I've hit my wall working in ME.
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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I've hit my wall working in ME.
Sorry if I sound like a whining baby on this post but I'm trying to figure out if there is something wrong with me or this is happening to everyone else. Lately I just feel I've hit my wall when comes to my career, being on the business for 25 years and completely lost my drive to continue flying. Can't stand how complicated things become, how much pressure is put on us coming from all directions and can't stand this shortage of pilots forcing us to endure flying overtime and constant roster changes. I still can't figure out if this is only a "ME syndrome" or it's widespread, I kinda have a feeling that changing jobs will not solve my problems. I attempted to reduce my flying stress and to motivate myself by joining the training department since I treasure good memories from my past experience as an instructor and already regret that decision, things are 10x more complicated once trining is involved. How do you guys coupe with modern aviation? Is ME really the root cause of all this or the aviation business is to be blamed. I always had plans to leave the company but don't know how to carry on until it's time to leave and even if leaving will be the answer since I look around and don't see many pilots happy with their company either. Maybe I'm a whining baby and things are not so bad.... go figure.
short flights long nights
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Ifbb relax.
It is the job.
simply has nothing to do with that job having the same name but done 15-20 years ago and earlier.
The solution IS to change job, not to change employer.
I don't have the strength or will to it anymore.
just letting the time pass and eventually I'll be done with it in some more years.
sad? Yes it is.
like it was sad to work in mines a century ago.
This is actually many times better than that
KL
It is the job.
simply has nothing to do with that job having the same name but done 15-20 years ago and earlier.
The solution IS to change job, not to change employer.
I don't have the strength or will to it anymore.
just letting the time pass and eventually I'll be done with it in some more years.
sad? Yes it is.
like it was sad to work in mines a century ago.
This is actually many times better than that
KL
short flights long nights
So how are you going doing training, regretting you are doing it? Is that fair on the people you are training?
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You're not alone, thousands of EK pilots are in the same boat with you. But it isn't just EK, it's the whole industry. My previous airlines, where my friends work now etc... Its all the same. Things are spiralling out of control. Maybe it will turn around when there is an extreme pilot shortage in a decade or so, but by then I'll be long gone from aviation.
It is sad to see this incredible profession go down the drain. I used to be so proud to wear the uniform and call myself a professional pilot. Not anymore, I have no pride left in what I do. The whole industry is a sad disgrace. Every other day another stupid procedure or threatening email about how hopeless we are, meanwhile we drift further and further from actually doing what we do best... Fly aeroplane's.
Now just counting down until the money bucket is full and I'll be back in my home country. Like another poster said, just passing the time now... PPC to PPC, nodding my head but inside couldn't care less. Sad reality but that's what it is now.
It is sad to see this incredible profession go down the drain. I used to be so proud to wear the uniform and call myself a professional pilot. Not anymore, I have no pride left in what I do. The whole industry is a sad disgrace. Every other day another stupid procedure or threatening email about how hopeless we are, meanwhile we drift further and further from actually doing what we do best... Fly aeroplane's.
Now just counting down until the money bucket is full and I'll be back in my home country. Like another poster said, just passing the time now... PPC to PPC, nodding my head but inside couldn't care less. Sad reality but that's what it is now.
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Isn't it sad that so many of us feel this way now. I'm the same, filling up the bank balance until I hit the Press 2 level. One day management will look back and wonder where it all went wrong......
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With the greatest possible respect to FlyDubai and it’s great crew, it doesn’t say much about EK when pilots aspire to work for its low-cost short-haul division rather than what was once the ‘World’s Best Airline’...
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But your post demonstrates a good point. There’s basically nothing that can be done about EK or the industry, but you do have a choice - you stay and keep putting away what money you have to leave the industry earlier, at the expense of maintaining a happy life/family until that point. Or you can do what many have done and sacrifice the bigger pay-packet and earlier retirement with the benefit of enjoying lifestyle more in the present. That’s what myself and many others have now done. I don’t live so salubriously but I have a pleasant work-life balance and I love going to work flying again. I just have to work longer until retirement and live more modestly. Personally I’ve got no regrets, but it doesn’t work for everybody.
I guess it all depends on which bucket is more important to you. Money vs Less S**t. Think about it long and hard and work out what you will regret less in the future.
Well said Odin ! The industry has changed but it’s not all bad . I’ve seen the so called legacy carrier “good old days” which was fantastic in comparison to present terms and conditions in the ME and elsewhere. Respect, on all sides, a very good salary and a healthy working environment . It’s their train set now but they don’t know how to run it and doubtless never will
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The crunch comes when you retire. Then you look back and realise that lifestyle trumps money every time. As long as you can survive comfortably on a lesser salary go for it, otherwise you will eventually realise that you have wasted your life.
