Any happy souls out there?
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Bulgaria
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes I admit. I am jalous that I did not finish my CPL.
Because of that I can not send resume' s to airlines. I miss being ignored by them, you can' t imagine how desperate I am.
Sarcasm.
Whatever.
Because of that I can not send resume' s to airlines. I miss being ignored by them, you can' t imagine how desperate I am.
Sarcasm.
Whatever.
Last edited by fly_antonov; 3rd Mar 2010 at 19:25.
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: In the SIM
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I havent read the stuff inbetween, but to answer the original question, the answer is yes.
From JB007.
I couldnt agree more with this statement. Obviously tough times at the moment in the industry, but hopefully things will pick up.
All the best with you training.
From JB007.
I never tire of doing the job whatever the time of day, I certainly don't regret any of the expense or hard work
All the best with you training.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
There were times during my training when I thought I had made a big mistake. Then I'd do a good flight and it made up for it.
There were times when I was converting my Aus ATPL to a JAA one when I really regretted it.
Now I when I look out of the window at FL410, it's worth it.
I reckon I have one of the best jobs going.
Although, a bit miffed that Oxford won't let me surf Facebook using their WiFi.
There were times when I was converting my Aus ATPL to a JAA one when I really regretted it.
Now I when I look out of the window at FL410, it's worth it.
I reckon I have one of the best jobs going.
Although, a bit miffed that Oxford won't let me surf Facebook using their WiFi.
Gender Faculty Specialist
XX621 you will, hopefully, realise that there are a lot more happy souls than doom and gloom merchants in the industry. Certainly in my experience. The problem is that the doom and gloomers tend to be a touch more vocal. So good on you for asking the question.
Do I have any regrets? Maybe, sometimes! Not being able to go to your mates birthday because you didn't book it off 6 weeks prior. Couldn't get leave at the same time as your missus etc.. If you have an understanding family (most of mine are involved in this industry in one way or another) then it's not too much of a problem and eventually will become "just one of those things".
It WILL all pale into insignificance, however, when you break through the minging grey overcast at 5 am into the clearest, brightest, sunrise you will ever see. Ray Bans on at 5 in the morning, not many people get to do that
It WILL all pale into insignificance, however, when your engine goes BANG just at the wrong time. Then you get to do your job.
So yes, there are negatives but in my opinion the positives far outweigh them.
Be prepared to be scared ****less (occasionally). Be prepared to be continuosly assessed. Be prepared to be challenged and be prepared to be prepared. Phone calls from (s)crewing at 4.30 am, you've got to go and nightstop somewhere so cancel you dinner party. Get stuck down route so cancel your dinner party. Delayed somewhere so you can't pick the kids up from school and you have to cancel your dinner party.
That's the reality. Would I change it? Nope. Would I do it again? Yep.
Do I have any regrets? Maybe, sometimes! Not being able to go to your mates birthday because you didn't book it off 6 weeks prior. Couldn't get leave at the same time as your missus etc.. If you have an understanding family (most of mine are involved in this industry in one way or another) then it's not too much of a problem and eventually will become "just one of those things".
It WILL all pale into insignificance, however, when you break through the minging grey overcast at 5 am into the clearest, brightest, sunrise you will ever see. Ray Bans on at 5 in the morning, not many people get to do that
It WILL all pale into insignificance, however, when your engine goes BANG just at the wrong time. Then you get to do your job.
So yes, there are negatives but in my opinion the positives far outweigh them.
Be prepared to be scared ****less (occasionally). Be prepared to be continuosly assessed. Be prepared to be challenged and be prepared to be prepared. Phone calls from (s)crewing at 4.30 am, you've got to go and nightstop somewhere so cancel you dinner party. Get stuck down route so cancel your dinner party. Delayed somewhere so you can't pick the kids up from school and you have to cancel your dinner party.
That's the reality. Would I change it? Nope. Would I do it again? Yep.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: A long way from home
Age: 44
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just another happy soul here.
I left behind a very well paid career to pursue my dream. I was happy in my old job, but would always be looking to the skies. I'm now earning similar money, but the max salary here is less. Am I complaining? NO WAY! Flying is the best thing ever. In fact, if I could afford it, I'd be happy on a light single forever.
