SkyHigh

If National had been successful and you were pulling down 100K plus as a Capt there today, would you still be gracing us with your presence here? Would you consider the career not worthy and steer people away? Would the job of a 757 Capt be nothing more than a button pushing, coddled by dispatch, boring existence, that you would tell everyone within earshot you abhor and disrespect? DE727UPS

I was not all that happy with my situation even before National shut down. I was in my mid 30's and making 30K per year as a 757 FO. The president of the company came into my ground school on the first day and told us all that no pilot would ever earn more than 80K at N7. However if they were still afloat I most likely would still be working for them. I was hooked on aviation, an addict. I just could not let go like that.

Even if I would have reached my ultimate career goal of Alaska Airlines I do not think that I could recommend the profession. It is just too mcuh risk and requires to huge of an investment to be worthwhile unless you were assured of reaching FedEx, UPS or SWA.

Additionally, if I was still flying for a living I doubt that I would venture on APC. As a full time pilot the last thing I wanted to do was to expose myself to more aviation on my days off.

SkyHigh

SkyHigh

One of my favorite books is Moby Dick. To me it seems that the story of Captain Ahab directly relates to this thread. As a 58 year old man he had spent three of his last forty years at home on land. Obsessed by the ocean and his quest for command only now upon reflection does he realize that he wasted his life chasing an empty dream.

In conversation with his trusty First Officer Starbuck Ahab laments that "he widowed (his wife) the day he married her". Never at home he took every voyage and command opportunity that he could and now at the sunset of his life he was angry. Such a goal can destroy one if allowed to overtake all other concerns. (Wikipedia) The best days of his life were now gone. His rage for revenge against his obsession is directed at the great white whale who took is lower leg on the previous journey.

In the final chapter Ahabs lifeless body is seen on the back of Mody Dick when he resurfaces. Even in death as the whale rises and falls while propelling himself along Ahabs limp arm can be seen flopping back and froth as though he was beckoning his crew for the great beyond to follow to his same fate.

I first read that book as a bush pilot in Alaska. Years later while working as an FO for the airlines that story would frequently come back to haunt me as I sat next to bitter old captains who told stories about forgotten children and a string of ex-spouses that were left in the wake of their obsessed careers. Instead of throwing harpoons at whales they took their anger out on their "ungrateful children", "vicious ex-wives" and airline management.

As a silent listener it seemed to me as they told their life stories that they were always dragging their families across the country in pursuit of their own dreams then virtually abandoning them to go on long trips. Now facing 60 they were broke, alone and had no hobbies, interests or family left to return to yet still they beckoned others to join them.

No thanks,

Skyhigh

Planespotta

Wow, that was such an original, inspiring story, just in time for the Holiday Season Written for doom and gloomers by doom and gloomers.

SkyHigh

I hope you liked it.

Merry Christmas !!

SkyHigh

Kilgore Trout

Ski Patrol

OK from what I've read of the thread there are three generalized types.

Noob's: haven't reached stages 7 & 8 yet. Read denial/still single/no kids etc.

Lucky's: the guys who by timing, connections and some skill lucked out and got one of the golden jobs. See UPS/FedEx/SWA etc.

Realists: any of the stages and realize they can learn from the mistakes of others. See the 70% majority but vocal minority.

captain152

Thank you for summarizing the entire thread in one post ...

And which type do you fit into?

I suppose I'd fall into the "Noob's" type still since I've reached stage 7 but not 8 ... hopefully will come into the "Lucky's" type within the next few years. Certainly don't deny the reality of this industry though. I'm just one of the lucky people in this world who absolutely love their job and can't imagine doing anything else for a living.

Planespotta

"I am a strong believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."

Planespotta

. . .

This is not meant to be offensive, but would you have been on these forums, too?

Ski Patrol

You are welcome.

Take a guess.