Three Strikes
03-21-2007, 09:39 AM
#42
On Reserve
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 17
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
Strike one Not an ex-military pilot. That is one strike against you.
Strike two You don't come from a prominent aviation family with strong ties in the airlines. That is strike two.
Strike three You have a DUI, are overweight, no college, older than most, took to long to upgrade, was fired during initial training at a regional, are not overly attractive, can not play golf, Lack people skills, HR gal was having a bad day and a huge number of other silly reasons that you can have your dreams rubbed out.
It is possible to get hired at a major with three strikes but not very likely. If anyone does a little research on new hire classes at the majors it becomes easy to find a pattern.
Skyhigh
Strike two You don't come from a prominent aviation family with strong ties in the airlines. That is strike two.
Strike three You have a DUI, are overweight, no college, older than most, took to long to upgrade, was fired during initial training at a regional, are not overly attractive, can not play golf, Lack people skills, HR gal was having a bad day and a huge number of other silly reasons that you can have your dreams rubbed out.
It is possible to get hired at a major with three strikes but not very likely. If anyone does a little research on new hire classes at the majors it becomes easy to find a pattern.
Skyhigh
That's just my opinion though, I know there are a limited number of jobs and that not all pilots will make it out of the Regionals (if that is their goal). I wasn't ex-military, no family in the biz, and I even had a minor misdemeanor on my record I had to explain away. Not to mention a fluff degree from a State University. Having said that I'm enjoying my 9th year at a Major cargo airline.
I agree with a lot of what Skyhigh says, and I can sense his frustration. Unfortunately, that's life. Sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to no matter how hard we try...
03-21-2007, 07:40 PM
#44
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Secret Society
Originally Posted by Slice
Maybe if your dad knows someone at FDX...no nepotism allowed at UPS so you'd be SOL. This secret handshake that you think exists does(in all aspects of life not just aviation), but it's not nearly as widespread as you claim it to be.
As for the anti-nepotism older captains have friends at other companies and they will trade kids to help each others son get hired.
Skyhigh
03-22-2007, 05:19 AM
#46
Organizational Learning
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: Directly behind the combiner
Posts: 4,948
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
Some day you might trade flying for a better job.
Based on one's current needs and opportunities, he may fall back on a different job than flying -- but never a better one.
I didn't fly F-16s, I'm the only guy in my family that ever thought about aviation, I'm not handsome or slender, and I don't play golf. Oh, and I'm just as old as anybody else my age.
On the other hand, I worked hard to finish my college degree. I get along well with people -- something I learned in kindergarten. I won't blame my misfortune on a "HR gal's bad day." And I'm smart enough to not drink alcohol and insert car keys into the ignition.
And yet, every time I go to "work" I get paid (quite well) to do something I absolutely love to do.
You've lumped some real obstacles -- that you've placed yourself (no college, DUI, failure to succeed in formal training) -- alongside some artificial barriers to make it appear that it's impossible to achieve a dream. The picture you paint is bleak, indeed, but it is grossly inaccurate. Success, and the attainment of a dream, is as achievable as ever. It takes hard work, determination, and aptitude. I'm not sure what your downfall was, but your failure doesn't require that everyone else with your dream will also fail.
I think you'd be better served, and your family would be happier, if you would concentrate on your successes. Take care of your family, and excel in the job that you have. Bitterness will sour everything you touch if you don't let it go. Your quest to spread the failure story isn't helping anyone.
Go love your family.
.
03-22-2007, 07:00 AM
#47
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Success
Originally Posted by TonyC
NO such thing.
Based on one's current needs and opportunities, he may fall back on a different job than flying -- but never a better one.
I didn't fly F-16s, I'm the only guy in my family that ever thought about aviation, I'm not handsome or slender, and I don't play golf. Oh, and I'm just as old as anybody else my age.
On the other hand, I worked hard to finish my college degree. I get along well with people -- something I learned in kindergarten. I won't blame my misfortune on a "HR gal's bad day." And I'm smart enough to not drink alcohol and insert car keys into the ignition.
And yet, every time I go to "work" I get paid (quite well) to do something I absolutely love to do.
You've lumped some real obstacles -- that you've placed yourself (no college, DUI, failure to succeed in formal training) -- alongside some artificial barriers to make it appear that it's impossible to achieve a dream. The picture you paint is bleak, indeed, but it is grossly inaccurate. Success, and the attainment of a dream, is as achievable as ever. It takes hard work, determination, and aptitude. I'm not sure what your downfall was, but your failure doesn't require that everyone else with your dream will also fail.
I think you'd be better served, and your family would be happier, if you would concentrate on your successes. Take care of your family, and excel in the job that you have. Bitterness will sour everything you touch if you don't let it go. Your quest to spread the failure story isn't helping anyone.
Go love your family.
.
Based on one's current needs and opportunities, he may fall back on a different job than flying -- but never a better one.
I didn't fly F-16s, I'm the only guy in my family that ever thought about aviation, I'm not handsome or slender, and I don't play golf. Oh, and I'm just as old as anybody else my age.
On the other hand, I worked hard to finish my college degree. I get along well with people -- something I learned in kindergarten. I won't blame my misfortune on a "HR gal's bad day." And I'm smart enough to not drink alcohol and insert car keys into the ignition.
And yet, every time I go to "work" I get paid (quite well) to do something I absolutely love to do.
You've lumped some real obstacles -- that you've placed yourself (no college, DUI, failure to succeed in formal training) -- alongside some artificial barriers to make it appear that it's impossible to achieve a dream. The picture you paint is bleak, indeed, but it is grossly inaccurate. Success, and the attainment of a dream, is as achievable as ever. It takes hard work, determination, and aptitude. I'm not sure what your downfall was, but your failure doesn't require that everyone else with your dream will also fail.
I think you'd be better served, and your family would be happier, if you would concentrate on your successes. Take care of your family, and excel in the job that you have. Bitterness will sour everything you touch if you don't let it go. Your quest to spread the failure story isn't helping anyone.
Go love your family.
.
Say aren't you living in the Middle East in order to keep your dream alive? To me that is the ultimate in desperation.
SkyHigh
03-22-2007, 07:14 AM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: Body at sea level; heart at 70,000+
Posts: 1,349
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
Say aren't you living in the Middle East in order to keep your dream alive? To me that is the ultimate in desperation.
SkyHigh
SkyHigh
Good debate is fine but there are limits to how honorable people should be catagorized.
03-22-2007, 07:26 AM
#49
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: SAABster
Posts: 639
Originally Posted by s10an
Similar research can be done looking at your posts. You try SO hard to get your view on how a career in aviation is a mistake, it is starting to get pathetic.
Starting? He's a bitter, wish he could have made something of his life, human. Read his post's and you wanta put a gun to your head.
03-22-2007, 07:27 AM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 279
I guess I got lucky. I am 35, NCD (no college degree), and was still able to land an airline job. Guess my looks got me in. Instead of college I started my own business, had a baby and earned my certificates and ratings while doing the duties required for both parenthood and business owner. If your smart, you'll have no prob getting what you want. I practically aced every written I have ever taken and never found them challenging while I have watched several college grads fail. The degree just gives the ailrine confidence that you will pass ground school. I think being a former Marine, business owner and parent shows dedication and honor to pursuing a job or dream. I laugh at the people that said" oh, you want to be a pilot? You need your degree.." NCD Baby!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
