Skyhigh,

I guess I dont understand the reasoning behind some of your comments. Pilots, just like any other career, start out making horrible money. However, if you compared the hourly wage that you eventually get to (even at the regionals) it blows away what most americans make. I work in "Corporate America" sitting behind a desk all day. I make decent money, but nothing here is guaranteed. If I dont get promoted, then I keep making the same money. As a pilot, that is different. Whether you upgrade in 1yr or 5yr, you know that you eventually will. Not to mention, once you get seniority you can do things on the side (i.e. your own business). The only negative thing about being a pilot is the high chance that you will be furlowed sometime in your career. By the way, dentists do not hate their jobs. No one would go to school for that long to hate their job. That is an ignorant statement. I will be honest with you, in these forums alot of people complain about working conditions and money, but as far as I am concerned I would be happy making 80k a year eventually because I will be able to do something on the side to supplement my income. I do understand some of your points and concern, but from an outside perspective grass isnt greener on the other side. How do I know that? Because I am on the other side working 40+ hours a week sitting a desk. I am gladly going to take the paycut because I know in the long run it will work out for the better.

 

It is a real job, it does not have "real" wages, and that is a shame. However, many manage to support a middle class family quite happily. I still don't get why you feel people should be penalized with lower salaries for choosing a career they enjoy.

You're attitude is no doubt fueled by the fact that you left and are now making more money, and if we, as pilots, managed to increase our quality of life, pay, treatment etc in any way, it might not make your decision look as good.

You obviously were a pilot at one point in time, you still have the self important attitude. Your perspective however is not important, its skewed and negative. Honest perspectives from both sides of the argument are important. You're not honest, your biased.

You did what's right for you, and I'm doing whats right for me, but don't tell me what I do or don't deserve, simply because I enjoy part of what I do.

 

sigh....oh well

 

Guess what moron I am a pilot living an upper middle class lifestyle with 2 kids to support and a wife who has been a huge supporter of my chosen field. I don't know why you are so hung upon this "real job" verbage but the more you state this the more you sound like a low IQ individual. That coupled with the fact that you think you are doing other pilots a service with your "alternate perspective" really goes to show how very little you grasp about motivating others.
My best friend in high school's dad was a real estate developer (considered one of the tops in the field). I one day asked him why every so often they had to move into a hotel for months on end, then back into a different house, then back to a hotel and so on and so forth. His response was that his dads business was so up and down thats what they had to do. I remember him not looking up to his dad and thinking he was a bit of a jerk for his chosen profession. I may not make a boatload of cash every year but I put food on my kids table, a stable roof over their head, keep them in good schools and one day will relish in the fact that my kids will look at their dad, YES THE AIRLINE PILOT, with respect and admiration. That to me is the most important aspect of all that money can't buy.

 

But the jet in the picture looks so shiny.

 

No way no how NEVER a minivan.

 

I hope the pilots of the 21st century take to heart all that has happened in the past 7 years with this profession and the empty promises made by all the not so different managements out there. Bottom line is that we as a profession have to stop taking concessions for the lack of management's ability to make a business plan. When they are faced by a pilot group that will not take it in the shorts they will have to come up with a new angle. Right now they are all playing by the same rule books, and it's up to us to take away the ball.

 

There are a lot of people (not just pilots) that are not home every night. Get over it! It's not like we don't know what we are getting into. If it's so bad, why do you say you would go to Alaska Airlines if you could. I think you're full of it. If people want to be home every night, they should find a job where they are home every night. HELLO???? It's not a mystery that if you are a pilot, you will be gone a lot. I personally like the lifestyle, some people don't. It's the beauty of choice.

Why am I even wasting my time....you are hopeless.

 

On a side note, this thread seems to have digressed.....

www.doihaveafuturehere.org

 

If you feel like a doormat, it sounds like you are insecure and have a personal problem.

You think it's humiliating to bring your own food to work for Pete's sake!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What do you want? The red carpet rolled out to you every time you step foot into the airport? How about a limo to pick you up to go to work. You should apply to Emirates....you'll get that Mr. Primadonna. You are a doormat as a pilot if you let yourself be a doormat. Sounds like you want respect without earning it or insecurity or both. In either case, you want to be bowed down to or something for being a pilot. GMAFB!

No no no. The crap you spew does not say you want a middle class life. The way you talk makes you sound like you want more than a middle class life.