Flying, not what I thought it would be like
Join Date: Sep 2005
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But after some months, the challenge is kind of gone and I just do the same thing again
If you think that the challenge is gone after "some months" then you are obviously not doing what you should be doing. ie LEARNING
Your company has employed you to assist the captain in the safe operation of the flight however your other objective should always be to absorb as much experience and knowledge that you can from every flight.
just think of this period in your career as an apprenticeship.
There is a lot more to flying than you are currently aware.
Many FO's who struggle with their upgrade have wasted their years sitting in the Right seat. They think that the time to learn is when their turn comes for upgrade. By then it is too late.
if you want to continue your career as an airline pilot set your self the goal of learning something new from every flight. try to always stay in the loop. ask yourself 'why did the captain make that particular decision' and what would you have done different.
Flying is far from boring for those who are doing it right.
Must be a generational thing because I have heard the same thing from cadets in Oz. Four years in the right hand seat of a jet (the sum total of their aviation experience) and they are bored! What they are yet to experience is what a downturn looks and feels like. Wait until fours years in the RHS stretches out to 8-10years. If you don't enjoy the pleasure of getting airborne and the magic of flying then get out now.
Join Date: Mar 2016
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The problem these days is that the mentality of people has changed drastically. It is all about complaining now and negativity. The first point of contact you have with a person is automatically looking for the negative. Prime example from my gramps: Saying to a mother that she has a nice daughter was considered a compliment in his time, now it is creepy and perv.
Unfortunately this mentality lives everywhere. Everything is negative. Every industry is negative. It is due to forums, social and normal media to continue this negativity upon every sole human being. Look around you, read on the internet. Every single message is negative or results in negative thinking.
I do agree with you that being a pilot can be quite boring sometimes. But keep in mind the challenges you seek won't be found in any job. Like a poster above here, Ive done a year of office work when waiting for my first airline job and I was ready to crawl my eyes out when I saw the same guy in the traffic jam each morning... And that was after a year.
Im now 26 years old, worked 6 year in the business and still love it. Even when flying for "according to this forum" worst companies out there...
If someone asks me, should I become a pilot. My answer will be: Yes if you really want it, No if you think it's going to be fun. Same goes for doctors, lawyers etc. It will be challenging if you enjoy it.
Unfortunately this mentality lives everywhere. Everything is negative. Every industry is negative. It is due to forums, social and normal media to continue this negativity upon every sole human being. Look around you, read on the internet. Every single message is negative or results in negative thinking.
I do agree with you that being a pilot can be quite boring sometimes. But keep in mind the challenges you seek won't be found in any job. Like a poster above here, Ive done a year of office work when waiting for my first airline job and I was ready to crawl my eyes out when I saw the same guy in the traffic jam each morning... And that was after a year.
Im now 26 years old, worked 6 year in the business and still love it. Even when flying for "according to this forum" worst companies out there...
If someone asks me, should I become a pilot. My answer will be: Yes if you really want it, No if you think it's going to be fun. Same goes for doctors, lawyers etc. It will be challenging if you enjoy it.
Join Date: Mar 2014
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To be slightly less harsh on the OP.
After my first year in aviation I had been hired, made redundant, hired again, and then suffered another 6 months of job security issues. The flying was monotonous, with very little opportunity to seek challenges or learn, and every day was spent with guys who were exceptionally stressed about losing their homes, having to explain to the wife that there wasn't going to be a paycheck anymore.
At the end of that year, I was also going through the same thought processes. I wasn't being overly challenged, I wasn't enjoying the stressful environment created by my employer, and seriously considered if this was the right career for me.
After about 2 years of flying, I managed to get on with my current employer, a large flag carrier. I am well treated, well paid, and have a lot of free time. I fly to a variety of interesting destinations and have time off down route. I often now have to pinch myself and be reminded I am being paid. I also consistently bid for, and swap on to the trips others don't want due to the perceived challenging nature of the destination, the best days out are the ones that make me think and give me some experience. I find it deeply rewarding to "feel" myself becoming more experienced, and better able to anticipate things.
