Gone is the glamour of an airline career...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lyon
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Indeed.
Mind you, has a glamourous career in aviation always been somewhat of a myth anyway? In the pioneer years it was dangerous, hard work coupled with a lonely lifestyle and beset by lack of knowledge in areas such as human factors and meteorology in particular. As time has gone by, commercial flight has become safer, more efficient/scientific and achievable to the average Joe. However, it still means large amounts of time away from home for pilots who often have no regular companion in their lives apart from their kit bag. Let's not talk about divorce rates or alcoholism...
Of course, pilots from British Airways, Emirates, Cathay and rest of the reputed top-notch airlines have always seemed to personify a cool, debonair vocation in which some handsome fella scoops a lovely lass at the end of a flight to somewhere exotic.
By all means correct me if I'm wrong here, but I still get the impression the industry is filled with age'ism, sex'ism and a bit of the "old boys club" thinking. Where's the glamour in that I ask? *crux of the matter*
Sorry to witter on about "Fate is the Hunter" but it really did open my eyes. Even though it was written decades ago, so many of the concerns it raised for the author then still apply today.
Mind you, has a glamourous career in aviation always been somewhat of a myth anyway? In the pioneer years it was dangerous, hard work coupled with a lonely lifestyle and beset by lack of knowledge in areas such as human factors and meteorology in particular. As time has gone by, commercial flight has become safer, more efficient/scientific and achievable to the average Joe. However, it still means large amounts of time away from home for pilots who often have no regular companion in their lives apart from their kit bag. Let's not talk about divorce rates or alcoholism...
Of course, pilots from British Airways, Emirates, Cathay and rest of the reputed top-notch airlines have always seemed to personify a cool, debonair vocation in which some handsome fella scoops a lovely lass at the end of a flight to somewhere exotic.
By all means correct me if I'm wrong here, but I still get the impression the industry is filled with age'ism, sex'ism and a bit of the "old boys club" thinking. Where's the glamour in that I ask? *crux of the matter*
Sorry to witter on about "Fate is the Hunter" but it really did open my eyes. Even though it was written decades ago, so many of the concerns it raised for the author then still apply today.
Last edited by FlyBoyFryer; 12th Aug 2009 at 15:08.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: UK
Age: 54
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Day_Dreamer
I agree, there will always be people that will do what they need to "get ahead" - in this case, offering themselves up as a cheaper option and effectively eliminate some of the competition.
A couple of points I was trying to make: i) that if people boycotted these airlines then the airlines would have to type rate its new entrant pilots; ii) you're far more likely to get the best guy/girl in the seat if you have an application process that is a true meritocracy, one that doesn't exclude those who cannot afford (or not prepared) to pay for their own type rating - that said, the best candidate may also be willing to SSTR.
Just because you felt the need to pay for your own type rating then you should be comfortable with your own decision. I am not questioning your abilities as a pilot, rather I question the effect of someone willing to pay for their own training and the downward pressure this has on the profession which has been suffering erosion of Ts and Cs for years.
Don't misunderstand me, I really like my job and I took a pay cut from my previous profession to do it - but there is a line in the sand, I have my price.
I didn't say that.
You said that.
What I'm about to say is going to get me shot down but here goes anyway... There are some pilots out there who shouldn't be entertaining any thoughts about flying commercially. I've met scores of people who were scratching about in GA asking me how to get their breakthrough, as they'd been really "unlucky". Having spoken to them and seen some of their flying - they should find a different career. Yet with enough money and tenacity they may end up flying a turbo prop - great until one day they're flying a plane full of passengers in testing conditions and everyone pays the price for the cheap pilot up the front.
My bottom line is that when a seat becomes available the pilot chosen should be the most able person to do the job; in order to achieve this, the application net should be cast as wide as possible. Skills alone should be the sole factor in deciding who flies my sorry arse about!
There will always be people out there willing to pay for a type rating...
Boycotting SSTR's will not happen, its human nature to get that step ahead by whatever means.
Boycotting SSTR's will not happen, its human nature to get that step ahead by whatever means.
A couple of points I was trying to make: i) that if people boycotted these airlines then the airlines would have to type rate its new entrant pilots; ii) you're far more likely to get the best guy/girl in the seat if you have an application process that is a true meritocracy, one that doesn't exclude those who cannot afford (or not prepared) to pay for their own type rating - that said, the best candidate may also be willing to SSTR.
Just because you felt the need to pay for your own type rating then you should be comfortable with your own decision. I am not questioning your abilities as a pilot, rather I question the effect of someone willing to pay for their own training and the downward pressure this has on the profession which has been suffering erosion of Ts and Cs for years.
Don't misunderstand me, I really like my job and I took a pay cut from my previous profession to do it - but there is a line in the sand, I have my price.
Also what makes you think that you are any better or worse than a cadet pilot who has passed SSTR selection.
Recently I have seen many young men and women (With The Funds) who have gone for the SSTR selection and failed, the standard being higher than they expected.
What I'm about to say is going to get me shot down but here goes anyway... There are some pilots out there who shouldn't be entertaining any thoughts about flying commercially. I've met scores of people who were scratching about in GA asking me how to get their breakthrough, as they'd been really "unlucky". Having spoken to them and seen some of their flying - they should find a different career. Yet with enough money and tenacity they may end up flying a turbo prop - great until one day they're flying a plane full of passengers in testing conditions and everyone pays the price for the cheap pilot up the front.
My bottom line is that when a seat becomes available the pilot chosen should be the most able person to do the job; in order to achieve this, the application net should be cast as wide as possible. Skills alone should be the sole factor in deciding who flies my sorry arse about!
Join Date: May 2002
Location: UK
Age: 54
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you suggesting a commercial or other organisation would let someone sit on their flight deck without proper training?
So a pilot can bump scrape through his checks, having numerous repeats and retests and still keep their rating. The company for whatever reasons (poor management, costs etc) will keep the pilot on and then one day their skills are called into question and they fail. Unfortunately in the real world there is no reset button that allows you another shot.
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: ME
Posts: 5,502
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Getting back to the topic....
Yep, it does....... in some places, including the cavier...
Talking to a colleague, they are dispatched with FULL FIRST CLASS catering, noritake china, he was on his way to spend 5 days in a 5* hotel in Bangkok.. .... and he flies a cargo aircraft! So the dream still exists, you just need to know where to look!
Mutt
Do you think that the life of a pilot equals serious money, serious attention from the opposite sex, 5 star hotels, champagne and caviar?
Talking to a colleague, they are dispatched with FULL FIRST CLASS catering, noritake china, he was on his way to spend 5 days in a 5* hotel in Bangkok.. .... and he flies a cargo aircraft! So the dream still exists, you just need to know where to look!
Mutt
