-Entering my last year- blues
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Perth Australia
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I am also in the "retirement" phase, 46 years into the industry, 3 into retirement, found retirement far too busy, had to get a job to get a day off so to speak.
If any of us are fit and willing there are jobs and even careers in the "old" business in training and checking in Simulators in almost every Country in the World.
If you are approaching the so called "dreaded moment", get training/checking qualifications on your type, easily then converted to the Training Mode in many areas.
The so called "Pilots Salary" may not be there, but it staves off Old Age Poverty rather well, there are like minded souls all around the Office, the stories are larger than life, weather is OURS TO CREATE, Students/Victims coming out of the Training Schools in droves.
There are the back of the clock days still, paperwork in piles and the odd idiot around just to keep reality in the picture, but great fun and in some ways more rewarding than the Line, and a lot less security which for me spoils the joy of actual Flight
Enjoy each day, they have a finite limit
If any of us are fit and willing there are jobs and even careers in the "old" business in training and checking in Simulators in almost every Country in the World.
If you are approaching the so called "dreaded moment", get training/checking qualifications on your type, easily then converted to the Training Mode in many areas.
The so called "Pilots Salary" may not be there, but it staves off Old Age Poverty rather well, there are like minded souls all around the Office, the stories are larger than life, weather is OURS TO CREATE, Students/Victims coming out of the Training Schools in droves.
There are the back of the clock days still, paperwork in piles and the odd idiot around just to keep reality in the picture, but great fun and in some ways more rewarding than the Line, and a lot less security which for me spoils the joy of actual Flight
Enjoy each day, they have a finite limit
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For the previous generation of BA pilots in the old pension scheme (APS) from a financial point of view life is good for many with an indexed link pension in excess of £100,000 per annum.
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It's not just Flight Crew affected by this thread.
I suspect older Ground Staff as well share many of the emotions.
As Gipsy Queen said:
"Enjoyment (of flying) is so much magnified by being able to share that enjoyment with others but in this business, perhaps due to its somewhat recondite and technical nature, that sharing is not always possible when not in the company of aviators"
I have real problems relating to "non-airline" people who've never had the joy of jumpseat rides or the hassles of being bumped off ID flights and all that entails.
And now, I do feel the business has become a bus-service - and it hurts to see the lack of respect that Flight Crew get these days.
But "je ne regrette rien"...
I suspect older Ground Staff as well share many of the emotions.
As Gipsy Queen said:
"Enjoyment (of flying) is so much magnified by being able to share that enjoyment with others but in this business, perhaps due to its somewhat recondite and technical nature, that sharing is not always possible when not in the company of aviators"
I have real problems relating to "non-airline" people who've never had the joy of jumpseat rides or the hassles of being bumped off ID flights and all that entails.
And now, I do feel the business has become a bus-service - and it hurts to see the lack of respect that Flight Crew get these days.
But "je ne regrette rien"...
Last edited by DCS99; 29th Mar 2007 at 10:55. Reason: clarrity an spelin
After graduation went on to fly Mustangs as a 20 year old. Enjoyed every day of 18 years as a RAAF pilot. Forced "retirement" from civil airlines at age 60 in 1992 with last trip on the 737. Returned home to Australia looking forward at thought of carrying on flying as a civilian QFI. Soon learned that in OZ general aviation you become very unpopular if you dare to write up defects in the maintenance release and received several DCM's from flying school CFI and aircraft owners. Must keep defects secret they say so the owner doesn't have to pay money for maintenance. The regulator merely looked the other way.
Because of all this, enthusiasm for instructing waned and I pulled the plug while still renewing ratings as a matter of personal pride. Through one priceless contact (thanks a million Trevor N) I was given the opportunity to instruct in 737 simulators and all the old enthusiasm quickly came back. Life is wonderful again even though I know of course the sim is just an expensive computer. But when you close the door and pull up the drawbridge it becomes real to me. The nicest thing of all is when one's students keep in touch as their career's progress.
Because of all this, enthusiasm for instructing waned and I pulled the plug while still renewing ratings as a matter of personal pride. Through one priceless contact (thanks a million Trevor N) I was given the opportunity to instruct in 737 simulators and all the old enthusiasm quickly came back. Life is wonderful again even though I know of course the sim is just an expensive computer. But when you close the door and pull up the drawbridge it becomes real to me. The nicest thing of all is when one's students keep in touch as their career's progress.
