Don't Follow Your Passion
01-04-2015, 02:22 PM
#41
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,261
I care about my finances; they're well attended by an aviation career.
I have a great deal of control over my schedule, as well as my progression, wages, and my ability to retire. I don't expect it to be given me on a silver platter, however, and perhaps that's the difference. I take responsibility.
I'm not stuck in a line of work which is dead end, because if I find myself in such a position, I go somewhere else. No one puts a gun to my head and forces me to fly. Consequently, I take jobs that serve my interests, allow me ample time and freedom, and which I find personally rewarding.
You made bad choices, and failed at them. For this are bitter, and you return here again and again to tell lies. Your evidence is your own failure.
You've stated that the great failure is that you were deceived; you couldn't live like a king as an airline pilot. Do you live like a king now?
I attended church with my family today, and a baseball game with my son yesterday. I spent time at the drop zone. My friend with whom I work spend the day golfing, which is his passion. Aviation allows him to do a lot of that. I've had my holidays free, and this last month have participated in all kinds of activities that are part of "having a life." I was able to purchase musical instruments, electronics, and tools for Christmas as well as person use, and I had a great new year. At home.
I also "pushed" a lot of metal, and had a great time. Too bad you weren't there, but then you were doing what? Living like a king?
I have a great deal of control over my schedule, as well as my progression, wages, and my ability to retire. I don't expect it to be given me on a silver platter, however, and perhaps that's the difference. I take responsibility.
I'm not stuck in a line of work which is dead end, because if I find myself in such a position, I go somewhere else. No one puts a gun to my head and forces me to fly. Consequently, I take jobs that serve my interests, allow me ample time and freedom, and which I find personally rewarding.
You made bad choices, and failed at them. For this are bitter, and you return here again and again to tell lies. Your evidence is your own failure.
You've stated that the great failure is that you were deceived; you couldn't live like a king as an airline pilot. Do you live like a king now?
I attended church with my family today, and a baseball game with my son yesterday. I spent time at the drop zone. My friend with whom I work spend the day golfing, which is his passion. Aviation allows him to do a lot of that. I've had my holidays free, and this last month have participated in all kinds of activities that are part of "having a life." I was able to purchase musical instruments, electronics, and tools for Christmas as well as person use, and I had a great new year. At home.
I also "pushed" a lot of metal, and had a great time. Too bad you weren't there, but then you were doing what? Living like a king?
01-04-2015, 04:52 PM
#42
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Yea
I care about my finances; they're well attended by an aviation career.
I have a great deal of control over my schedule, as well as my progression, wages, and my ability to retire. I don't expect it to be given me on a silver platter, however, and perhaps that's the difference. I take responsibility.
I'm not stuck in a line of work which is dead end, because if I find myself in such a position, I go somewhere else. No one puts a gun to my head and forces me to fly. Consequently, I take jobs that serve my interests, allow me ample time and freedom, and which I find personally rewarding.
You made bad choices, and failed at them. For this are bitter, and you return here again and again to tell lies. Your evidence is your own failure.
You've stated that the great failure is that you were deceived; you couldn't live like a king as an airline pilot. Do you live like a king now?
I attended church with my family today, and a baseball game with my son yesterday. I spent time at the drop zone. My friend with whom I work spend the day golfing, which is his passion. Aviation allows him to do a lot of that. I've had my holidays free, and this last month have participated in all kinds of activities that are part of "having a life." I was able to purchase musical instruments, electronics, and tools for Christmas as well as person use, and I had a great new year. At home.
I also "pushed" a lot of metal, and had a great time. Too bad you weren't there, but then you were doing what? Living like a king?
I have a great deal of control over my schedule, as well as my progression, wages, and my ability to retire. I don't expect it to be given me on a silver platter, however, and perhaps that's the difference. I take responsibility.
I'm not stuck in a line of work which is dead end, because if I find myself in such a position, I go somewhere else. No one puts a gun to my head and forces me to fly. Consequently, I take jobs that serve my interests, allow me ample time and freedom, and which I find personally rewarding.
