I always wanted to do it, but could not get past RVSM auto-pilot requirement. What's your workaround? Thanks...

FD
(the un-real)

To answer the original question - well, in fact I don't have an answer, at least not an easy one. After 30 years flying and all but the first three being paid to do so I would have to say that the best time of all was when I was doing my PPL - a feeling of nervous anticipation followed by a certain exhilaration which lasted all the way home - learning to fly with like-minded people who like me were always short of cash - behaving like hooligans once we had our licences and begun our aerobatic training - those were indeed the days.

Why would anyone want to fly large passenger aircraft today - not sure really - increasing automation, more 'commercial pressures' , a horrible phrase I know - the dreadful ego's of some, repeat - some, of one's colleagues - more graft,less reward from employers - hassle of driving to work - increased security post 9/11. I suppose in an ideal world one would get a good if not great salary flying a big radial engined floatplane with a bit of DC3 work thrown in one the side, chuck in a old fashioned flying jacket and a popsie on each arm........ah, dreams ! Perhaps the ideal time to fly passenger jets was in the late-fifties and early sixties in the hey-days of BOAC and Pan-Am when the skipper was held with some respect, the cabin crew all wore seamed stockings(incoming flak), low-cost airlines had not even entered Lakers mind, 707's and Comets ruled the sky and we still had an Empire to fly around.

Do I regret a career in aviation - no, would I do it all over again starting today - no but the very best of luck to all those who do !

My goal is not to be flying 744 (or A380) 14-16 hours flights. There is so much more options....

I wouldnt mind doing approaches like this.....:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1053488/L/

.....from the other side:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1003526/L/

Doing some "island hopping" here:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1053485/L/

Land my little Dash and jump into the sea:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1006506/L/


Beautiful, and im sure my girlfriend would appreciate that far more then the 2 day flying away business with the "big birds"..... :)

until she sees your pay check......

Money Again
 

Woof etc.........take it from me you will never earn any real money monging about in any aircraft....period. If yer into money be a door to door salesman or something un-popular but well rewarding - but dont delude yersel there's any real money flying someone else's plane.
Decent respectable living , yes, life changing money, no. Please don't think i am pouring scorn or denying air-taxi is harder, less payed work - i just think we should be honest about our motives - we wanna fly! and the more people out there with 60 grand to hand in (and in a booming economy there are more and more) the more market forces will degrade the relative deal for a F/O in particular. Take a F/O's salary at the start and factor in an un-aided re-location and you will see what i mean about the money.
Sorry.

I have flown a lot of small aircraft,from a Cessna 152 to a Grand Caravan and a Chieftain but to tell you the truth whenever i handfly the 737 doing a visual approach i feel i am the luckiest guy in the world.Jets can be demanding some times and its true that you count a lot on automation for workload reduction.I agree with Antonio Montana,it feels great getting a 60 ton aircraft doing whatever you want when you hand fly it.It is something unique,a pure pleasure.

tonker: That seems like a great reason all on it's own .... "the birds" :ok:

Spernkey - which was my point as well I think!

Tonkey - how we going to break this to you gently!!

Money?
Contract?
and er, Money?

Oh and hosties!

I,m new here today and just looking and thought I would throw in 2 cents. I have never had a desire to fly the big ones. My idea of a thrill is taking a single into a remote airstrip in the mountains, short and maybe soft, snow covered, possible animals, and people that usually are happy to see you.

Totally agree.

Would you rather drive a Porsche Twin Turbo Sideways on ice or drive a bus full of oldies????

You can make a huge difference to peoples lives by being a bush pilot, and see great sights, but your paycheck........:rolleyes:. Better than flying a plastic B738 after forking out for a TR??? Better than being paid to do a TR and subsequently bonded to a decent airline???