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Just to echo the thoughts of some of the posters and say 'great thread.'
I am in the same position as one of my fellow posters in that I am just about to secure my first flying job (on the 737) and can not wait to get started. I have already enjoyed the beauty of getting up at 02:00 to be at the airport for 03:00 in order to serve 328pax with drinks and food for 4 hrs
I can now hopefully enjoy a comfy seat with 40,000lbs of thrust in my left hand
'Double back,' as a more 'mature' pilot you have a lot to offer the world of aviation and the next generation of pilots growing within it. My 737 sim instructors during my type rating, had long since retired from ferrying self-moving cargo, but the advice and training they gave me was invaluable. Learning from their experience and listening to what they had to say can only help me in my career.
I would love to be able to be in a position to give something back to aviation, by passing on my years of experience, in the sim to new jet guys/gals following my eventual retirement
Good luck to you in all your future endeavours.
I am in the same position as one of my fellow posters in that I am just about to secure my first flying job (on the 737) and can not wait to get started. I have already enjoyed the beauty of getting up at 02:00 to be at the airport for 03:00 in order to serve 328pax with drinks and food for 4 hrs
I can now hopefully enjoy a comfy seat with 40,000lbs of thrust in my left hand 'Double back,' as a more 'mature' pilot you have a lot to offer the world of aviation and the next generation of pilots growing within it. My 737 sim instructors during my type rating, had long since retired from ferrying self-moving cargo, but the advice and training they gave me was invaluable. Learning from their experience and listening to what they had to say can only help me in my career.
I would love to be able to be in a position to give something back to aviation, by passing on my years of experience, in the sim to new jet guys/gals following my eventual retirement
Good luck to you in all your future endeavours.
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I have followed this thread since it started now, and not being a pilot, I have kept quiet.
But I just wanted to say that I hope to start on my licenses this fall, and I would be honored to get any one of you as an instructor, examiner or whatever.
I also hope you get a job as a B747 instructor with KLM, DB, because if all my dreams come true, I will see you there... (But theres only so much one can do with that right
..have talked to a Dutch B747 FO that's married to a Norwegian and travels through OSL some times, and he said KLM are looking for people.. just hope it's the same in..3-4-5 years )
Anyways, I currently work as a checkin/gate agent at OSL, and I'm starting on the apron next week for the summer (figured it would be a good experience
), and after just one year, I have fallen in love with the industry, and reading through all the posts, I'm starting to dread the day I drive home from work.
Even though it's still a good 40-45 years till, it seems (from the posts), that it sneaks up on you like a bad cold.
I'm sure I'll be tired of some aspects by then, but still, it gives me a chill to think of it.
Anyways, I have to get back to my paper on Norwegian politics, and I'm going to leave you professionals alone...for now..
I wish you all the best!
Best regards,
Sindre
But I just wanted to say that I hope to start on my licenses this fall, and I would be honored to get any one of you as an instructor, examiner or whatever.
I also hope you get a job as a B747 instructor with KLM, DB, because if all my dreams come true, I will see you there... (But theres only so much one can do with that right
..have talked to a Dutch B747 FO that's married to a Norwegian and travels through OSL some times, and he said KLM are looking for people.. just hope it's the same in..3-4-5 years )Anyways, I currently work as a checkin/gate agent at OSL, and I'm starting on the apron next week for the summer (figured it would be a good experience
), and after just one year, I have fallen in love with the industry, and reading through all the posts, I'm starting to dread the day I drive home from work.Even though it's still a good 40-45 years till, it seems (from the posts), that it sneaks up on you like a bad cold.
I'm sure I'll be tired of some aspects by then, but still, it gives me a chill to think of it.
Anyways, I have to get back to my paper on Norwegian politics, and I'm going to leave you professionals alone...for now..
I wish you all the best!
Best regards,
Sindre
Sindre: There was a Pprune moderator who works as a Flight Attendant at KLM. She reportedly lives in your part of the world. She is a 'fire-breathing' creature on wheels.
Maybe she has a good contact?
