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Dreaming of flying a jet (specially to you older guys!)

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Dreaming of flying a jet (specially to you older guys!)

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Old 27th Jan 2013, 15:10
  #121 (permalink)  
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So all your posts are make believe!

If so, it's even worse, as you don't even have a purpose or a leg to stand on if that is the case!

LMAO! What a lost case you must be!
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Old 27th Jan 2013, 15:12
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Cirrus, Are we to take from that comment that you post deliberately misleading stuff and then criticize people for being misled.

This thread has become like tinnitus: a persistant, irritating background noise with no positive attributes. Proof that you cannot defeat idiocy with logic.

The thrust of the OP's arguments is that as such a spectacular human being he finds airline flying unfulfilling. Anyone who does enjoy the job is therefore deficient in some way. Any alternative viewpoint constitutes a personal attack. I hope you choose the career path that satisfies you the most and causes you to whinge the least. I think giving serious answers to the points you raise is probably a waste of time as all responses seem to be unwelcome. I just hope we don't end up sharing a flight deck anytime, but there are plenty more moaners out there.

Last edited by Torque Tonight; 27th Jan 2013 at 15:14.
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Old 27th Jan 2013, 15:18
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Cirrus

At least I haven't paid for a rating - further depressing the industry. Oh, and it's 'gullible'.
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Old 27th Jan 2013, 16:09
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Torque Tonight - No I am not like that - I do not find people who enjoy the job deficient, that is not my view, and I welcome well reasoned replies, it is not about agreeing with my views.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the flying, that I might find flying a PA 28 more fulfilling than flying jet, is another question, and attitude I have seen among many seasoned pilots with much more experience flying than I have, is pretty negative - and maybe for some guys after 10 - 15 hours, it is not a fulfilling as somebody who is fresh meat in the industry!

I have not actively try to attack anybody personally, how can? I do not know your life stories, however there is some seasoned PPRune'ers, who as soon as they see I write something I get attacked - and the fact is that when I gave maybe some blunt remarks of my impression of the industry, based on my own personal background and past experience, it was not welcomed very warmly!

Most of the posts have been direct attack on me, and that because I dare to say something about the negative sides with the job, I do not deserve to be so "lucky" to have such a job!

And some think I am a sod because I sometimes rather want to see my children than fly!

If you are 22, single or in a "relation-ship" you will most likely not have clue of how to relate to "my view of the job"

We all have different values in life, and sometimes we do not appreciate what we have until we make a change in our life, and loose it!

Having this view, of saying that I do find other things in life more important than flying, seems to be like swearing in the church for many here!
But I have also received many messages who dare not go out on a limb with their own similar view, for whatever reason!
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Old 27th Jan 2013, 16:49
  #125 (permalink)  
 
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Truckflyer,

Much of the "attacks" on this thread are a simple result of two issues you have raised.

1. You have found the job boring from the start.

2. You are frustrated at having to live a long way from home and loved ones.

Whilst no one wishes to doubt your veracity, it is difficult to believe someone (especially someone of your claimed age and life skills) not considering both of these inevitable issues before committing a lot of time, money and emotion into flight training.

Please answer - why didn't you?

BTW, was A320renewal a previous nom de plume of yours?

Last edited by Artie Fufkin; 27th Jan 2013 at 16:52.
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Old 28th Jan 2013, 00:05
  #126 (permalink)  
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Artie Fufkin - Sure I will give you some of my views on this.

By I am not A320renewal, just so that is said first.

To your 2 points, I have found certain aspects of flying boring, but it is also a catch 22, a necessary evil to get the level experience required, but for someone with various life experience as I have had, it will also take much to impress me, don't misunderstand, if your previous job was working at McDonalds, and than you get a job working for RYR, that is a massive step!

So expectations and self-fulfilment will be different based on past experience. Lately I have had to do few shorter sectors, which I actually find more rewarding and more useful for me to develop myself, and that has give me less time to feel the "boredom" - that might not be the right word for it, but I elect to use this word to best describe it.

Personally I probably would have preferred to work with bizjets ahead of airlines, however as we all know in todays job market, we got to take what comes along, and this was not a bad deal for me, to get a step inside.

