The "Lifestlye" makes it to the web...
 

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...s_with_an.html

There are a couple of other good ones.. Maybe some day the public will see the other side...

Something like that needs to get broadcasted on TV. He hit the nail on the head

That was a good read....thanks for posting. ;)

Why would anyone care?
 

Do you care about what a Walmart employee must go through? The only thing the public cares about is how much the tickets are.

A better plan would be to send information like that every new student pilot.

Skyhigh

That is actually a good idea.

Why? Are you trying to increase the shortage?

Sorry about that.. Here is the other one I found..

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...cy_drinks.html

And if walmart had my a$$ in their hands after a 15 hour day, I would... But, if flicking the light for a red light special counts as my a$$ in a sling, then I will take more into consideration.

Shortage
 

There is only a shortage of pilots who are willing to work for so little. Perhaps if the supply of eager new pilots who are willing to do anything for the job were slimmed down we all would have a better chance.

Our worst competition comes from the next generation. It only takes 90 days to make a new commercial pilot. They are lured into the profession by false promises of women and treasure. Perhaps if we were to give them a dose of reality early on they would switch to something else.

I know I sure would have.

SKyHigh

Uh, actually I do. I think it's lame that people that work at Walmart have to be on public aid. I won't even shop at Walmart because of their unethical tactics.

Walmart
 

I don't like Walmart either but that hasn't stopped the rest of the world from shopping there. The bottom line is that customers could really care less about the lives of aircrews. The only factor that causes the market to move is prices.

Why pay more when others are willing to do it for less?

SkyHigh

I don't necessarily like it either...but there's a reason hundreds of people line up for jobs when a Wal-Mart opens in a community. Wal-Mart has grown beyond everything Sam Walton built it into...and I think he's rolling in his grave over what it has become.

Only thing I don't like about Wal-Mart is the, *ahem* clientèle. I get very tired of a woman dragging five LOUD, screaming children who obviously lack parential discipline around in the store, blocking aisles and lacking the phrase "excuse me" in their vocabularies.

I wish the Maryland DC burbs had Meijer's...

I can't see how that would be a bad thing...

and I do think it's a fact that the public couldnt care less.. everyone seriously still thinks that we're overpaid. the best way to go about it is to teach the reality to the deluded wannabes.

Just send this crap...
 

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...s_with_an.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...cy_drinks.html

to all the geniuses who think they will have the huge checks and the sweet life that the media sends out....

This is so very true. Maybe back in the day the very people who entrust us to fly them safely would care - but nowadays they just want to pay the cheapest damn fare the can. And then go on to complain about how overpriced the tickets are, of course.

When commuting, I am very open to talking to people about our job, the lifestyle, the pay, etc. It has become VERY clear to me that what Skyhigh said is true. Educating the passengers is a lost cause. It will be a battle we will never win, because even if they figure out we aren't raking in the dough and living a glamorous life, they still only care about the cost out of their pocket. Trying to get the passengers 'on our side' is pointless and a poor strategy.

True. Very true.

SkyHigh, you keep saying "WE", since when are you a part of what WE do for a living?

SkyHigh, you keep saying "WE", since when are you a part of what WE do for a living? I respect your opinion, but it seems that all you do is bash.

We
 

I have been out of flying for a few years now but I still think of myself as a laid-off pilot who is trying to find suitable situation to get back in. At heart I am still very much in the industry

SKyHigh

I've read some of the comments written by SkyHigh and he seems to know what he is talking about. From what I gather, he has a reason to be bitter after what has happened to him. SkyHigh, I hope you can find a suitable opportunity soon to come back to flying. I can tell your heart is still in flying. Can't deny yourself what your heart craves. I've been in a similar situation after 9/11.

Interesting that you bash it and discourage people from pursuing flying but yet, you make this comment. Things that make ya go hmmmmmm.

ok so youre sitting this one out? This is a critical turning point for the industry. And yet you still want to come out reaping the benefits of other peoples work? Are you the Drew Bledsoe of the industry? At least he had an excuse he got injured.

when we have a stream of crashes due to "unexperienced crews" in the next few years, that sure as hell will get their attention. Most passengers have blind faith in the flight crew. They believe the crew is looking out for themselves, as long as they are sitting in the back as a passenger they will be alright. And a lot of it is brand name, when they board, they see Delta on the side of the plane. The passenger thinks " ah delta they are one of the best....these guys must have the best of the best training" I have been asked about 12 times if you have to go to the airforce to learn how to fly. Most people think we're all military trained.

