StearmanDriver

To all, thank you.

Preludespeeder, May I just re-ask you the original question that entitles this thread.....

So, do YOU want to be an airline pilot?

By the way, I'm starting a 4-day trip tomorrow that will have me enjoying a 4-Points Sheraton for Christmas, so atleast the company doesn't always skimp on the hotels.

I wish you all a very happy Holiday Season.

preludespeeder

to answer your question yes i do want to become an airline pilot. i like to hear your complaints about the job so i can prepare myself for the bad items.

Orca

You have to be a hell of a lot better than the Average Joe! They F up and what happens? Pilots screw up and what happens? Death and Destruction!
Even a surgen can only kill em one at a time! What are you worth? Do not think of yourself as a bus driver. You bring yourself and the profession down.

Good luck... And Aim a lot Higher!

mtsupilot09

Thanks for your input, stearman. I am an aspiring airline pilot, and your information helps. Check this out. When I was in high school, my best friend and I started a lawn mowing business. We started small, but within a few years we had created a mini empire. We were both making more than our teachers and we hadn't even graduated high school. Go buy a used commercial lawn mower, a 5x8 trailer, a good weedeater and blower and print up some good looking flyers. When you're not flying, you can mow. My principal worked for one of his other students a few years back, and the student he worked for made more in 9 months than my principal did in 12. I'll probably mow all the way through college and until I start making 40-50k or more. Kind of sad that you can make more money mowing 25 yards a week than a pilot. Just wanted to throw that out there.

SWAcapt

Just PM Skyhigh. He'll give you all the 'doom and gloom' that you can stand.

dckozak

Nice equipment.
(some) nice layovers.
Lousy hours
Don't know your days off until bid closes. Min notice a couples days depending on company bid procedures and seniority.
Crappy social life (on the job)
Lots of time by yourself (loners would like it!)
Eat out a lot
Good days, great bad days...........
Sleep schedule changes constantly
International. gone looooong periods.. but long periods of days off
Good pay- lousy trend
Junior line/trips the pits

SkyHigh

SWAcapt,

You guys like to bag on poor SkyHigh. I am sure that if I were a senior Captain at SWA or Alaska Airlines I too would be spouting the benefits of hard work and a "keep to it" attitude. I to would be praising aviation for all that it has done for me. The reality is that most don't make it and to those that do luck was the determining factor. So I say "until you walk a mile in my shoes" or in other words "I have earned my opinions the hard way". I wonder if your cheery attitude would have survived all that I have?

Speeder,

I missed your 12-22-05 comments since I was busy meeting my fourth son. Thank you for the concern. Construction is cyclical and has its hard times. I started out in construction and decided to better myself and get a degree so I could go pro with my flying interests. Throughout the years I have used construction as a fall back position and I can say looking back that even during the worst times in construction they were better than my best times as a pilot. I am happy to learn that you have something to fall back on.


Though we poke some pretty sharp sticks at one another I hope that everyone here knows that I respect all of your opinions, appreciate every comment and consider everyone here as a friend.

SkyHigh

boxhauler

Skyhigh, since you're now a contruction worker and not a pilot, why don't you find a net forum about what YOU do and not this one that you dont do and clearly hate. You said it, your best day at flying wasnt as good as your worst day pounding nails. Great. MOVE ON!!!! I dont mind reading posts from guys about the negative side of the business, but man, you dont ever have a positive input. Is this some kind of therepy for you about lost dreams and bitter lives? But hey, congrats on the new baby boy. hopefully he'll keep you busy and fulfilled with less time to post here. Cheers!

SkyHigh

Box Hauler,

Hey it is common for people to sit out for even a decade. I may not be in the saddle currently but that doesnt mean that I am down for the count. I am just waiting for my big chance to be hired at the next LCC cargo outfit. The post you are referring to about my best days are in reference to income and not to job satisfaction. Besides if it wasn't for guys like me here what else would you have to talk about? who's wings are the shiniest? I feel that I am preforming a public service by being a voice for the less attractive side of this industry. Lately it seems that it is the cargo guys that are the most irritated with my comments. It must be a trend or perhaps you guys are becoming irritable. It must be contract season.

SkyHigh

zachleez

Hi Im a Sophmore in high school, Ever since i was little i was always fasinated by airplanes and i've always wanted to be a pilot. When i bring this up to my family members usually they dont have anything good to say about it. this is something i really want to do, im not in it for the money and some say at my age we dont know what we want, and that very easily my mind will change on the desicion to become a pilot. As for the difficulty in the job i think every job has its hard work involved there isnt an easy way out and i figure if its somehting i want to do and i like then it wont be a mistake. Im trying to start now and do everything i have to do to be a pilot. I have a long way ahead untill im a pilot. I was wondering how much colledge they want you to go to, and how much flight schools cost because i dream to one day be able to fly a large jet like a 747 or something. i know alot can change in time but this is my dream and i really hope oneday to fufil it.