Captain ("tropical trees") might also see your comments. I lost contact with him quite a while ago. Good luck.
Maybe she has a good contact?
Captain ("tropical trees") might also see your comments. I lost contact with him quite a while ago. Good luck.
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...or you could look at it this way..
I agree..an exceptional thread. If it is any consolation, please remember that many of us never make it as far as normal retirement age. Back in '97 this Ppruner's life and career were going so well (737 and rotary) when, with no prior symptoms or warnings, I became partially sighted and began collapsing.
My career ended in an instant and so did my wife's....I needed constant care in those days. Thanks to some miracle (called prescribed steroids) I now have my eyesight back and have stopped falling over too... even have Class 2 medical certificate and PPL privileges restored. For those facing retirement with feelings of sadness or uncertainty I wish you happiness in your new lives....and feel envy that almost hurts! Bless you all.bm
My career ended in an instant and so did my wife's....I needed constant care in those days. Thanks to some miracle (called prescribed steroids) I now have my eyesight back and have stopped falling over too... even have Class 2 medical certificate and PPL privileges restored. For those facing retirement with feelings of sadness or uncertainty I wish you happiness in your new lives....and feel envy that almost hurts! Bless you all.bm
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One of the best threads I've seen in a long time
Double Back, thanks for starting this thread & thanks to you and your colleagues for flying this piece of SLF safely around the world for the last 55 years on literally thousands of flights. Incidents - there were a handful, but almost nothing to warrant writing home about - and all handled superbly by the drivers of the day. To all the others who've posted, great advice and visions, thanks.
Though I retired from industry a little over a year ago at almost 62 and had known it was coming for 3 years, so had some time to plan - my experience was still:
- Time goes faster as you get older (something to do with the fraction of time that a day is when compared to the length of your past life (the fraction gets smaller every day)). The consequence is that you never do enough planning or prep. work; but experience and professionalism will probably ensure that you do somewhat over the minimum required to remain airborne.
- The biggest re-alignment is - your new boss. And many a family doesn't make it - its hard and requires a lot of give and defusing of potentially dangerous situations - love some of the early investment suggestions.
- Keeping your hand in and passing on your skills & knowledge - is a very therapeutic method of powering down.
- Staying energetic and getting your new - somewhat slower - pace of life with a solid plan of actions and schedules is essential. But it may need more time than you could ever have believed necessary to get there.
- Writing down the '10 things I really want to do before I die', is a great therapy and focusing exercise. Getting your new boss to do the same - and then starting to plan the ones that are mutual is a great way of moving towards and across that threshold.
Oh yes - every time one of the items is "DONE", I recommend moving all the lower priority items up, refilling the 10th space with something new and then - together with the boss - reset the priorities on all the items on both lists. My wise Granny's theory was that if there is nothing else left that you want to do you probably will just drop dead.
- Spending time with the latter generations (Children & even more important grandchildren or nephews & nieces or the youngsters at the local airfield, football, tennis or golf club, or whatever) is one of the best investments in time you can make for this world. Remember back to your own youth and try and be like the elders of then who you respected, revered and learnt from.
Though old dogs learn new tricks more slowly, the younger ones learn a lot faster, and its so rewarding to watch them go from strength to strength.
That's my 10cents worth. Fly safe and enjoy - and Gofer anything that you can still do.
Though I retired from industry a little over a year ago at almost 62 and had known it was coming for 3 years, so had some time to plan - my experience was still:
- Time goes faster as you get older (something to do with the fraction of time that a day is when compared to the length of your past life (the fraction gets smaller every day)). The consequence is that you never do enough planning or prep. work; but experience and professionalism will probably ensure that you do somewhat over the minimum required to remain airborne.
- The biggest re-alignment is - your new boss. And many a family doesn't make it - its hard and requires a lot of give and defusing of potentially dangerous situations - love some of the early investment suggestions.
- Keeping your hand in and passing on your skills & knowledge - is a very therapeutic method of powering down.
- Staying energetic and getting your new - somewhat slower - pace of life with a solid plan of actions and schedules is essential. But it may need more time than you could ever have believed necessary to get there.
- Writing down the '10 things I really want to do before I die', is a great therapy and focusing exercise. Getting your new boss to do the same - and then starting to plan the ones that are mutual is a great way of moving towards and across that threshold.
