I demand to be an Airline Pilot - Tell em they're dreaming
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: With hardship in an old Astra
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Melbourne
Age: 68
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Super Cecil , Its a bit rich for those who have never done it to pass judgement on airline flying.
I did 10 years in GA before jagging a slot in an airline and don’t regret a minute of it.
But compared to a multi- crew ,state of the art RPT jet and comprehensive cyclic training regime they are simply not comparable.
Sorry but you wont find too many people who have actually done it who say it is.
My only regret is this debacle will lead me to an early retirement
Its been a privilege.
I did 10 years in GA before jagging a slot in an airline and don’t regret a minute of it.
But compared to a multi- crew ,state of the art RPT jet and comprehensive cyclic training regime they are simply not comparable.
Sorry but you wont find too many people who have actually done it who say it is.
My only regret is this debacle will lead me to an early retirement
Its been a privilege.
For those saying pursue another career that's great however you may never be an airline Captain anywhere if you wait to your mid 30's to get flying. Even LCC are looking at 10+ years to command. Not to mention getting yourself into the airline in the first instance.
I propose vet fee help be removed for flying training. Now before you say "medicine and dental students cost the same", even if you don't end up being a doctor or dentist but hold one of these degrees I doubt you will have trouble finding a well paying job.
A 100k debt and a CPL makes you less employable than someone with a 1k debt and a truck licence.
All that Vet Fee funding has managed to do is flood the market with cheap pilots with huge debts and pushed up the price of training by at least 30%. I base my 30% on the cost of my CPL MEIR compared to the price my school charged the next year when it got approved for Vet Fee funding.
A 100k debt and a CPL makes you less employable than someone with a 1k debt and a truck licence.
All that Vet Fee funding has managed to do is flood the market with cheap pilots with huge debts and pushed up the price of training by at least 30%. I base my 30% on the cost of my CPL MEIR compared to the price my school charged the next year when it got approved for Vet Fee funding.
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Uk
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I’ve no idea what the original rant is about as it seems to be written in Australian.
Its gonna be a tough few years to be starting out, but the old boys like me might lose interest early and become professional cloud shouters.
Its gonna be a tough few years to be starting out, but the old boys like me might lose interest early and become professional cloud shouters.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: back to the land of small pay and big bills
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You may say Doctors and Dentists are more employable than pilots for their $100k loans but my local GP and dental practice are seriously struggling because of the lockdown and asking for government small business assistance. They’re essential services too but one is closed because they don’t want their staff to contact infected customers and the other because the Doctor has an existing condition that puts him at risk. You never know who you’ll be standing next to at the unemployment queue.
Join Date: Nov 2018
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looking at the response Cecil I think you hit the nail in the head about why most of these guys/girls both young and old got into the industry.
You may say Doctors and Dentists are more employable than pilots for their $100k loans but my local GP and dental practice are seriously struggling because of the lockdown and asking for government small business assistance. They’re essential services too but one is closed because they don’t want their staff to contact infected customers and the other because the Doctor has an existing condition that puts him at risk. You never know who you’ll be standing next to at the unemployment queue.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Australia
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Super Cecil , Its a bit rich for those who have never done it to pass judgement on airline flying.
I did 10 years in GA before jagging a slot in an airline and don’t regret a minute of it.
But compared to a multi- crew ,state of the art RPT jet and comprehensive cyclic training regime they are simply not comparable.
Sorry but you wont find too many people who have actually done it who say it is.
My only regret is this debacle will lead me to an early retirement
Its been a privilege.
I did 10 years in GA before jagging a slot in an airline and don’t regret a minute of it.
But compared to a multi- crew ,state of the art RPT jet and comprehensive cyclic training regime they are simply not comparable.
Sorry but you wont find too many people who have actually done it who say it is.
My only regret is this debacle will lead me to an early retirement
Its been a privilege.
As I said I like flying, I know one landing every second leg is to me is not really flying. By flying I mean hands on not sitting back watching somebody else or a software program fly the aircraft while I'm a bystander (Or sitter).
I am not criticizing your choice of career, if it's fulfilling and rewarding to you then great.
As I said I like flying, I know one landing every second leg is to me is not really flying. By flying I mean hands on not sitting back watching somebody else or a software program fly the aircraft while I'm a bystander (Or sitter).