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if so, why isn't everyone running to apply and you have Captains willing to jump ship and downgrade to F/Os?
MS
It's a function of the job. Heavily SOP based with little recourse to skill or judgement, rosters which use the FTLs at targets, not limits and management who offer no respect and are only too keen to blame. Not to mention the constant onslaught on terms and conditions. Flying is boring and I go to work with little or no enthusiasm for the job. I won't be flying for much longer I feel.
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It's a function of the job. Heavily SOP based with little recourse to skill or judgement, rosters which use the FTLs at targets, not limits and management who offer no respect and are only too keen to blame. Not to mention the constant onslaught on terms and conditions. Flying is boring and I go to work with little or no enthusiasm for the job. I won't be flying for much longer I feel.
I will be done this year, after 40 years its no longer what I signed up for.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Fatigue and over proceduralisation, with airmanship, skill and judgement no longer required means the job satisfaction has been forcibly removed and although the money bucket is not quite as full as I would like, we will cope and I will get my health, life and peace of mind back.
Pointless waiting for things to improve. If they were going to, they would have by now.
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"Never say never" but things will never get better here and I think the entire industry is heading that way . Bean counters dream. I also get concerned about getting on a flight as a pax , "Captain of the magenta line " there are many examples of accidents and serious incidents.
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I am sure there are many airlines around the world that cause this effect, but I agree that is EK is wearing thin on me.
I thought I would never leave this place, but with each passing week, I feel that day is coming.
I thought I would never leave this place, but with each passing week, I feel that day is coming.
QUALITY OF LIFE AND FAMILY LIFE ARE THE ONLY THINGS THAT MATTER !
Sorry to shout, but it is very easy in our industry to get caught up with the money and the big shiny jets and the uniform - I did once.
But then, some years’ ago I went through a horrible divorce - caused in part by my working hours and long commutes to work - I never really saw my family properly because I was either recovering from the previous 6 on 2 off or was sleeping ready for the next duty. I lost my house and half my pension pot. More recently, my employer suddenly stopped trading; putting us all out of a job, and it seems that despite what they say, some airlines are reluctant to employ a pilot of my age.
So I have gone from being well on the way to a comfortable living and the prospect of a well funded retirement, back to square one.
But, do you know what? Both these major catastrophes in my life have taught me that family and one’s wellbeing are the ONLY things that are important. Everything else is irrelevant.
So my advice to anyone is that if you are not enjoying your job, or the hours and management are getting you down; Resign. Do something else that you really enjoy.
Move and buy a house in the Welsh hills, buy a piano and learn to play it, learn to paint or draw and watch the sunsets or whatever, but LIVE YOUR LIFE - the money and the kudos of flying large aircraft is really not important.
There is no point spending your whole working life away from home, missing your children growing up etc., only to end up as a burnt out husk with health problems.
Sorry to shout, but it is very easy in our industry to get caught up with the money and the big shiny jets and the uniform - I did once.
But then, some years’ ago I went through a horrible divorce - caused in part by my working hours and long commutes to work - I never really saw my family properly because I was either recovering from the previous 6 on 2 off or was sleeping ready for the next duty. I lost my house and half my pension pot. More recently, my employer suddenly stopped trading; putting us all out of a job, and it seems that despite what they say, some airlines are reluctant to employ a pilot of my age.
So I have gone from being well on the way to a comfortable living and the prospect of a well funded retirement, back to square one.
But, do you know what? Both these major catastrophes in my life have taught me that family and one’s wellbeing are the ONLY things that are important. Everything else is irrelevant.
So my advice to anyone is that if you are not enjoying your job, or the hours and management are getting you down; Resign. Do something else that you really enjoy.
Move and buy a house in the Welsh hills, buy a piano and learn to play it, learn to paint or draw and watch the sunsets or whatever, but LIVE YOUR LIFE - the money and the kudos of flying large aircraft is really not important.
There is no point spending your whole working life away from home, missing your children growing up etc., only to end up as a burnt out husk with health problems.
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Came here with nothing.
Listened to the adults.
Saved money.
Have a bail out mechanism.
Enjoy it mostly.
Some days I struggle, and when I do I weigh my two buckets.
"The Graveyard of Ambition" as a friend calls it.
Listened to the adults.
Saved money.
Have a bail out mechanism.
Enjoy it mostly.
Some days I struggle, and when I do I weigh my two buckets.
"The Graveyard of Ambition" as a friend calls it.