Are you still enjoying it?!!!
Join Date: Oct 2003
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If I got the same T & C's for my first flying job(flight instructor) as I do today , I'd leave in a second .......that was the most fun I've ever had, all my fond memories of flying and the people I flew with are from back there....it's ironic 'cos back then I would have sold off a part of my body for this job .... I keep telling myself WHEN I retire I'm going to a little flying school in the middle of nowhere and teach part-time at my own leisure ....anybody need an instructor in 2020?????
masalama
masalama
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Hello All,
I've just been reading through this entire thread to see what oppinions are being outed about the pro's and con's about this proffesion.
I myself am still a long way away from flying, I have just started groundschool as a matter of fact. But even so, I am looking forward to this proffesion.
It seems to me that there are obviouls disadvantages that come with is, there are the irregular hours, airlines these days are more than ever out for optimum efficiency which usually doesn't involve a caring human factor, usually the opposite. I can believe that this job has a strain on the personal life, especially in family context. I myself am not married yet, neither have proposed, but I do seek a future with a good job/relation balance and this is hard to find in this line of proffesion.
But what about the advantages? The flying, vibrations that go throught the aircraft when take off power is selected? The magnificent views on the horizon, the challenge of getting it right? To me everything might seem more idealized than reality really is. And obvioulsy here in groundschool the only stories told are the ones which encourage study, the bad ones are but a whisper.
But is this job really that bad? When I start I don't know any better, that is my reference point, I think I will love it and then as the years go by, like so often is said, my early days become the good old days, maybe not.
The point I'm trying to make is that everything does change and nothing is the same to me as to the next person, so to say is flying still worth it or no, would in itself I think be an injustice because what evry individual has his/her own reference, his own ambitions and I guess only those make it a enjoyable or dissatisfying job.
If any of you think I have no idea what I am talking about or might want to considder some points please feel free, I'm about to start this carreer and set a certain course in my life, the more perspective and points of information, the better the estimation.
Greets, Xelcia
I've just been reading through this entire thread to see what oppinions are being outed about the pro's and con's about this proffesion.
I myself am still a long way away from flying, I have just started groundschool as a matter of fact. But even so, I am looking forward to this proffesion.
It seems to me that there are obviouls disadvantages that come with is, there are the irregular hours, airlines these days are more than ever out for optimum efficiency which usually doesn't involve a caring human factor, usually the opposite. I can believe that this job has a strain on the personal life, especially in family context. I myself am not married yet, neither have proposed, but I do seek a future with a good job/relation balance and this is hard to find in this line of proffesion.
But what about the advantages? The flying, vibrations that go throught the aircraft when take off power is selected? The magnificent views on the horizon, the challenge of getting it right? To me everything might seem more idealized than reality really is. And obvioulsy here in groundschool the only stories told are the ones which encourage study, the bad ones are but a whisper.
But is this job really that bad? When I start I don't know any better, that is my reference point, I think I will love it and then as the years go by, like so often is said, my early days become the good old days, maybe not.
The point I'm trying to make is that everything does change and nothing is the same to me as to the next person, so to say is flying still worth it or no, would in itself I think be an injustice because what evry individual has his/her own reference, his own ambitions and I guess only those make it a enjoyable or dissatisfying job.
If any of you think I have no idea what I am talking about or might want to considder some points please feel free, I'm about to start this carreer and set a certain course in my life, the more perspective and points of information, the better the estimation.
Greets, Xelcia
Join Date: Nov 1999
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The flying, vibrations that go throught the aircraft when take off power is selected? The magnificent views on the horizon, the challenge of getting it right?
The challenge is reduced to do it by the book and follow the F/D. If you don't follow the book, the QAR will "tell it" to your authorities.
If you like challenges, go Air Force! To stay in the right wing of your leader in a barrel roll, or bring your wingman safe on the ground in bad weather...this was the challenge. And except for some period of the year, I was at home everyday (some day quite late I must confess...), but I've seen my children grow!
Now I'm making "big money" compare to my AF salary, but professionnally it's a double "0".
