You continue to crack me up with your talk of being professional on here and then you spout off with condescending remarks. I bet you're the type of guy who complains to pilots for not wearing the hat even though it's optional because you think it's unprofessional.

My attitude of entitlement, that's funny too. I'm sure my thinking that most regional FO's don't make enough really is the downfall of this and other industries. I'm sure it has nothing to do with people who think this job is just plain fun and don't care if they have to work another job to just put food on the table for their family.

To quote Ron Burgundy, stay classy Ziggyfuzz or wait maybe it was that other one....

 

P.T. Barnum discovered that when he cut the salaries of tightrope-walkers, some quit the circus, but the rest continued to perform as carefully as ever.

 

As the Imperial Japanese Navy used to say; the beatings will continue until morale improves.

 

So you decided to screw some young pilot trying to break out of flight instructing at $10 an hour so you can have a "hobby job." How very professional of you.

I've got a muppet news flash for you ---- the public could care less about pilots as long as the ticket is cheap. You naivety is stunning in thinking that how a hat is worn will influence management. The corporate execs are in this business for ONE REASON ONLY and that is to siphon as much money out of it for themselves as possible. They less they pay you, the more they put in their own pocket.

I actively and strongly discourage interest by young people in commercial aviation and encourage it for military aviation. Like Capt Sullenburger and for the same reasons. The steep deterioration in the compensation and working conditions encouraged by so-called "professional" pilots like you that are willing to work for truck driver compensation is largely responsible for it. So look at yourself in the mirror first before you accuse me of being "unprofessional."


Being a "hobby" pilot yourself, I wouldn't expect you to understand, but the vast majority of pilots do this for primary income and their families depend on it. Management stooges like you that will fly for almost free contribute more to 10 fold more to the deterioration of the profession than someone with a well worn hat.

So, Mr. Hobby Job, don't preach to me.

 

That's why this industry will never get anywhere because you of your mentality. I don't know about you but it's mostly about the money for me. Sure all of us have a deep love for aviation, there is a reason why we look up to see a passing airplane when a normal person wouldn't even know it was up there. However, the day that a nice view from 37000 cuts into my QOL or my well being as a person is the day that I'll quit flying. No matter how much love and passion we have for this job there is no way we should be sacrificing so much for little in return.

 

Sounds like the military. Sky is right in this case. The image you portray and your actions are both important parts of professionalism. If you don't understand this then you will find every excuse in the book to bolster your claim that actions such as the ones mentioned throughout this thread don't impinge on your professionalism or the public's perception. If you do understand this - please continue to act and portray yourself in such a manner. Many of us thank you for it and respect you and the job you do.
For what it is worth - I've been traveling airlines a lot recently and I have NOT seen these supposed hair gelled, MP3 wearing, backpack toting pilots people are complaining about; so thanks again. Best of luck to all.

USMCFLYR

 

I have to agree with you, as would almost all pilots that have been flying 121 for any length of time. The problem is the OP, and many with similar views, are new to the ballgame. Give them a few years and it is inevitable their views will change. Many of us when we first got on with an airline were in that "honeymoon stage" and didn't see the turd through our rose tinted glasses but that changes. What is sad is that this may be a hobby to some, but to the rest of us it is how we feed our family. We all love aviation but for the love of god don't say you would do this job for free. If you want a retirement hobby go play golf and give your spot to one of the 1000's of pilot on furlough trying to find a way to EARN a living.

 

Blaine -

Are you saying that people who retire can't have a second career? When I read the OP's post I didnt take it that he wanted a hobby. He wanted to experience Part 121 flying - flying that he considered professional. By your logic I shouldn't be looking for a flying job either becauwe I will be **retired** and since I don't consider myself a "professional" pilot, if I wanted to experience "professional" flying then I would be wrong?
I have to disagree with your logic in this case.

USMCFLYR

 

Isn't that what he's doing. Unfortunately it isn't what he thought it was going to be. He's upset that these aren't the glory days he thought it would be and others are upset that they aren't getting payed/treated the way they thought it would be. This is today's industry.

 

Hate to say it but both the fact that many carry themselves unprofessionally and without pride is a direct result of low morale and the state of the industry. Nothing is more embarrassing than seeing someone wearing the same uniform as yourself in the terminal with a backpack on. If people were paid what they were worth they would feel some pride in their product. Of course, pilots will never get paid what they are worth because too many people willing to work two jobs to "live the dream." Guess "SJS" is alive and well even in a downswing ...