I won't make comments about what "most" of my friends want because I don't know, but I can tell you that this pilot is living HIS dream. I'm simply showing you that there is another side to your story and you seem to not want to accept it.
I say good for you for getting out of a profession that wasn't working for you and good for another that seems to have met with success.

USMCFLYR

That is great !!
 

USMCFLYR,

The average guy with a family to take care of has a much different perspective. I would argue that most have hopes of a family one day and should know what they are getting into.

It is true that more money can be made if you are willing to live in a third world country and sell off the rest of your life. Most however would not find that as acceptable.

The average flag wavers here seem to be single guys in their mid-forties with few other responsibilities.

Skyhigh

You know what sky? Your the best!!!!:p

Well Sky - you are the only one on here pretending to speak for MOST.

Btw - I've never been - but I'm pretty sure that Hong Kong isn't considered 3rd world by those that have been around the place.

So...why are you so upset that I spoke to a pilot who happens to love his job?
Absolutely this guy has a different perspective. That is what so many people on this forum have been trying to tell you for so long. NOT EVERYONE wants what SKYHIGH wants. Doesn't DE end nearly every post with "To each his own"?

I'm not sure where you got the idea that you speak for MOST, but I found one that you don't speak for and as much as you wish for others on this forum to listen what you HEARD from this friend, or some past classmate, or some guy that you had dinner with once, etc...., you should be a little more accepting of my encounter too.

I'd sure like to see you and this particular pilot sit down and have a conversation about the pros and cons of the airline business; but I promise you that you'll have to find another angle besides the family life to persuade him. Let's just say that you and he have DRASTICALLY different views on the matter. Imagine that; some one with a different perspective :rolleyes:

USMCFLYR

And who are you to define a person's personal life and whether they have one or not?
Again - the guy I'm talking too would disagree with you till Sunday and back!
I'm sure that you wouldn't like it if this guy wrote all over some forum about how worthless and weak people were who wanted to stay home with the same woman and the kids for their entire lives; and that person wouldn't garner much credibility on the forum.

But you think that you can define others and their lives and we should listen to you? :rolleyes:

I'll do just fine deciding how my life is going and what it is worth. Thanks.

Oh - and the comment about ExPats selling off country is out of line too and you should probably apologize.

USMCFLYR

Family people
 

USMCFLYR,

I write from the perspective of the average pilot with dreams of a family. It is inaccurate to present certain aspects of aviation life without bringing to light the difficulties that life entails. What are the lasting consequences? It is safe to say that most people choose to live in their own country among their friends and family.

I do not understand how trading life in your home country to be an ExPat is an insult. It is a fact. Most careers do not ask for you to leave your home land. Aviation often does. People need to know that. It is false advertising to make claims about large incomes without the disclaimer "Must live overseas often in dangerous third world countries".

Skyhigh

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/...236a5e395d.jpg
This girl I was dating sent me this info off the company's internal website. I'm not sure if you can find it on the net but I'm sure there is something like it out there. It is a 'peace study', notice how the U.S. is very low on the “peaceful” scale, but most of Europe and the countries in Asia that matter, are all mostly peaceful. Ironic, right? Here is a little info............ "goes the first line of the executive summary of the 2008 Global Peace Index (GPI), a ranking of 140 countries according to their peacefulness. So powerful, in fact, that the UK office’s promotion of the index earned more than a thousand articles globally within the first 24 hours after its release last month, with top-tier coverage in a variety of media, including the Financial Times (all editions worldwide), The Guardian (UK), the Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), BBC World, CNBC Africa and ABC Australia."

You write from your perspective.

Not everyone has your dreams. I've shown you one whose dreams are quite opposite.

Or portraying aviation as an absolute deadend as you do without EVER admitting that there are successes.

Of course you don't - because you are self serving in your writing.
You used the words "sell off" (connotations of 'sold out') - like there is something traitorous about moving to a different country to work.

LOTS of careers require travel outside of the country and often extended stays outside of the country. I suppose that you consider State Department work for instance the death of society too?

What people need to know is that there are other views than Skyhigh's too and that not everyone wants to be Skyhigh or live Skyhigh's life.

USMCFLYR

Bless you sir, bless you.:)

American Dream
 

It is my belief that most people want the American dream a house, spouse and 2.3 kids. They want to live in or near the place where they grew up and would like to have enough to make it into the middle class and have a little left over to pursue a few hobbies with.

Aviation is sold to the us as another profession with similar complications as being an engineer or lawyer. Some pilots are given a podium and like to present aviation in a manner that I feel is inaccurate or is lacking disclaimers.

I believe that my life's needs and interests represent the main stream. Most people want to live in their home country and to be able to support the American dream. When they take on an aviation career they are investing a fortune and making a huge sacrifice. They need to know the rest of the story.

Disclaimers:

Caution; Aviation may cause a lifetime of singleness, divorce, poverty, loss of friends or family, forgotten hobbies or introversion. Career satisfaction can be fleeting due to the unstable nature of the industry. Career progression might require one to live in sometimes hostile foreign countries. Regional airline disease is common. Results may very due to nepotism, luck or timing. Consult a pilot who is currently on the street for more information.

Skyhigh