A Career Changer Speaks

[bafanguy]

This is by a guy at a US regional but there's enough crossover to other airlines and parts of the world that you might find it interesting. It's a pretty negative tale on one hand but I'm glad the guy has made choices that made him happier.

https://goldengooseguide.com/2018/06/14/why-i-left-an-airline-pilot-career-worth-8-2-million/

[azdriver]

mthere is also this guy, i believe ex BA A320 captain based in LGW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0N7Ede66mY

This is by a guy at a US regional but there's enough crossover to other airlines and parts of the world that you might find it interesting. It's a pretty negative tale on one hand but I'm glad the guy has made choices that made him happier.

https://goldengooseguide.com/2018/06/14/why-i-left-an-airline-pilot-career-worth-8-2-million/

[Enzo999]

mthere is also this guy, i believe ex BA A320 captain based in LGW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0N7Ede66mY



Dear lord he will be sadly missed!!

[CroqueMonsieur]

From what I gather BA boy makes a mint writing mobile apps without the stress and the 0330 alarm clock and he's set up some 'inspirational' channel on YouTube and seems to be just another social media narcissist. What a spud.

In this age the kids will spend their parents' nest eggs on becoming the next instagram thing. They'll tire of the job and become disillusioned. I've noticed a few people on here over the last couple of years of observation wanting to leave the industry and that simply wasn't the case in my days.

The thing is intagram et al are great when you're 22 and under flying the jets but tragically soon enough someone younger and prettier with a more engaged fan base comes along and you're toast quicker than you can imagine but are saddlesdwith years of £1000 a month loan repayments in a job that you're really not that into.

Trafic yet tragically satisfying for the rest of us! You can't put a price on likes and followers though, can you?

[Jumbo2]

Dear lord he will be sadly missed!!

Funny thing is he is still flying only flying A330's based in Bankok.

[SSDK]

Hmm. Quite interesting to see and hear the reasons why the BA captain left his career in aviation. I think we all experience low periods in our careers from time to time. However, I feel like the whole "I want to make a difference" argument is very much a product of the times we live in. Everyone thinks they are special, and destined for something "more". Wish him all the best in the future, and good luck. With that said... He is in for a VERY long struggle uphill if he thinks he can be a programmer and succeed at it. Especially making apps. EVERYTHING is outsourced to china, eastern europe and india these days. The race to the bottom has already happened in most parts of that industry. I have a degree close to that as well, and most of the guys I know struggle to keep or get a good job. Also, Programming is very repetitive after a few short years if you are building software by demand. I really hope he has something completely new to bring to the table! I wonder why he went cold turkey on it? I would think part time is possible in BA? We even have that in LOCO's. Anyways, no real "judging" here- we are all fulfilled by different things. It just seems like he could have slowly progressed into his next endeavour a bit less abrupt?

[The Range]

I wonder what a Pan Am pilot would have said in the 60's or 70's about his job.

[ETOPS]

why the BA captain left his career in aviation

He didn't :ugh: He's flying A330s in China.

[RexBanner]

Can’t believe the level of judgement on here. It’s his life, pure and simple, free to go about in any way he pleases as long as he doesn’t harm others in the process. Who the **** is anybody to judge someone they don’t know?

[wiggy]

I’d agree to some extent but if somebody starts broadcasting that (to paraphrase) 99.9% of the time the sectors are a doddle with minimal mental challenges and that “we” just sit there and read the papers then I feel that does us all a great disservice (for all sorts of reason) and I’m afraid some pushback is understandable. I don’t know about everybody else here but I still get satisfaction fromgetting several hundred people safely to their destination, the ex-BA guy patently doesn’t... different strokes I guess.

Must admit he sounded tired/fatigued as much as anything...anyhow I hope China works out for him...is he still allowed to videoblog from the aircraft?

[RexBanner]

Yeah Wiggy but that’s his opinion, it doesn’t really matter. He contradicted himself big style when he said 99.9% of the time nothing goes wrong and then in the very next breath started describing a day where everything that could go wrong with the aircraft did go wrong! I’m responding mainly to the comments as to his character based on the fact he’s on social media. I may not agree with it either but it’s a different world nowadays.

[rod_1986]

You’ve got to be thankful for the little things in this life.




Like the fact that the Chinese government still blocks YouTube.

[RexBanner]

used many an exaggeration to get his point across, e.g. "up to 7 days waking up at 3am to go to work". That kind of pattern is no where near the norm and most of us seldom fly more than 4 days in a row. I'd say he's pretty ripe for judgement.

Youve clearly never worked BA shorthaul...

