Is It Worth It Anymore?
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The view is marvelous and some of the sights that you see are truly awesome, but there's more to a job than scenery and whilst for the PPL holders of the world flying is a hobby, but when you do it every day, it soon becomes a job. A job with a beautiful view admittedly, but a job none the less.
Last edited by Say again s l o w l y; 10th Sep 2007 at 20:24.
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Atomic R Id pretty much say what Don Coyote said on page 1. If you were in your early 20s Id say go for it. But in your 40s with 2 kids and allready in a well-paying job just get a PPL and a share in some nice aircraft.
Anyway airline flying changed from 1986 onwards and been progressivley getting worse.
- Every outfit re-invents its own wheel and we are constantly security'd and CRM'd out of existance
- SOPs now are the be-all and end-all with little room for flexability and efficient situational decision-making
- The dark clouds of the MPL (Makeshift Pilot Licence) are on the horizon with its predictable impact on safe flight
- For good money and low tax you need to go OS. Some places are acceptable while others are simpley cr@pholes
- The latest aircraft are so computerised and pasturised Id have more fun flogging a clapped-out Baron.
Anyway airline flying changed from 1986 onwards and been progressivley getting worse.
- Every outfit re-invents its own wheel and we are constantly security'd and CRM'd out of existance
- SOPs now are the be-all and end-all with little room for flexability and efficient situational decision-making
- The dark clouds of the MPL (Makeshift Pilot Licence) are on the horizon with its predictable impact on safe flight
- For good money and low tax you need to go OS. Some places are acceptable while others are simpley cr@pholes
- The latest aircraft are so computerised and pasturised Id have more fun flogging a clapped-out Baron.
Ah Slasher, well put as usual.
However, as regards the advice to the 20 year old, I don't think I would also say Go for It!
As you say, conditions have been getting worse for years. Also, there is little prospect of the daily "security" farce ever going away.
I would also think there is a fair prospect of fully automatic airliners within the working lifetime of a 20 year old. Possibly even pilotless or perhaps "monitored" by a "pilot". Not much of a prospect.
However, as regards the advice to the 20 year old, I don't think I would also say Go for It!
As you say, conditions have been getting worse for years. Also, there is little prospect of the daily "security" farce ever going away.
I would also think there is a fair prospect of fully automatic airliners within the working lifetime of a 20 year old. Possibly even pilotless or perhaps "monitored" by a "pilot". Not much of a prospect.
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Where is the green grass?
This has so far been arguably the most insightful and balanced debate I have read on these forums. I too am an engineer. I earn a respectable salary for my age, I have a sensitive and loving fiance and a detached home in a rural area complete with dogs and a nice view.
All of these things are blessings and I am grateful for them.
However, my day typically begins with a 5.30am start, followed by a two hour drive to work. I then spend many hours sat at a desk staring at drawings and a computer screen. I take telephone calls all day long from people intent on making their problems become MY problem.
I work in an environment where the concept of dynamic responsible leadership is totally alien and in fact I find, I regularly have to think twice before speaking in case my words could used against me later. The work is generally dull and repetitive and I feel like a traitor to my morals more often than I would like to admit. Any of this sound familiar??
My fear is that, whilst I read about the many frustrations of Pilots and compare that to my current world, we are actually experiencing the result of societies that place the pursuit of wealth above all else. This does not seem to be isolated to the aviation industry.
Before I sound like a marxist (I don't believe that works at all), I have reached some conclusions that work for me. I have done a great deal of research into a flying career. Most notably, whilst preparing for future selection tests, I looked into personality types in great depth. When considering my true talents and strengths and after asking myself some tough questions, I had to conclude the goal I had set myself was some way off. I think it is vital that we are prepared to be totally honest with ourselves when choosing what we wish to do with the rest of our lives. I personally plan, to move to a sunny climate and make a future as an instructor. I feel it requires the skills I consider to be personal strengths and whilst I know I will never earn 'big dollar' the personal rewards far outweigh that for me.
It is saddening to see how many of us are frustrated with the cards we have been dealt but encouraging to see so many prepared to work so hard to change what they are not happy with. I still live in hope that we will one day live in a world where people matter more than bank accounts but theres probably no cure for the human condition.
I genuinely hope that all the contributors to this thread find what they are searching for.
All of these things are blessings and I am grateful for them.
However, my day typically begins with a 5.30am start, followed by a two hour drive to work. I then spend many hours sat at a desk staring at drawings and a computer screen. I take telephone calls all day long from people intent on making their problems become MY problem.
I work in an environment where the concept of dynamic responsible leadership is totally alien and in fact I find, I regularly have to think twice before speaking in case my words could used against me later. The work is generally dull and repetitive and I feel like a traitor to my morals more often than I would like to admit. Any of this sound familiar??
My fear is that, whilst I read about the many frustrations of Pilots and compare that to my current world, we are actually experiencing the result of societies that place the pursuit of wealth above all else. This does not seem to be isolated to the aviation industry.
Before I sound like a marxist (I don't believe that works at all), I have reached some conclusions that work for me. I have done a great deal of research into a flying career. Most notably, whilst preparing for future selection tests, I looked into personality types in great depth. When considering my true talents and strengths and after asking myself some tough questions, I had to conclude the goal I had set myself was some way off. I think it is vital that we are prepared to be totally honest with ourselves when choosing what we wish to do with the rest of our lives. I personally plan, to move to a sunny climate and make a future as an instructor. I feel it requires the skills I consider to be personal strengths and whilst I know I will never earn 'big dollar' the personal rewards far outweigh that for me.
