career change, opinions wanted
12-13-2007, 06:44 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: UPS 757/767 Capt ONT
Posts: 4,357
"I saw a senior captain pulling out of a trailer park on his way to work."
Maybe he was a commuter. I live in a van down by the ocean when I'm on reserve, and I like it. Getting ready to upgrade to a mobile home out in the desert. It ain't no thing...
Maybe he was a commuter. I live in a van down by the ocean when I'm on reserve, and I like it. Getting ready to upgrade to a mobile home out in the desert. It ain't no thing...
12-13-2007, 07:08 PM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: SAABster
Posts: 639
- OR -
'MY' neighbors!!
My commuter flight......
12-13-2007, 07:20 PM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: 757/767
Posts: 890
Heck even ten years ago most planes had only an HSI as the hottest thing in the instrument panel. You had to navigate and orient yourself using mathematics and mental spacial orientation skills. If you got the numbers reversed in your head or lost your position on approach you were dead.
I agree.
There are very few opportunities for new pilots to get real hand flying skills. Now pilots just sit back and watch the little plane track a course across the sky and the MFD. Holding patterns are merely a few button pushes. Even student pilots have full glass cockpits. Practically the only oasis of pilot skill left is the old cross wind excuse.
In the near future hand flying will be an emergency procedure.
SkyHigh
I agree.
There are very few opportunities for new pilots to get real hand flying skills. Now pilots just sit back and watch the little plane track a course across the sky and the MFD. Holding patterns are merely a few button pushes. Even student pilots have full glass cockpits. Practically the only oasis of pilot skill left is the old cross wind excuse.
In the near future hand flying will be an emergency procedure.
SkyHigh
Kidding. Welcome aboard.
12-13-2007, 07:57 PM
#46
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 5
whats wrong with management in aviation do they not realize without pilots, planes dont fly. i was considering this line of work because i thought it would be a cool job. but suddenly it doesnt sound so cool ,or is it my imagination? ive noticed that the pay is a topic that comes up pretty frequently. how much better was the pay before 9-11? it seems as though the aviation industry has suffered quite a bit, i always thought pilots had it made ,but it sounds like things are different than i thought. as i stated before im an automotive painter looking for a second career to go after. this is due to my pay getting harder and harder to make every year, we used to make between 90k and 130k a year . now its down to 70k to 90k a year and getting lower each year.due to crappy insurance companies. seems like every industry is suffering these days, is there any hint of things getting better ?
12-13-2007, 08:03 PM
#47
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Disapointed
whats wrong with management in aviation do they not realize without pilots, planes dont fly. i was considering this line of work because i thought it would be a cool job. but suddenly it doesnt sound so cool ,or is it my imagination? ive noticed that the pay is a topic that comes up pretty frequently. how much better was the pay before 9-11? it seems as though the aviation industry has suffered quite a bit, i always thought pilots had it made ,but it sounds like things are different than i thought. as i stated before im an automotive painter looking for a second career to go after. this is due to my pay getting harder and harder to make every year, we used to make between 90k and 130k a year . now its down to 70k to 90k a year and getting lower each year.due to crappy insurance companies. seems like every industry is suffering these days, is there any hint of things getting better ?
It is very difficult to reach 130K as a pilot. Over the last 25 years the pay and working conditions have consistantly gotten worse. It will never go back. Stay with car painting.
Skyhigh
12-13-2007, 08:08 PM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: 757/767
Posts: 890
It's a lot easier to make 130k/hr as a pilot when you don't quit. It does however take an abundance of time, hard work, and luck.
12-13-2007, 09:48 PM
#49
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Posts: 37
Hi 69chevyshortt
Just stay away from the Airline Pilot Training programs that guarantee you a Regional Pilot Job interview or even a First Officer position. I’m your age too and trying to go the Air Guard route. In regards to the Airline Pilot programs you will find that they are going to cost you between 40-100k when all is said and done. Check this place out: http://www.prairieairservice.com/ (I might do this if they keep selecting me as an alternate)
Oh and once your done with training everyone says not to fly for Mesa. Just thought I’d pass that along.
Just stay away from the Airline Pilot Training programs that guarantee you a Regional Pilot Job interview or even a First Officer position. I’m your age too and trying to go the Air Guard route. In regards to the Airline Pilot programs you will find that they are going to cost you between 40-100k when all is said and done. Check this place out: http://www.prairieairservice.com/ (I might do this if they keep selecting me as an alternate)
Oh and once your done with training everyone says not to fly for Mesa. Just thought I’d pass that along.
12-13-2007, 11:04 PM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 193
whats wrong with management in aviation do they not realize without pilots, planes dont fly. i was considering this line of work because i thought it would be a cool job. but suddenly it doesnt sound so cool ,or is it my imagination? ive noticed that the pay is a topic that comes up pretty frequently. how much better was the pay before 9-11? it seems as though the aviation industry has suffered quite a bit, i always thought pilots had it made ,but it sounds like things are different than i thought. as i stated before im an automotive painter looking for a second career to go after. this is due to my pay getting harder and harder to make every year, we used to make between 90k and 130k a year . now its down to 70k to 90k a year and getting lower each year.due to crappy insurance companies. seems like every industry is suffering these days, is there any hint of things getting better ?
Since 1978 the career has been in decline. Yes, it has been cyclical. But each down period has wiped out any long term gains then some only to be followed by another cycle. Often pilots early will just assume "It'll come back". Eventually they realized it never will.
If you are considering getting in right now do the following: Take a snapshot of the current reward package for becoming a commercial pilot. Cut it in half. If at the end of your career you are making the half amount and you are happy with that, press on. If you think it's going to get better you are betting against a well established 30 year trend line.
http://www.landings.com/_landings/st...ainicarus.html
I didn't happen all by itself. It had help.
http://aircon.org
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