I see this quickly becoming a p!ssing match and that is not my intention. I am not here (like someone else previously said) to discourage anyone here that is already in the industry form staying. That is up to you and I really don’t give a sh!it what you decide to do. My personal experience was not a pleasant one, but that is just one person’s experience, and I chose to share it. I also intend to discourage anyone from throwing their career down the crapper by going to Eagle. However, I will say that the folks that are selling themselves and the profession short by taking the job “no matter what” only hurts the profession and destroys what many before them have worked to achieve.

To respond to you directly atp:

1) I didn’t say you were suffering from sjs. I just posed a question as to why people sell the profession short and sjs could be a hypothesis.

2) I hope it works out for you. I REALLY do. I failed (or the industry failed me) and hope the best for anyone willing to make the sacrifices to achieve their goal. Just to make it clear however, the thing that sealed it with me was the fact that I see the writing on the wall. The industry as a whole (IMHO) is being cheapened. Blame it on the LCCs or the folks willing to work for min wage or whatever, but it is happening. I don’t really know, but I really do believe that the industry is going the way of the truck driver or bus driver. Before you start in on me about truck diving or bus driving, my Dad is a truck driver and I respect him, but it is not a respectable living. That is a subject for a different thread.

3) My wife and I do as well. When you throw a child into the mix (I had one about 8 months ago, about when I quit flying) that changes things. If you have a child and are still attempting the biz then kudos to you. I will say that you will have some challenges ahead, but I hope it works out for you.

4) Not sure why you stuck that in there, but good for you. Hope you got it out of your system because you are in for a disappointment with the hags you will probably be flying with in your career. Not all, but most.

 

I have been reading here for a while and registered so I can throw a little support to Skyhigh and Directbears. I absolutely loved flying. When I was four my grandfather asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said a pilot. I always played with those little balsa airplanes when I was a kid. I started R/C flying when I was 12 and would work summer jobs in high school to afford models. I always went outside when I heard an airplane fly over so I could see what it was. I took lessons at 15 and soloed at 16 ( or 16 and 17-too long ago to remember). All I ever dreamed about was flying, it was the love of my life. Three years after college and several careers later I went to flight school to become a professional pilot and I excelled. Not only was I doing what I loved I was damn good at it. All my examiners told me I was a natural and one of the best they had ever seen.

The reason I went through all that is because I want to establish that flying was my passion in life and all I ever wanted. This is directed to those who say money doesn't matter because you are having "fun". Flying for a living after a while is not fun. When I started it was, I was flying mapping in a single pilot environment. I flew all over the country and got to see lots of cool things. Then I started flying freight. Me against the weather, still fun but more like a job. But it was challenging and kept me on my toes. Now I am right seat in a large turboprop, and well the thrill is gone. Mostly I just struggle not to be bored to death. Low pay, horrible hours, always at the companys mercy. Tell me you are having fun at the end of a 14 hour day with a 5 am show the next day. When you get in from a rotation you are so tired you have to sleep most of your time off away. It becomes dull, boring, and repetitive, very repetitive. I can't remember the last time I got a thrill from flying.

To achieve all this I have spent the last 6 years moving across the country chasing job after job. Move for a better run, move for an upgrade, etc. I have not been in one place for more than a year. I have no life, no girlfriend, and all my current friends are friends from work, I never see my old friends. I can't afford deep attachments because I never know when I will pull up stakes and move again, it is an ever changing industry. I knew this getting in, but when I signed on there was a hope for a better future. Now I don't know what is in store, and having 31 years left in this industry I know I can't stay where I am until retirement. Maybe a different airline, maybe a different type of flying would get the joy back. To be honest though I am tired of starting over. Just keep in mind, all of you who love flying, flying for fun and flying for a living are worlds apart. Once you get close to your 30's and see all your friends with nice houses, nice cars, a wife and kids you will start wondering if living like a pauper is worth it just to fly an airplane.

 

Directbears:

I never viewed your comments as derogative or discouraging. In addition, I learned early on that this is a forum where ideas, beliefs, and experiences are shared. Also, never viewed our exchanges as a p!ssing match.


Couldn't agree with you more in terms of someone "taking the job" no matter what it pays. It does destroy what other before have worked so hard to put in place. On the other hand, although you have different starting salaries for different airlines and those starting salaries are based on criteria set by each airline, it is the same with starting salaries in the field of airport management. Salaries are based on what the Airport Board, Airport Authority or County Commissioners determine what it will be. I'm sure there are some ancillary economic factors thrown in but...I'm guessing.


I understand that you, SkyHigh, and others have had a not so favorable experience than others. I, for one, certainly appreciate the advise and the fact that you are sharing your experiences b/c when and if a situation arises, I can always think back to what exchanges took place on this forum and use that information to help out in my situation.

atp