Silent skies
03-23-2020, 09:16 PM
#11
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2019
Position: CRJ Captain
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by Turbosina
My house underlies the downwind leg for OAK's Rwy 30, and I can easily see both OAK and SFO from my windows. Traffic departing SFO 1R on the TRUKN pretty much always flies directly over my house. So it's astonishing just how quiet the skies have been these past few days.
It makes me realize how much we as pilots, and as humans, take for granted. Leave aside all of the arguments about pay, reflow, reserve, and (ugh) jumpseats, and the fact remains that our jobs allow us to see and experience things that no non-pilot could understand.
Like the setting sun turning the marine layer fiery orange as you skim its tops at 250 knots.
The mesmerizing sight of flying through rain or snow at night, where it feels like you're in a spaceship at warp speed, and the raindrops are the stars sailing by you.
Or those quiet moments at FL370, perhaps at night over the Intermountain West, with the Milky Way so crystal-clear you feel you've already achieved orbit.
It makes me realize just how much I will miss this if it is taken from me. In spite of all the ramp delays, the penalty boxes, the min-credit standups, the online bickering amongst pilot groups, the frozen preflights at oh-dark-thirty (can you tell I'm a standup guy?), the lousy hotel coffee, the endless van rides, the partying college kids in the hotel room next door at 0300, and so on...
...it's stlll worth it.
Just to see what we get to see, and to know that we belong to a very special group of people.
I'm not sure what the future holds. But whatever happens, nothing can take away the memories of the places I've been, the things I've seen, and the awesome people I've shared it all with.
See you all on the line.
"Turbosina"
It makes me realize how much we as pilots, and as humans, take for granted. Leave aside all of the arguments about pay, reflow, reserve, and (ugh) jumpseats, and the fact remains that our jobs allow us to see and experience things that no non-pilot could understand.
Like the setting sun turning the marine layer fiery orange as you skim its tops at 250 knots.
The mesmerizing sight of flying through rain or snow at night, where it feels like you're in a spaceship at warp speed, and the raindrops are the stars sailing by you.
Or those quiet moments at FL370, perhaps at night over the Intermountain West, with the Milky Way so crystal-clear you feel you've already achieved orbit.
It makes me realize just how much I will miss this if it is taken from me. In spite of all the ramp delays, the penalty boxes, the min-credit standups, the online bickering amongst pilot groups, the frozen preflights at oh-dark-thirty (can you tell I'm a standup guy?), the lousy hotel coffee, the endless van rides, the partying college kids in the hotel room next door at 0300, and so on...
...it's stlll worth it.
Just to see what we get to see, and to know that we belong to a very special group of people.
I'm not sure what the future holds. But whatever happens, nothing can take away the memories of the places I've been, the things I've seen, and the awesome people I've shared it all with.
See you all on the line.
"Turbosina"
03-24-2020, 05:06 AM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Position: E175 Captain
Posts: 84
Originally Posted by Turbosina
My house underlies the downwind leg for OAK's Rwy 30, and I can easily see both OAK and SFO from my windows. Traffic departing SFO 1R on the TRUKN pretty much always flies directly over my house. So it's astonishing just how quiet the skies have been these past few days.
It makes me realize how much we as pilots, and as humans, take for granted. Leave aside all of the arguments about pay, reflow, reserve, and (ugh) jumpseats, and the fact remains that our jobs allow us to see and experience things that no non-pilot could understand.
Like the setting sun turning the marine layer fiery orange as you skim its tops at 250 knots.
The mesmerizing sight of flying through rain or snow at night, where it feels like you're in a spaceship at warp speed, and the raindrops are the stars sailing by you.
Or those quiet moments at FL370, perhaps at night over the Intermountain West, with the Milky Way so crystal-clear you feel you've already achieved orbit.
It makes me realize just how much I will miss this if it is taken from me. In spite of all the ramp delays, the penalty boxes, the min-credit standups, the online bickering amongst pilot groups, the frozen preflights at oh-dark-thirty (can you tell I'm a standup guy?), the lousy hotel coffee, the endless van rides, the partying college kids in the hotel room next door at 0300, and so on...
...it's stlll worth it.
Just to see what we get to see, and to know that we belong to a very special group of people.
