How fulfilling is the airline route??
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: As far away as possible from some idiots
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For me, the militant ex-airforce mentality Check and Training Captains left me totally disillusioned about the airline industry.
Destroyed my whole flying career, not because I did anything wrong, but because they could not handle certain fundamental thruths like 'non military pilots can actually fly just as well, if not better, than airforce pilots.
The shareholders loves putting them in management positions because any different thinking (the 'enemy') is crushed with excessife force and inappropriate forms (aka military style) punishment.
In my view, the very reason why the airline industry has become so sic and distorted. The real problems are not being addressed, just suppressed, and the shareholders are loving it while the circus goes on.
Time for the old school of thinking to go on retirement, modern aircraft crew do not need to have flown in wars as a pre-requisite to being a good airline pilot. Those days are long gone !! A new mamagement style is needed desperately !!
Destroyed my whole flying career, not because I did anything wrong, but because they could not handle certain fundamental thruths like 'non military pilots can actually fly just as well, if not better, than airforce pilots.
The shareholders loves putting them in management positions because any different thinking (the 'enemy') is crushed with excessife force and inappropriate forms (aka military style) punishment.
In my view, the very reason why the airline industry has become so sic and distorted. The real problems are not being addressed, just suppressed, and the shareholders are loving it while the circus goes on.
Time for the old school of thinking to go on retirement, modern aircraft crew do not need to have flown in wars as a pre-requisite to being a good airline pilot. Those days are long gone !! A new mamagement style is needed desperately !!
Last edited by Nirak; 11th Nov 2012 at 11:03.
Hmmm, we have been hearing warnings about fuel shortages and mammoth price rises for years. I suspect the reality is that prices will steadily rise but will be dampened by efficiency gains and technological change. I reckon the aviation industry will evolve but will be substantially the same in thirty years time.
Back to the point of this thread. In my humble opinion - and I say this to every new pilot with whom I share the flightdeck - the most important thing in life is to remember that you only live it once. There is little to be gained from living with regret that you didn't make the most of your time on earth. Aim for your dream job. At least you tried.
The second most important thing is that you look forward to going to work and enjoy your daily working environment. You spend nearly half your awake time at work. If you don't enjoy it, change career if you possibly can. It's not good to simply 'put up with it'; you have to be happy.
I worked as a lawyer for years and although I was good at it and worked with some great people I never felt comfortable with the idea that sitting at that desk was 'my lot' for the next forty years. I suffered from work related stress and hated the thought that my entire life story would be defined by my job as paper-pushing lawyer.
I do not regret changing career to be a pilot. I love the day job. If I won the lottery I would not resign as, if I did, I would never get to fly an airliner again. GA flying wouldn't fill that gap. Like all pilots except the lucky few who revel in old school terms and conditions, I bemoan my low pay and the revolting immoral people running my airline, but I'm happy enough on a daily basis. Would I encourage people to join the profession? No.
Back to the point of this thread. In my humble opinion - and I say this to every new pilot with whom I share the flightdeck - the most important thing in life is to remember that you only live it once. There is little to be gained from living with regret that you didn't make the most of your time on earth. Aim for your dream job. At least you tried.
The second most important thing is that you look forward to going to work and enjoy your daily working environment. You spend nearly half your awake time at work. If you don't enjoy it, change career if you possibly can. It's not good to simply 'put up with it'; you have to be happy.
I worked as a lawyer for years and although I was good at it and worked with some great people I never felt comfortable with the idea that sitting at that desk was 'my lot' for the next forty years. I suffered from work related stress and hated the thought that my entire life story would be defined by my job as paper-pushing lawyer.
I do not regret changing career to be a pilot. I love the day job. If I won the lottery I would not resign as, if I did, I would never get to fly an airliner again. GA flying wouldn't fill that gap. Like all pilots except the lucky few who revel in old school terms and conditions, I bemoan my low pay and the revolting immoral people running my airline, but I'm happy enough on a daily basis. Would I encourage people to join the profession? No.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eurozone
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is no shortage of fuel, but there is and will be a shortage of cheap and easy to get at fuel.
Thanks to the greens, fuel will for evermore be a source of tax revenue to Governments as flying is seen as sinful. Taxes only ever go up.
The result will not necessarily be less aviation, but the days of mass travel are numbered. One of the reasons the LCC's treat us like sh*t and seem to act in irrational ways is because they know their days are numbered in the long term and are trying to make as much money whilst they still can.
In 20 years, flying will be a mixture of government/military, some freight and very rich people in business jets. For most, a holiday abroad will be something you save up a lifetime for. Bit like a luxury cruise now.
If you want to deny this, then fine, but compare the number of IT carriers with ten years ago and look at what many of the remainder are doing. Ask yourself how the likes of MON or ESY will get on if oil is $300 per barrel and environmental and luxury taxes are piled on top. Read the demands for Jet A1 to be taxed at the same rate as petrol and ask yourself what future exists in this business long term.
