Pilotpip

AOPA isn't about being an airline pilot. It's about being a pilot. Most of the articles in there are focused on the aircraft owner or private pilot. They very seldom do an article on anything larger than a citation. Flying is the magazine that targets those with stars in their eyes. Looking at the three most recent issues of AOPA Pilot that I could find, there were a total of 5 ads (all smaller than a half page) from DCA and some unheard of program in Florida.

What were the articles about? Well, the first one had a neat retrospective on the J-3 Cub. December's was a DC-3 (getting closer). Good article in the January issue about the PC-12 too. But guess what, it's geared towards somebody who could afford that aircraft. The only recent article that had anything relating to transport category flying was a piece on corporate flying clubs that featured Boeing Flying Club's 172 posed next to a 773 with a number of Boeing employees smiling for the camera.

I only have one student right now who has dreams of flying an airliner. The other 8 are all in their 40s to 50s, and finally have the time and means needed to persue a dream of being a private pilot, are finishing up on something they started back in their 20s as a hobby, or are dusting off a 15 year old rating.

How many of you have ever read an AOPA magazine or looked at their website?

rickair7777

Those glossy ads are big revenue for ALL of the flying mags. They are very unlikely to ever publish an unbiased article which would be sure to p*ss off their cu$tomer$ (their customers are the folks who buy their ad space, not the readers BTW).

AOPA has fewer such ads because their reader base is different, but they have enough to not want to irritate the big schools.

Flying Ninja

Save that poor kid's soul and vere him away from a flying career.

I read the magazine but don't look at their web site. AOPA has pretty pictures of airplanes, that's all I get out of it. But you're right, AOPA might not be the place for an informationa video on the aviation career path. But it's definitely something that should be out there. I'd do it if I was on the other side of the fence. Hopefully pilots on this board who have experienced the regional rape experience can take lead on it.

ryane946

Doctors pay for med school. Lawyers pay for law school. It is ok for pilots to pay to money to get trained.

Where I agree with the original post is the pilot academies. I looked at some pilot academies (Raa, Mesa, FlightSafety, PanAm, Comair), and the fact was I was paying MUCH more for the same aircraft, MUCH more for the instructor, and MUCH LESS flying for the same amount of money as an FBO. Would you spend an extra $40,000 on a "guarenteed interview." Not me.

Pilotpip

There's nothing wrong with wanting to fly for a living. I think he's making the right call and majoring in something OTHER than aviation. Too many people forget that there are other options out there than being "raped" by the regionals. In fact, a little self respect and pride in your training and abilities should be enough to help. I seen a lot of pilots on here, as well as through my career that spout off about how this or that is destroying the industry, and how everybody needs to take a stand yet at the same time the same pilot would stab another in the back if it benefits his position.

There's nothing wrong with glossy pictures of airplanes in a magazine about flying. I don't see how a Mooney Ovation threatens your job. I like the fact that they have been fighting tooth and nail to keep the FAA from being privatized (look at how well that's worked in canada) as well as trying to elimiate some airspace restrictions that have harmed the industry like the DC ADIZ.

I've said it once, I'll say it again. Rather than blaming these young, starry-eyed ones for destroying the industry take a proactive approach and get them on our side.

rickair7777

The AMA and the state bars control the entrance requirements that new graduates must meet in order to be certified in their field. Those organizations do a great job of keeping the barriers high enough to limit new entrants and prevent an excess supply that could force doctors to work for regional airline pilot wages. This has the fringe benefit of ensuring quality in their fields.

FutureATP

Pilotpip, couldn't agree with you more. If something isn't going the way you would like it to, before you start complaining, ask yourself, "what have I done to improve this situation?" If the answer is "nothing", then I recommend you stop complaining and start taking the initiative to improve things. Too often we sit back and complain and expect others to fix our problems for us. Look at the Katrina disaster. You would have thought that people were completely helpless there. Complaining the gov't wasn't giving them enough money, or help, or folding their laundry for them. Anyways, I say support others' dreams and good will come back to you, regardless of what happens to them. The complaining I read on these forums can be summed up in one word..."Pollution". That is all it does to help the aviation industry by polluting communication channels like APC Forums with complaints and envious bashing of other peoples endeavors.

ERJ135

Hey SAAbaroowski,

When did you interview and get hired? I was there Nov 18 for an interview. I am kind of curious as to how some like it there. I thought it was a pretty good operation just long flying days and no per diem was kind of a turn off for me but, I would have taken job if it was offered.

cloudkicker1981

Saabrooski are you based in ABE?

Flying Ninja

I don't work for any airlines. I've read enough on the messgae boards and have gone through a high price tag flight training program to form my own opinion. My stand is to advise people to avoid these flight training programs and look for alternatives and give suggestions based on the mistakes I've made and the cost involved with those mistakes.

I don't have any problems with AOPA's magazine. Like I said, I like the pretty pictures.

I've done everything I possibly can to get into the aviation industry. Unfortunately, people who encouraged me to chase this flying dream of mine are indirectly responsible for my poor broke ass as I have spent everything I earned to chase the dream. Have I done everything? I don't know. You tell me. Have I spent all my money chasing the dream? Absolutely! So your generalization, while appreciated, doesn't apply to people like me. What can you do when you have no more money and you're over $100K in debt with no way of paying it back and jobless? I'm open to your suggestions so that I can answer your question, "what have I done to improve this situation?" because right now, I'm asking, "what have I done that got me into this situation?" Of course, I'm being sarcastic. I know what I did. I listend to people who said, "go for your dream...so many people don't chase their dreams...flying is great, you'll get a job...oh, you're going to Embry-Riddle's CAPT program? oh...Riddle has a great reputation..." Yeah, all that bullsh!t landed my ass broke with no job and no options left but to go back to the desk job I had.

Dream chasing can be deadly and expensive.