(To be fair the title of the video is (paraphrasing) why I quit my job as a BA Captain, not why I quit my job as a commercial airline pilot. That kind of scheduling is unfortunately all too common amongst junior SH Skippers, hence why many have one foot out the door).

[CroqueMonsieur]

There was an interesting thread a while back on the Aus/NZ forum about bullying. The comcensus being that if you are putting yourself out there then you're going to take the feedback both good and bad.

If he is off to China then I expect a video in the not too distant future about why he quit. I do question why he's set up a channel. In the real world people change jobs and company quite regularly and I don't think your average viewer would understand the significance of quitting and going to another employer.

I hope his his Chinese experience goes well! Good luck to the guy.

[Northern Monkey]

Trust me when I say that the only "people" making a mint in the mobile app world are massive software studios focused on milking every last cent out of addicted mobile game players.

Writing code is fun and rewarding when you are working on personal projects which matter to you. Much like flying is fun when renting a 172 on the weekend.

Not entirely true. The chap who owns iBid (tha BA bidding app) is making serious money. So if you can find a niche there is probably opportunity there.

Fair play to him for having the guts to walk out of BA. However, he does come across as just another desperate voice screaming out for attention in the maelstrom of social media.

[azdriver]

Some personal perspective on the way out.

I have been out and back into flying airliners for a couple of times; for the third time now I am trying to get out for good (if everything works). I never posted a video on social media, though.

In the last 15 years a dramatic decrease in working conditions has been happening: both in monetary terms and quality of life. I did made the big $ in China and was an early comer to that part of the world but on an hourly rate, all factored in the deal was never better then the one I had in a Major back in Europe.

The price needed to be paid in decreasing QOL and health was -on the other hand- quite astonishing: I never fully realised it until I had to break away for few months.

After seen it all, in Europe, China and middle east, I have the feeling that I can't stand it anymore: I have also performed some consulting (inside and outside aviation) an the kind of unprofessionalism and total disregards for stakeholders that I have seen in the aviation businesses has been too much for me.

It all started to fall down when a relatively small ACMI-charter-line operator that asked me to find a senior network manager -with abysmal conditions on offer- and when I predicted they would not find anyone they were so infantile in their reactions to my feedbacks that I questioned my ownself in working for such a bunch of whining kids.

Shortly afterward my little firm was contacted from a very big operator in Ireland with specifics for a human resources management program that made a crook looks like a puppy bear. Theirs lacks of morality and business integrity forced me to refer to our legal department: when they came back to me advising that participating in such a project would have had serious legal consequences in our country, I the concluded that I was done with the airlines business altogether.

I have friends out there, first officers, normal line captains, training captains working for some low fares operators that are showing clear signs of mental health issues. Some others, in the same operators shows some discontent but seems to get by.

They do all complain though, how the "fly rinse and repeat" at those paces is soul destroying.

I sometime question if the corporate managers of these outfits are totally clueless or just plain criminals for ignoring the signs and consequences of the practises they are managing and implementing in their companies.

It's clear to me that, direction taken in Europe, Middle East and Asia has been -for far too long- the worst one.

So, inshallah, these will be my last months of flying...

Keep the blue side up.

[student88]

Wait a minute Rex, he's delivered a message to a very large global audience and used many an exaggeration to get his point across, e.g. "up to 7 days waking up at 3am to go to work". That kind of pattern is no where near the norm and most of us seldom fly more than 4 days in a row. I'd say he's pretty ripe for judgement.

Also, he didn’t disclose the fact that he has a 4,000 mile commute to work, living in New York whilst being based at Heathrow.

I have a sympathetic ear for guys who complain about short haul being tiring but when you’ve made a rod for your own back I stop listening.

That said, good luck to the guy. He did the right thing leaving BA and I really hope it works out for him.

[ROW_BOT]

Willy Walsh, the man in charge of IAG, agrees entirely with this chap, and has said so publicly on numerous occasions.
Willy has often related how his origin as a pilot in Aer Lingus was something he just stumbled into, and that he quickly realised it is a boring, repetitive and unrewarding job. He was very chuffed to escape it into a real and interesting job as a manager, and never looked back.

[Meester proach]

Was this guy a cadet ? Always seems they are more interested in “ give me a time you helped a customer “ than if they have a passion for aviation .....and without that it will always look grim after a few years

[MaverickPrime]

Was this guy a cadet ? Always seems they are more interested in “ give me a time you helped a customer “ than if they have a passion for aviation .....and without that it will always look grim after a few years

Whatever you do don’t share you’re common sense observation with any executives or HR specialists, their tiny brains might explode!

