View Poll Results: Would you have chosen to be a pilot?
Yes.
44
57.14%
No.
23
29.87%
I'll answer after the shortage is over 
10
12.99%
Voters: 77. You may not vote on this poll
Would you have chosen to be a pilot?
06-11-2013, 01:43 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: B767 FO
Posts: 423
Like someone else mentioned, sounds like maybe you need a hobby.
Personally, sounds like you are ready to upgrade. That's not a bad thing! Makes a big difference when you move to the Left Seat. What seems routine from the right seat doesn't seem so routine from the left seat.
Along those lines, are you getting ready for Upgrade, do you know your systems as well as you should, how about the FOM? Just saying, it's a great time to start really thinking about that stuff, makes upgrade that much easier, plus Captains appreciate the guys who are thinking too, makes their job easier, just do it in such a way that doesn't step on their toes.
In regards to the making it to the majors and it being different. Yes and No. Airlines are all basically the same, slight variations in business model and whether they are pax or cargo, but from a pilot perspective, they are all similar. (Just have different philosophies/ways in doing things. There is a lot of sit time. Domestically, your trips are similar, but I've found for some reason it seems more difficult and takes longer to get comfortable with a new airplane. I think of a lot of that is based upon not flying to the same destinations as often and the added challenges of more complex FMCs and trying to master VNAV/Profile or whatever Airbus calls it. (I'm not sure what your flying, so not a knock if you're flying a nice airplane). Internationally is a totally different type of flying. The Language differences,Country Rules and Regulations and Ocean Crossings offer a lot of challenge and more study than your average domestic trip. Plus you have the benefits of the more exotic layovers. (That being said, there are plenty of great things to see/do domestically with the help of a rented bicycle or cheap rent car.)
Many guys who get bored/don't like the routine of line flying, get into Management, the Company Safety Department, go to the School House, or do Union work. That's not unique to any airline, whether it's a Regional or Major (Pax or Cargo). At my airline, there are designated pilots who are 'Flight Test' and their entire job is to check airplanes coming out of Heavy Mx and are involved with any special projects involving the airplanes. They do very little line flying.
Point is, there is something for everyone, you just have to look around a little bit. Good luck!
Personally, sounds like you are ready to upgrade. That's not a bad thing! Makes a big difference when you move to the Left Seat. What seems routine from the right seat doesn't seem so routine from the left seat.
Along those lines, are you getting ready for Upgrade, do you know your systems as well as you should, how about the FOM? Just saying, it's a great time to start really thinking about that stuff, makes upgrade that much easier, plus Captains appreciate the guys who are thinking too, makes their job easier, just do it in such a way that doesn't step on their toes.
In regards to the making it to the majors and it being different. Yes and No. Airlines are all basically the same, slight variations in business model and whether they are pax or cargo, but from a pilot perspective, they are all similar. (Just have different philosophies/ways in doing things. There is a lot of sit time. Domestically, your trips are similar, but I've found for some reason it seems more difficult and takes longer to get comfortable with a new airplane. I think of a lot of that is based upon not flying to the same destinations as often and the added challenges of more complex FMCs and trying to master VNAV/Profile or whatever Airbus calls it. (I'm not sure what your flying, so not a knock if you're flying a nice airplane). Internationally is a totally different type of flying. The Language differences,Country Rules and Regulations and Ocean Crossings offer a lot of challenge and more study than your average domestic trip. Plus you have the benefits of the more exotic layovers. (That being said, there are plenty of great things to see/do domestically with the help of a rented bicycle or cheap rent car.)
Many guys who get bored/don't like the routine of line flying, get into Management, the Company Safety Department, go to the School House, or do Union work. That's not unique to any airline, whether it's a Regional or Major (Pax or Cargo). At my airline, there are designated pilots who are 'Flight Test' and their entire job is to check airplanes coming out of Heavy Mx and are involved with any special projects involving the airplanes. They do very little line flying.
Point is, there is something for everyone, you just have to look around a little bit. Good luck!
06-11-2013, 02:34 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: B767 FO
Posts: 423
One more thing. You mentioned doing something 'that actually matters.' Well that's in the eye of the beholder and something you have to figure out yourself.
Your flight might be one that is remembered as the flight that got them there in time to see a baby born or a loved one before they passed away. Perhaps your flight is the flight that brought the much needed medicine or human organs that have been so desperately needed.
These types of things don't happen all the time, but they happen more than you think and really matter to someone.
Your flight might be one that is remembered as the flight that got them there in time to see a baby born or a loved one before they passed away. Perhaps your flight is the flight that brought the much needed medicine or human organs that have been so desperately needed.
These types of things don't happen all the time, but they happen more than you think and really matter to someone.
06-11-2013, 05:21 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: French American
Posts: 417
...Your flight might be one that is remembered as the flight that got them there in time to see a baby born or a loved one before they passed away. Perhaps your flight is the flight that brought the much needed medicine or human organs that have been so desperately needed...
06-13-2013, 06:33 AM
#15
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Posts: 16
Yep, one of my friends is on his second year at a regional and is really going to benefit from this. According to him things are moving right along.
06-19-2013, 04:37 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2012
Posts: 294
Thanks for all the input. Very well thought out. It's kinda nice to not be bashed on here for my opinion. I guess sitting in the same seat on the same aircraft for 6 years is causing the boredom. It's nice to finally see some movement at my company and hopefully will upgrade soon. As far as the comment about "try working another job" I've been a dishwasher, worked at McDonalds, a grocery store clerk, factory assembly, web designer, computer IT technician, Vehicle test driver, flight instructor, charter pilot, and Airline pilot. So I know there are ups and downs to jobs and being an airline pilot is by far the best job i've had. That doesn't mean it is perfect though. And as far as hobbies go I golf weekly, kayak, road bike, fish, garden, go out with friends, work on cars, and am studying for my home inspection test to do part-time, and have a family. So I guess you misunderstood me about being bored. It only applied to work. Anyhow, thanks again for all the input, makes me feel better that there are others who understand where I'm coming from.
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