Oh yes - every time one of the items is "DONE", I recommend moving all the lower priority items up, refilling the 10th space with something new and then - together with the boss - reset the priorities on all the items on both lists. My wise Granny's theory was that if there is nothing else left that you want to do you probably will just drop dead.
- Spending time with the latter generations (Children & even more important grandchildren or nephews & nieces or the youngsters at the local airfield, football, tennis or golf club, or whatever) is one of the best investments in time you can make for this world. Remember back to your own youth and try and be like the elders of then who you respected, revered and learnt from.
Though old dogs learn new tricks more slowly, the younger ones learn a lot faster, and its so rewarding to watch them go from strength to strength.
That's my 10cents worth. Fly safe and enjoy - and Gofer anything that you can still do.
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A View From the Cheap Seats
This is the first PPRuNe thread that I have ever been moved enough to add my two penne'th, so please forgive the intrusion from another SLF.
From the first time the crew of a Court Line 111 invited (!) me onto the flight deck back in 1970, I have had aviation in my blood. Never being in the right place at the right time, either academically or strategically, I never got to close the door behind my fellow travellers and do something I know I would have loved - warts and all. A (now lapsed) PPL went some way to relieving the frustration of a job on terra-firma, but I have never lost a certain affinity with those who have made aviation their life.
To Double Back and all your colleagues who always remain at the peak of professionalism, no matter what is being heaped on you by the elements, hardware/software, SLFs who care more about the ice in their drinks and, oh yes, management, thank you.
A long and full retirement to you.
From the first time the crew of a Court Line 111 invited (!) me onto the flight deck back in 1970, I have had aviation in my blood. Never being in the right place at the right time, either academically or strategically, I never got to close the door behind my fellow travellers and do something I know I would have loved - warts and all. A (now lapsed) PPL went some way to relieving the frustration of a job on terra-firma, but I have never lost a certain affinity with those who have made aviation their life.
To Double Back and all your colleagues who always remain at the peak of professionalism, no matter what is being heaped on you by the elements, hardware/software, SLFs who care more about the ice in their drinks and, oh yes, management, thank you.
A long and full retirement to you.
Join Date: Aug 2006
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BoeingMEL,
You have raised a salient point.
Those of us who have gone the full fifteen rounds should take some time to consider how lucky we have been to have stayed the course. As you have said, this is not given to everyone.
To make a quiet and predicted withdrawal at the appointed age is one thing; to have been robbed of the future and what it held is something very different.
You have raised a salient point.
Those of us who have gone the full fifteen rounds should take some time to consider how lucky we have been to have stayed the course. As you have said, this is not given to everyone.
To make a quiet and predicted withdrawal at the appointed age is one thing; to have been robbed of the future and what it held is something very different.
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Retirement
Great Thread,
My experience is different from the rest. I rode Dad's J/S on his retirement flight from LHR to MIA in the 747. He had started 38 years earlier flying the mail across Florida. He saw it all in aviation! He hated the thought of age 60 retirement, was an early fighter against it, and cried while making his last landing at MIA. After that 10 hour flight across the pond, we went to out to the local field (OPF) and flew his Comanche around some to wind down. He was dead at 62, probably from a broken heart. He hated retirement.
Having witnessed that, my voluntary retirement came suddenly without warning at age 45. Lorenzo had bought the company and offered early retirements to get rid of seniority. Figuring where the company was eventually headed, I departed with my A & B plans and really retired. (Real estate investments kept me in milkshakes all these years). When I approached age 60, I had already been gone 14+ years, but the realization that I could not go back even if I desired was a disappointing realization.
Looking back, I could have gone to FedEx or UAL and started over. I would have re-retired as a wide body Capt. at either airline at age 60. But I have no regret that I walked away. I miss some layover cities, takeoffs, and landings. Mostly I miss the camaraderie, which is augmented by an active reirement group of EAL pilots. I restore antiques and fly my own planes, which mostly enable me to avoid going to an airline airport and being treated as a leper by some government lowlife. I guess in the long run, I'd advise to cherish what you had and walk away without regret.
