SkyHigh

My premise is that the gold ring of having a traditional stable and fruitful career in aviation is becoming a thing of legend. Most will end up empty handed and in debt. My aim is to try and educate people of the negative side of a career in aviation. Try reading some of my posts over the past year or so.

SkyHigh

Indy refugee

Actually, attitude more than effort. I've had several opportunities to 'hang it up', but I resisted. I've always been happy with my choice.

SkyHigh

A positive attitude can help a lot however it has its limits. As with everything in life at some point a rational decision must be made. Perhaps in time you will reflect back on your decision to stay as emotionally based and wish you had done something else?

SKyHigh

Hornet Pilot

So how about some negatives of being a pilot? The only consistent negative I see is the potential for job insecurity. The job itself seems great, although like any job there are things that some people don’t like. As for the job insecurity, I am sure that there are a lot of FEDEX/SWA guys out there who will tell you to not worry about it. Kind of makes you want to go work with them.

RedeyeAV8r

Any FedEx or SWA or UPS pilot that tells you we are immune to Instability................is smokin crack.or at least they should be tested.

In the profesional Pilot Field..(Even in the Military)..........There is No job security.

They are all Great places to work..........and currently are the only Big boys hiring........well I forgot CAL.

At one time........Pan AM and TWA were the best places to work......Eastern too. Continental was the place in the early 70's...............that changed for over 20 years........but CAL is a good place again. United and Delta were the place in the Late 90's early 2000 (prior 9/11). It is all timing ( lots of luck)where you end up on the list when the down turn comes.

It is quite possible FedEx, UPS and SWA will all see stagnation and possible even negative growth at some point in the future. Always keep that in mind..............United, DAL and NWA will turn around and some time in the future be a good place to work again.

That being said, If being a Pilot is your dream........do not hesistate to send in an APP. When your on the Wave.......Ride it!! Good Luck

RedeyeAV8r

Negatives of being a Pilot

1. You hit it Job security. Lay-offs, Bankruptcies, Mergers, out-sourcing and Contract Negotiations.

2. Time away from Home. You will spend 6 months per year (2-15 days at a time) away from your family. Better than 6 month or 1 year at a shot like the Military,

3. Commuting..........it sux but is often necessary.

4. Sleep deprivation. Night Freight Flying Sux for me anyway
Intl trips can be cool, but Sleep deprovation is bad.

5. Most former Military pilots were Leaders of some sort.
Some of them have trouble adjusting to the fact that Airline Pilots are "Blue Collar Workers" and are mere Pawns in the eyes of MGT.

Hornet Pilot

The Navy is great for job security in that you know that you are going to get a paycheck, and you company ain’t going to go bankrupt. That’s about it.
The time away from home is a killer. In the first 1½ years in my current squadron, we were away all but about 70 days of it. And the days we were home, we were working 12 hours a day to get ready for leaving.
You have very little say in where you live. You can put in a dream sheet where you want to go, and the Navy will send you where it needs you. Sometimes it works out.
Landing on a boat at night sucks.
I just don’t know if the constant paycheck is enough to make up for the negatives. There are a lot more negatives.
I am really leaning towards getting out, and working in the Guard, either as a full time or part time guy. If I need to get a job as an airline guy, I feel that I will be pretty competitive, assuming I can get some more contacts. Most of the folks I know are acquaintances, not really close friends. Is this enough for a recommendation?
My wife has a good job, and I can make money as an FA-18 sim instructor, and maybe a Navy Reservist if I need to. I am also researching Guard units that are hiring full time. Can't find many...

CVG767A

If you like driving airplanes, the airlines are a great way to go. While its not the exciting flying that you're accustomed to, you will get 80 hours a month, and won't have to sleep in a crappy rack at the end of the day. You'll work 4 days a week, rather than 6. And your ground job..oh yeah, you don't have one.

Job security can come in many forms: a reserve job, a side business, a wife with a career. A major airline schedule will give you enough free time and flexibility do something on the side. You may never need to fall back on plan B, but knowing that it's there brings peace of mind.

I enjoyed my time in the Navy ('81-'87), but it's only a slight exaggeration for me to say that my best day in the Navy and my worst day at Delta were about the same.

MikeB525

Are you talking about Bob Hermack?? I met him once through Civil Air Patrol.

FPG120

You are obviously very new to this forum....