Is there anything positive written about being an airline pilot on this board anywhere? 90% of the threads I read on here are so negative. I thought this website was to ENCOURAGE people to be airline pilots. All I read is how people should stay away from airlines and the crappy pay and work conditions. That doesnt really instill motivation to work for an airline

 

There is plenty of encouraging posts on this site. Don't let the negatives sway your opinion too much. Just like anything there are people with opinions on both sides, you have to make up your own mind.

I would say though that if just by reading a few of Skyhigh's posts makes you question your decision to be a pilot then you may be in for a bumpy ride...

 

I have been thinking the same thing. To all the aspiring aviators out there with big dreams and goals who are working hard, these forums sure do paint an ugly picture. So many of these regional guys have nothing positive to say about the fact that they are where we want to be. I have learned alot from these posts about what to stay away from but not too much at all about anything else.
Reading these posts really makes you think twice about all the money you are devoting to training and what the outcome might be.
For the most part it sounds like a bad idea to go anywhere near the low time hiring regionals and just keep cfi'ing until basically you have enough hours to fly cardboard boxes around at 3am.

 

Yes it's usually in the Cargo section lol.

 

I have learned that most people are never happy where they are at, they always think the grass is greener on the other side. This is true for most people in any job but we pay attention to aviatation. When we are getting our ratings life will be better as a CFI. When we CFI life will be better at a regional, when we get to a regional life will be better at a major. When that goal is reached life could be better at Fed Ex instead of CAL. You get my drift. It's all in the attitude but for most people they are never happy no matter what something else will always be better. i see the same things in other occupations, just stay positive and don't the "the grass is greener" bug bite you.

 

unless you are going to go-jets or mesa this site is supportive. The regional world is second tier to most majors- which is where most of us are heading and wanting to end up. Hop over on the majors forum and see what they complain about. The regional world -overall- has low pay, long hours, schedulers spawned from satan himself, and low experienced pilots that can bring on added stress for everyone. I can say that I absolutely LOVE my job. I fly for pinnacle- commonly called "pinchanickel" or a multitude of other things. Do I have stuff to complain about- sure! but overall I enjoy the people, dont fear going to work, and enjoy flying the CRJ. With that said, I am eager and hopeful that contract negotiations make this place a top-tier regional! My QOL is only going to improve as time goes on (got my first LINE next month- no more RESERVE!!!) and I can have more days off where I live (happen to live in mem). Do I plan on staying here any longer than needed to get that 1000PIC and a job at a major or good corporate gig? HELL NO, but I will enjoy my time here while it lasts. I encourage people to go into this profession, but jumping in head first is never the way to do something. Talk to guys at Air wisky, skywest, expressjet, horizon, the list continues... many enjoy the job. Pay isnt everything to some, ask a colgan pilot- to be home almost every night and not have to have a TRUE commute can be worth soo much. I figured it up when I was looking at regionals- sure I could go somewhere and make a few more dollars an hour, but after paying for a crashpad/airport car and the time it would take me to commute there was no question that it would take ALOT more money to make it worthwhile. Each pilot has their own opinion. At least I will fall in the 10% of your survey of people who enjoy the job.

 

Actually this board is about the most positive and informative one out there...

Keep in mind that many of us started before 9/11 and had MUCH higher expectations as to the return we would get on the investment. For me it was a no brainer to leave my $120K job to go fly airplanes, make twice the money, benefits, retirement, and more days off. Fortunately for me, I still like to fly airplanes and my SO makes a lot of money.

Unfortunately the general public does not realize that our compensation has been reduced to below truck driver levels for the most part. Anyone who is serious about entering this career needs to shed their illusions and see what they are REALLY getting into. Sorry if the truth sucks, I know some of the entitlement crowd resent the intrusion on their fantasies.

 

Entitlement....now that is a big problem.

 

I don't know if it's really a problem...it's just irritating

 

My F/O told me that he can't believe that I mentor people in this industry when there are so many other ways to make money. Of course he didn't say he was looking for ways to get out and find something else. The thing is most of us love flying airplanes and getting paid to do that makes it even better. At career fairs I always say that if you don't have that burning desire to fly airplans find something else. Don't mind the nay sayers.