Addiction
12-24-2006, 12:48 PM
#11
Swearing at the FMA
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: MD-88 FO
Posts: 902
Kansas,
He is a single guy without anyone depending upon him so I guess he could damage himself if he chooses. However he is awfully short sighted on his future. There are certain realities in life that can not be brushed aside. We all need to be able to earn a living and to provide for our futures. If everyone were to throw caution to the wind then we would be a country of banner pilots and ski bums who lived in VW vans and six to a two bedroom apartment. Most people upon reaching adulthood set aside childish things and get to work creating a real life for themselves. If he was 18 instead of 48 he then would have a decade to blow and not be to put out by the experience but by his age he needs to put some thought into retirement planning and less into getting himself deeply into debt over a silly childish obsession.
The thing that makes his plan so irresponsible is that he knows that he will not earn any money at it yet he muster up any self discipline to put aside childish ideas. To his own credit however he did concede that it is due to his own selfish nature that has prevented him from building himself a life of some kind.
My aim of this thread is to point out that aviation can exert such a powerful pull on a person that it can overcome ones ability to prevent severely damaging them self. It is similar to an alcoholic or gambling addict. To the average guy this career doesn't make any sense yet here they come leaving a broken trail of ex-wives, home, friends, family and financial security behind.
Skyhigh
And a Merry Christmas to you too I might add.
He is a single guy without anyone depending upon him so I guess he could damage himself if he chooses. However he is awfully short sighted on his future. There are certain realities in life that can not be brushed aside. We all need to be able to earn a living and to provide for our futures. If everyone were to throw caution to the wind then we would be a country of banner pilots and ski bums who lived in VW vans and six to a two bedroom apartment. Most people upon reaching adulthood set aside childish things and get to work creating a real life for themselves. If he was 18 instead of 48 he then would have a decade to blow and not be to put out by the experience but by his age he needs to put some thought into retirement planning and less into getting himself deeply into debt over a silly childish obsession.
The thing that makes his plan so irresponsible is that he knows that he will not earn any money at it yet he muster up any self discipline to put aside childish ideas. To his own credit however he did concede that it is due to his own selfish nature that has prevented him from building himself a life of some kind.
My aim of this thread is to point out that aviation can exert such a powerful pull on a person that it can overcome ones ability to prevent severely damaging them self. It is similar to an alcoholic or gambling addict. To the average guy this career doesn't make any sense yet here they come leaving a broken trail of ex-wives, home, friends, family and financial security behind.
Skyhigh
And a Merry Christmas to you too I might add.
I've seen numerous other jobs exert a "powerful pull" on people, and this job is no exception. Want to be a workaholic and abandon all that matters in life for it? Go right ahead. This job allows it, as does every other. Would you rather not be a workaholic? This job allows that, as well.
12-24-2006, 03:53 PM
#12
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Problem
Again, as I said, I do not think his decision is wise. Does that make all that pursue this career idiots?
I've seen numerous other jobs exert a "powerful pull" on people, and this job is no exception. Want to be a workaholic and abandon all that matters in life for it? Go right ahead. This job allows it, as does every other. Would you rather not be a workaholic? This job allows that, as well.
I've seen numerous other jobs exert a "powerful pull" on people, and this job is no exception. Want to be a workaholic and abandon all that matters in life for it? Go right ahead. This job allows it, as does every other. Would you rather not be a workaholic? This job allows that, as well.
I honestly don't think it is a good idea for anyone based solely upon financial and lifestyle factors. Now if one is a single masochist with no illusions of security, home or family I guess that is another matter.
Skyhigh
12-24-2006, 04:49 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Citation II
Posts: 315
The problem with this career is that it literally costs a small fortune to earn pittance in return. It does not make any sense at all. It is one thing to be a workaholic doctor and another to be a broke and starving pilot who layed out a kings ransom for the privilege of being the recipient of the abuse.
I honestly don't think it is a good idea for anyone based solely upon financial and lifestyle factors. Now if one is a single masochist with no illusions of security, home or family I guess that is another matter.
Skyhigh
I honestly don't think it is a good idea for anyone based solely upon financial and lifestyle factors. Now if one is a single masochist with no illusions of security, home or family I guess that is another matter.
Skyhigh
Some decisions just cannot be made based on financial metrics alone. If it is something someone wants to do, ways can be found to accomplish it. It happens every day.
12-24-2006, 05:25 PM
#14
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Sure
SkyHigh
Merry Christmas
12-24-2006, 06:09 PM
#15
Swearing at the FMA
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: MD-88 FO
Posts: 902
haha.30,000 pilot dreams...You know, I was looking into the minds of the 100's of thousands of pilots just the other day, and I found the number to actually be 23,879!
12-24-2006, 06:11 PM
#16
Swearing at the FMA
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: MD-88 FO
Posts: 902
The problem with this career is that it literally costs a small fortune to earn pittance in return. It does not make any sense at all. It is one thing to be a workaholic doctor and another to be a broke and starving pilot who layed out a kings ransom for the privilege of being the recipient of the abuse.
