Why are we in Aviation????
Thread Starter
Why are we in Aviation????
I am sitting here in Africa and wondering just that. The pay is average, the frustations are great, and the city leaves much to be desired, not to mention some of the local's attitudes.
Briefly I grew up on an airport where I had the complete run of the place as my father was ATC there, both my offspring are in the industry too, but I am growing increasingly frustrated with all the petty and not so petty rules and attitudes coming from the regulators, and I am seriously thinking after 36 years of bending a wrench, of getting out. Am I Robinson Crusoe???
Briefly I grew up on an airport where I had the complete run of the place as my father was ATC there, both my offspring are in the industry too, but I am growing increasingly frustrated with all the petty and not so petty rules and attitudes coming from the regulators, and I am seriously thinking after 36 years of bending a wrench, of getting out. Am I Robinson Crusoe???
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All of that stuff you have mentioned propstop, can get some one down. It is true, that our industry seems to endure a lot more crap than SOME others. Just remember, we fly so that we never have to work a day in our lives!!
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Can I throw a positive spin on things for a few seconds then shoot it down in flames?
Across my career I have had many advantages that most people never get. because of my career I have seen places in Australia that most people never get to see. Aviation has also shown me the world (and once again at places few ppl get to see). I have had aviation experiences that if I told other people they would find hard to believe. It's been not just a job, but a lifestyle. It's paid for my houses, cars and boats.
AND IN THE LAST TEN YEARS I CANT REMEMBER A DAY WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD JOB SECURITY. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PEOPLE MAKE MORE MONEY THAN I DO, AND TUG DRIVERS GET PAID ABOUT THE SAME, YET MY QUALIFICATIONS AND LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY FAR OUTWEIGH EITHER OF THOSE. EVEN THOUGH LAME'S ARE IN FAR GREATER DEMAND BECAUSE WE ARE AMAZINGLY FEW IN NUMBER OUR WAGES DON'T REFLECT THIS.REGULATION IN AVIATION IS OUT OF HAND AND GETTING WORSE, ENGINEERS ALSO REQUIRE LAW DEGREES THESE DAYS JUST TO KEEP CASA HAPPY.
So the question indeed is WHY ARE WE HERE?
The answer for me is because I don't know anything else, and I enjoy the challenge.
Across my career I have had many advantages that most people never get. because of my career I have seen places in Australia that most people never get to see. Aviation has also shown me the world (and once again at places few ppl get to see). I have had aviation experiences that if I told other people they would find hard to believe. It's been not just a job, but a lifestyle. It's paid for my houses, cars and boats.
AND IN THE LAST TEN YEARS I CANT REMEMBER A DAY WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD JOB SECURITY. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PEOPLE MAKE MORE MONEY THAN I DO, AND TUG DRIVERS GET PAID ABOUT THE SAME, YET MY QUALIFICATIONS AND LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY FAR OUTWEIGH EITHER OF THOSE. EVEN THOUGH LAME'S ARE IN FAR GREATER DEMAND BECAUSE WE ARE AMAZINGLY FEW IN NUMBER OUR WAGES DON'T REFLECT THIS.REGULATION IN AVIATION IS OUT OF HAND AND GETTING WORSE, ENGINEERS ALSO REQUIRE LAW DEGREES THESE DAYS JUST TO KEEP CASA HAPPY.
So the question indeed is WHY ARE WE HERE?
The answer for me is because I don't know anything else, and I enjoy the challenge.
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A very wise and elderly stalwart engineer told me this recently after returning to do some work a couple of days a week. He said that this is the only industry he knows where our involvement is based mostly on emotions.
I don't think that he is far wrong.
I don't think that he is far wrong.
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I am in Aviation simply because I LOVE TO FLY. All else is secondary.
And another thing, I can make 3 times as much doing my previous ocupation, with the same amount of BS, but at the end of the day I LOVE TO FLY, and that is what makes me happy.
[ 03 September 2001: Message edited by: Spinnerhead ]
And another thing, I can make 3 times as much doing my previous ocupation, with the same amount of BS, but at the end of the day I LOVE TO FLY, and that is what makes me happy.
[ 03 September 2001: Message edited by: Spinnerhead ]
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Let's face it folks, we're one of the lucky few in this world who get paid to do something we love....FLYING !! and you've got to be happy about that ! However, as for the industry as a whole, well it just sucks !
Has to be a cost for everything.........
Has to be a cost for everything.........
I have now spent over half my life either trying to or actually make a living in this industry. I don't live for the flying the way I used too, and I can, with hindsight, see a relatively high personal cost. But what the heck, at the end of the day it still beats working for a living, and although I have tried, I can't think of a better alternative.
Cheers CTL
Cheers CTL
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My only regret is that I have not been able to share with mrs gaunty and the children, the amaaaaazing things that, like prunehead, I have experienced in my life and travels in aviation around the world.
Or be able to get my non aviation friends to understand what I mean as their eyes glaze over.
It is a singular, lonely and selfish privilege and probably explains the peculiar bond shared with other aviators.
With them, I don't need to describe the sun rise and sets, picanniny dawn, shooting star shot night skies made milky with the sheer number of visible stars, awesome TS, the quiet hiss of the airflow with the HF chatter in the background and the occasional clatter of the trim or the subtle quickening of the tempo heralding an imminent arrival.
Sitting there God like but humbled, whilst the earth rotates below you, why would anyone want a real job.
edited for speling
[ 04 September 2001: Message edited by: gaunty ]
Or be able to get my non aviation friends to understand what I mean as their eyes glaze over.
It is a singular, lonely and selfish privilege and probably explains the peculiar bond shared with other aviators.
With them, I don't need to describe the sun rise and sets, picanniny dawn, shooting star shot night skies made milky with the sheer number of visible stars, awesome TS, the quiet hiss of the airflow with the HF chatter in the background and the occasional clatter of the trim or the subtle quickening of the tempo heralding an imminent arrival.
Sitting there God like but humbled, whilst the earth rotates below you, why would anyone want a real job.
edited for speling
[ 04 September 2001: Message edited by: gaunty ]
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Well said all - It's also the only job I've never suffered from Monday-itis. Even after some years in the industry, I still look forward to going to work. 'Cept when Sim Check comes around!
Gaunty - How'd ya get that great flag !?
Gaunty - How'd ya get that great flag !?
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Hmmmm the question has popped many times into my head whenever I have received some sort of set back in my aviation career. 
However like the rest have said, I can't help but feel this unique bond between myself and being up in the air.It's something that the average person just doesn't understand and I feel sorry for them!
I am sure many have heard the song "Learning to Fly" by Pink Floyd...that song holds many truths to myself and I love that line...
"There's no sensation to compare with this,suspended animation, state of bliss..."
cheers all!
However like the rest have said, I can't help but feel this unique bond between myself and being up in the air.It's something that the average person just doesn't understand and I feel sorry for them!
I am sure many have heard the song "Learning to Fly" by Pink Floyd...that song holds many truths to myself and I love that line...
"There's no sensation to compare with this,suspended animation, state of bliss..."
cheers all!
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NTLBD
Re the flag
I bribed Danny with money, just as you can.
Go here young man.
http://www.pprune.org/go.php?go=/ptorder/ptorder.htm
Re the flag
I bribed Danny with money, just as you can.
Go here young man.
http://www.pprune.org/go.php?go=/ptorder/ptorder.htm
