So, you want to be an airline pilot?
01-19-2006, 06:02 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Office Chair
Posts: 635
My point with the article is that the media and general public see our job as a glamorous, good paying job. This creates an oversupply of young pilots who want a career as an airline pilot. With competition for jobs as fierce as it is, pilots are willing to take jobs with lousy pay, and this drives down the wages for the entire industry.
Think about the number of young pilots that aspire to be a professional airline pilot as compared to the number that actually ever achieve their goal of being a highly compensated airline captain. Those positions are very limited these days, but the supply of pilots is not. Then, assuming you beat the odds and make it to that point, how many years of your career will you actually realize those higher wages?
Think about the number of young pilots that aspire to be a professional airline pilot as compared to the number that actually ever achieve their goal of being a highly compensated airline captain. Those positions are very limited these days, but the supply of pilots is not. Then, assuming you beat the odds and make it to that point, how many years of your career will you actually realize those higher wages?
01-19-2006, 08:08 PM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: XJT F/O
Posts: 144
Give up on blaming new incoming pilots for the low wages, we did not negotiate pay with the airlines. They are all offereing the same pay and we are just trying to choose the best company to fit our needs. The senior pilots are the ones who negotiate pay and work rules. Put the blame were it rest. I think some of you should reflect back to what is important because if the pay at regionals is as bad as most here think, me included, but you claim there is an over abundance of new pilots wanting to get in, what does that tell you. It is a hard start but if someone can make it work then more power to them. When i get my chance to cast my vote for this career it will be to raise pay for all and improve the profession but i still have to get my foot in the door to make my voice heard.
01-20-2006, 02:15 PM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: Jungle Jet
Posts: 364
For an industry that is critical in our country to day why dies it seem the govt does little to help? Am I wrong I remember when I was in college durring 9-11 they seemed like they would help 100% now where is it?
As its going once the execs finnaly beat down the paychecks to dollar menu wages whats next to be cut? Some airlines already cut out the fluffy snacks a meals right? whats next? Will it take something like the average bussines man taking brittsh airways between LAX and ORD to make his meeting to wake the govt up to the fact that the industry our country created 100 years ago is shreading itself apart?
I know that I may be exagerating the point. If Im wrong smack some since into me! Its something Ive always wondered about.
As its going once the execs finnaly beat down the paychecks to dollar menu wages whats next to be cut? Some airlines already cut out the fluffy snacks a meals right? whats next? Will it take something like the average bussines man taking brittsh airways between LAX and ORD to make his meeting to wake the govt up to the fact that the industry our country created 100 years ago is shreading itself apart?
I know that I may be exagerating the point. If Im wrong smack some since into me! Its something Ive always wondered about.
02-04-2006, 08:25 PM
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Several above mentioned how important it is to follow ones dreams, never having to look back with regret. If you don't believe these posters, allow me to introduce myself as an outsider looking in.
Recently a famous theologian described 'Hell' in a fascinating manner. No fire, torture, pitchforks, etc as we were led to believe all these years. Instead he states that many Christian Churches are evolving the concept of Hell based in part on certain near-death experiences, etc to more of a state of 'outside looking in' after death, with no hope. In other words you can see your (deceased) loved ones, the 'light', etc. and want to join them, but you can't.
I am 44, a failed musician, and have worked mundane driving jobs for 20 years. I have no life, no real family, nothing. I grew up near a small airport, and always wanted to fly. On cross country plane trips, my eyes were (and still are) glued to the window. My neck would be killing me by the end of the flight.
I am a talented musician, but 'fell in with the wrong group of people' most of my musical career. So much so that I not only missed my true calling (aviation), but have instead worked low paying courier jobs while trying to kick-start a life in music. I am a poor person, so college was never an option.
How do I know I should have been a pilot if I've never flown a plane you ask ? The answer is PC Flight Simulation. As a beta tester for the MS Flight Simulator series, I have seen the hobby advance amazingly in realism since purchasing the software on a whim some 6 years ago. FMCs are now available as payware add-ons. Other amazing advances include downloadable weather which recreates and updates actual conditions using real-time metar. Satellite imagery similar to google earth is now flyable in certain large areas rather than generic texture tiles. 3rd party ATC (virtual controllers are actually available to monitor your flight) is now available with options for STARS, Departure procedures, and more. 3D goggles for computer monitors are still in their infancy, but give literally a new dimension in realism when dialed in. The only thing missing is the motion platform. Affordable, practical versions are still maybe 3-5 years away.
You see, this is as close as I get to doing what you all do. I really, really enjoy this hobby. Out of the box, the Microsoft product is interesting. With the many realistic add-ons available, it becomes a stunning hobby. Still I would give anything to go back in time to my teens or early 20's to become a real pilot knowing what I know now about aviation. Sure there are negative aspects of your industry. Company pressure not to delay/cancel a flight vs. your intuition that icing conditions may be a bit too dangerous to take-off, for example. Efficiency and cost cutting vs. Safety is a concern many of you probably face on a daily basis.