It just takes a realisation that if you want the freedom of flight, to point anywhere in the sky you want, you need to go rent an airplane. The airlines are a job, a very enjoyable job, but a job nonetheless. You also need to seek the sanity of non LOCO flying if you are joining young and want a career, the LOCOs just want to slog your guts out for a few years and spit you out the other end.
Also, don't get in to the habit of going straight to bed down route, even if the crew aren't up for doing anything, go out on your own and explore. A Captain told me, "the default answer to anything should be yes".
The feeling passes. I honestly believe it is because you have just spent the last 21 years chasing and running toward this dream, you have achieved it, and now what? It's just a change of psyche.
Best of luck!
After my first year in aviation I had been hired, made redundant, hired again, and then suffered another 6 months of job security issues. The flying was monotonous, with very little opportunity to seek challenges or learn, and every day was spent with guys who were exceptionally stressed about losing their homes, having to explain to the wife that there wasn't going to be a paycheck anymore.
At the end of that year, I was also going through the same thought processes. I wasn't being overly challenged, I wasn't enjoying the stressful environment created by my employer, and seriously considered if this was the right career for me.
After about 2 years of flying, I managed to get on with my current employer, a large flag carrier. I am well treated, well paid, and have a lot of free time. I fly to a variety of interesting destinations and have time off down route. I often now have to pinch myself and be reminded I am being paid. I also consistently bid for, and swap on to the trips others don't want due to the perceived challenging nature of the destination, the best days out are the ones that make me think and give me some experience. I find it deeply rewarding to "feel" myself becoming more experienced, and better able to anticipate things.
It just takes a realisation that if you want the freedom of flight, to point anywhere in the sky you want, you need to go rent an airplane. The airlines are a job, a very enjoyable job, but a job nonetheless. You also need to seek the sanity of non LOCO flying if you are joining young and want a career, the LOCOs just want to slog your guts out for a few years and spit you out the other end.
Also, don't get in to the habit of going straight to bed down route, even if the crew aren't up for doing anything, go out on your own and explore. A Captain told me, "the default answer to anything should be yes".
The feeling passes. I honestly believe it is because you have just spent the last 21 years chasing and running toward this dream, you have achieved it, and now what? It's just a change of psyche.
Best of luck!
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Flyingishere also hit the nail on the head.
Don't listen to the moaners. When I was made redundant I went from a flight deck, to standing behind a till in a Boots with no window, on minimum wage, working every hour God gives to make ends meet, two weeks later.
As soon as I got over it, it was one of the best jobs i've ever had, but i'd rather be flying!!
Don't listen to the moaners. When I was made redundant I went from a flight deck, to standing behind a till in a Boots with no window, on minimum wage, working every hour God gives to make ends meet, two weeks later.
As soon as I got over it, it was one of the best jobs i've ever had, but i'd rather be flying!!
Being Captain of a Classic 747-200/300 was The Best Job In The World, but I had to wait 20 years for it, and winding up hotel staff was part of the fun, i.e. come and empty my mini-bar so that I won't be charged for items that I don't drink ( happened ) or ...so that I can fill it with my own stuff and if I just put it on the dresser the maid will take some items ( happened ) or NO you can't come in and check the mini-bar, it's only 3.00 pm and I'm trying to sleep before my flight tonight, stop knocking on the door.
and .. Yes, I have chained my briefcase to your TV set just in case some thief is given the crew room list by your front desk, then comes back and asks for a key and goes through my room ( happened, but not to me )
Wanna swap, I'd do it again in a heartbeat ? Retirement sucks, except that I can fly my microlight when I want to but if I had a job I'd at least get one day off a week ! ( Yes darling, I'll start cutting the grass shortly. )
and .. Yes, I have chained my briefcase to your TV set just in case some thief is given the crew room list by your front desk, then comes back and asks for a key and goes through my room ( happened, but not to me )
Wanna swap, I'd do it again in a heartbeat ? Retirement sucks, except that I can fly my microlight when I want to but if I had a job I'd at least get one day off a week ! ( Yes darling, I'll start cutting the grass shortly. )
