just a query...
...but why is it always about the hours. Or more to the point, why do the 'discussions' start mainly about the hours AND the money?! FI's are paid poorly, its well known by the FI's and not so well known by others -a friend of mine was recently shocked when told how little I earn - and came out with the usual two questions,
1)Don't you want to fly for the airlines? (answer - no, never felt the desire to, can't promise i never will but am quite happy not doing so at the moment) and
2)how do you afford to live? Simple, I have a job and I have a career. the job pays the bills - its only part time but it allows me to spend the rest of my time doing what i love doing. No, not just the flying but hanging around at the club, socialising with members and students, enjoying the sunshine (ok that may be wishful thinking) and teaching people something. I WANT to pass on my knowledge, i WANT to see people enjoy what I enjoy, I WANT to be able to go to work and know that when i finish the job, the LIFE is waiting for me elsewhere. I enjoy the Job, but I love the flying.
I appreciate that hours count for jobs further up the line, and money certainly helps with living. but honestly - did you start flying because you enjoyed it? and did you carry on getting qualified and picking up ratings because you were driven by money or the bug? I was lucky enough to have a great instructor who instilled the JOY of flight in me, I want to pass that on! It may sound naieve but i really do believe that you start flyingf or whatever reason you start flying, but unless you enjoy it you won't carry on. Its not all about the money, its not all about the hours!
I am not ashamed to say that I accepted the awful FI wages, as many of us do, but though my bank manager knocks at the door in the back of my mind about the money i have ploughed into getting here, I can't go back to the time BA (before aviation). Keep your chins up when you are gettingdepressed about the conditions. who else in the world gets 360 degree views with no buildings in the way, a variety of people to work with and the freedom to soar?!