Oh, I had people suggest that I could stay in my old job and just pay to rent planes. Nope, that wouldn't do it. Then I wouldn't have a real "mission" to complete.
Keep it up. As long as you don't end up with a crap employer, this is the best job in the world.
I left behind a very well paid career to pursue my dream. I was happy in my old job, but would always be looking to the skies. I'm now earning similar money, but the max salary here is less. Am I complaining? NO WAY! Flying is the best thing ever. In fact, if I could afford it, I'd be happy on a light single forever.
Oh, I had people suggest that I could stay in my old job and just pay to rent planes. Nope, that wouldn't do it. Then I wouldn't have a real "mission" to complete.
Keep it up. As long as you don't end up with a crap employer, this is the best job in the world.
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So refreshing to read some positive posts on here, as per you get the 'usual suspects' spouting their negativity/sour grapes, but for once its nice to see some encouraging comments shine through, so thanks for posting XX621!!
Best of luck to all other wannabes!!
Regards
Concorde14
Best of luck to all other wannabes!!
Regards
Concorde14
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland
Age: 32
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would also like to thank XX621 for making this thread. I am 18 now, currently working my way through PPL with my lowly student income hoping to find a way to finance furthers steps towards becoming a CP. I read through these forums quite a lot, rarely posting, just absorbing the information from the various threads.
I have always wanted to be a pilot. No question about it. I have the commitment and the determination to struggle through the rough times and (hopefully) reap the rewards afterward. It can be sometimes quite... disheartening to read through these forums and see post after post of people showing a vast amount of negativity towards the career. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm sure these people know what they are talking about and have been through it all, the problem is that there is virtually no 'happy souls' who care to express their opinion on here making it seem like every single person who has gone down this career either ends up being depressed/deeply regretting it, which after reading through this thread is obviously not the case.
So thank you XX621 for making this thread and thank you to all those 'happy souls' have have spoken out and helped contributed somewhat to the balance of nay to yaysayers.
I have always wanted to be a pilot. No question about it. I have the commitment and the determination to struggle through the rough times and (hopefully) reap the rewards afterward. It can be sometimes quite... disheartening to read through these forums and see post after post of people showing a vast amount of negativity towards the career. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm sure these people know what they are talking about and have been through it all, the problem is that there is virtually no 'happy souls' who care to express their opinion on here making it seem like every single person who has gone down this career either ends up being depressed/deeply regretting it, which after reading through this thread is obviously not the case.
So thank you XX621 for making this thread and thank you to all those 'happy souls' have have spoken out and helped contributed somewhat to the balance of nay to yaysayers.
PPRuNe Secret Agent!
Moderator
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: West Sussex, UK
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is important to be positive, but realistic too...and be ready for ups and downs, a regular PPRuNer Norman Stanley Fletcher referred to aviation on another thead today as 'a game of snakes and ladders' - so true!
Take some time out and enjoy the view from the office window:
Take some time out and enjoy the view from the office window:
Excellent photos JB007..superb.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Inside CAS
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So thank you XX621 for making this thread and thank you to all those 'happy souls' have have spoken out and helped contributed somewhat to the balance of nay to yaysayers.
I scraped the pennies together for my PPL when I was in my early 20s - went off track in my 30s due career and family, but now it's time for a career change (hopefully)
Cheers all, happy landings.
Lol
Www
Www
Supercharged PPRuNer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
Posts: 1,183
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great photos, which nicely sum up the industry - wonderful inspiring views, turbulence and a failed airline . . . 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Around the world.
Age: 42
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
General day to day airline flying seems pretty straight forward, I find problems seem to clump together so perhaps 1 day a month is challenging. For example we took an A321 after a ‘D’ check up for a flight test, after take off into bad icing the wing anti ice duct blew (whilst picking up ice very quickly) and simultaneously started to have dual IDG (electrical generator) problems leading to a quick return to land. Then there are the majority of days where everything works out, run to time, no tech or weather problems.
