That didn't take long!!

Don't know if i'd say they're not cut out to be aviators. I typically try to be an upbeat person, and i think we'd be hard pressed to find anyone here who doesn't like flying. The truth though is that there's only so much you can take for the joy of flying. At this point, I can see myself getting my flying fix from renting airplanes on the weekend, or, even having the financial means to buy a small plane. I'm never one to try and dash someone's dreams. But your perspective changes when you see people who have been employed at a major airline for nearly a decade, and actually WORKED at that company for 3 years or less. All while realizing they're going back on the street. Or downgraded major captains who are taking paycuts more than I made in a year. Same as Midwest pilots who have an ultimatum of fly for less, or let midwest airlines become smaller than midwest connection.

Seems to me that airline hiring may be cyclical, but it seems as though pay and working conditions are simply on the descent.

I kidded myself for more than a decade that I didnt miss it. For me it was the ultimate denial. You see I left flying after nearly 10 years of constant flying... military and then part 121 at AE ( back when everything they flew were TP's and regionals were actually regional airlines ....) the misery of it all... the commuting , the UNION BS, the crappy pay.... drove me away. But in the end everything worked out... I went out busted my butt for that decade or so, and did very well. And last year when the opportunity presented itself I came back to what I was meant to do. I make a decent salary for an okay company with better than average quality of life with very diverse flying.......it works for me... for now.

As for RAH I have ALOT of good friends there, and I certainly appreciate the opportunity they gave me to get my feet wet again in this business. Just remember that the pilot group and RAH and RAH MGT are two very different animals.

I respectfully disagree! They are Pilots...there are very, very few Aviators anymore - it's just become too easy to fly airplanes. So Pilots, absolutely...but an Aviator? That's an earned title.

Hey Herc just curious did the company come after you for the training or did you wait for the offered leave?

Well there are many ways but flying those airplanes isn't one of them.

So why do you do it then? And yes, a CR7 is the same thing

Actually ExAB your right. The term pilot is more appropriate. An aviator is someone more refined in the art of airmanship from my understanding. And they are few and far between thanks to pilot mills(thats for another post though).

Pilot=training, Aviator=Experience.... Guess it just depends on who you're standing next to.

TD hit the nail on the head....