Why do you keep doing it, Flying Career that is?
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Why do you keep doing it, Flying Career that is?
G'day All
Simple question, why do you keep doing it? Either chasing that elusive job and keep getting shafted or working for an airline that keeps shafting you?
Have been sitting back and see how angry people are about wages and conditions. So my question is why keep going and please don't give me the "cause it is the best job in the world", or "the view from my office is better than any cubicle", because at the end of the day after several years it is still a job.
I was doing it, flying professionally as a charter pilot, and couldn't see it being worthwhile for me anymore and changed careers some years ago. Earn comfortable money now, home every night and have an employer that values me.
My life is alot better balanced, and I still hold my com lic and get to fly every now and then when the urge takes me.
So what keeps driving you to work for less money, pay money up front, work rosters that are 24/7/365.
Don't get me wrong I love aviation, but what are peoples motivation these days.
Simple question, why do you keep doing it? Either chasing that elusive job and keep getting shafted or working for an airline that keeps shafting you?
Have been sitting back and see how angry people are about wages and conditions. So my question is why keep going and please don't give me the "cause it is the best job in the world", or "the view from my office is better than any cubicle", because at the end of the day after several years it is still a job.
I was doing it, flying professionally as a charter pilot, and couldn't see it being worthwhile for me anymore and changed careers some years ago. Earn comfortable money now, home every night and have an employer that values me.
My life is alot better balanced, and I still hold my com lic and get to fly every now and then when the urge takes me.
So what keeps driving you to work for less money, pay money up front, work rosters that are 24/7/365.
Don't get me wrong I love aviation, but what are peoples motivation these days.
Maybe, just maybe, other people's definition of 'worthwhile' is different from yours.
The view from the 'office' is amazing. No matter what job you do, I guarantee you there will be aspects you dont like. So, why not actually do a job you enjoy?
The view from the 'office' is amazing. No matter what job you do, I guarantee you there will be aspects you dont like. So, why not actually do a job you enjoy?
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There is alot to be said for turning your hobby into your job, which I am sure is what alot of us have done. The downside to this is that when it happens, all of a sudden you no longer have a hobby. What we used to do for fun, does eventually become just a job. However, every now and then you get one of those days where everything goes well and you remember why you got into this caper in the first place. And that rare day keeps bringing you back in search for the next perfect day. Like golf, one good swing brings you back to the course the next weekend. One great days flying, and getting paid for it, brings you back in search for the next perfect day!
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For me, it is the reason I get out of bed in the morning.
It's infinitely, endlessly rewarding at so many levels when I'm off the ground, away from all the pettiness, stupidity and mis-directed 'busy-ness' of what passes for a life below.
It's a disease, in my blood, can't shake it... don't want to!
It's infinitely, endlessly rewarding at so many levels when I'm off the ground, away from all the pettiness, stupidity and mis-directed 'busy-ness' of what passes for a life below.
It's a disease, in my blood, can't shake it... don't want to!
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contraversial thread
Cutting edge considering how passonate people are about aviation, but one I can relate to completely.
I have been in and out of GA for the last 10 -12 years, met some wonderful characters, good and bad - but never boaring. Just when Ive had enough of the predatory conditions I get out and go live in the real world for a bit - and realise it aint all fluffy ducks there either, that way I justify the negatives and return to clapped out cessnas and poor pay.
I guess Im like quite a few out there that pumped there all into aviation at a young age prior to qualifing to any extent in any other field and the thought of re-education is scary to say the least - better the devil you know aye?
(BTW - if theres a VFR 5 day-a-week 208 job out there paying $60 K with company car/time off etc could you please pm me because Im ready )
I have been in and out of GA for the last 10 -12 years, met some wonderful characters, good and bad - but never boaring. Just when Ive had enough of the predatory conditions I get out and go live in the real world for a bit - and realise it aint all fluffy ducks there either, that way I justify the negatives and return to clapped out cessnas and poor pay.
I guess Im like quite a few out there that pumped there all into aviation at a young age prior to qualifing to any extent in any other field and the thought of re-education is scary to say the least - better the devil you know aye?
(BTW - if theres a VFR 5 day-a-week 208 job out there paying $60 K with company car/time off etc could you please pm me because Im ready )
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Plucka, couldn't agree with what you said more. I have also left aviation for a well paying job, and am about to get back into it.
There is the beauty, it will be the reverse, then I will be paid for a hobby.
There is the beauty, it will be the reverse, then I will be paid for a hobby.
The thing that I notice is at the start of the day.
I used to work a few part time jobs while leaning to fly (supermarket etc) and trying to drag myself out of bed to go to work at even 7am proved impossible somedays. On the flip side- even now having to sometimes get out of bed at 4:15am for an early charter is no big deal. Because I know I am going to be getting paid for a job i really enjoy.
For sure there are moments when i think "why the hell am I doing this". Like when its 27degrees at 7am and your trying to pull a heavy 210 out of a hangar with flies crawling into every orrifice.
But overall, you just have to look out the window (and possibly block your nose because of the pax) and the view just makes it all worthwhile.
I can't think of doing any other job.
I used to work a few part time jobs while leaning to fly (supermarket etc) and trying to drag myself out of bed to go to work at even 7am proved impossible somedays. On the flip side- even now having to sometimes get out of bed at 4:15am for an early charter is no big deal. Because I know I am going to be getting paid for a job i really enjoy.