I am not criticizing your choice of career, if it's fulfilling and rewarding to you then great.
I am not criticizing your choice of career, if it's fulfilling and rewarding to you then great.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Australia
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Settle down Dr, I did not say, nor do I despise airline flying. Where did I say I hate it? Where did I warn youngsters against it? I have some good friends in airline work, most enjoy their career choice.
Airline employment is a worthwhile career (For some) filling a professional need, just not for the job for me, the same as working in an abattoir.
Prune is a professional pilots rumor network, not just an airline forum, everybody can contribute.
Be thankful more aren't chasing your "Dream job" and working for nothing just so they can call themselves "Captain".
The likes of the US where feeder airline pilots (Dash 8's and ATR's) were working 3 jobs so they can work for paltry wages doing their dream job.
Some of you people seem very offended not everybody thinks airline flying is a dream job.
The original thread title and first post was rather pessimistic about chances of future employment, I was merely offering an alternative
,
Airline employment is a worthwhile career (For some) filling a professional need, just not for the job for me, the same as working in an abattoir.
Prune is a professional pilots rumor network, not just an airline forum, everybody can contribute.
Be thankful more aren't chasing your "Dream job" and working for nothing just so they can call themselves "Captain".
The likes of the US where feeder airline pilots (Dash 8's and ATR's) were working 3 jobs so they can work for paltry wages doing their dream job.
Some of you people seem very offended not everybody thinks airline flying is a dream job.
The original thread title and first post was rather pessimistic about chances of future employment, I was merely offering an alternative
,
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Perth
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Nev, yes there are limited choices GA, Aeromedical, corporate, AG or Fire are some of the few that you can make a career. Agreed they won't make the money there used to be in airlines. I have never had a desire to get a job with airlines. I have had a 40 year career in Ag and on fire work, enjoyed it immensely. 100% hands on, never switched on an autopilot. I learned to fly to fly an aircraft, not to sit there for 95% of the time while the autopilot does the work. I put job satisfaction of AG flying above making double the money in an airline job, after 40 years I still enjoy every hour I fly. I will repeat, not everybody thinks working for an airline is the dream job.
Join Date: Sep 2018
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Interesting thread. I spent 20 years flying jet transport aircraft as a Skipper for several airlines.
Great job, the money was good but eventually got well and truly sick of the 03:00 sign-ons, back-of-the-clock flying, living in hotels, traffic on the way to the airport,
sim checks and being away from home.
Now work for a professional small operation with an airline mindset regarding safety and SOPs, no shift work, no sim, at home 98% of the time, no traffic, no egos.
I suspect I will live at least 5-10 years longer and still have wife number 1 !
One thing I was careful to do was invest my income with some thought so when the shiny jet syndrome wore off I had a choice to do something else.
I still fly small aircraft every now and then which is actually more fun that sitting in a jet at 40,000 ft with the autopilot engaged.
Having said that, was glad I had the opportunity to be an airline skipper but not interested in going back to it.
Great job, the money was good but eventually got well and truly sick of the 03:00 sign-ons, back-of-the-clock flying, living in hotels, traffic on the way to the airport,
sim checks and being away from home.
Now work for a professional small operation with an airline mindset regarding safety and SOPs, no shift work, no sim, at home 98% of the time, no traffic, no egos.
I suspect I will live at least 5-10 years longer and still have wife number 1 !
One thing I was careful to do was invest my income with some thought so when the shiny jet syndrome wore off I had a choice to do something else.
I still fly small aircraft every now and then which is actually more fun that sitting in a jet at 40,000 ft with the autopilot engaged.
Having said that, was glad I had the opportunity to be an airline skipper but not interested in going back to it.
spot on, been there done that! When I started to dread going to work that was a sign!
Flying at the top end was at the end if the day just a job that allowed me to enjoy myself outside of the industry -)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Melbourne
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Bonegi1 , I here you. One of the big issues of the decades long chase to the bottom , driven mostly by bean counters , means the work/life style balance has definitely deteriorated in my time in the game. Its the single biggest reason that I would caution young people against an airline career.
(Funny how you can always pick the posters who have done the miles and those who are making it up...........)
(Funny how you can always pick the posters who have done the miles and those who are making it up...........)