[Klimax]

Yeah, it has got to be be much more rewarding sitting behind a keyboard and programming more or less useless apps. The dude never had the passion and ultimately it's not a job for him. Best of luck with the fun in China and programming hello kitty apps.

[MikeAlpha320]

Ive seen this posted on several online platforms and the responses - especially from pilots - surprise and disappoint me. What has he actually said that is so wrong? I agree that his 99.9% comment was somewhat misplaced but I'm sure we've all said things that we may later on regret. Never flew with Simon but know several that did. Pragmatic and thoroughly decent bloke by all accounts- so 'for the sake of his first officers' I find pretty unnecessary. Good on him for going against the grain and leaving BA. Until you have been there and flown BA SH LHR rosters don't comment on flying ' 4 days in a row'. Fly for any UK SH company and you'll know that isn't the case. Wasn't his video just his opinion? Wasn't it just him trying to show that you don't have to continue in a job you aren't happy in?

Social media is a free-for-all. BA have smart pilots now that are encouraged to use it. They post with input from BA- did they put 120k of their parents money into something just 'for likes and followers' as well?. Social media is part of everything we do, like it or not. Its effects are both positive and negative, but that isn't a discussion for here. The world has moved on and youtube/facebook/instagram/twitter form a huge part of people's lives.

We should all know how tough flying can be on us. Be it health/family e.t.c so why when someone paints a fairly accurate story do we jump on him? Suppose it ruins the stories of the 'great lifestyle' e.t.c we all like to tell our friends/family.

Good luck to him. I hope the move works out and he finds the new role a bit more fulfilling. A bit of decency and unity might go a long way in stopping the race to the bottom, especially at BA.

[2unlimited]

Youve clearly never worked BA shorthaul...

(To be fair the title of the video is (paraphrasing) why I quit my job as a BA Captain, not why I quit my job as a commercial airline pilot. That kind of scheduling is unfortunately all too common amongst junior SH Skippers, hence why many have one foot out the door).






Nope I have to say I can't agree. He clearly had a big dig against the pilot profession, as he felt no longer any achievement / motivation.
Go to his Youtube videos, it's all about changing career and not being afraid of new challenges, he does mention various IT projects, however he is a fraud in this video, as he is actually presenting as he is quitting aviation, instead of saying he has left BA to go China so he can make more many, or do you think he will feel that he has achieved more flying in China? What utter nonsense and tosh, the guy is a Walther Mitty!

Is it less boring, repetitive and unrewarding job flying in China?

That's what I react on, if he actually left the aviation career completely, than I would not have said anything. But he has not changed anything, just same s... just in China for double the money. So he does not come out as genuine for me, as he is trying to pretend to be someone he is not.

[UAV689]

It is rare that I am this divided on a topic.

Firstly, anyone that wishes to change career, I would only ever wish them all the best of luck. I fact, the more people that leave, the better it gets for those that stay due to increased terms.

the part of me that is torn, and actually annoyed with myself for this judgement, is the fact I have stereotype of him ever being suitable for aviation. He is a well spoken individual, and my second stereotype is that of being from a relatively well of up bringing. Falling into aviation, because it is a respected career daddy would be happy with.

if you complain about waking up at 3am, you clearly had no idea what aviation entailed before you started. If you thought that you would be given medals after flying stag party after stag party to PMI you are deluded. This, along with the rumour he is now working in China, re affirms my position.

i am sick to death of flying with privileged a holes that think the world owes them a 200k job 3 days a week for being a skygod.

delluded.

[Meester proach]

It is rare that I am this divided on a topic.

Firstly, anyone that wishes to change career, I would only ever wish them all the best of luck. I fact, the more people that leave, the better it gets for those that stay due to increased terms.

the part of me that is torn, and actually annoyed with myself for this judgement, is the fact I have stereotype of him ever being suitable for aviation. He is a well spoken individual, and my second stereotype is that of being from a relatively well of up bringing. Falling into aviation, because it is a respected career daddy would be happy with.

if you complain about waking up at 3am, you clearly had no idea what aviation entailed before you started. If you thought that you would be given medals after flying stag party after stag party to PMI you are deluded. This, along with the rumour he is now working in China, re affirms my position.

i am sick to death of flying with privileged a holes that think the world owes them a 200k job 3 days a week for being a skygod.

delluded.


What a nasty piece of character assassination ! Do you know him or his background ? Just because he speaks nicely does that mean he’s from a privledged background ? I doubt BA captains speak like “ chavs”.

a stereotype is just that.