Initial fix in our mind, is that we need to get experience on any kind of Multi-Engined aircraft, and I got my chance for this, so I took it!
Let's get this straight, all the guys I worked with have been great guys, nothing bad to say about any of my colleagues, they have all been great, and I have enjoyed training and later working, however it is the realization of how it feels to spend so much time working, and getting so little in return! This is now the financial part, and again, different peoples past will again reflect a different to this, and yes of course I knew this and made my research on this!

However theory and reality are 2 very different things, and also I think the attitude I have seen from many in my company and also in some other companies, is this exact feeling, of constant tiredness and lack of stimulation! I have seen many who just don't view the way I did before I started, and to be honest, this attitude of calm and not thinking any longer of this as a "dream" was the attitude that got me best trough the line training period.
I did my best, I studied, and prepared myself, and thought to myself, either I am good enough or I am not, if not I could not care less! That was just the way life was!

I know of some guys, who had this frantic attitude, of always overstudying, stressing themselves, with all kind of reading of stuff, and never resting, caring to much, and they got kicked out of the company, due to their standards was poor, however me personally I believe it was poor mental preparation, and creating anxiety in yourself to achieve this "dream" - as soon as I realized it was just a job, like anything else, all become much easier!

I can also see the reason why RYR go for younger guys, it is fairly evident now, as they would have had loads of guys like me, moaning for the scrappy conditions they offer their crew, I know many are happy, mainly because it is their first proper job as an adult, so they know nothing better, but for some of us older with more experience, it is not just about having a good pay, it is about some of the finer details how they company view you, are you appreciated or are you just a number, a piece of meat that they use as it pleases them!

Now what we find out in our research is, get experience, and the world is open for you, however reality is a little bit different than that, or how come you can explain all these guys with loads of hours experience (many thousands, up to 10.000 or even more TT), Captains, FO's, still working in some of these companies where pay is bad, TC's are bad!

For me the inside view an even seem more depressing than the outside view, how long will I be trapped with a company where I clearly will not achieve the value I feel I deserve (not now, but later with much more experience)

It is not given that you will move on to greener pastures, the proof are all the guys stuck in these jobs, I am pretty sure most of them are looking for better jobs and TC's - and yet with thousands of hours on type, they still don't have better than this!

Maybe I am looking to far forward, however time is not on my side, these are things I must consider! Also not many attractive bases to live, so it means commuting for who knows how long, I have stated very clear, that I do believe a company with a base that fits my private life would probably resolve most issues I have about flying for the airlines!

I have seen some pretty "desperate" captains, dreaming of greener pastures, so with all their experience, where does that leave me in this whole big picture?

It is a constant battle, struggle, from one level to the next, so yes, the research done in advance was maybe not good enough, based on this future prospects, what happens after you get some experience.

Some companies it is better to go to them as first officer, as they prefer to upgrade from within, this means it is better to not get upgrade with a company that is not your preferred choice, as this might block your future.
So many scenarios of things to consider, even if I have 3000 - 4000 hours on type, it does not mean my chance of getting a good job increases that much, because so many guys with this or even more experience!

I think personally the realization of this last part, has made me wonder what is the long term future for me, I am going to be honest, I do not see myself putting up with more than maximum 2 years of this kind of "lifestyle" - unless I can see some rapid improvement, I am sorry - it is than not something I would feel is worth all the negatives that it brings into your life!

Of course, if I saw I got a job where TC;s where fair, and most importantly it gave me a base that was practical compared to family, this would most definitely change my view of it all.
Just the thought of spending 10 years living in SpongobongoTipoBonkoStan does not appeal to much to me!

I am not all hellbent to have to live in the UK either, however it must be a place where I feel also it will be good for my family!

I guess the feeling of finally have landed a job, and seeing that even this is not enough to ensure that the future will be brighter, with regards to getting better jobs, that has not helped my feeling of frustration!
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Old 28th Jan 2013, 16:07
  #127 (permalink)  
 
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RTFQ!! I didn't ask you to regurgitate your problems, I asked;

WHY DIDN'T YOU CONSIDER THIS BEFORE FLIGHT TRAINING?

Please answer the question!
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Old 28th Jan 2013, 16:17
  #128 (permalink)  
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Of course I did before training, during training and after training!

And as I have explained, timing of various events and various information was inconclusive!
At a stage you do not know what you might get, or what you might have at that moment!

Example my daughter was born just as I was in my training, so was not able to know how that would really feel until maybe now when reality kicks in!

There are no short answers! Also there is a big X question, where you might get job, what bases they might offer, I was not in the position to pick and choose, I had to accept what I got! And make the best out of it from that!