Now I am 24, i have shaggy hair, NO ITS NOT SPIKED, i am not exactly in "tip top" military shape, and I have a bunch of various musical groups, alterego jet, cardinals and louisville stickers all over my flight kit. I dont know how people in their right mind think I am military material. It boggles my mind. But in the minds of a passenger, their pilot is some super trained, top gun, best there is, used to be a test pilot, pilot.
As far as they are concerened, they spent 2 hours on expedia looking for the cheapest round trip they could and they got a good deal. So they feel that since they paid 268 dollars for round trip, that "Delta" better do their damn best to not be late and **** him off, because he spent "hard earned" money on his ticket.
There is only one flight, airplane, crew and airport in their world,.....theirs! Most americans are idiots in the first place, and some of our passengers make me question the future of the human race.

So you are right, trying to speak with them and enlighten them of OUR situation, will do nothing. They will have already forgotten your words by the time they squeeze their fat ass in 1A and plug in their iPod to jam out to the new Toby Keith CD. But when a few aircraft run off the runway in a small period of time, and US commercial aviations dirty little secret gets out. I think the public might start to realize that pilots are now treated like bus drivers, if not worse, and that their desire for the cheapest tickets so they can expand their double wide, combined with all the MBA holding, greedy, weasle "think for your-selfers" CEOS. Has driven this job into the crapper.


on the other hand, i love the life section of USA Today, good landings, and it does make me feel good when an "elder citizen" says simply "thanks for getting us here safely"

i dunno, i dont think there will be any wave of crashes. the most inexperienced pilots have been flying the most difficult airplanes - B1900's and EMB-120's for years. If you think an RJ is harder to fly than those TProp deathtraps then I dont know what to tell you. I wouldnt fly those airplanes even if they gave me $150 an hour to do it, but id entertain $180 or so :)

At any rate, RJ's are idiot proof and i doubt any RJ accidents can be attributed to inexperience. Case study anyone? Comair and Pinnacle both had experienced crews

i am not talking about catastrophes. but more and more instances of running off of runways, emergency fuel situations.....things along those lines. Your right, the ERJ was built in the jungle and designed for people to fly it with those large discs in their lip. Its an idiot proof jungle jet! But if you dont put enough gas in it, or if it runs off of a runway....doesnt really matter how easy the airplane is to "fly" will a captain with less than 1000 in type and 121 experience really know the limitations of the aircraft on a blowing snow runway in SYR when his FO right off of OE just doubled his total multi engine time on his last trip. Most of the times yes, but there are a lot of flights and i believe the experience and authority level of captains is going and will be going down very quickly, especially at your "crappy" regionals

i fail to see your point. an Emirates 777 went off a taxiway in Heathrow last week, SWA 737 overran the runway at MDW in an absolutely terrible snowstorm (everyone else diverted) 2 winters ago

Nothing spells recipe for disaster worse than fatigue and poor scheduling. Crews arent making these mistakes due to experience, its due to trying to turn an airplane in 28 minutes while trying to get all the information thats being shoved in your face (fuel, wx, other factors). it flat out sucks and everyone is prone to making those mistakes. some might argue the MOST experienced crews will make more of these types of mistakes because they can become more apathetic

LOL!!!!!!!!

LOL is right, haha. So I guess I'm making a deathwish everyday when I go to work??!

Once again SkyHigh, you are right on target..speaking the Truth that others don't have the courage to.

Thats the TRUTH!!!

[.............

I got injured
 

My family and I very much got injured. After being laid off we ended up reduced to a two bedroom apartment on $1300 per month of unemployment, pregnant with two already and no health insurance.

I was forced to find a way to support my family and aviation sure wasn't a beacon of hope in 2003. I really had no choice.

SkyHigh

Love how you don't respond to my comment there Sky. I'm not surprised though.

My situation
 

My situation is different. I already spent my money and wasted my years trying. My ticket has already been paid for. I would be stupid not to throw a few hail Mary's once in a while just in case lightning struck. However, if I was 20 years old again I would never take even lesson one to become a pilot. The price of entry is to high for the potential return being offered.

SkyHigh

It takes time
 

I make a special effort in your case, so it takes time to properly respond.

SkyHigh

Dear FP
 

Freightpuppy I hope you know that I would never intentionally leave you hanging. I look forward to your posts. :)

Skyhigh

In any case
 

FP,

I do get sleey so if you have a witty come back I will have to read it tomorrow. Nite....

SkyHigh

I see.....we must have been typing at the same time. :D