Now that you HAVE the airliner job, what do you think about it?

[LAVDUMP]

Frequently we hear about pilots in the UK who have a relatively low number of flight hours before they get on with a major (i.e., BA) or a low-fare carrier (i.e., easyJet, GO or Ryanair). Total numbers of hours are sometimes in the neighborhood of 250-500 hours total. This is particularly true of BA cadets - tend to have a relatively low number of hours before they find a home in an A319... The Astreus newhires profiled in the posts on this forum all seemed to have between 200-600 hours or so.. .. .My questions to these newly-qualified airline pilots (BA, Ryanair, easy, GO, Britannia, etc.) are:. .. .1. How does it feel now that you are "on the line" COMPARED TO your prior expectations?. .. .2. How do you like the current aircraft you are flying - a lot nicer than the seminole you trained on?. .. .3. BEST and WORST aspects of your job you have discovered thusfar.... .. .In the States, it is unusual for pilots to get hired by a commuter or mid-level airline without an ATP and 1500 hours. By then, many would-be pilots become disillusioned and maybe disenchanted with the lifestyle (it happens). With relatively few hours on your belts, do you have the same opportunity to become disillusioned (hopefully not)?. .. .Love to hear from some former BA cadets, charter pilots and members of the low-fare airline community on their thoughts about their new jobs.... .. .Cheers

[Localizer Live]

LAVDUMP,. .I had for so long read and posted comments on the wannabes page with the hope that one day i would be writing a comment to keep others focused and stay positive on the end goal. I fly for eJ and came thru via CTC with something like 300 hours to my credit(?!?). . .You will discover that when you get your first break, its not just about operating a complex aircraft, but, more about people. I was in a similar position; on the outside looking in and could not work out why it was so diffcult to make that first step. Yes it is the job you dream of, yes it exceeds your expectations. In answer to your questions, in my humble opinion:. .1. It is (as so many have previously quoted) better than working for a living.. .2. The -700 is a superb machine. Still an overall awareness of the 'big picture' is important - if it all goes blank you then have to revert back to 'basic' IR handling/skills.. .3. The most bizarre experience I encountered was after base training - out for the first time in a REAL Boeing; getting off the aircaft, handing over to the engineers and the feeling that I had forgotten something.... that I hadn't paid!!!. .Keep focused... it WILL happen, but try stay positive. Good luck.

[Hand Solo]

1) Agree its much better than working for a living, but I'm knackered after a long day and you don't get that sitting in an office. It's certainly not a glamourous job though.. .. .2)Infinitely better, and no trimming required on an Airbus.. .. .3)Best: Being able to enjoy rather than dread going to work.. .. .Worst: being continually shafted by a bad rostering system which means you get rubbish work, none of the days off you want and have no control over your life. Also the endless propaganda from management that you are lazy and expensive and must work even harder next year to pay for some incompetent executives pay rise.

[Pin Head]

localizerlive, check your email.

[LAVDUMP]

Thanks to Localizer Live and Hand Solo for their great comments - exactly the types of responses I am looking for.... .. .C'mon anyone else out there with similar perspectives?

[Rowley]

STC,. .. .Your post has 'feel'! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[Gin Slinger]

LAVDUMP: can I ask who are you and what do you do? . .. .You seem to ask a lot of questions!. .. .I'm not having a pop at you, just curious <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[LAVDUMP]

Gin Slinger,. .. .No problem. You could probably read this in my profile... . .. .I work as an aviation consultant (primarily airlines) and I fly on my free time. I will be working my way up through my jet ratings soon including Lear and Citation ratings. I have two brothers who both fly for US airlines - one as a 767 FO with Delta and the other is an EMB-145 Captain with Continental Express. I have often wondered about why I never pursued "professional" flying - I love to hear about it and I do envy those who do it on a daily basis. Of course, I hear about it all the time through my brothers... I like to hear stories from others who have done it and are enjoying it - that is why I ask SO MANY questions - I can live this life through others sometimes.... .. .Hope that quells your curiosity. Now, Gin, perhaps you could share your story?. .. .Anyone else got a story to tell like the ones above?. .. .Cheers

[crackerjack]

From a slightly different angle - I joined a uk operator last year flying 757/767. I joined from another uk operator having flown a heavy turboprop for 3 years. I have to hold my hands up and admit that I've worked a lot harder than I was expecting to. Furthermore, every time I think I've cracked it something else happens to make me realise I still in fact have a lot to learn.. .. .I have the highest regard for people who go on to large jets with 300 odd hours but talking to some of them sometimes makes me think that they don't know what they don't know. . .. .Best job in the world, but don't tell that to management!!

[Gin Slinger]

LAVDUMP, Thanks for that! Now to reciprocate:. .. .PPL holder, currently studying ATPL's full time by distance learning.. .. .Log onto PPRuNe maybe every hour or two for a bit of light relief from the drudgery that the JAA in their wisdom says we have to go through.. .. .No family connection to aviation whatsoever, just got hooked after a trail lesson, paid for a gift voucher given to me by mother dearest for Christmas 1999.. .. .Sometimes think "damn that voucher", sometimes think it was the best present ever. Aviation is a heady drug!