Pilot Job Satisfaction
11-30-2007 | 09:03 PM
#81
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,899
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From: Leftof longitudinal
I don't know if it is a good idea to continue this thread; I apologize up front. I'm not sure where else to post. Let me state for the record that I'm not, nor ever have been, an airline pilot, I'm a wannabe
. I agree that rickrb has no place giving us a perspective on the industry. I read this forum to hear from people who are actually working as 121 pilots (no disrespect to the 135 guys, single pilot IFR, you guys rock). I need some help from those that work or have worked this job. I'm considering applying to a couple of regional carriers and am getting close to mins to apply (currently working as a CFII). I'm a career changer. After reading this thread and others like it, I come away feeling like I should run for my life away from flying airplanes for a living. I hear some of you when you say that you love your job, but sometimes it seems like its a token statement in light of the pile of reasons that many of you have for not liking it. I'm wondering, and really am humbly asking for honest responses, Should I run for my life from being a pilot? I'm not too far down this road yet. After reading the well crafted post about how many hours one pilot was actually TAFB and the 91 hours of unproductive time, I got a little depressed about my new choice of career, or should I say "rollover car crash"
Separately, let me just say that I wholeheartedly agree with the other posts that pilots should support in word and deed the idea that we are worth a good living. I think we should stand amoung other professionals expecting and commanding respect (without too much ego. I know that in the real world the almighty dollar drives things, but if we each made a decision to be as qualified as we can possibly be, and take the best jobs for which we are each qualified, we might just move it in a new direction. I know that each of us has a unique situation and reasons for doing what we are doing (in other words, no disrespect for those of you who are being abused by a crappy employer just to get more experience). This is probably just dream talk and not worth the time it took you to read it, but thanks for listening if you did.
. I agree that rickrb has no place giving us a perspective on the industry. I read this forum to hear from people who are actually working as 121 pilots (no disrespect to the 135 guys, single pilot IFR, you guys rock). I need some help from those that work or have worked this job. I'm considering applying to a couple of regional carriers and am getting close to mins to apply (currently working as a CFII). I'm a career changer. After reading this thread and others like it, I come away feeling like I should run for my life away from flying airplanes for a living. I hear some of you when you say that you love your job, but sometimes it seems like its a token statement in light of the pile of reasons that many of you have for not liking it. I'm wondering, and really am humbly asking for honest responses, Should I run for my life from being a pilot? I'm not too far down this road yet. After reading the well crafted post about how many hours one pilot was actually TAFB and the 91 hours of unproductive time, I got a little depressed about my new choice of career, or should I say "rollover car crash" Separately, let me just say that I wholeheartedly agree with the other posts that pilots should support in word and deed the idea that we are worth a good living. I think we should stand amoung other professionals expecting and commanding respect (without too much ego
. I know that in the real world the almighty dollar drives things, but if we each made a decision to be as qualified as we can possibly be, and take the best jobs for which we are each qualified, we might just move it in a new direction. I know that each of us has a unique situation and reasons for doing what we are doing (in other words, no disrespect for those of you who are being abused by a crappy employer just to get more experience). This is probably just dream talk and not worth the time it took you to read it, but thanks for listening if you did.Flying airliners is a disease.<g> If you have it, you'll do it no matter what. People like Skyhigh had a valid reason to bail, plus he only had syptoms, but no disease. Skyhigh would actually make money running an FBO. LOL. I am one of the lucky ones. Military aviator, commuter pilot, to cargo dog. The scourage of the industry when I got hired. Stil is, just a pig with lipstick, but works great for me. Pan Am in the 60's would have been tops, but that is all history. But I looked at flying like a business and that meant for me, packages. Got lucky and picked up. It was luck, but I made sure I had a shot at getting lucky. Just like all the folks posting that are slogging the airways. They have a right to complain, there out making there luck too. What office cubicle isn't producing complaints? but we also have the best seat in the house, generally enjoy a superb comraderie, and watching some phenomenal sunrises, sunsets, storms etc is an addiction for me. It's still worth it, can't stand a 9-5 routine in any jobsite. A great landing in tough weather is satisfying like building something with your hands and closing a profitable business deal all in one. Best in your choices.
11-30-2007 | 10:08 PM
#82
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
That statement is 100% true...cuz I think I have it...You need to post that in every single thread that has something to do with, "I'm thinking about being a pilot...can someone give me advice...do you like being a pilot...etc." As sad as it may be, despite all the troubles and risks that are present in the airline industry today, I can't get rid of the disease. There is much more information that tells me not to be a pilot than tells me to be a pilot; yet, I just cannot get rid of the disease. It looks like I'm going to have to drop $50,000+, put up with making a pauper's salary for a few years, live in a dump, put up with commuting, etc. just to get rid of the disease, unless I come to my senses some time in the near future. I don't understand what my problem is. SaltyDog, you couldn't be more correct.
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