You made bad choices, and failed at them. For this are bitter, and you return here again and again to tell lies. Your evidence is your own failure.
You've stated that the great failure is that you were deceived; you couldn't live like a king as an airline pilot. Do you live like a king now?
I attended church with my family today, and a baseball game with my son yesterday. I spent time at the drop zone. My friend with whom I work spend the day golfing, which is his passion. Aviation allows him to do a lot of that. I've had my holidays free, and this last month have participated in all kinds of activities that are part of "having a life." I was able to purchase musical instruments, electronics, and tools for Christmas as well as person use, and I had a great new year. At home.
I also "pushed" a lot of metal, and had a great time. Too bad you weren't there, but then you were doing what? Living like a king?
I am glad that you are happy with your career. If that is what you want out of life then you have found your nirvana. Others here are looking for something more.
In my case after four years in college, self funding my flight training, and enduring nearly a decade of dangerous experience building before reaching a regional I wanted compensation that I could build a life with. When I started flying pilots did well. It is my belief that those who are willing to drop such an investment on a modern aviation career are doing so with similar expectations.
I am not telling lies but rather sharing a different perspective. There are people on this forum who know me and my story personally. In my case things are far better for me and my family then they ever were or could have been as a pilot. I am the master of my destiny and live better than I would have had I attained my aviation career objective.
I made a good choice to move on after I was laid off. Others here hold similar goals.
Skyhigh
Last edited by SkyHigh; 01-04-2015 at 05:13 PM.
01-04-2015, 06:03 PM
#43
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
USA Today Article
I read an article recently that proclaimed that it takes $56,000 on average per year in America to subsist as a family of four. Two high school educated adults working full time, no retirement saving, college funds, saving to buy a home, or to prosper in any way, 56K just to get by.
Add to that vacations. retirement saving, student loan payments and most feel that it takes around 100K for a family of four to reach the lower rungs of middle class in most areas of the nation. 1300 square foot starter home with two older cars.
I went to college so that I could enjoy a better life than had I remained at the gas station job from which I started. After spending years and a small fortune in college and sacrifices beyond everyone who flies for an airline should make at least more than a postman at their first flying job and SWA captain wages before the age of 40 or it just does not make financial sense.
You might be able to get by on a regional airline wage but the American dream holds the promise of being able to prosper too. An aviation career is an investment that holds the duty of being able to overcome the cost it takes to become educated, trained, and experienced or else it is not a job but rather a working hobby.
Skyhigh
Add to that vacations. retirement saving, student loan payments and most feel that it takes around 100K for a family of four to reach the lower rungs of middle class in most areas of the nation. 1300 square foot starter home with two older cars.
I went to college so that I could enjoy a better life than had I remained at the gas station job from which I started. After spending years and a small fortune in college and sacrifices beyond everyone who flies for an airline should make at least more than a postman at their first flying job and SWA captain wages before the age of 40 or it just does not make financial sense.
You might be able to get by on a regional airline wage but the American dream holds the promise of being able to prosper too. An aviation career is an investment that holds the duty of being able to overcome the cost it takes to become educated, trained, and experienced or else it is not a job but rather a working hobby.
Skyhigh
01-04-2015, 07:04 PM
#44
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,261
I read an article recently that proclaimed that it takes $56,000 on average per year in America to subsist as a family of four. Two high school educated adults working full time, no retirement saving, college funds, saving to buy a home, or to prosper in any way, 56K just to get by.
If 56,000 is required just to get by, then a significant portion of the country isn't getting by, and would you believe it, many of them aren't in aviation.
In fact, the national wage index for 2013 is $44,888.16. (National Average Wage Index)
I went to college so that I could enjoy a better life than had I remained at the gas station job from which I started. After spending years and a small fortune in college and sacrifices beyond everyone who flies for an airline should make at least more than a postman at their first flying job and SWA captain wages before the age of 40 or it just does not make financial sense.