It is saddening to see how many of us are frustrated with the cards we have been dealt but encouraging to see so many prepared to work so hard to change what they are not happy with. I still live in hope that we will one day live in a world where people matter more than bank accounts but theres probably no cure for the human condition.
I genuinely hope that all the contributors to this thread find what they are searching for.
Last edited by ostendo mihi via; 11th Sep 2007 at 13:32. Reason: spelling
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I would also think there is a fair prospect of fully automatic airliners within the working lifetime of a 20 year old. Possibly even pilotless or perhaps "monitored" by a "pilot". Not much of a prospect.
with a article concerning A320 electric problems (loss of
CRTs and Ess bus transfer to bus 2 I think). On the very
next page it had a burst on pilotless-airliner research and
pic of an A321 with no cockpit!
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AR, you have taken a decision only you can take.
To some of the disillusioned:
Are you really telling me the job has turned sour because someone at security might ask you to take of your shoes?
Are you really telling me you needed a degree 20 years ago to become a pilot?
Are you really telling me that 20 years ago you had no idea that you might get bored by repeating the same task over and over again?
This thread has MIDLIFE CRISIS written all over it!
To some of the disillusioned:
Are you really telling me the job has turned sour because someone at security might ask you to take of your shoes?
Are you really telling me you needed a degree 20 years ago to become a pilot?
Are you really telling me that 20 years ago you had no idea that you might get bored by repeating the same task over and over again?
This thread has MIDLIFE CRISIS written all over it!
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Surely,if you have to ask others that question,it probably isn't worth it for you.There seem to be two main types of pilot.There are those who eat sleep and live it(although many are reticent at expressing their keeness)and others who just see it as a job and can't wait for their pension and the golf corse.The training/money hurdle has probably not disuaded the eat/sleep/live types from from pushing on and trying to get into the industry.It might have disuaded the jobbies.
I'm a keenie..but I still moan about things.I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
Just remember,you are only here once.It is no good lying on your death bed saying..I wish I'd been a pilot.
I'm a keenie..but I still moan about things.I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
Just remember,you are only here once.It is no good lying on your death bed saying..I wish I'd been a pilot.
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Just my personal take on it all with my own unique set of circumstances. I'm best part of a year into my first job now flying regional TP's. I'll be 40 next year, and left a job which though paying me handsomely was seriously depleting my vitality and making me miserable. I always used to be happy and outgoing but had become rather jaded and withdrawn in recent years. I flew as a hobby, but the itch never went away. I have a wife, but had no children at the time, and I have seriously disrupted her life in my pursuit of this, but I think she saw it was necessary for my sanity.
Every day since, no matter what (early starts, disruption, security hassle, rubbish food, poor facilities, all the usual moans management, blah blah etc etc) I find I've never felt so alive, and I look forward to going to work like a child anticipates going on a birthday outing. Every single day. I have NEVER looked forward to going to work before! Every day is a challenge and I'll learn something new about the aircraft itself, handling it, the weather, routings, you name it. I love mixing with different captains & cabin crew each day, and of course, the views can take your breath away.
When the old hands moan about the politics, (mis)management, penny-pinching, slow erosion of terms etc, I obviously can see it happening but it's like water off a duck's back to me. Compared to the City, my previous life, characters like Micky O'Leary resemble big cuddly fluffy teddys. There's nothing going on here which hasn't been happening in other industries for years. It's capitalism, and in many ways it's bad but on the other hand it provided me with the springboard to this in the first place. The only difference I see is when times are good, people in the City tend to vote with their feet more and thus drive back up the terms/money. I don't see that so much in aviation - maybe pilots enjoy moaning more?
Anyway just my own unique viewpoint, from my own unique set of circumstances. By the way, I'd probably be classed as one of the anorak types (I think "aeroplane" might have been the first word I ever spoke) and this obviously makes everything that much less of an effort!
Every day since, no matter what (early starts, disruption, security hassle, rubbish food, poor facilities, all the usual moans management, blah blah etc etc) I find I've never felt so alive, and I look forward to going to work like a child anticipates going on a birthday outing. Every single day. I have NEVER looked forward to going to work before! Every day is a challenge and I'll learn something new about the aircraft itself, handling it, the weather, routings, you name it. I love mixing with different captains & cabin crew each day, and of course, the views can take your breath away.
When the old hands moan about the politics, (mis)management, penny-pinching, slow erosion of terms etc, I obviously can see it happening but it's like water off a duck's back to me. Compared to the City, my previous life, characters like Micky O'Leary resemble big cuddly fluffy teddys. There's nothing going on here which hasn't been happening in other industries for years. It's capitalism, and in many ways it's bad but on the other hand it provided me with the springboard to this in the first place. The only difference I see is when times are good, people in the City tend to vote with their feet more and thus drive back up the terms/money. I don't see that so much in aviation - maybe pilots enjoy moaning more?
Anyway just my own unique viewpoint, from my own unique set of circumstances. By the way, I'd probably be classed as one of the anorak types (I think "aeroplane" might have been the first word I ever spoke) and this obviously makes everything that much less of an effort!