I honestly don't think it is a good idea for anyone based solely upon financial and lifestyle factors. Now if one is a single masochist with no illusions of security, home or family I guess that is another matter.
Skyhigh
I honestly don't think it is a good idea for anyone based solely upon financial and lifestyle factors. Now if one is a single masochist with no illusions of security, home or family I guess that is another matter.
Skyhigh
12-24-2006, 06:14 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: CL65 Captain
Posts: 484
12-24-2006, 07:01 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,242
My father took a risk at 35 with wife and two kids by immigrating to the USA. He made it work and we haven't looked back. If a 35 year old with less than $100 in his pocket can do it so can any 20 year old who was born / raised here...Of course, there are plenty of people who can't do it. Thats also a fact of life. Some people make it happen others find an excuse, any excuse, to leave...Skyhigh is one of those people who found a reason , any reason, to leave aviation and now continues to put it down...
Life without risk is not worth living.
-LAFF
Life without risk is not worth living.
-LAFF
12-24-2006, 07:15 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Posts: 762
12-24-2006, 07:51 PM
#20
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Posts: 47
You know, I may be a new guy here but I have to chime in. Haven't posted much but have lurked for atleast the last six months and have read almost every post (12 hour Night shifts).
Any way, people that base there complete happiness on how much is on there W-2 tend to not be the happiest. The trick is to find a balance. I sit here working in a prison, miserable every time I go to work. Even though I make easliy over 3x what a first year RJ driver makes, and I still get 15 days off a month. I cannot wait to make the transition to the flying life. My unhappines probably cost me my first marrige and if things don't change soon flying wise, it may just ruin another relationship. When I was younger my Dad worked for CO, his dream. That all came crashing down with Lorenzo, in about '84 I believe. He had a very succesful side business that made more then flying did at the time, so he just walked away (NO strike/no scab). His unhappiness cost him a marrige, and he and my mom split. He finnaly got back into flying after about a 5 year break, and I could tell even as a kid a light was relit in him. I am trying to learn from those mistakes when it comes to happiness and money.
The truth is, I understand what SkyHigh is trying to do. However he should also look at it from both sides. If he is happy in consturction then great, good for him. This issue is not just carreer specific, I have seen many many people go after a job because they love it, only to be unsuccessful at the attempt.
Take firemen for example. In Socal you generally have to pay for your own fire academy, paramedic schoool, and 4 year degree before you even come close to being considered. And to be compititive you probably had to work your ass off all summer long for several summers on a hand crew making almost nothing. And then once you do, there will be 2,000 guys/girls applying for the 5-10 jobs LA County has open for the year. Anyone else see something familiar about that. I know in varies in different states, but in places that have decent weather and quality of life it's about the same. You can't take a job as a firemen in Grand Forks and then commute from L.A., but you can take a job flying and live about where ever you want and can afford. Once you make it to the equvilent level of flying.
Hope everyone is happy and healthy this Christmas,
P R
(Sorry about any spelling/grammar errors)
Any way, people that base there complete happiness on how much is on there W-2 tend to not be the happiest. The trick is to find a balance. I sit here working in a prison, miserable every time I go to work. Even though I make easliy over 3x what a first year RJ driver makes, and I still get 15 days off a month. I cannot wait to make the transition to the flying life. My unhappines probably cost me my first marrige and if things don't change soon flying wise, it may just ruin another relationship. When I was younger my Dad worked for CO, his dream. That all came crashing down with Lorenzo, in about '84 I believe. He had a very succesful side business that made more then flying did at the time, so he just walked away (NO strike/no scab). His unhappiness cost him a marrige, and he and my mom split. He finnaly got back into flying after about a 5 year break, and I could tell even as a kid a light was relit in him. I am trying to learn from those mistakes when it comes to happiness and money.
The truth is, I understand what SkyHigh is trying to do. However he should also look at it from both sides. If he is happy in consturction then great, good for him. This issue is not just carreer specific, I have seen many many people go after a job because they love it, only to be unsuccessful at the attempt.
Take firemen for example. In Socal you generally have to pay for your own fire academy, paramedic schoool, and 4 year degree before you even come close to being considered. And to be compititive you probably had to work your ass off all summer long for several summers on a hand crew making almost nothing. And then once you do, there will be 2,000 guys/girls applying for the 5-10 jobs LA County has open for the year. Anyone else see something familiar about that. I know in varies in different states, but in places that have decent weather and quality of life it's about the same. You can't take a job as a firemen in Grand Forks and then commute from L.A., but you can take a job flying and live about where ever you want and can afford. Once you make it to the equvilent level of flying.
Hope everyone is happy and healthy this Christmas,
P R
(Sorry about any spelling/grammar errors)
Last edited by PositiveRate; 12-24-2006 at 08:08 PM.
