SkyHigh

Recently I spent the $8 for an annual subscription to Flying Magazine. Since the 1980's I have shunned such publications like "Flying" and organizations like "AOPA" since to me they spread false information or have self serving agendas. However since being reduced back to the status of being a hobby pilot I have had to venture into their ranks again.

One of my first issues of "Flying" came in the mail yesterday. The first article I happened to read was from Les Abend in the September 2007 issue. The title was "The 225 Hour Airline Pilot" I suspected that he was going to praise all the glories of factory created wonder kids instead however he went on to profess all the recent negatives to the industry as I have been doing on this forum for years now.

Les mentions all the things we all know about low wages, disappearing benefits and the arrival of the 200 hour regional pilot. He also goes on to quote, almost word for word, all the ridiculous expenses that I have been mentioning about in regards to the cost of college and flight training. His numbers are: $120,000 for four years of out of state tuition and books plus $50,000 in flight training.

He also reaches the same conclusions as I about the current state of the industry, however stops just short of calling new career entrants completely foolish. My positions and attitudes have been labeled as overly negative and eccentric. The truth is that my ideas are accurate and are becoming very mainstream. Many here simply are choosing not to accept the truth about the situation our industry is in.

I am not negative. My message is accurate. I am not crazy either. What is crazy is to spend a fortune on a profession that can't possibly be able to earn back the price of entry. Activities like that are referred to as Hobbies. An airline career today simply doesn't make any sense anymore. Read the article.

You may now return to your previous state of denial.


SkyHigh

Sanchez

Fire ball exploding in 5.4.3.2.1........

Sanchez

As with everything in life, it's all subject to different circumstances, it cost me $20k for my degree (public college), and less than $30k for all my training (FBO, old fashion). I love my job, my company, and given the current forces at work in the market (pilot shortage, expansions, majors hiring) I say things can only get better....but what do I know? I actally fly for a living, you must get all the information from your desk.

bgskyguy

If someone wants to spend their money to pursue a career in aviation what business is it of yours? I went into hock for $30k to pay for all of my ratings on top of a 4 year degree and I wouldn't change a thing. I think you need to spend a little less time worrying about other people's career choices. Sounds like your the one who needs a hobby.

Puckhead

I read the same article and while i agree with you that he wasnt real thrilled about the 225 hour pilot I dont think it was as bad as you mentioned. I think his main focus was more of awareness to the fact that people are spending upwards of $100,000 and only coming out with the three hundred hours or so. I was more under the impression that while he didnt like these pilot factories he also wasnt completely against them since they are becoming a larger part of the whole training picture. I think you took just a little bit too much of a grim view but hey to each his own. By the way thats always the first article I read is from les, great stories every month.

bgskyguy

Funny how you have "shunned such publications" until they agreed with you. You may now return to your previous state of denial in which you assume we care about your opinion.

Sanchez

Awesome

freefall

There are negatives in every career. Everyone here should know the negatives about this one. Post your opinion when we ask for it. Just because a writer shares your beliefs does not give you credibility. The fact that you felt the need to put "I'm not crazy" and "I'm not negative" tells me you are very negative and ****ed off you don't have a flying job right now. I'm sorry. Let the rest of us try and make it. I would spend any amount of money not to sit at a desk with no window, day after day with no change in sight. Its all trade off's.

You may now return to your previous state of denial........

IronWalt

***** I WORK IN THIS INDUSTRY AND SUPPORT SKYHIGH AND LES ABENDS VIEWS *****

Having seen this industry from many angles I have a better perspective than probably anyone else on this board. My perspective comes from the following back ground:

- Flight student
- CFI
- Chief Flight Instructor
- Asst Chief Pilot
- Capt and FO at a Regional in the 80's
- FO at a Major Carrier
- Furloughed TWICE
- Capt and FO at two scummmm bag charter carriers
- President and employer of many of a non aviation related company
- Back to FO at the same Major Carrier

SkyHigh and Les Abend are RIGHT ON people!!!!!!!!!!

I started in the right seat of a Saab 340 in 1987 at 19,000 per year. Thats 20 years ago. How much are the regionals offering you now? Forking Peanuts money. You can make more as a barista in Starbucks and get better bennies.

Today's airline dream is less of a career today and more like a trip to any casino on the wrong side of the tracks in Atlantic City. Most are gonna lose their training money and walk out the door with barely enough for coffee and a bagel the next morning after a night at the crap table.

And that is EXACTLY what the airline managements and unions are rewarding you with. CRAP!!!!!!!!

You can get any MBA or Law School degree for less than 150K and then expect to be compensated for your hard work. In aviation, Haa forget it.


One example is to go look at the job offerings at http://www.theladders.com

Freightpuppy

Many people can say the same sort of stuff about a lot of different careers out there. It seems that if you are not a scum sucking thief (management, executive, etc) you just can't be loaded these days.