I really enjoy the job most of the time, the pay is good and I really enjoy the short-haul lifestyle; being able to get home most nights is a real bonus for me. I am sure long haul would ruin my relationship (I will be actively avoiding the A330). The downside is the instability at the moment, for the last year I have been expecting to lose my job, thankfully things have settled down now. Also at the start of the career, being a flying instructor was a ball ache, I know some people love it; I couldn’t stand it by the end, 6 day weeks for less than minimum wage doing circuits all day long. My first airline job I was treated badly, essentially stuck in a foreign country with no money and no pay (no pay until release from safety pilot and no flying to make sure we didn’t have the hours to jump ship before the summer). After that I was volunteering to do flights to get good food to eat and begging a foreign landlord to give me a few months before I could pay rent because I was broke with a maxed out credit card. Either way now I’m at a very good company, very happy and have no place else I would prefer to be.
Cheers.
I really enjoy the job most of the time, the pay is good and I really enjoy the short-haul lifestyle; being able to get home most nights is a real bonus for me. I am sure long haul would ruin my relationship (I will be actively avoiding the A330). The downside is the instability at the moment, for the last year I have been expecting to lose my job, thankfully things have settled down now. Also at the start of the career, being a flying instructor was a ball ache, I know some people love it; I couldn’t stand it by the end, 6 day weeks for less than minimum wage doing circuits all day long. My first airline job I was treated badly, essentially stuck in a foreign country with no money and no pay (no pay until release from safety pilot and no flying to make sure we didn’t have the hours to jump ship before the summer). After that I was volunteering to do flights to get good food to eat and begging a foreign landlord to give me a few months before I could pay rent because I was broke with a maxed out credit card. Either way now I’m at a very good company, very happy and have no place else I would prefer to be.
Cheers.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: planet earth
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guys,
there's one thing to consider in this really interesting post : with a single engine prop it's possible to spot those big CBs and sunsets exactly the same way we actually do (after all VFR flights up to FL195 are permitted under certain conditions, and if it's not enough let's play IFR). GA has a lot to give as well in this sense. Here are some pics a friend of mine took during his training from a simple GA aircraft :
The difference stays in the fact that we are paid while the guy had to pay for it. Not a small gap...
So the difference really stays here : get paid to fly someone's else aircraft is a real luxury job. I would never consider it "a job like the others", as I've heard saying to young kiddos aspiring to become a pilot. Being a commercial pilot and get some money out of this industry is becoming more and more demanding, both financially and emotionally. So if you want to enjoy the beauty of flight without the hassles of commercial speculation which makes this industry, I'd suggest to go slow and check your back very very often....
there's one thing to consider in this really interesting post : with a single engine prop it's possible to spot those big CBs and sunsets exactly the same way we actually do (after all VFR flights up to FL195 are permitted under certain conditions, and if it's not enough let's play IFR). GA has a lot to give as well in this sense. Here are some pics a friend of mine took during his training from a simple GA aircraft :
The difference stays in the fact that we are paid while the guy had to pay for it. Not a small gap...
So the difference really stays here : get paid to fly someone's else aircraft is a real luxury job. I would never consider it "a job like the others", as I've heard saying to young kiddos aspiring to become a pilot. Being a commercial pilot and get some money out of this industry is becoming more and more demanding, both financially and emotionally. So if you want to enjoy the beauty of flight without the hassles of commercial speculation which makes this industry, I'd suggest to go slow and check your back very very often....
Supercharged PPRuNer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
Posts: 1,183
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought this thread was worth reviving.
Have just had a week off with a cold and blocked ears, and couldn’t wait to get back to work. Today was my first day back; up at 03:20, on the road at 04:00 and smiling to myself because I’m off to go flying. Took off from Gatwick just after dawn and climbed through a thin overcast into a gorgeous clear blue sky. Once across the Channel there wasn’t a cloud to be seen, fabulous views of Flanders, the Ardennes and on towards the Ruhr. Gaze out of the window and have a “they’re paying me for this” moment. Two cups of bad coffee later, and with every diversion airport wide open CAVOK, we land at Dusseldorf. Beautiful conditions, wind 10 knots straight down the strip (it was the captain’s sector, naturally).