For sure there are moments when i think "why the hell am I doing this". Like when its 27degrees at 7am and your trying to pull a heavy 210 out of a hangar with flies crawling into every orrifice.
But overall, you just have to look out the window (and possibly block your nose because of the pax) and the view just makes it all worthwhile. I can't think of doing any other job.
I don't need a lot of income to keep things ticking over and do the stuff I want to do, (mostly) so I don't work a great deal. Maybe half a year in total, and the job I've got now is great in that respect as I can come & go as I please as long as I give them enough notice.
If I want to have a month or two off, then I just do it.
If I want to have a month or two off, then I just do it.
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LOL
LOL the very next thread I read after seeing the picture above was this one
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...238969&page=50
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...238969&page=50
Because I work for a company that has great aircraft, in great condition, doing a great job, and paying me well to do it. Not only that, but they value their pilots, 
.
morno
.morno
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Good to See some intersresting posts. And good to see passion, and I guess hopefully that is one main reason you keep going.
Jawz, No I don't love money more than wanting to be a pilot. Yes I get paid OK, I made the change due to wanting a better balance in my life, and as much as I love aviation, my balance and perspective were all out of whack. Everything was coming second to flying and I decided that I didn't want the next flying job and the next flying job to be dictating where I lived or how I lived. I wanted to control my life.
Believe me, not an easy decision, I do have aviation and flying in my blood, but wife and children and job security must come first these days.
I know it was a controversial thread to start, but I meant no harm, just really want to know what keeps pushing people to work as a pilot when the bean counters seem to be out to get everyone. Good luck to all, and keep pushing if that is your goal.
Cheers
Jawz, No I don't love money more than wanting to be a pilot. Yes I get paid OK, I made the change due to wanting a better balance in my life, and as much as I love aviation, my balance and perspective were all out of whack. Everything was coming second to flying and I decided that I didn't want the next flying job and the next flying job to be dictating where I lived or how I lived. I wanted to control my life.
Believe me, not an easy decision, I do have aviation and flying in my blood, but wife and children and job security must come first these days.
I know it was a controversial thread to start, but I meant no harm, just really want to know what keeps pushing people to work as a pilot when the bean counters seem to be out to get everyone. Good luck to all, and keep pushing if that is your goal.
Cheers
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Jawz, if that photo is your job and that is your office. I most humbly retract what I said about the office and the view. Because it looks like your office craps all over mine. I am envious of that.
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Only the most dedicated, persistent and then have the ability make it. There is room at the top for those with the above and you usually find the first 2 prerequisites are the most important. 95% of my linies couldn't fly outta sight on a dark night when first employed, but if they were dedicated and persistent we taught them the ability.........and 95% went on to the airlines !!
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PA39 - Isn’t it a shame that you consider one of the most important qualities a pilot should possess is persistence. How about leadership, commonsense, maturity, a team orientation, an agile mind, and above all, a good sense of humour! ‘Persistence’ really says more about the state of this industry than you realise.
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Wicked Shimmy
30 yrs and 12500+ hrs as CFI and CP, and believe me the squeaky door gets the most oil in aviation. If you want it so bad that you can taste it, you'll get it!
30 yrs and 12500+ hrs as CFI and CP, and believe me the squeaky door gets the most oil in aviation. If you want it so bad that you can taste it, you'll get it!
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The thing that does it for me that wants me to persue a career in avation is the fact that i can put a tonne of machinery on the ground basically anywhere at 70 - 100 km/h thats usually my highlight when im flying.
Also its always been a life long ambition of mine and i will always strive to be the best in the industry.
Its not always about money for me, look at it this way, going from where im working now to go and do grade 3 instructing i'll be taking a pay cut of $20K p.a but at the end of the day most of us (IMO) are there for the PASSION.
Jnr380
Also its always been a life long ambition of mine and i will always strive to be the best in the industry.
Its not always about money for me, look at it this way, going from where im working now to go and do grade 3 instructing i'll be taking a pay cut of $20K p.a but at the end of the day most of us (IMO) are there for the PASSION.
Jnr380
So what keeps driving you to work for less money, pay money up front, work rosters that are 24/7/365.
Just because you couldn't find a good job in the industry doesn't mean the rest of us can't.
Of and most of all, I like flying aeroplanes, there is nothing else called "work" that I actually enjoy doing.
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AerocatS2A
less than what, I meant less than the same job 5 yrs ago.
EG B737 VB pilot is earning less than a QF B737.
A jetstar A320 pilot is earning less than a AN320 pilot was.
Paying up front, didn't say you did, but there seems to be a line of pilots after forking out for their qualifications, are willing to pay up more cash for endorsments.
Didn't say I couldn't find a job, I did work professionally as a pilot, I chose to leave the profession, For a better lifestyle, which I have found.
I am asking what still drives people to pursue a flying career.
less than what, I meant less than the same job 5 yrs ago.
EG B737 VB pilot is earning less than a QF B737.
A jetstar A320 pilot is earning less than a AN320 pilot was.
Paying up front, didn't say you did, but there seems to be a line of pilots after forking out for their qualifications, are willing to pay up more cash for endorsments.
Didn't say I couldn't find a job, I did work professionally as a pilot, I chose to leave the profession, For a better lifestyle, which I have found.
I am asking what still drives people to pursue a flying career.