[Flocks]

I agree with most of the post above.

I do respect people who want to change their career, even if they are Captain in BA, AF, ... Not every job is for everybody. For an aviation career you need to be really passionate and as for every job, it is always hard to tell what is truly the job when you are still in training / university ...
More chance for a 20 years old cadet, who went straight to pilot school, then straight right seat A320 to be totally bored at 30 ... The way of doing in USA with flight instructor, regional, main line, ... make the job more interesting in my opinion and give people more chance to find the job does really suit them.

​​​​​​I have friends in aviation flying as bush pilot in Canada, I can guarantee they would never be happy to be FO in whatever airline, even if it is the "normal" way to move your career foward.

Now I disagree when people say the job today is boring with no personal rewards ... I know (sadelly) lot of people who manage by themselves to make the job boring. Using max automation for example, clicking switchs and not trying to challenge themselves ... Yes, I do understand they find the job boring with not challenge at a personal level.

No later than yesterday, I was really happy to do as almost everyday, a nice visual approach with all automatic off and my new FO next to me to say it was really cool to watch and he d like more captain to encourage to do that ...
I speak about this, because this is one of my "reward" for delay, other inconvenience from the pilot job, the wake up at 3am 5time in a raw ... and it is why I really love my job.
When I go to holiday I m really happy to disconnect from work but if I don't fly for 2 weeks, I m really looking forward to be back in the sky !

From what I know in BA, the airline is too strict for me about how you can fly the plane and use of automation, even if TC are good, personally in BA I would find my job boring, so BA is just not for me, does not mean it is not for many other people ... Because we come back about we are all seeking for different "reward" in our job.

If you are really unhappy in your job, do a career change, maybe you will be happier staying in aviation but doing something else, flight instructor or whatever ...

Take care

[bafanguy]

If you are really unhappy in your job, do a career change...

The older one gets and the more “life” taken on, like a family requiring you to “bring home the bacon”, the more difficult radical career change becomes. Consequences of errors become more seismic with age due to less recovery time before retirement.

If one is young, energetic and footloose such changes are much easier and more practical. But even then there’s no guarantee one won’t end up in yet another line of work he finds soul killing. Grandpa always said, “Ya don’t know it ’til ya live it.”.

People sometimes take confidence in a non-aviation educational credential as a safety net. That too seems to have diminishing utility with the passage of years.

In my salad days with a US legacy, I’d often fly with captains who’d say something akin to, “If I couldn’t make this kind of money flying I’d earn it elsewhere because I’ve got a degree in XXXX engineering from Super Tech University.”.

Problem with that was it was an undergrad degree, they never worked a day in the field, the last time they worked an engineering problem it was on a slide rule, they had no contacts or continuing education in the field…and might not have earned what they thought they could.

I certainly can’t make a case against more education but think its utility is inversely proportional to the passage of time.

I respect those who have the guts to take the big step of abandoning aviation if they feel they’ll be better off by some measure. There are surely examples of success doing that.

It seems the BA pilot isn’t a career changer but rather an employer changer.

The guy in my OP actually hung up his wings. I wonder if we’ll see a future post saying he’s reconsidered and is plotting reentry. ;)

[Icanseeclearly]

Bafanguy.

spot on an employer changer not a career changer. Most of us have done it, military to turboprop to jets, par for the course.

i flew with him and agree with richardthethird. Enough said

i hate to to say it but you splurge your life all over the internet and you can expect criticism, steer clear.

[bafanguy]

...you splurge your life all over the internet and you can expect criticism...

I wouldn't want to criticize the guy. Some guys have side businesses while flying but I don't know how many get beyond the hobby status.

I've never known a pilot who just voluntarily pulled the plug on his flying career. It's a variation on a theme and an interesting thing to learn about.

I never had the guts to try it...nor a reason actually. I thought about the "what ifs" but only came up with a lame plan that I fortunately didn't have to test in the real world.

[Chris the Robot]

I've heard of a few who've voluntarily given up a place in the RHS of a jet for the opportunity to drive a train, haven't met them myself though most have ended up at one or two train companies which pay above average, generally Jet FO/Turboprop CPT money for a 35 hour 4 day week working 1 Sunday in 4.

I'm looking at making a move in the opposite direction though the more I read in the T&E forum on here, the more I wonder if I'm absolutely mad. There's one airline I can think of in Europe for English speakers which actually seems to enjoy proper legacy T&Cs (and doesn't really get heavily criticsed on here) plus maybe a few others which are decent. The rest seem to be totally unsustainable from a work/life balance perspective based on what's been said.