 9/18/08

"I am not trying to criticize anyone. Just trying to get people to think about a few things." Skyhigh 12/26/08

and lastly, one of my favorites

"Everything that you need to know about flying can be gotten from watching a few King tapes." Skyhigh 12/02/2008

I wonder what Sully would think about that one......

TheSultanofScud

Like Rick James used to sing: Colllllld Bloooooded.

767pilot

Where was this article that the thread refers to?

hiredgun

Those lines are priceless! Just ordered my King tapes to watch on international layovers in case I missed something along the way. Jack Handy is alive and he's on Airline Central Forums.

chuckyt1

Capt. Sully Worried About Airline Industry, CBS Evening News: Flight 1549 Pilot Exclusively Tells Katie Couric His Fear About Future Pilots - CBS News

Notice, if you will, the part about the lack of military pilots seems not to be attributed to Sully...

Sideshow Bob

LMAO...

And that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to priceless/clueless Skyhigh lines. For someone running around handing out cyanide to anyone who even contemplates thinking about aviation he sure spends a lot of time around those actually doing it who didn't give up...

Real estate or assisted suicide suicide sales must not be going so well.

Very strange.