atpwannabe

Now....that's the truth!!!!

LOL!



atp

atpwannabe

You know FWIW, I think that SkyHigh brings up some valid points and real concerns that some would just want to turn a blind eye to. I believe that he warns those us who are just pursuing a career in aviation as a professional pilot of the pitfalls and fallacies that go along with the vocation.

I'm not saying this to come to his rescue or anything like that, because it's not necessary. We are all grown, educated and able to stand by what we believe in. I'm sure that there are some who even raise an eyebrow about me however, this has no impact on me whatsoever. APC is a great place to exchange ideas and discuss issues that confront the industry on all fronts. I for one believe and affirm in "putting the bell on the cat" or "snatching the mask off the monster" when it comes to the realities of this industry. People make up this industry and we are not MONOLITHIC!

I respect SkyHigh's views just as anyone elses. We're one body; made up of many members.



atp

LeoSV

This is the "open forum" of APC, where we can talk about anything (other than politics I guess). Although I don't totally agree with Skyhigh, I think it's poor form to personally insult him or send him to other sites. I do think he regrets his decision to leave the industry, but he is simply warning would be pilots of the downfalls of the industry. With the price of oil and the potential looming recession, trying to become a pilot right now might prove more difficult. If you truly love it, then do it. He isn't TELLING anybody to stay out, he is only giving his POV, and since he was once a pro, I think his POV has some validity even if you don't agree.

That being said, Sky, remember how much you loved your first solo, or your first X-C, and time building for your commercial? Other young adults are loving it just as much as you. de727ups is right about 18 year olds, they're not going to listen to you, or anybody. If they want to attempt a flying career, they will go for it. I'm 30 and am putting it off because of family issues, but if I was 23, I wouldn't care how far in debt I had to go, I would do it.

LeoSV's $0.02..

Lowtimer77

Okay, I am going to step forward as one of those "18-year old ghosts who lurks APC but rarely ever posts." Okay, so I'm actually 20, attending a state university pursuing a non-aviation degree, and have my private pilot certificate. I have been "lurking" these forums for a year and a half now and truly have learned a ton about the industry. Believe it or not, in some ways I do appreciate SkyHigh's posts. I have been reading about aviation since I was 12 and have talked to many pilots and others in the industry. I have tried to be as informed as possible before making any decisions about where to get my flight training and what degree to get in college. HOWEVER, I believe that there are many "18-year olds" who after graduating high school think, "Ya know what, flying planes seems cool so I'm gonna try to be an airline pilot." They tell their friends and other family members about their new dream and everyone tells him/her, "Oh, wow, that would be a cool career, and pilots make a lot of money!" Then, they open up Flying magazine and see a bright, pretty ad for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and say to themselves, "Wow, I want to go to the "Harvard of the Skies" to learn how to fly!!!!" Then after college they apply to their first regionial and get their first paycheck and say, "What the hell is this? no one told me that I am going to make less than a bus driver!!!"

Obviously that scenario is a bit exagerated but I think that there many who do make those mistakes. I take everything SkyHigh says with a grain of salt and I would never throw away my dreams because of his views and opinions, but to many they might be a good wake up call to the realities of the airline industry.

Lastly, I guess I am supposed to apologize for posting since this forum was made by airline pilots and is for only airline pilots I guess I will head on over to Jetcareers.com....

de727ups

"I guess I am supposed to apologize for posting since this forum was made by airline pilots and is for only airline pilots"

The site was created by airline pilots for airline pilots but we have different forums, airline pilot and pilot lounge. The problem is when non-pros start posting inapproprately in the airline pilot forums. This is the hangar talk forum. Anyone can post here.

SkyHigh

What about laid off or retired guys? Should they step aside? How about the fractional and 135 people? Should we exclude them as well?

I believe that most full time line pilots wouldn't waste another second of their lives thinking about more aviation stuff just like most cops wouldn't use their time off to post on police forums.

SkyHigh

SkyHigh

I believe that we all have many paths in life that we can take to find career satisfaction. Pilots seem to be gifted driven individuals who have the ability to do many other things in life. Aviation is just one of them and it seems to me to be a waste of ones abilities.

If I were to be able to do it over I never would have pursued aviation as a profession. Back when I started I didn't have a resource like APC. If I had I would have skipped all the hardship, loss and disappointment. Aviation is much better enjoyed as a hobby or as a second career long after the kids are gone and a solid retirement is in the bank.

Skyhigh

Cubdriver

Or at least one can go into it knowing what they are getting into which is why APC is so useful. Perhaps we tend to see our own situations with coloration and bias, that is to be expected and is normal. But people can read the disparate viewpoints given on APC and form a more complete picture than if they read nothing about it one way or another, or if they take only the silliness produced by hollywood and flight training magazines.

de727ups

"Perhaps we tend to see our own situations with coloration and bias, that is to be expected and is normal"

Especially when your 18...

"What about laid off or retired guys? Should they step aside? How about the fractional and 135 people? Should we exclude them as well?"

Under the "airline pilot" forum heading, there are subforums which include some of your catagories. Perhaps the main heading would be better named "propilots", then have the subcatagories. As to the rest of your question, there is good in bad in seeking "purity" by having some sort of restrictions to who can post where. I see your point and I see the point of the folks who started this site and run it the way they do. Maybe you should talk to them. Like I said about three times so far, though, many people are able to post where ever they want regardless of background. As long as said people don't cause a problem, it's no big deal.

N0315

Imagine if everyone took sky's advice? Just think........50 hour wonder pilots making the upgrade to capt. Boy would people be upset!