What to look forward to?
11-20-2009 | 11:44 AM
#81
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
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From: Corporate Pilot
11-20-2009 | 11:45 AM
#82
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
Likes: 0
From: Corporate Pilot
UAV's not ready for commercial planes yet
Apparently UAV technology is not quite ready for the US commercial market just yet.
FAA chief: Unmanned aircraft not ready for routine U.S. use
Just think, one day maybe pilots can work from home !!
Skyhigh
FAA chief: Unmanned aircraft not ready for routine U.S. use
Just think, one day maybe pilots can work from home !!
Skyhigh
11-20-2009 | 11:48 AM
#83
Banned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Furlough/Gun Driver
Only way to get rid of this archaic requirement is to have all brand name flying, whether it be UAL, DAL, NWA, or AA be flown by respective airline pilots. There would be no regional airlines because all pilots flying under a particular flag will be under that seniority list.
11-20-2009 | 12:06 PM
#84
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
From: Hotel
I really don't know what there is to look forward to anymore honestly. Maybe just a few pipe dreams. Maybe ask the Midwest pilots what they have to look forward to?
As I watch my own company grow and consume, I watch my career expectations dwindle too. Sure would have been nice to be flying for Continental right now, but you can't control the hand you are dealt. Its all timing, good and bad. I seem to have caught things in the middle.
Unforunately, the future doesn't look very bright. Just look at the last 10 years, wages and working conditions have gone nowhere but backwards. There's no predicting the next 10 years in this industry, but one thing I've discovered is that spending so much time away from my wife is only going to get harder when we have our first child.
I've recently gone back to school and I'm hoping to make a career change out of this industry. Like Skyhigh, I think I'm coming to the realization that the sacrifices to fly metal just aren't worth the reward.
As I watch my own company grow and consume, I watch my career expectations dwindle too. Sure would have been nice to be flying for Continental right now, but you can't control the hand you are dealt. Its all timing, good and bad. I seem to have caught things in the middle.
Unforunately, the future doesn't look very bright. Just look at the last 10 years, wages and working conditions have gone nowhere but backwards. There's no predicting the next 10 years in this industry, but one thing I've discovered is that spending so much time away from my wife is only going to get harder when we have our first child.
I've recently gone back to school and I'm hoping to make a career change out of this industry. Like Skyhigh, I think I'm coming to the realization that the sacrifices to fly metal just aren't worth the reward.
However, during my time as a regional pilot, I contemplated what life would be like on the road with little ones at home. My bro and his wife had their first kid in Dec 2007 while I was still thriving at the airline. I believe this is what spurred my thoughts on the likely lifestyle conflict.
Once I resigned in the face of the upcoming displacement/furlough, I made a pact with myself to utilize the downturn to get come professional credentials outside aviation and to have my first child - outside aviation.
I believe that there is more discomfort in the path of being a professional (commuting, especially, as I did) pilot while having your first child, to be tugged away from home by crew scheduling only to strap a jet to your ass that will haul you away from your kids at .80 the speed of sound, as compared to having the first child while at home every night and weekend, working in close proximity, etc - then deciding to go back to the airlines. I am not sure I had the ability to successfully judge what my feelings towards my wife and newborn child would be in the face of the airline lifestyle.
I am still hoping to break back into the cockpit when a good opportunity avails itself - if ever again - but one thing is for sure, kid #1 is coming out while I am NOT a professional pilot. I want to enjoy that up close and personal. You can't get that back once the opportunity has passed.
11-20-2009 | 01:00 PM
#86
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 0
From: G550 Captain
Apparently UAV technology is not quite ready for the US commercial market just yet.
FAA chief: Unmanned aircraft not ready for routine U.S. use
Just think, one day maybe pilots can work from home !!
Skyhigh
FAA chief: Unmanned aircraft not ready for routine U.S. use
Just think, one day maybe pilots can work from home !!
Skyhigh
11-20-2009 | 02:00 PM
#87
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
Likes: 0
From: Corporate Pilot
Family Time
When I resigned from my last regional position, I went back to school as well and have thoroughly enjoyed the last 11 months in the pursuit of higher education. I'll be done with the program I am doing the first week of Feb. Then it'll be time to face the real world again and only time will tell what my true sanity level will settle in at as I work again in a non aviation field.
However, during my time as a regional pilot, I contemplated what life would be like on the road with little ones at home. My bro and his wife had their first kid in Dec 2007 while I was still thriving at the airline. I believe this is what spurred my thoughts on the likely lifestyle conflict.
Once I resigned in the face of the upcoming displacement/furlough, I made a pact with myself to utilize the downturn to get come professional credentials outside aviation and to have my first child - outside aviation.
I believe that there is more discomfort in the path of being a professional (commuting, especially, as I did) pilot while having your first child, to be tugged away from home by crew scheduling only to strap a jet to your ass that will haul you away from your kids at .80 the speed of sound, as compared to having the first child while at home every night and weekend, working in close proximity, etc - then deciding to go back to the airlines. I am not sure I had the ability to successfully judge what my feelings towards my wife and newborn child would be in the face of the airline lifestyle.
I am still hoping to break back into the cockpit when a good opportunity avails itself - if ever again - but one thing is for sure, kid #1 is coming out while I am NOT a professional pilot. I want to enjoy that up close and personal. You can't get that back once the opportunity has passed.
However, during my time as a regional pilot, I contemplated what life would be like on the road with little ones at home. My bro and his wife had their first kid in Dec 2007 while I was still thriving at the airline. I believe this is what spurred my thoughts on the likely lifestyle conflict.
Once I resigned in the face of the upcoming displacement/furlough, I made a pact with myself to utilize the downturn to get come professional credentials outside aviation and to have my first child - outside aviation.
I believe that there is more discomfort in the path of being a professional (commuting, especially, as I did) pilot while having your first child, to be tugged away from home by crew scheduling only to strap a jet to your ass that will haul you away from your kids at .80 the speed of sound, as compared to having the first child while at home every night and weekend, working in close proximity, etc - then deciding to go back to the airlines. I am not sure I had the ability to successfully judge what my feelings towards my wife and newborn child would be in the face of the airline lifestyle.
I am still hoping to break back into the cockpit when a good opportunity avails itself - if ever again - but one thing is for sure, kid #1 is coming out while I am NOT a professional pilot. I want to enjoy that up close and personal. You can't get that back once the opportunity has passed.
Skyhigh
11-22-2009 | 11:43 PM
#88
New Hire
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
In 10 years?
In 10 years the airlines are going to look a whole lot different. Most airline pilots will be working in different fields or unemployed. The economy will be in such a sorry state that most people will not be able to afford a ticket. Only the wealthy few will fly and hence the majority of airlines will not still be in business.
11-23-2009 | 12:04 AM
#89
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 0
From: Self employed
In 10 years the airlines are going to look a whole lot different. Most airline pilots will be working in different fields or unemployed. The economy will be in such a sorry state that most people will not be able to afford a ticket. Only the wealthy few will fly and hence the majority of airlines will not still be in business.
Thanks for the "Debbie Downer" first post. Welcome aboard.
11-23-2009 | 07:13 AM
#90
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
In 10 years the airlines are going to look a whole lot different. Most airline pilots will be working in different fields or unemployed. The economy will be in such a sorry state that most people will not be able to afford a ticket. Only the wealthy few will fly and hence the majority of airlines will not still be in business.
Thats exactly right. Except change 10 years to 2 years, and change unemployed, to people's heads will explode.
I didn't know the title of this thread was: "What is the most depressing prediction you can come up with?"
Geez dude, lighten up a bit.
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