Heck no !!! The latest wave of pilot martyrdom is a new development since 9-11. No matter what and under no circumstances would I, or most in my generation, pursue anything if I thought that it wouldn't bare any fruits. Flying is fun and is in my sole but so are a lot of other things as well. I choose flying because I knew it would be difficult but also thought that it would provide a better life.

You are right that foolishness is not limited to aviation however I believe that pilots are victums of false information. Had I known how much I would loose for such a small possible gain I would have turned my back and never thought of it again.

Since high school and college I had several classmates who were able to jump right in to good major airline jobs while still in their lower 20's. I didn't know that they all had well connected parents in the industry. I assumed that anyone with good grades and a strong determination could do the same. My experience was of unending suffering and loss.

If you are a no name nobody without a single strong internal reference at a major airline then you might as well try for a NASCAR career or stand in line at an American Idol competition.

It seems to me that in years past everyone had a strong desire to make an actual living. Today Americans seem to be leveraging everything including taking on silly fantasy jobs that will knowingly lead to poverty. Earning a living and being able to fully support myself is rule number one with me. Only America has the luxury to pursue such folly.

Skyhigh

 

Damn dude dont you ever get tired of the same blather day after day after day? I mean such a negative attitude about something that obviously still is in your mind every day had to be drag.

We all get it. You loathe the industry...you didnt "make it"... thats life Sky.... I lost EVERY possession I ever owned in this world 2 years ago, but jesus H. christ man I dont go around every day singing the pity song. MOVE ON!!!

 

Ask the employee's from Arthur Anderson and Enron how they feel about job security. Also, how many careers out there offer an eventual climb to a good salary? Not a lot, hence the phrase "the glass ceiling," which is also why most of America is middle class (40 years and all I got was this gold watch.) Jump ship from the airlines and you'll hit it big with no problems! That sounds more like the pipe dream to me.

 

Just Move On

That is like saying to survivors of DUI accidents and smoking related cancers to "move on". Some do others prefer to do something about it.

I have moved on and feel like sharing all the benefits and information that I have discovered along the way. I have a unique perspective. Most who choose to depart flying usually never look back. To them it is a bad memory that is best left forgotten. Their input to the next generation is lost to time. I happen to feel like reporting my findings.

There is a life outside of aviation and it is very good.

An airline career is definitely worth far less today than ten years ago.

The odds of making it to a good major are very long.

The possible benefits and compensation are not worth the risk and sacrifice in comparison to most other careers.

In ten years airline pilots will make even less than they do now.

I believe that most ignore the obvious in order to give themselves permisson to pursue a selfish and self destructive obsession. My role is to remind everyone of the facts.

SkyHigh

 

I am sure that everyone who didn't go to jail over Enron now has a much better job.

Whenever pilots get kicked the curb they must completely start over. Most other professions are able to parlay their experiences (even bad ones) into a better position. Other professions are also more resilient than pilots since they can transfer their backgrounds to other similar industries. A pilot is near worthless outside of the seniority system at their own airline.

I have made it a hobby of mine to study other career options and I can assure you that only artists, musicians and english majors have it as difficult.

SkyHigh

 

"My role is to remind everyone of the facts."

Problem is, your facts are simply your opinion based on what happened to one person. People shouldn't play too much into this cause Skyhigh can't predict the future and his facts are no more than his opinion. Easily, and daily, refuted by the masses here at APC.

If you are tired of reading Skyhigh. My advice is to refute his claims with your own personal opinion, that would be best. Or, ignore him using the ignore feature that pops up if you click on his screen name, go to personal profile, then click the little link just below and to the right of his avatar.

 

"Most other professions are able to parlay their experiences (even bad ones) into a better position."

The flip side to that is that the seniority system allows one to move up based on time with the company. Not who's butt you kiss or breaking the rules to get the job done better than the next guy. The last thing we need in airline flying is a competition on who can save more fuel but departing with the least amount of fuel.

Just like everything else Skyhigh brings up, there is good and bad is good and bad in it. Skyhigh's focus here is always on the bad.

 

He is obsessed with what he thinks his role is. If it gets his rocks off to bash aviation so be it. Dont know what business he is in now but im glad he is doing that and not flying the line. Guys like Sky make for a VERY VERY long month.

 

OMG! Sky! Give it up!

You seem like you are someone with intelligence however some of the crap you spew is just that....crap!

A selfish and self destructive obsession????? GMAFB!

You also say in one post that you don't love flying like some of us do. Well, since that is the case, you can't relate to us. Then you say flying is in your soul. Well, which is it?

I also wonder what you would be saying if National would have stayed in business, you moved on to Alaska and were a captain there now.

Oh yeah, my favorite most classic Skyhigh thought of all time......bringing your own food on a trip is HUMILIATING! Come on Sky. I drive a 1989 Honda beater by choice, should I be humiliated too? I guess since I don't have an urge to impress people that don't pay my bills, I should be humiliated.

 

Did you take a hit of acid today?
P.S. You can add nurses and teachers to your list.