Join Date: Aug 1999
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Its no the job it was in many different ways.
How long ago am I talking? Well 10 years for me but I'm darn sure that then it had changed dramatically in each of the preceeding decades since the very beginning.
How long ago am I talking? Well 10 years for me but I'm darn sure that then it had changed dramatically in each of the preceeding decades since the very beginning.
Join Date: Jun 2004
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No Gawain, it's not the job it was in many different ways, it's a whole lot better, and keeps getting better every day!
I reminisce about the times, the places, the aircraft, and particularly the people in my career starting 39 years ago, they were all great. The new times, places and aircraft are so much better, and now so many more great people to add to the list who shared my 'adventure'.
The one and only depressing aspect is that I have only 4 years left to reach my 'use by' date, present predictions are that it's still going to get a whole lot better in that time.
I reminisce about the times, the places, the aircraft, and particularly the people in my career starting 39 years ago, they were all great. The new times, places and aircraft are so much better, and now so many more great people to add to the list who shared my 'adventure'.
The one and only depressing aspect is that I have only 4 years left to reach my 'use by' date, present predictions are that it's still going to get a whole lot better in that time.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Someone mentioned getting into IT in an earlier post.
Well I'm a wannabe Airline Pilot, trying to get out of IT! I'm fed up with the 1 hour train journey to Waterloo, the battle to get a seat, invariably standing all the way. Get to the office, same old faces and office politics. Same old users complaining that the system is either too slow or doesn't work. Too busy so you always have a sandwhich at ones desk. While you are eating the hotline rings so you have to answer. Five users chasing you for resoltions to earlier calls. About to leave at the end of the day
and the system crashes so you are obliged to stay and sort the problem out. Then on call at weekends for system upgrades, regulatory upgrades. You take work home to complete as you ran out of time durnig the day etc etc etc.
And you still want to leave the airlines.... you must be crazy!
Well I'm a wannabe Airline Pilot, trying to get out of IT! I'm fed up with the 1 hour train journey to Waterloo, the battle to get a seat, invariably standing all the way. Get to the office, same old faces and office politics. Same old users complaining that the system is either too slow or doesn't work. Too busy so you always have a sandwhich at ones desk. While you are eating the hotline rings so you have to answer. Five users chasing you for resoltions to earlier calls. About to leave at the end of the day
and the system crashes so you are obliged to stay and sort the problem out. Then on call at weekends for system upgrades, regulatory upgrades. You take work home to complete as you ran out of time durnig the day etc etc etc.
And you still want to leave the airlines.... you must be crazy!
Join Date: Feb 1999
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oh T_P_U
I can understand how you feel!!!
I nearly opted for IT instead of flying coz I thought then, flying would be boring after a while!
Stuck with flying and now wouldnt swap for anything! Doing a bit of IT on my laptop whilst flying would be the cat's PJ's though.
Best of luck
I nearly opted for IT instead of flying coz I thought then, flying would be boring after a while!
Stuck with flying and now wouldnt swap for anything! Doing a bit of IT on my laptop whilst flying would be the cat's PJ's though.
Best of luck
Just a numbered other
tpu, sounds like you'll be well trained for the life:
Get to the crew room, same old faces and company politics.
Same old pilots whinging that the crewing department stinks
Grabbing a sandwich you've bought from the cabin crew during the third out of six 5 minute cruises, in a six sector day with no break at all.
while you are eating ATC call, you jam your mike with chicken and mayo
About to leave at the end of the day, and crewing decide you've got two more sectors to do
Don't worry about this one as you'll be working 90% of weekends anyway
And you still want to leave IT.... you must be crazy!
Get to the office, same old faces and office politics
Same old users complaining that the system is either too slow or doesn't work
Too busy so you always have a sandwhich at ones desk
While you are eating the hotline rings so you have to answer
About to leave at the end of the day and the system crashes so you are obliged to stay and sort the problem out
Then on call at weekends for system upgrades, regulatory upgrades
And you still want to leave IT.... you must be crazy!