I'm not sure what the future holds. But whatever happens, nothing can take away the memories of the places I've been, the things I've seen, and the awesome people I've shared it all with.
See you all on the line.
"Turbosina"
It makes me realize how much we as pilots, and as humans, take for granted. Leave aside all of the arguments about pay, reflow, reserve, and (ugh) jumpseats, and the fact remains that our jobs allow us to see and experience things that no non-pilot could understand.
Like the setting sun turning the marine layer fiery orange as you skim its tops at 250 knots.
The mesmerizing sight of flying through rain or snow at night, where it feels like you're in a spaceship at warp speed, and the raindrops are the stars sailing by you.
Or those quiet moments at FL370, perhaps at night over the Intermountain West, with the Milky Way so crystal-clear you feel you've already achieved orbit.
It makes me realize just how much I will miss this if it is taken from me. In spite of all the ramp delays, the penalty boxes, the min-credit standups, the online bickering amongst pilot groups, the frozen preflights at oh-dark-thirty (can you tell I'm a standup guy?), the lousy hotel coffee, the endless van rides, the partying college kids in the hotel room next door at 0300, and so on...
...it's stlll worth it.
Just to see what we get to see, and to know that we belong to a very special group of people.
I'm not sure what the future holds. But whatever happens, nothing can take away the memories of the places I've been, the things I've seen, and the awesome people I've shared it all with.
See you all on the line.
"Turbosina"
It’s just heartbreaking that I’ve been taking an average of 8 people every flight, or walking through deserted terminals. Like IAD is always packed you can barely walk through some gates and yesterday you could pretty much see the other extreme of the terminal.
03-24-2020, 05:20 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,888
Originally Posted by rickair7777
Those of us who have seen this movie a few times have learned to plan for the dips. My rainy-day fund was intended more for FAA medical hiccups than a zombie apocalypse, but it's nice to have none-the-less.
Ideally plan so that you can keep the primary house for a few years with spouse income, unemployment, odd jobs, uber, etc. Minimize debt (mortgage only) and be prepared to liquidate toys or vacation homes if needed before dipping into retirement savings, if you do that you're moving backwards. Try to hold the line, not retreat.
Ideally plan so that you can keep the primary house for a few years with spouse income, unemployment, odd jobs, uber, etc. Minimize debt (mortgage only) and be prepared to liquidate toys or vacation homes if needed before dipping into retirement savings, if you do that you're moving backwards. Try to hold the line, not retreat.
Zero debt. No house payment. No car payment. We acquired a few "toys" over the years, but they were not purchased at the expense of emergency savings. My daughter used to make fun of me for driving a car with 250,000 miles on it. "You can afford a new car." Now she sees the wisdom.
03-26-2020, 07:39 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 107
One thing I love about the job is the crews. Thats one of the best things about working for a small ish regional or small ish base. You get to know people pretty well and build a circle of friends pretty quickly. I wouldnt say that these are guys and girls that will be at my wedding, but definitely friends i plan on having for life.
Even if youve never met your crew before, a good group makes the trip barely seem like work. Heres some of my favorite memories with crews:
-Jack Browns burger bar in PGV, went there with my CA and had probably the best burger of my life
-Exploring downtown wilmington with the whole crew one morning when we had a late afternoon report. Took a guided tour of a historic neighborhood and the FA bought us all ice cream.
-$1.50 budweisers with the CA on a really long overnight at a college bar when classes were out. Never had $8 go so far!
and so many more. I love flying, but being away from home sucks. When youre flying with a good crew, whether you know them well or not, even if you dont have time to go out and have fun on overnights, it seriously makes it so much more easier to be away from loved ones. Some trips barely feel like work at all.
Great thread. I think all of us are going a little stir crazy these days. Lets just take a deep breath, reflect on some good memories, and go out to the line and enjoy the next trip!
Even if youve never met your crew before, a good group makes the trip barely seem like work. Heres some of my favorite memories with crews:
-Jack Browns burger bar in PGV, went there with my CA and had probably the best burger of my life
-Exploring downtown wilmington with the whole crew one morning when we had a late afternoon report. Took a guided tour of a historic neighborhood and the FA bought us all ice cream.