All I know is that I envy each and every one of you. I would give anything to do what you do. I am on the outside looking in. If you are young and reading this form while you decide to become a pilot or not, I say take the plunge. Don't be obsessed with money, but do it because you love to fly. The precious few times I have flown a real plane (Cessna Caravan and a Yak trainer with friends) I felt in complete control, just like playing my Piano. The owners could not believe I wasn't licensed pilot. I was right at home. Oh well, maybe in my next life.
Thanks for reading.
Recently a famous theologian described 'Hell' in a fascinating manner. No fire, torture, pitchforks, etc as we were led to believe all these years. Instead he states that many Christian Churches are evolving the concept of Hell based in part on certain near-death experiences, etc to more of a state of 'outside looking in' after death, with no hope. In other words you can see your (deceased) loved ones, the 'light', etc. and want to join them, but you can't.
I am 44, a failed musician, and have worked mundane driving jobs for 20 years. I have no life, no real family, nothing. I grew up near a small airport, and always wanted to fly. On cross country plane trips, my eyes were (and still are) glued to the window. My neck would be killing me by the end of the flight.
I am a talented musician, but 'fell in with the wrong group of people' most of my musical career. So much so that I not only missed my true calling (aviation), but have instead worked low paying courier jobs while trying to kick-start a life in music. I am a poor person, so college was never an option.
How do I know I should have been a pilot if I've never flown a plane you ask ? The answer is PC Flight Simulation. As a beta tester for the MS Flight Simulator series, I have seen the hobby advance amazingly in realism since purchasing the software on a whim some 6 years ago. FMCs are now available as payware add-ons. Other amazing advances include downloadable weather which recreates and updates actual conditions using real-time metar. Satellite imagery similar to google earth is now flyable in certain large areas rather than generic texture tiles. 3rd party ATC (virtual controllers are actually available to monitor your flight) is now available with options for STARS, Departure procedures, and more. 3D goggles for computer monitors are still in their infancy, but give literally a new dimension in realism when dialed in. The only thing missing is the motion platform. Affordable, practical versions are still maybe 3-5 years away.
You see, this is as close as I get to doing what you all do. I really, really enjoy this hobby. Out of the box, the Microsoft product is interesting. With the many realistic add-ons available, it becomes a stunning hobby. Still I would give anything to go back in time to my teens or early 20's to become a real pilot knowing what I know now about aviation. Sure there are negative aspects of your industry. Company pressure not to delay/cancel a flight vs. your intuition that icing conditions may be a bit too dangerous to take-off, for example. Efficiency and cost cutting vs. Safety is a concern many of you probably face on a daily basis.
All I know is that I envy each and every one of you. I would give anything to do what you do. I am on the outside looking in. If you are young and reading this form while you decide to become a pilot or not, I say take the plunge. Don't be obsessed with money, but do it because you love to fly. The precious few times I have flown a real plane (Cessna Caravan and a Yak trainer with friends) I felt in complete control, just like playing my Piano. The owners could not believe I wasn't licensed pilot. I was right at home. Oh well, maybe in my next life.
Thanks for reading.
Last edited by TheFringe; 02-04-2006 at 08:32 PM.
02-05-2006, 06:39 AM
#47
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
TheFringe
TheFringe,
Sounds to me like you have already experienced a very similar life to being a pilot; poor, lonely, abused. Had you followed that dream as a youngster I am sure that you would be here now lamenting your music career. Probably a better choice would be to go back in time and choose to be an accountant or electrician.
SkyHigh
Sounds to me like you have already experienced a very similar life to being a pilot; poor, lonely, abused. Had you followed that dream as a youngster I am sure that you would be here now lamenting your music career. Probably a better choice would be to go back in time and choose to be an accountant or electrician.
SkyHigh
02-05-2006, 07:59 AM
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
Well I am here lamenting my music career if you will, but I do see your point.
A while back on this forum I read an amusing account about a crop duster pilot looking up at a turbo-prop and thinking '"Man, I should have been a regional pilot. A lot better than crop dusting." Meanwhile the unhappy turbo pilot was gazing up at a 737 thinking that he should have advanced by now to a 737 rating with a major carrier. The unhappy 737 pilot was looking at a 747 flying above and wondering why he is still flying 737s and not the 747. Of course the 747 pilot bored with 10-12 hour trips was gazing up a a slow moving satellite which he believed to be the Space Shuttle and wondered why he chose to be a pilot rather than an astronaut. The shuttle astronaut, experiencing an all to regular bout of nausea, is thinking of going back to the farm where he grew up and resume the simple life, maybe dusting crops. "All these years of training for a week or two of hard work and nausea"
A while back on this forum I read an amusing account about a crop duster pilot looking up at a turbo-prop and thinking '"Man, I should have been a regional pilot. A lot better than crop dusting." Meanwhile the unhappy turbo pilot was gazing up at a 737 thinking that he should have advanced by now to a 737 rating with a major carrier. The unhappy 737 pilot was looking at a 747 flying above and wondering why he is still flying 737s and not the 747. Of course the 747 pilot bored with 10-12 hour trips was gazing up a a slow moving satellite which he believed to be the Space Shuttle and wondered why he chose to be a pilot rather than an astronaut. The shuttle astronaut, experiencing an all to regular bout of nausea, is thinking of going back to the farm where he grew up and resume the simple life, maybe dusting crops. "All these years of training for a week or two of hard work and nausea"
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