Originally Posted by
dontgive2FACs
I see it as a trade off between $$ vs fulfilment (lifestyle). The answer is different for every person.
Supply and demand will eventually drive the price (in this case, Salary).
With airlines recruiting heavily, I really do feel for worthy causes like the RFDS. They provide a vital service to those in our big country.
By our nature, I feel a lot of pilots are highly motivated and goal driven (I feel that if you aren’t when you start, you tend to become such after a few years!).
An airline (Jet) command in Australia is seen by a lot of people as the pinnacle. Once you’ve achieved that, the job becomes one of managing work/life balance and doing so for the most amount of $$.
Perhaps then, fulfilment starts to diminish (the rate might depend on the size of your mortgage!). We all look back at how rewarding GA flying can be but very few willing to take the risks with that move...
I would implore anyone to seek employment with RFDS. Take away the industrial agreement considerations, at its roots, a wonderful function, founded by some history-making, famous Australians which helps people in need.
Agree pretty much 100% with your view. Everyone recognises the contribution of the very worthy RFDS.
The reality is though generally a pilot gets one go at this career, what seems fine when your 35 is not the same as when you are 55. As much as s/he may love the job the average person with a family can't knock back an additional 50-100K/year while it is potentially on offer, there are some however that are happy as they are and that's good.
So the RFDS should expect to be just another stepping stone through the GA ranks unless they address this issue. Judging by the vacancies advertised for the RFDS there doesn't seem to be a matter of urgent pilot shortage and this makes the whole story a little suspect.