Training and reality are different things, now I have started to study again, needed few weeks with nothing - of course now I do discover new things from "theory" that makes sense in reality! Which makes it a bit more interesting!

But until now I was just sick and tired of any books or CBT's!

Last edited by truckflyer; 28th Jan 2013 at 16:23.
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Old 28th Jan 2013, 20:22
  #129 (permalink)  
 
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Hey fellows

I've been following this thread for quite a while now and honestly is not getting anywhere good. It will not help anyone because there is only argument after argument without a sense of understanding of the real problem really.

TF i believe you have some good points but pls keep them for yourself as others are trying to understand your point of view but it seems that some of them can't.

You have made your own experience and you are the only one that knows better.

And i suggest you take a rest from everything and have a good thought of what might went wrong until now, try to solve it if you can, move on and always look forward.

Do it otherwise it will not get you anywhere good.

Last, my opinion is that this thread should be closed soon.

Thank you !
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Old 29th Jan 2013, 06:53
  #130 (permalink)  
 
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but pls keep them for yourself
Just because he is expressing himself and the situation that he is presently in, why should he keep this to himself, or why should the thread be closed? It will die a natural thread death when people stop reading it. Until then, maybe it will take some gloss off the lifestyle displayed in the flight training brochures.
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Old 29th Jan 2013, 15:10
  #131 (permalink)  
 
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MONGO you have so much time on your hands to go through all those threads like you do, must take you hours and hours!!
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Old 29th Jan 2013, 15:23
  #132 (permalink)  
 
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TF, strong feelings of resentment and dissilusion are often part of a burnout or depression. I suggest you go to a psychotherapist and get your feelings and emotions towards your career and your personal situation resolved and clearified so you can take the right steps to become a nicer and more tolerant person. In other words, buddy, get help, you need it.
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Old 30th Jan 2013, 00:28
  #133 (permalink)  
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"nicer and more tolerant person"

So for expressing an opinion I need a psychotherapist!

What an amazing conclusion! I guess there are a few pilots who I have met on my journey that will need to join me than!

Mutt makes a good point, the glossy pages of the Flight Training Schools, does not paint the correct picture of what is to come!

Than again, who will have the courage to say something like this after spending XX amounts of thousands of pounds on training!

It is very weird, so many new guys I know that at some stage have felt the same, and also so many experienced guys who do it for one thing only, the money!

Arrive back to some backyard alley 2 in the morning, to pack and get ready to commute home in 3 hours, after doing a 4 sector day! I am pretty sure when you done that 6 days in a row, you will view it a bit differently!

Of course, if your only previous experience is living a life with mummy and daddy, well than it is a different matter, of course you think you know everything, while you actually know nothing!

Here is one point that I would like people to realize, this craze that you will do "anything" for this "dream" - you will pay for 500 to 1000 hours to gain experience, to get a foot inside, or accept to work for food, water, or whatever not!

It makes us all such easy targets, fools, as the TC's get degraded, because they companies can see what fools we are, what we are willing to accept to get this toy to play with, because if that is what you are willing to do, it will no longer be a job!
However viewing the situation from being inside the job, I can very well understand the attitude and view of people working their socks off, and than seeing little rich children, not patient enough, needing everything instant, pay themselves into experience to get such a hobby!
Because if you are not getting paid, it is not a job!

Now majority does not do this extreme P2F, I hope, still the attitude and the hunger at the grass roots, is what is sick! The understanding of what is the reality, it's a pity, many should have had the chance to spent a week or a month, following the duty and work of a pilot, and they would realize, for many it is not really all what it seems!

I am not going to bang on about this, I have found my peace with this for the moment, and have accepted this! However for you with wife, long term relations, children and good careers, thinking of throwing all of that away for this, take a deep breath - think about it, because it might cost you more than you imagine it will!

A friend of mine, how has been flying for over 25 years told, he had friends, yes many was not divorced (yet), but there was so many stories about their wives was here and there when they was away! So yes, happiness and unhappiness is found in many ways! Now these where guys at the top end of the pay scale!

However that top end pay scale is getting smaller and smaller, there are less "good" companies, which means all this hard work, that could have been for a good job in the future, might never happen, because there are to many idiots happy to work for bread and water! Some will even pay the company to give them bread and water!