My experience is different from the rest. I rode Dad's J/S on his retirement flight from LHR to MIA in the 747. He had started 38 years earlier flying the mail across Florida. He saw it all in aviation! He hated the thought of age 60 retirement, was an early fighter against it, and cried while making his last landing at MIA. After that 10 hour flight across the pond, we went to out to the local field (OPF) and flew his Comanche around some to wind down. He was dead at 62, probably from a broken heart. He hated retirement.
Having witnessed that, my voluntary retirement came suddenly without warning at age 45. Lorenzo had bought the company and offered early retirements to get rid of seniority. Figuring where the company was eventually headed, I departed with my A & B plans and really retired. (Real estate investments kept me in milkshakes all these years). When I approached age 60, I had already been gone 14+ years, but the realization that I could not go back even if I desired was a disappointing realization.
Looking back, I could have gone to FedEx or UAL and started over. I would have re-retired as a wide body Capt. at either airline at age 60. But I have no regret that I walked away. I miss some layover cities, takeoffs, and landings. Mostly I miss the camaraderie, which is augmented by an active reirement group of EAL pilots. I restore antiques and fly my own planes, which mostly enable me to avoid going to an airline airport and being treated as a leper by some government lowlife. I guess in the long run, I'd advise to cherish what you had and walk away without regret.
Thread Starter
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Boy!
Did I stir up some emotions with this one, I am still wondering.
Just back from Shanghai, nice trip, never had to do two+ enroute holdings at separate locations over China because of airway congestion (and some of these slow moving A340's in front....
) Lost about 20 mins because of this. Take some extra fuel guys, when the Olympic traffic heats up there next year.
BTW: Zapata's is the place to be!
I never realised so many SLF was reading these forums, their reactions are very pleasing, albeit that how funny the term SLF is, I never fail to forget those people pay my monthly mortgage and some more. They are not in the back just for my fun.
Ah OK, doctors between them make fun of patients, singers about the public, coroners about.......it is a way of dealing with it.
Nice to see many pilots at the beginning of their career join in, retirement will, for good or for bad, always hang over Your head as Damocles' Sword. Some looking ahead cannot do any harm. To them I advise that sheer enthusiasm often brings more as mathematical power.
I also praise myself lucky I never had any big medical problem (yet...?), but I know enough cases where it really impacted or ended a pilot's career.
Good health, a nice career plus a share of good luck (as one of my friends just corrected me nicely) is about all one can wish. Some of these factors hang by a thin silk thread and can change your life in a blink.
I was lucky to fly with a big Euro company (OK, has correctly been guessed as KLM) where I did many things inside the Company alongside routeflying, and just because I loved to do them.
Large companies have a large diverse fleet, so one never gets bored in hopping between types and destinations.
Nearly all of my flying was Intercontinental, and for me it worked, sleeping in general very well, however its get more difficult lately.
I throroughly enjoyed flying the big iron stuff, and pay the price of making loooong and sometimes boring flights, but one has to look at the whole picture.
Most of my First Officers like the 744 operation that much, that they postpone their captain position on the European fleet for many years.
The good life is reflected in hardly anyone leaving the company for a better place anywhere else. Other large euro, Asian and US companies have the same I guess.
That brings me back to the start of the post, if I wasn't so happy, stepping out would not be that difficult.
But I realise I leave behind a big chunk of my life, and it was fun to be there and play a small role in it.
Did I stir up some emotions with this one, I am still wondering.
Just back from Shanghai, nice trip, never had to do two+ enroute holdings at separate locations over China because of airway congestion (and some of these slow moving A340's in front....
) Lost about 20 mins because of this. Take some extra fuel guys, when the Olympic traffic heats up there next year.BTW: Zapata's is the place to be!
I never realised so many SLF was reading these forums, their reactions are very pleasing, albeit that how funny the term SLF is, I never fail to forget those people pay my monthly mortgage and some more. They are not in the back just for my fun.
Ah OK, doctors between them make fun of patients, singers about the public, coroners about.......it is a way of dealing with it.
Nice to see many pilots at the beginning of their career join in, retirement will, for good or for bad, always hang over Your head as Damocles' Sword. Some looking ahead cannot do any harm. To them I advise that sheer enthusiasm often brings more as mathematical power.