After more than a quarter of a century in aviation I have perhaps ten years or so left in the business. Since 9/11 I have seen my
'productivity' increase by 10-15% and my T's and C's reduce by a similar amount. Aviation is NOT the world it was - all things change and yes there are interesting new aircraft on the horizon BUT the whole business is increasingly subject to bean counters who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing - you know the ones, they come in from a different industry, want to change the world in five minutes and a couple of years later are gone with a hefty bonus and another tick on their cv.
Medicals permitting I'll see through to retirement and look back through rosy glasses at the best times which in all honesty were when I was doing my private licence at a small grass airfield when I was but a lad feeling apprehensive before a lesson and brilliant on the drive home. Great people - great times............
'productivity' increase by 10-15% and my T's and C's reduce by a similar amount. Aviation is NOT the world it was - all things change and yes there are interesting new aircraft on the horizon BUT the whole business is increasingly subject to bean counters who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing - you know the ones, they come in from a different industry, want to change the world in five minutes and a couple of years later are gone with a hefty bonus and another tick on their cv.
Medicals permitting I'll see through to retirement and look back through rosy glasses at the best times which in all honesty were when I was doing my private licence at a small grass airfield when I was but a lad feeling apprehensive before a lesson and brilliant on the drive home. Great people - great times............
I am a figment of my own imagination
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Clock recently ran out on the medical, framework fatigue due reaching sell by date. Have to say I would do it all over again if I was given the choice. Vividly remember first solo on the ATC glider at Tangmere at sixteen, first solo on a spam can at Sandown at seventeen, first solo in a Fournier RF4, first solo in a single holer Pitts special, first flight RHS in a Lear 24, first Jet command, first time across the pond, first command across the pond. Its been a lot of highs and a privileged way to see the world. The time away from family was a price I paid and a steep one, it contributed to a divorce, it meant a lot of living out of a suitcase and lonely nights in hotel rooms, but that's life and if everything was great and wonderfull we would lack the wherewithal to measure just how good the good can really be.
Yes there were long days and **** jobs with low pay and dangerous equipment in dodgy places. Running heavy boxes into Luanda at two in the morning does not bring back a happy smile, but then again the morning sunrise when you were heading out from the drop really did look good, but times were tight and there were bills to be paid. Flying for a happy airline was a real pleasure and some life long friends. Exec bought it's own delights rewards and hicups. It was an interesting challenging rewarding carreer. I am sorry it is over, miss the flying, all of it the good the bad and the indifferent, it was my life and who I was and what I loved doing. It was worth every single minute
Yes there were long days and **** jobs with low pay and dangerous equipment in dodgy places. Running heavy boxes into Luanda at two in the morning does not bring back a happy smile, but then again the morning sunrise when you were heading out from the drop really did look good, but times were tight and there were bills to be paid. Flying for a happy airline was a real pleasure and some life long friends. Exec bought it's own delights rewards and hicups. It was an interesting challenging rewarding carreer. I am sorry it is over, miss the flying, all of it the good the bad and the indifferent, it was my life and who I was and what I loved doing. It was worth every single minute
Join Date: Mar 2004
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25 years on and still love it can't wait to go to work tomorrow, even though its at an ungodly hour! The only problem is there's only 18 years left in the old frame!
Occasionally mis the days when sex was safe and flying was dangerous but the advancing years have made the former less important and i do enjoy safe flying!
Occasionally mis the days when sex was safe and flying was dangerous but the advancing years have made the former less important and i do enjoy safe flying!
Join Date: Aug 2003
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No I'm bloody well not.
Could you guys just drop this pathetic subject, as I've got to start looking for another job!!!!!
There is far more important ****e on R&N than this crap.
Thank you.
Could you guys just drop this pathetic subject, as I've got to start looking for another job!!!!!
There is far more important ****e on R&N than this crap.
Thank you.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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I'm growing tired of the these old fuddy duddies sticken it to the airlines, I'm a young pilot who just got on with one of the majors, by far the most exciting time of my life, I would'nt trade it for anything. So if lifes so bad, quite your job logoff pprune and move me up the seinority list. errg!