What made you walk away
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Australia
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GMac115,
It is hard... sometimes impossible...
About a year ago I was in a similar circumstance and had to go hunting around the country, I had to make numerous promises to those I loved that I would be fine and I would try and see them as much as I could... none of which happened and all of which I broke...
It broke me, I was down and out very much like what you seem to be now... I thought about quitting and have the luxury of having other professional and passions behind me... the question that drove me on was why I was so down and out?? It was not because I was underqualified... it was not because I was underskilled... it was simply because I was not in the right place at the right time...
Life is much bigger than flying... try never to forget that, you will find many times in your life that you will love and loathe any job...
Over one year on, I am in a job where I am incredibly happy, I have the best boss of my working life, I have a team I work with that are incredibly professionaly and curteous. I work everywhere and no where but am able to try and make it home for all the big things in my life that dictates.
I am no longer in a rush to reach to the shiny LHS of a jet, and found what it is to build time in a happy place. I want to impress on you that there is going to always be nice people out there (far and few between with bosses admittedly) but there will be many people out there that genuinely want to see you achieve your goals and dreams...
Cut out all the people that whinge about how hard it is... Move on when you can, to something you like doing (flying or not) and you will not even notice that you are doing something that requires your attention and effort.
If money means nothing to you and you want to cut through the ranks go to CX and the cadetship there... IMHO it is a gross discredit to the experience you already have and would be unhappy working there... but remember that you did not get into flying with the thoughts of a house, wife, kids, future... Maybe instruct aerobatics, fly a float plane.... recapture the passion and have a realisation which I find at the bottom of my third pint as "moment of clarity"... remember why you love it and ask your self then wether it is worth it...
Speak to anyone who has stuck it out long enough and has stayed the course and they will tell you... as the above posts have already, that good things do come to those who wait... but again... make sure you frame your reference around that moment of clarity or I think you will become bitter and disengauged with flying...
I only hope you find what makes you happy... MP
It is hard... sometimes impossible...
About a year ago I was in a similar circumstance and had to go hunting around the country, I had to make numerous promises to those I loved that I would be fine and I would try and see them as much as I could... none of which happened and all of which I broke...
It broke me, I was down and out very much like what you seem to be now... I thought about quitting and have the luxury of having other professional and passions behind me... the question that drove me on was why I was so down and out?? It was not because I was underqualified... it was not because I was underskilled... it was simply because I was not in the right place at the right time...
Life is much bigger than flying... try never to forget that, you will find many times in your life that you will love and loathe any job...
Over one year on, I am in a job where I am incredibly happy, I have the best boss of my working life, I have a team I work with that are incredibly professionaly and curteous. I work everywhere and no where but am able to try and make it home for all the big things in my life that dictates.
I am no longer in a rush to reach to the shiny LHS of a jet, and found what it is to build time in a happy place. I want to impress on you that there is going to always be nice people out there (far and few between with bosses admittedly) but there will be many people out there that genuinely want to see you achieve your goals and dreams...
Cut out all the people that whinge about how hard it is... Move on when you can, to something you like doing (flying or not) and you will not even notice that you are doing something that requires your attention and effort.
If money means nothing to you and you want to cut through the ranks go to CX and the cadetship there... IMHO it is a gross discredit to the experience you already have and would be unhappy working there... but remember that you did not get into flying with the thoughts of a house, wife, kids, future... Maybe instruct aerobatics, fly a float plane.... recapture the passion and have a realisation which I find at the bottom of my third pint as "moment of clarity"... remember why you love it and ask your self then wether it is worth it...
Speak to anyone who has stuck it out long enough and has stayed the course and they will tell you... as the above posts have already, that good things do come to those who wait... but again... make sure you frame your reference around that moment of clarity or I think you will become bitter and disengauged with flying...
I only hope you find what makes you happy... MP
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Melburn
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I guess a valid question now is, what options exist to qualified pilots, within Aviation but outside of driving? Obviously this will vary depending on experience levels, and the obvious answer is ATC of some shape or form.
Does a CPL/ATPL provide a foundation for any other careers within Aviation?
How can you blame any Pilot observing the erosion of conditions within the industry, contemplating moving on? I'm contemplating keeping my love of flying as just that, something I do in my spare time, instead of holding onto it as the justification is surviving in perhaps one of the most misconceived,
industries around. *End rant*
Does a CPL/ATPL provide a foundation for any other careers within Aviation?
How can you blame any Pilot observing the erosion of conditions within the industry, contemplating moving on? I'm contemplating keeping my love of flying as just that, something I do in my spare time, instead of holding onto it as the justification is surviving in perhaps one of the most misconceived,
industries around. *End rant*
I listened to the older, more experienced hands who told me of:
-large and growing number of unemployed pilots
-declining conditions even if you got that elusive job
-declining maintenance standards
-growing regulation
-fuel crisis
-no future in aviation
and so I stuck with the comfy, well paid office job.
That was in 1977 lads. Doesn't seem that much has changed.
The result is a Pprune name that says it all and, finally, getting the gleeful opportunity to scare the hell out of an RAA instructor every now and then.
-large and growing number of unemployed pilots
-declining conditions even if you got that elusive job
-declining maintenance standards
-growing regulation
-fuel crisis
-no future in aviation
and so I stuck with the comfy, well paid office job.
That was in 1977 lads. Doesn't seem that much has changed.
The result is a Pprune name that says it all and, finally, getting the gleeful opportunity to scare the hell out of an RAA instructor every now and then.
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Good old Melbourne
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Pprune.
Pprune was what had me think it all over again. From year seven to year eleven, I was dead set on getting my license asap and going bush/instructing. After having work experience at Qantas and talking to others who had been in the aviation industry for a lengthy time (TAFE teacher, flying instructors, pilots), I had doubts as to whether a career as a pilot was viable.
If it wasn't for pprune I probably wouldn't have asked the right questions with respect to a flying career. I'm sort of at the complete opposite end of the age spectrum but that's sort of been an advantage because I have time on my side. But by no means have I quit because I have lessons fortnightly so I should have a CPL by the end of my degree. I guess at this time it's about opening opportunities. If in the end it doesn't work out with the flying, at least I'll be able to fly as a hobby, but I know I'll live with a twinge of regret having not gone down that path.
Pprune was what had me think it all over again. From year seven to year eleven, I was dead set on getting my license asap and going bush/instructing. After having work experience at Qantas and talking to others who had been in the aviation industry for a lengthy time (TAFE teacher, flying instructors, pilots), I had doubts as to whether a career as a pilot was viable.
If it wasn't for pprune I probably wouldn't have asked the right questions with respect to a flying career. I'm sort of at the complete opposite end of the age spectrum but that's sort of been an advantage because I have time on my side. But by no means have I quit because I have lessons fortnightly so I should have a CPL by the end of my degree. I guess at this time it's about opening opportunities. If in the end it doesn't work out with the flying, at least I'll be able to fly as a hobby, but I know I'll live with a twinge of regret having not gone down that path.