I also praise myself lucky I never had any big medical problem (yet...?), but I know enough cases where it really impacted or ended a pilot's career.
Good health, a nice career plus a share of good luck (as one of my friends just corrected me nicely) is about all one can wish. Some of these factors hang by a thin silk thread and can change your life in a blink.
I was lucky to fly with a big Euro company (OK, has correctly been guessed as KLM) where I did many things inside the Company alongside routeflying, and just because I loved to do them.
Large companies have a large diverse fleet, so one never gets bored in hopping between types and destinations.
Nearly all of my flying was Intercontinental, and for me it worked, sleeping in general very well, however its get more difficult lately.
I throroughly enjoyed flying the big iron stuff, and pay the price of making loooong and sometimes boring flights, but one has to look at the whole picture.
Most of my First Officers like the 744 operation that much, that they postpone their captain position on the European fleet for many years.
The good life is reflected in hardly anyone leaving the company for a better place anywhere else. Other large euro, Asian and US companies have the same I guess.
That brings me back to the start of the post, if I wasn't so happy, stepping out would not be that difficult.
But I realise I leave behind a big chunk of my life, and it was fun to be there and play a small role in it.
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Interesting, the different ways of approaching retirement.
I joined the German Airforce direct after leaving school. Flying helicopters (SAR), Props and fighters. Final command was "head of training" in a fighter wing.
I grabbed the opportunity to retire from the airforce at age 41 (BO 41). Knowing very well, that after that age, flying commands in the airforce were rare.
As a retired fighter pilot I just got a PPL at this time. Job opportunities in airlines were rare for old farts at age 41.
So, I prepared myself for my first retirement from flying. Getting divorced I found out, I must start a new carreer to get back money, I lost due to the divorce.
I did all the training and tests for the ATPL. Got a job as a FO on MD-80. Progressed fast to the left seat. Nowadays flying the A-320.
Several yeras ago, I made up myself a new goal after my airline retirement at age 60. I find this new aim very challenging to achieve: Planning to sail around the world.
Here I find lot of similarities to flying, nevertheless something totally new. (compared to cruise the carribean)
Sure I will miss a lot of things, but nearly all I find again in the world of the sailing community. (good and bad!)
Biggest change: no FO, but a "First Mate", which is my (new) wife. This makes it even more challenging.
Fazit:
- one day you must let go your airline life!
-Prepare on time to reach out for new goals!
-stay in touch with your old buddies, watch them all getting old, still having fun about good old times
-hopefully you had good students or FO´s which still have contact with you, keeping you informed about the "aviation life" without you!
I joined the German Airforce direct after leaving school. Flying helicopters (SAR), Props and fighters. Final command was "head of training" in a fighter wing.
I grabbed the opportunity to retire from the airforce at age 41 (BO 41). Knowing very well, that after that age, flying commands in the airforce were rare.
As a retired fighter pilot I just got a PPL at this time. Job opportunities in airlines were rare for old farts at age 41.
So, I prepared myself for my first retirement from flying. Getting divorced I found out, I must start a new carreer to get back money, I lost due to the divorce.
I did all the training and tests for the ATPL. Got a job as a FO on MD-80. Progressed fast to the left seat. Nowadays flying the A-320.
Several yeras ago, I made up myself a new goal after my airline retirement at age 60. I find this new aim very challenging to achieve: Planning to sail around the world.
Here I find lot of similarities to flying, nevertheless something totally new. (compared to cruise the carribean)
Sure I will miss a lot of things, but nearly all I find again in the world of the sailing community. (good and bad!)
Biggest change: no FO, but a "First Mate", which is my (new) wife. This makes it even more challenging.
Fazit:
- one day you must let go your airline life!
-Prepare on time to reach out for new goals!
-stay in touch with your old buddies, watch them all getting old, still having fun about good old times
-hopefully you had good students or FO´s which still have contact with you, keeping you informed about the "aviation life" without you!
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Double Back thanks for starting this great post.
Having come from an "aviation" family I've been around aircraft since I was 4 years old when there were no jet airliners but just props! If you count time from the start (PPL), I've been flying for 39 years.
Now I'm looking at giving flying away in about 3 years. I have had a great career and for me flying has been like having a lovely wife with whom you have shared some wonderful times, but the mother inlaw (management etc.) has become worse as time goes by!
