Another "Regional Airline Pilot" Video
 

Hi everybody!

I'm a bit bored since the weather is bad here and I can't go flying my little glider. I was surfing around the net when I found the follwoing video. Don't know if it has been posted before but I figured it hasn't, because it has only been added to youtube two days ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6XVXcN3tww

Anybody have any other new videos? I haven't been on youtube for quite some time so I probably won't know the newest ones. Anybody like to share some links?

Clear skies to all of you and fly safe
-Jakob

.....

Starts out nicely, but then gets a bit too sappy. Nowhere in this video does it mention that airline pilots are paid for time at cruise reading USA Today.

Nobody makes us do this job. I am as big a whiner as anyone in this business, but it has nothing to do with what I earn. We all knew what it was all about when we got into this, right kids?

Yeah! Well, at least I read this kind of stuff from day to day but I am still convinced that it is the right job for me. I can't imagine doing anything else later. And as you said, I see the negatives but I believe I can cope with them. The best part: Pilots are just great people! I know quite a few by now and they are all awesome. I just find it important to look at videos like the above in order to see the other side. I find it way too negative as well though.

EDIT: And please excuse my ignorance, but what does "CMAFR" mean? Thanks!

I can't imagine doing anything else either. I like the people I work with.

And please don't ask what CMAFR means!! It wasn't aimed at you either. Just the "victims" in aviation who want the whole world to know that they are pilots and miserable.

Ah, OK. I found this other video. I really enjoyed watching it. The guy who posted it has some other good ones...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BybQROqvkyY

So, if this guy is so unhappy about his situation why does he continue to do it?

This is the best one that I've found. Also played to Coldplay's Speed of Sound, but IMO a bit better showing of life as a regional pilot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8R9Aqkq5oI

The video is not about ooooh look at poor old me the pilot. I believe he (or she) is trying to raise awareness to the general public. The video demonstrates just how screwed up our pay is and what sacrifices pilots really make for this obsession of a career............... ALPA should take note when joe pax sees a bunch of pilots picketing for more $. He thinks these guys are already overpaid for what they do xxx/hr when I only make xxx/hr. The video raises awareness plain and simple it needs more air time at all the flight schools IMO. If a guy still wants to be a pilot then go for it.

So why doesn't he just quit?????? The pilot has reached the point of no return he's in too deep and spent way to much $$$$ to start over now, besides the next upgrade or job is just around the corner. I recall a business class in college they had a term for this it's called "Escalation of commitment phenomena"

On another note the other two videos were cool. You kind of take a step back and say wow I'm pretty lucky to do what I do.

Nicely said Ski Patrol. The unhappy video maker most likely doesn't quit because he probably loves flying...as do the rest of us.

Now...am I happy about trying to plan a budget with student loans, rent, utilities, car payment, gas, insurance, trying to set some money aside for the future, top raman, an occasional movie or night out, that silly girlfriend, and a case of PBR once a week, on $1700/mo. Nope, I sure am not. Would I consider doing something else for a career? Nope. I love flying, and unfortunately going to riddle, i've invested over $100k. I can't just grab another $80k in loans to go be a doctor or lawyer.

Anyway, All the videos were good. That first one really needed to work on setting the color of the text better so that we could actually read what he was writing without straining ourselves.

I don't know if this has been asked and answered before, but I am curious whether airlines help newbies with student loans? For example, any programs out there that do things like lower the interest rate of loans for the first 2 years you work there, or allow you to defer all payments for as long as you only make $20,000 a year, or something like that?

Not that I've heard. That would have been nice though.

No help right now, however that might soon change...

Based on a recent discussion that I had with several influential people in the aviation arena (university and airline), it sounds like many regional airlines are having difficult times recruiting new pilots (this is evidenced by signing bonuses at several regionals).

I've even heard of one airline conditionally hiring pilots before they even graduate from school, which up until recently is unheard of. Many of these pilots have been hired and assigned class dates, predicated on the completion of their degree and obtaining additional flight hours.

On top of that it sounds like a few airlines are researching ways that they could better recruit new hires. One method that was mentioned is the possibility of interviewing juniors, and then paying for their advanced ratings (CFI/CFII). The airline would pay for their training in exchange for a set amount of time instructing (at the school) and then a set amount of time as a first officer.

Still only a concept idea, but with more and more companies cancelling flights due to crew shortages, and others losing pilots to different companies, I'd expect to see several innovative recruiting techniques, and eventually contractual improvements to pay and QOL.

I hope to see that too, it just goes to show based on some of those other incentives that it seems regionals are willing to do just about anything but that though hah. Who knows, maybe the planets will align in just the right manner one day and finally increasing pay will be the only thing left to attract recruits.

Thanks Josh. I hope the airlines consider helping out newcomers into the profession. I think airlines have been spoiled so far with the seemingly endless supply of young, eager and wide-eyed new pilots willing to fly for poverty wages. These people do work hard and have their heart in the right place, but nobody can continue or would like to continue to live like that for long. Something has to give at some time. History has shown that many move on as soon as they find another job that pays a penny more. I would think that airlines want a crew who is paying attention when flying, not looking for another job or tired from working another job.

The medical and legal professions have been faced with this moral problem for years. Medical centers, hospitals and even small rural communities have long nurtured medical students with help in education and financial aid in exchange for several years of working for them. Legal services, of course, has always had trouble keeping the good and dedicated because they are often burdened with crushing loans. We have implemented a program to help with student loans of eligible new hires.

If regional airlines are to mean anything, it’s time they do something similar. It’s also in their best interests to have a good and stable workforce. But then again, I am not a management bean counter, so what do I know?

I think we should look at the 2nd and 3rd videos.;)
The first video is depressing.:mad:

I'm not sure how that would work. I don't know how it was at other 141 schools but most of my friends and I had our CFI/CFII before our junior year. Now if they would pay for he MEI that would be great. It's amazing to think that it has come to this so quick. When I was instructing (not that long ago) if you didn't have at least 1000/100 you were not going anywhere. Now with a pulse and a commercial-multi you can get on with a regional. Scary!

best one? Josh, i'm hurt!
bc

Awww, BC. You know you're tops! :)

How about best in the Genre? Your video is still my favorite, although, it probably has a slightly less "optimistic" point of view given the topic! On the other hand, your video has a picture of yours truly in it, so maybe yours is better after all... (Although I am still waiting for my royalties...)

Either way, both videos were made by IDE folks!

And since you bring it up, can't go without giving your video some props!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nO7zXlYz5M