Back home again after a quick breakfast, my go. Again, stunning views across the Low Countries, just that thin layer of cloud covering the South East UK. Continuous descent, visual with 08R at Gatwick around 8 miles, disconnect and manage to fly the ILS smoother than the autopilot (not difficult, it has to be said). Slight crosswind from the left, nail the flight director, minimal power changes, arrive at the touchdown zone at the right speed, right rate of descent, aircraft lined up nicely on the centreline, left wing down a bit, good pitch attitude, and . . . BANG. Plant the bloody thing. As usual. Still, there’s no such thing as a perfect day.
I love this job – I mean, really love it. XX621, I think from time to time all of us have needed the assurance that you’re seeking. The journey to the right hand seat is long and arduous, and can be extremely costly, both financially and emotionally. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t wonder every now and then whether it’s all worth it. Several times I came close to giving up, and resigning myself to a safe but boring ‘career’ in London, but I’m so glad I didn’t.
Was it worth all the effort and expense and sacrifices? You bet. In spite of all the downsides and cautionary tales (and JB007 sums it up perfectly with two words – luck and timing) it’s much more than a job to me, more a way of life.
Have just had a week off with a cold and blocked ears, and couldn’t wait to get back to work. Today was my first day back; up at 03:20, on the road at 04:00 and smiling to myself because I’m off to go flying. Took off from Gatwick just after dawn and climbed through a thin overcast into a gorgeous clear blue sky. Once across the Channel there wasn’t a cloud to be seen, fabulous views of Flanders, the Ardennes and on towards the Ruhr. Gaze out of the window and have a “they’re paying me for this” moment. Two cups of bad coffee later, and with every diversion airport wide open CAVOK, we land at Dusseldorf. Beautiful conditions, wind 10 knots straight down the strip (it was the captain’s sector, naturally).
Back home again after a quick breakfast, my go. Again, stunning views across the Low Countries, just that thin layer of cloud covering the South East UK. Continuous descent, visual with 08R at Gatwick around 8 miles, disconnect and manage to fly the ILS smoother than the autopilot (not difficult, it has to be said). Slight crosswind from the left, nail the flight director, minimal power changes, arrive at the touchdown zone at the right speed, right rate of descent, aircraft lined up nicely on the centreline, left wing down a bit, good pitch attitude, and . . . BANG. Plant the bloody thing. As usual. Still, there’s no such thing as a perfect day.
I love this job – I mean, really love it. XX621, I think from time to time all of us have needed the assurance that you’re seeking. The journey to the right hand seat is long and arduous, and can be extremely costly, both financially and emotionally. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t wonder every now and then whether it’s all worth it. Several times I came close to giving up, and resigning myself to a safe but boring ‘career’ in London, but I’m so glad I didn’t.
Was it worth all the effort and expense and sacrifices? You bet. In spite of all the downsides and cautionary tales (and JB007 sums it up perfectly with two words – luck and timing) it’s much more than a job to me, more a way of life.
If you want to fly, then you want to fly! And I'm not talking about flying for pleasure, in light pistons, for me it was always commercial airline flying. Wanted to know what is was like to have fare paying pax in the back. Wanted to know what it was like to push the thrust levers forward and unleash that power. The view's from a pax window are not what they are like from the front.
I would walk home from school and when I saw an jet aircraft depart LGW/LHR on a DVR departure I would stop in my tracks, gaze up, and think to myself "I'm gonna do that one day"
And now I do. PPL in 1993 aged 17, self funded CPL to first job in 1998. Been flying jets since 1999 aged 24. Loved virtually every minute. Now LHS Airbus......
If you really really want to fly, you just will.
I would walk home from school and when I saw an jet aircraft depart LGW/LHR on a DVR departure I would stop in my tracks, gaze up, and think to myself "I'm gonna do that one day"
And now I do. PPL in 1993 aged 17, self funded CPL to first job in 1998. Been flying jets since 1999 aged 24. Loved virtually every minute. Now LHS Airbus......
If you really really want to fly, you just will.