Yes flying has been a big part of my life and I"ll miss it, but my son flies for the same airline and he will help keep me in touch. As others have said there is more to do in life when you retire, I certainly have plans which will keep myself and the first wife active!
Min It has been a long time since the Exec Fleet and I'm glad to see you are still "terribly important", all the best and enjoy the gradual let-down!
Having come from an "aviation" family I've been around aircraft since I was 4 years old when there were no jet airliners but just props! If you count time from the start (PPL), I've been flying for 39 years.
Now I'm looking at giving flying away in about 3 years. I have had a great career and for me flying has been like having a lovely wife with whom you have shared some wonderful times, but the mother inlaw (management etc.) has become worse as time goes by!
Yes flying has been a big part of my life and I"ll miss it, but my son flies for the same airline and he will help keep me in touch. As others have said there is more to do in life when you retire, I certainly have plans which will keep myself and the first wife active!
Min It has been a long time since the Exec Fleet and I'm glad to see you are still "terribly important", all the best and enjoy the gradual let-down!
Last edited by Offchocks; 5th Apr 2007 at 06:29.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 17 Cherry Tree Lane
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Good or bad dream?
I had a bad dream last night.
In it was the FAA, crew scheduling, bad schedules, bad management, self-serving union, unserviceab le aircraft equipment, changing weather, no extra holding fuel, ever-changing procedures, endless flight manual revisions, dead heading in the middle seat, broken luggage, lost luggage, nasty jump seat agents, crabby Old 170 lb. female ramp agents that were axe-handle wide, all-nighters, foreign countries, sleep deprivation, mergers, seniority squabbles, company threats, food poisoning, no food, bad coffee, bidding, pulled away from my family for weeks at a time, fleabag hotels, late cabs and maniac cab drivers, bidding vacation, waiting for gates, weather, low visibility approaches, aircraft de-icing, PCs, Gestapo check airman, medicals, commuting to and from work in unspeakable weather, the parking lot from Hell, parking lot buses, inter-terminal busses, spring break, Christmas rush, Easter rush, I dare you announcements, insurance, drug and alcohol testing, noise v iolations, customs lineups, dry cleaning, terrorism, security passes, rude security personnel, high gas/oil prices, small pay raises, rush hour traffic, that infernal alarm clock, crash pads, catching cold away from home, lackadaisical crew members, sexual harassment threats, co-pilots implying that they are a gift to aviation after being there three years, back biting, gossip, cell phones, aircraft cram courses, plus laying my job on the line several times a year with simulators, endless procedural memorization and Annual Recurrent Training days.
Then I woke up and joyously found myself still retired!
Question: Do a lot of pilots out there feel this way?
In it was the FAA, crew scheduling, bad schedules, bad management, self-serving union, unserviceab le aircraft equipment, changing weather, no extra holding fuel, ever-changing procedures, endless flight manual revisions, dead heading in the middle seat, broken luggage, lost luggage, nasty jump seat agents, crabby Old 170 lb. female ramp agents that were axe-handle wide, all-nighters, foreign countries, sleep deprivation, mergers, seniority squabbles, company threats, food poisoning, no food, bad coffee, bidding, pulled away from my family for weeks at a time, fleabag hotels, late cabs and maniac cab drivers, bidding vacation, waiting for gates, weather, low visibility approaches, aircraft de-icing, PCs, Gestapo check airman, medicals, commuting to and from work in unspeakable weather, the parking lot from Hell, parking lot buses, inter-terminal busses, spring break, Christmas rush, Easter rush, I dare you announcements, insurance, drug and alcohol testing, noise v iolations, customs lineups, dry cleaning, terrorism, security passes, rude security personnel, high gas/oil prices, small pay raises, rush hour traffic, that infernal alarm clock, crash pads, catching cold away from home, lackadaisical crew members, sexual harassment threats, co-pilots implying that they are a gift to aviation after being there three years, back biting, gossip, cell phones, aircraft cram courses, plus laying my job on the line several times a year with simulators, endless procedural memorization and Annual Recurrent Training days.
Then I woke up and joyously found myself still retired!
Question: Do a lot of pilots out there feel this way?