Now who needs a psychotherapist? I wonder!!!
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Old 30th Jan 2013, 01:12
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and also so many experienced guys who do it for one thing only, the money!
do you really think that people will say that they fly for the fun and joy of it? It's all about money and lifestyle.

We get about 2-3 pilots dropping off their resumes each week to transfer across from our airline side, I can understand this from the older guys who are on the top scale salary as it makes sense to make top money without flying, but more and more of these resumes are from Embraer/A320 First Officers as they want to earn their salaries but they HATE the airline job.
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Old 30th Jan 2013, 01:38
  #135 (permalink)  
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Of course for anybody entering this business a certain degree of passion for flying is required, but... also realism must be a part!
Which I feel I have found, and which is not entirely negative, as it gives me the wish to develop myself and my skills, not just within the flying part, as I feel there is so much more part of aviation that would increase my own personal ambition and satisfaction.

I personally besides flying, have great interest for management part, safety & incident analysis, CRM - training - but I know of to be able to go further I have to start at the bottom to learn the basics!

With a variation of airline-side and land-side job, I do see the advantages - is I personally feel it would give a richer life and career!
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Old 30th Jan 2013, 09:02
  #136 (permalink)  
 
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TF - You also have way too much time on your hands! your threads are like novels!! no one working full time and doing your so called commute at 3am could have the time or effort to write what you do. your as big a fake as me!! pprune is for speading rumours and having a bitch! face it! no one cares what is written in pprune!!
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Old 30th Jan 2013, 11:24
  #137 (permalink)  
 
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I think this has been an interesting thread to follow and as someone who lost his CPL many years ago due to illness I find the some of the comments a little negative on both sides of the argument. Being a pilot is ultimately a job with pay and conditions just like any other job. However it differs in many aspects to the run of the mill roles you could be employed as due to the perception people have about flying or “The Dream”. Not surprisingly this has misled some people in what the true role entails. Aircrew are not alone in this just ask any cabin crew or ground crew and I am sure some will tell you the same story.
Flying is just as much a vocation as a number of other roles such as training to become a doctor or nurse both roles requires dedication, long hours, extensive education and cost without the pay and conditions you believe you should be rewarded with unless you have been in the role for 20 years...
The training schools and lo-co carriers exploit this fact to the full on the promise of “The Dream” requiring you to spend more of your money just too potential get a step up. How often have we heard of the up and coming pilot shortage? In my time, I have seen this 3-4 times but never actually seen any shortage appear. We are in an employment market that is saturated with unemployed pilots who are qualified with experience; perhaps have a type rating or little experience and not forgetting those who are coming through the training schools. This has led to pilots having to spend £20k on a type rating or consider P2F jobs, which are run by carriers who know they can get away with this due to job market.
As they say “eye wide open”, no job in life can meet all of your expectation that’s just life, as pilots we are so lucky to do the job despite its ups and downs (sorry no pun intended) I think most will agree with this. If you are not happy then change employer, type of flying or career.
I still think the original post was a good talking point and hopefully will help those intending to take up a flying career to consider all the plus points and negatives. Don’t forget there are many types of flying roles from flying the tin buses from A to B and back again to flying missionary work in Africa.

Happy landing...
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Old 30th Jan 2013, 11:59
  #138 (permalink)  
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The tendency in the market is also that this is looking to get worse, people willing to spend money to get A340 experience when they have A320 hours, or command courses they pay for, where will it end, if this is the trend?

I have seen these adverts myself, and for sure, no smoke without fire! If there is advert for such "crazy" programs, it must mean there is a market there for people willing to spend even more, on just that, crazy suicidal programs for their own industries TC's!

I am torn with emotions, having seen I have achieved what many "dream" of, myself included, to discover when you there, it's still not enough, and probably will not be enough!
I also might have an option, where I could get a job where TC's would be ok, and home base would be ok, I say OK, not perfect, but not to bad, with more experience, but it would mean going trough another TR, on a complete different aircraft type in maybe 1 or 2 years, and to be honest, that does not sound to tempting for me at the moment!

Still such a move would be an even bigger step in to the unknown, because it would mean leaving permanently from Europe, and there are still many practical issues with this - time will tell!

I know one thing for sure, when I can afford it and have time, I will renew my SEP, that's for sure!
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Old 30th Jan 2013, 11:59
  #139 (permalink)  
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This thread has become a 'hamster wheel' and the usual protagonists are regurgitating their bile

It is closed

HWB
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