-$1.50 budweisers with the CA on a really long overnight at a college bar when classes were out. Never had $8 go so far!
and so many more. I love flying, but being away from home sucks. When youre flying with a good crew, whether you know them well or not, even if you dont have time to go out and have fun on overnights, it seriously makes it so much more easier to be away from loved ones. Some trips barely feel like work at all.
Great thread. I think all of us are going a little stir crazy these days. Lets just take a deep breath, reflect on some good memories, and go out to the line and enjoy the next trip!
03-27-2020, 03:53 PM
#16
Banned
Joined APC: Jul 2017
Posts: 894
Originally Posted by Turbosina
My house underlies the downwind leg for OAK's Rwy 30, and I can easily see both OAK and SFO from my windows. Traffic departing SFO 1R on the TRUKN pretty much always flies directly over my house. So it's astonishing just how quiet the skies have been these past few days.
It makes me realize how much we as pilots, and as humans, take for granted. Leave aside all of the arguments about pay, reflow, reserve, and (ugh) jumpseats, and the fact remains that our jobs allow us to see and experience things that no non-pilot could understand.
Like the setting sun turning the marine layer fiery orange as you skim its tops at 250 knots.
The mesmerizing sight of flying through rain or snow at night, where it feels like you're in a spaceship at warp speed, and the raindrops are the stars sailing by you.
Or those quiet moments at FL370, perhaps at night over the Intermountain West, with the Milky Way so crystal-clear you feel you've already achieved orbit.
It makes me realize just how much I will miss this if it is taken from me. In spite of all the ramp delays, the penalty boxes, the min-credit standups, the online bickering amongst pilot groups, the frozen preflights at oh-dark-thirty (can you tell I'm a standup guy?), the lousy hotel coffee, the endless van rides, the partying college kids in the hotel room next door at 0300, and so on...
...it's stlll worth it.
Just to see what we get to see, and to know that we belong to a very special group of people.
I'm not sure what the future holds. But whatever happens, nothing can take away the memories of the places I've been, the things I've seen, and the awesome people I've shared it all with.
See you all on the line.
"Turbosina"
It makes me realize how much we as pilots, and as humans, take for granted. Leave aside all of the arguments about pay, reflow, reserve, and (ugh) jumpseats, and the fact remains that our jobs allow us to see and experience things that no non-pilot could understand.
Like the setting sun turning the marine layer fiery orange as you skim its tops at 250 knots.
The mesmerizing sight of flying through rain or snow at night, where it feels like you're in a spaceship at warp speed, and the raindrops are the stars sailing by you.
Or those quiet moments at FL370, perhaps at night over the Intermountain West, with the Milky Way so crystal-clear you feel you've already achieved orbit.
It makes me realize just how much I will miss this if it is taken from me. In spite of all the ramp delays, the penalty boxes, the min-credit standups, the online bickering amongst pilot groups, the frozen preflights at oh-dark-thirty (can you tell I'm a standup guy?), the lousy hotel coffee, the endless van rides, the partying college kids in the hotel room next door at 0300, and so on...
...it's stlll worth it.
Just to see what we get to see, and to know that we belong to a very special group of people.
I'm not sure what the future holds. But whatever happens, nothing can take away the memories of the places I've been, the things I've seen, and the awesome people I've shared it all with.
See you all on the line.
"Turbosina"
03-28-2020, 06:35 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 107
Originally Posted by 123494
It's just a job to me. I wish I could share your sentiment. In fact, most of the time at FL370, I'm just counting down the minutes until TOD so I can get on the ground again lol. As long as they pay me on time, all is good.
03-28-2020, 07:41 AM
#19
Banned
Joined APC: Jul 2017
Posts: 894
Originally Posted by Pony Express
I hope this doesnt sound rude, but why are you a professional pilot? The barriers to entry are high and the risk of rewards are substantial. There are many more lucrative career fields that pay similar with much lower long term risk. What made you choose this profession? Again, I'm not trying to be abrasive I'm just genuinely curious.
03-28-2020, 08:04 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,649
Originally Posted by 123494
It's just a job to me. I wish I could share your sentiment. In fact, most of the time at FL370, I'm just counting down the minutes until TOD so I can get on the ground again lol. As long as they pay me on time, all is good.
Maybe it will improve at mainline.
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