A very good friend of mine had a mate working in the same Essex factory 25 years ago...he gambled his money on a license...I thought good luck as he was in his late 30s...at the time I was at the top of the legacy carrier profession...
He went through LOCO onto exec jets onto a rich man's pilot....
now semi retired...big house, heated swimming pool, nice set of wheels.....works if he feels the need....
It is still out there...you need a bit of luck, a bit of skill and a lot of integrity and hard work.

Artie Fufkin;

Not worried about my house, but there is a few that should be worried about their houses!

Been there, done that, and my report is of how it really is for the majority!

There will always be some that enjoy to been taken bent over regardless!

That's the Machavellist in us humans, however being to analyze it and face the reality, is very few who can do.

Denial is a bliss for some!

Many seem to be occupied to justify the profession compared to other professions. You need to compare the value of work force. There is of course many from the golden egg days sitting on their mountain, with their views of their truth.
They have worked hard for what they have and deserve it, no envy.

A tube driver will today make more than a pilot.
A bus driver will most likely make more too.

A banker, an accountant a solicitor, a doctor, has the chance to make money without limit depending on talent and ideas.

For a pilot there will be an upper limit, which year by year is decreased to what in the end will be a joke, considering the professions dinosaur history, it will follow and become extinct.

I agree with that too.
I read some comments above and funny to notice that many compare with others jobs in city, 9 to 5 etc...as if all others jobs were the same.
Since i have a vineyard, I get much more than in LCC and live better. I don't live in a city (obviously)...but as it's an english forum I figured out that many talked about London City I guess....anyway glad I don't live there neither, too crowded and too cloudy/rainy for me. ^^
Just to tell : no, there are not only jobs in city with 9 to 5.

People should compare with same jobs.
By comparing with "worst" jobs, sure, you will always accetp lower conditions in that case.
One day, some pilots will say "oh it's ok, I make more than a homeless person".
During this time the manager in the arline makes 10x more by doing a more confortable job where he can only hurts himself with a pen.

If I handed over a significant amount of money to the car salesman for say, a Mercedes depicted in a glossy brochure I'd expect to receive said car, not suddenly be told I'd been entered into some form of lottery that gives me a chance of receiving a random make of car at some time in the future .....
(Mine's a Citreon BTW:uhoh:)

Come on Wiggy, that car's just for your commute, you can't ignore the weekend one or the wife's!

My better half also runs a Citroen (long story..... ) :uhoh:


What's a weekend? :ok:

I think the general advice is "lower your expectations" - after paying for the Mercedes Limo version, don't expect to get it with an engine inside, they will actually get you an old bombed out limo from Saddam's days in Iraq, with a few holes in for ventilation!

Of course the industry is not that bad, if your main aim in life is to be married to the airline and have no other private life! However to get engaged with the airline, you must know they will take you blood and suck you dry, and we all just love it!

Now all these guys comparing this with other jobs, maybe I am just plain lucky than, having had a job paying more than most captain salaries, being able to do what I want when I want for 90% of my time!

And I never needed to work 9 to 5, or run into the city (any city), sometimes I could sit working on the beach of Santa Monica, even if life was high pressure, does not mean that this is the only life that let's you see the blue sky and sunshine during your working hours.
As I said in past post, I don't have any regrets, and there is parts of the profession I enjoy, and most people I work with are great, no complaints - however to say that the profession is in a healthy position would be a lie.

But some will rather bite of their own nose, instead admitting the dire situation the industry is in.

With your seniority, you'd know all about weekends....!

In the meantime, broaden your horizons, and those of others, while contributing to the good of society in a highly competitive job entry market for this slot.
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