Thanks to the greens, fuel will for evermore be a source of tax revenue to Governments as flying is seen as sinful. Taxes only ever go up.
The result will not necessarily be less aviation, but the days of mass travel are numbered. One of the reasons the LCC's treat us like sh*t and seem to act in irrational ways is because they know their days are numbered in the long term and are trying to make as much money whilst they still can.
In 20 years, flying will be a mixture of government/military, some freight and very rich people in business jets. For most, a holiday abroad will be something you save up a lifetime for. Bit like a luxury cruise now.
If you want to deny this, then fine, but compare the number of IT carriers with ten years ago and look at what many of the remainder are doing. Ask yourself how the likes of MON or ESY will get on if oil is $300 per barrel and environmental and luxury taxes are piled on top. Read the demands for Jet A1 to be taxed at the same rate as petrol and ask yourself what future exists in this business long term.
PPRuNe Person
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: see roster
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For me, the militant ex-airforce mentality Check and Training Captains left me totally disillusioned about the airline industry.
Destroyed my whole flying career, not because I did anything wrong, but because they could not handle certain fundamental thruths like 'non military pilots can actually fly just as well, if not better, than airforce pilots.
Destroyed my whole flying career, not because I did anything wrong, but because they could not handle certain fundamental thruths like 'non military pilots can actually fly just as well, if not better, than airforce pilots.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It’s already been said but who you work for, your T&Cs and where you’re based are massive given the 1) disparity in T&Cs across airlines and 2) the limitations to move up the ladder without trading cash for location etc.
One other big factor is why you’re doing the job. If it’s because you love flying, being around aircraft etc., then you’re generally OK. Those that are more interested in prestige, status, money etc., are now in big trouble – you know the type that are more interested in their latest money making scheme or those who bid on the basis of wrangling every penny out from their allowances and like the flash cars etc.
It’s rare to do any job for which the actual doing bit (i.e. the flying in this case) is the same from year 1 to retirement, and it’s fantastic for a few years but would make those looking for intellectual stimulation regret a longer term career in it.
One other big factor is why you’re doing the job. If it’s because you love flying, being around aircraft etc., then you’re generally OK. Those that are more interested in prestige, status, money etc., are now in big trouble – you know the type that are more interested in their latest money making scheme or those who bid on the basis of wrangling every penny out from their allowances and like the flash cars etc.
It’s rare to do any job for which the actual doing bit (i.e. the flying in this case) is the same from year 1 to retirement, and it’s fantastic for a few years but would make those looking for intellectual stimulation regret a longer term career in it.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Mother Earth
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hve to say having been flying in the Airlines for over 15 yrs I still overall enjoy it. I feel like my job is very secure and though I would not admit to management I am fairly well paid with good time off. Comparing to most of my uni friends I feel better off with regard to renumeration and security. There is little kudos or perks now but for me to start again in a new career I would probably never reach the same salary level again, unless it was a business venture which has more risks! Rhe one thing for newbies I would say is the level of debt they have to go into is huge and that is what would put me off if I was starting again!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Mother Earth
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi FANS, I am with EZY, so yes and no. Currently there is only one payscale for permanent pilots however nearly all the first officers are flexicrew. The endgame has started on flexicrew but what the resulting contract that the union can achieve is to be seen. I do believe that the goal of the union is to make sure that everyone that joins ezy will end up as a Captain on the 10 yr increment (15%-circa £105k +diems) Any new deal for F/O's may well see a new starter level or longer time to get there but I believe the key to not having a B scale will be that all new entrants will progress to what is currently the top increment of Captain salary +15%.
Overall, there are always areas of T&C's to improve but every pilot group in every airline has to fight for them as all managers want to lower costs. Most friends in various professional occupations feel undervalued and that respect is declining in their particular industry, ours is no different. We must not stop campaigning and fighting to maintain what we have and try to make gains where we can. The financial firestorm of the past 5 years has not helped but at EZY the company is in record profits with directors having taken over 160 million out of the business in bonuses over 8 years I think they can afford decent contracts for new entrants despite the financial crisis in Europe!
As for the actual day to day job I personally still enjoy. Good crews, good aircraft and great variety. Fixed pattern is priceless for planning my life with kids and Mrs Stakeknife!
Apologies if sounding too optimistic!!
Overall, there are always areas of T&C's to improve but every pilot group in every airline has to fight for them as all managers want to lower costs. Most friends in various professional occupations feel undervalued and that respect is declining in their particular industry, ours is no different. We must not stop campaigning and fighting to maintain what we have and try to make gains where we can. The financial firestorm of the past 5 years has not helped but at EZY the company is in record profits with directors having taken over 160 million out of the business in bonuses over 8 years I think they can afford decent contracts for new entrants despite the financial crisis in Europe!
As for the actual day to day job I personally still enjoy. Good crews, good aircraft and great variety. Fixed pattern is priceless for planning my life with kids and Mrs Stakeknife!
Apologies if sounding too optimistic!!