What does a college graduate say? "You want fries with that?"
Aside from the fact that your writing, quoted above, is grammatically atrocious and expresses incomplete sentences that make no sense (to say nothing of the use of run-on sentences that don't really reflect the benefit of a college education), what are you attempting to say?
Sacrifices beyond what?
You might be able to get by on a regional airline wage but the American dream holds the promise of being able to prosper too. An aviation career is an investment that holds the duty of being able to overcome the cost it takes to become educated, trained, and experienced or else it is not a job but rather a working hobby.
Skyhigh
Skyhigh
Last edited by JohnBurke; 01-04-2015 at 07:15 PM.
01-05-2015, 05:31 AM
#46
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Skyhigh
01-05-2015, 05:38 AM
#47
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
01-05-2015, 06:15 AM
#48
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
You've already stated your entitlement; you became a pilot because you wanted to "live like a king." Are you?
If 56,000 is required just to get by, then a significant portion of the country isn't getting by, and would you believe it, many of them aren't in aviation.
In fact, the national wage index for 2013 is $44,888.16. (National Average Wage Index)
Given that your numbers are two hundred fifty percent of the national average wage, how do you suppose the ordinary man does it, gets by?
Entitlement. You went to school and you think the world owes you something?
What does a college graduate say? "You want fries with that?"
Aside from the fact that your writing, quoted above, is grammatically atrocious and expresses incomplete sentences that make no sense (to say nothing of the use of run-on sentences that don't really reflect the benefit of a college education), what are you attempting to say?
Sacrifices beyond what?
Why would you want to stay at a regional? It's an entry level position.
If 56,000 is required just to get by, then a significant portion of the country isn't getting by, and would you believe it, many of them aren't in aviation.
In fact, the national wage index for 2013 is $44,888.16. (National Average Wage Index)
Given that your numbers are two hundred fifty percent of the national average wage, how do you suppose the ordinary man does it, gets by?
Entitlement. You went to school and you think the world owes you something?
What does a college graduate say? "You want fries with that?"
Aside from the fact that your writing, quoted above, is grammatically atrocious and expresses incomplete sentences that make no sense (to say nothing of the use of run-on sentences that don't really reflect the benefit of a college education), what are you attempting to say?
Sacrifices beyond what?
Why would you want to stay at a regional? It's an entry level position.
Price tag for the American dream: $130K a year
My wife is not an orthodontist. My parents do not own a chain of furniture stores. Everything my wife, six children, and I have or will have must come from the fruits of my labor. I need more from my life's work than what is commonly achievable in aviation today.
A career at the regionals is not the goal however it is where most will get stuck. Even if one is able to move on to a legacy in their late 30's or 40's most of the financial benefit has been lost. It takes as few decades at $ 100,000 or more to overcome the cost of college, flight training, and low wage experience building in order to catch up with careers that demand a similar sacrifice.
In addition I write from the perspective of those who are starting out today. You and I have already taken the loss for our careers. We are past mid span the bulk of our working years. If you are happy with your situation then by all means enjoy. Others here however hold the American dream of retiring one day with more than a thin promise of social security.
Modern aviation careers cost too much to become trained, educated, and experienced. Most airline careers don't provide enough security and do not pay enough to be able to overcome the cost it commonly takes to get there. A better plan is to choose a career that is close to home, does not require as much of an investment, and pays at least mailman wages. Those careers are out there. In my current profession I see what others commonly make and you wold be shocked at what simple careers are able to earn.
Skyhigh
PS. http://www.epi.org/publication/ib368...amily-budgets/ This article says that the range is between $48,000-96,000 in 2013. Keep in mind that this is just to "get by".
Last edited by SkyHigh; 01-05-2015 at 06:29 AM.
01-05-2015, 06:21 AM
#49
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Writing is on the wall
China Airborne by James Fallows explains how in short order the Chinese are taking over global aviation.
01-05-2015, 06:34 AM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
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