Rant
I think the airline industry is like every industry now, no champagne openings and amazing playboy lifestyles, just graft with a pretty nice view, a uniform that impresses some women and fills others with rage because of the reputation, the bonus of duty free goods, not to mention the odd mini bottle from the trolley and a pretty nice company vehicle.
I'm personally doing it because I want to a job that’s tactile and not pushing numbers round a spreadsheet. A job where I have to keep myself pretty fit and in good working order and also have to test myself at regular intervals throughout my career to keep me on top of things. Also the travel, opportunities and is it un-PC to say the glamour of it and the salary, I don't know. Also because I like being up high, having a pretty responsible job, and the thrill of flying and the adrenaline injection.
However it seems to be a regular occurrence on here that if anyone wants to fly and doesn't state that they want to do it because they have a passion for it since an early age, dream about it every night etc. then folk get their backs up. Everyone needs to chill out a little, for a lot of people it will be a calculated business decision to become a pilot, for others it will be following the old adage "do a job that’s your hobby and you'll never work another day in your life".
Whatever it is, for me it’s not about the individual motivation behind becoming a pilot that important. Its about your work ethic, the skill you attain and primarily if you have the balls to do it and not talk about doing it, despite the risks of not walking straight into a job and the significant financial burden you then shoulder.
Gone on another rant on here and for that I apologise, just sometimes I get the rage reading some comments such as "if you really wanted to fly you would be passionate about it and wouldn't have to understand"
Stewart, we've spoken quite a bit on PM, I hope you decide what’s best for you mate, just do what makes sense, “quality of life” in one side of the scales and “earning potential” in the other, what floats your boat more? I think that going to be the issue for you now certainly in the next 10 years because they should be your best according to popular thought.