I am not so sure that people that are involved it aviation think that they are, somehow, "above" the average person. For instance, I see people here refer to customers as "punters". What do you, the great sky gods mean by that?
There are many things in the world that are not aviation that are both fun and challenging.:rolleyes:

Yeah! Exactly!

Like this:

Barefoot Skiing behind Airplane in 4K - Insane! Vooray - YouTube

Think I might take up barefoot skiing!

Arnold, certainly in my book "punters" is not derogatory. I first heard it used by a bunch of NT tour guides who were discussing how to give their punters the maximum possible enjoyment on their tour. I use it to describe my scenic flight passengers and my aim is to always give my punters the best value I possibly can. Invariably most of my punters are really nice folk as well.

But back to the topic, the best years in GA seem to have passed, I count myself lucky to have seen some. Never made the airlines. Quitting commercial flying is always on my mind. I have already done it once, then got dragged back, only to remember why I gave it up the first time.

I think the use of "punters" by the media and now by people referring to their clients is one of the most appalling terms I have ever heard.

But I am getting off topic.

Good post though, perhaps I will stop using the term.

For chrissakes Bob, probably 90% of the Australian population would have no problem with Punter. If there's one thing I can't stand it's the weasel dick words for customer. 'Client' when I've bought an airfare :yuk:

40 years in the chair.

Loved every minute but was absolutely terrified for a few of the seconds.

Could have earned more money as a bus driver but never ever considered that option even though I have the licence for that as well.

Money isn't everything. If it's money you want, just get born into a privileged family. I'd rather be me than Gina Swineheart. Be a rock superstar, be a famous movie celebrity in Hollywood, smoke some d!ck and be colossally famous. Be Rupert Murdoch, be a Wall Street financier, rip off some pensioner for roof insulation, work FIFO in a mine in some god forsaken corner of WA, whatever. Get out and be happy, not a bitter twisted ex pilot, or never been pilot like some commenting here.

Stop whining and get out of a professional pilots forum, you are no longer a professional pilot. Leave the rest of us who actually enjoy it alone.

BTW I have Always been paid for a paying job, stuck to my professional guns and refused to do a half arsed job for a cheap price. If I chose to waive a payment it was to give someone a leg up( usually for personal instruction), not to sleaze my way into a job.

My old dad said there are only two types of job, ones that pay so much you don't care what the work is, or jobs that you enjoy so much the money isn't the critical factor..

I been lucky, my job in GA has taken me all round the world and the rewards are more than the money. The more committed I was the luckier I became.

If you think you are worth more money, ask for more money. If some scum sucking scab wants your job bad enough to work for nothing you are working for the wrong people. Move on, find another operator, show them how good you are and get paid for it. Not very one pays peanuts and expects monkeys.

Commmercial =money! get your share of it, but provide the service.

IR rating renewal tomorrow. Same butterflies as always, then booked to fly most days for next two weeks, then my first rec leave for 12 months, two whole weeks to work on my home built project then back to work and fly fly fly.

Can't take a joke? shouldn't have joined. More work for the rest of us.

HD

Says it all, really, HarleyD:ok:

Love ya work Ranga and Harley.

Harley,

I wish it was as clear cut as you make it. Judging by your considerable time in the seat I would say the business of GA is vastly different to when you started.

Asking for "more money" or "moving on" when a company isn't paying you or treating you badly is great if you don't mind having months off searching for a new job competing against little a"""holes who don't mind paying for everything.

You to Pilotchute have hit the nail on the head. It is not an industry for the faint hearted. You have to put it first and everything else second. Expect a few tears before bedtime, and a few regrets.
Some get lucky, network well, have rich parents, Mensa IQ (RAAF candidates) or simply are single minded.
If you make it you will look back and smile, if you don't you may become bitter and twisted and post lots of crap on this site, or you may just move on.
Aviation and Aviators are not "special", most industries follow a similar template.

Pilotchute how dare you have a different opinion to the masses! (You rude bugger:}).

I'd consider that I've "made it". I make reasonably good money (I'm not wealthy) and I fly something that's big and powerful. However I'm not one for sugar coating. Hence I say "if I had my time over or if I was in GA etc" I'd be choosing an alternate career. All is good and well greasing a max crosswind landing or listening to the brutal roar after pressing the TOGA switch but when it comes to setting up a family, buying a house and feeding little ones this isn't a very smart option. Pity I didn't think of that when I left school!

With the stroke of pen gone is your medical and just as quickly a company can close and your skills are near worthless. I know from experience!! Not fun.

Now I'm not going to simply leave because I don't privately fly, paint airplane models in my spare time or have some sort of romantic Leonardo Di Caprio vision of my job. I'm going to do it as professionally as I possibly can until I have enough money to retire (be it early or not) and then quietly hand my stuff back.

Each to their own.