The glory days are over
05-31-2006, 07:54 AM
#91
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Overseas
Some enjoy a disconnected life floating across the globe like a dust bunny. I have no problem with that concept. I am sure that even TP would have to admit that he didn't start out with the plan of having to travel overseas in order to work. Most everyone here had the dream of being a 777 Captain on American soil.
To me it is a polluted version of the dream that really doesnt hit the mark. Giving up life in ones homeland is yet another way to lay an offering on the alter of aviation. We can dress up the idea of life overseas with statements like "enjoying other cultures" and "seeing foreign lands" however it seems to me that giving up ones country is a huge sacrifice. What if you were asked to change your religion in order to work for a certain company or to give up your pets?
In the end what will you come back to? you haven't built equity in anything that is truly lasting and meaningful like home, friends, family, seniority in a viable company and most importantly real estate.
Again I am only trying to understand,
SkyHigh
To me it is a polluted version of the dream that really doesnt hit the mark. Giving up life in ones homeland is yet another way to lay an offering on the alter of aviation. We can dress up the idea of life overseas with statements like "enjoying other cultures" and "seeing foreign lands" however it seems to me that giving up ones country is a huge sacrifice. What if you were asked to change your religion in order to work for a certain company or to give up your pets?
In the end what will you come back to? you haven't built equity in anything that is truly lasting and meaningful like home, friends, family, seniority in a viable company and most importantly real estate.
Again I am only trying to understand,
SkyHigh
05-31-2006, 10:22 AM
#92
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
Skyhigh,
I think you view overseas living much as you view aviation.... the underlying issue isn't that you think that it's impossible to build a stable family atmosphere overseas- it's that you feel that somebody that is "transient" in nature can't have what you have as a stay at home/hometown businessman.
Your arguements always come back to laying down roots and "settling in". IE Building friends, long lasting relationships, real estate ties, etc.
The truth is that each person in this industry does it for whatever personal reasons they see fit. Each has their own goals and aspirations and tolerances. It doens't seem to me like you feel that is possible for you family and your personal situation and that might be perfectly true.
However you also need to realize that many families do THRIVE in such conditions. As a child I lived in 16 different houses by the time that I graduated high school. Does that mean that I had a less stable home atmosphere or fewer friends? Quite the contrary- I now have people that I keep in close contact with around the country and many that live overseas.
The person that I fly with is always kidding me who I know at our overnights. I never fail to amaze him when I whip out my phone and invite a friend or two to join us for dinner. Doesn't matter where, it seems that there's always somebody to call.
I don't feel that I sacrificed for my family/parents when I moved. It was just a way of life... and when I meet people that have stayed in one place their entire lives, I wonder how they can do it without going stir crazy... for me I look forward to change every couple of years... so does my wife and the rest of my family.
There is no right or wrong... only what you're comfortable with and enjoy.
I think you view overseas living much as you view aviation.... the underlying issue isn't that you think that it's impossible to build a stable family atmosphere overseas- it's that you feel that somebody that is "transient" in nature can't have what you have as a stay at home/hometown businessman.
Your arguements always come back to laying down roots and "settling in". IE Building friends, long lasting relationships, real estate ties, etc.
The truth is that each person in this industry does it for whatever personal reasons they see fit. Each has their own goals and aspirations and tolerances. It doens't seem to me like you feel that is possible for you family and your personal situation and that might be perfectly true.
However you also need to realize that many families do THRIVE in such conditions. As a child I lived in 16 different houses by the time that I graduated high school. Does that mean that I had a less stable home atmosphere or fewer friends? Quite the contrary- I now have people that I keep in close contact with around the country and many that live overseas.
The person that I fly with is always kidding me who I know at our overnights. I never fail to amaze him when I whip out my phone and invite a friend or two to join us for dinner. Doesn't matter where, it seems that there's always somebody to call.
I don't feel that I sacrificed for my family/parents when I moved. It was just a way of life... and when I meet people that have stayed in one place their entire lives, I wonder how they can do it without going stir crazy... for me I look forward to change every couple of years... so does my wife and the rest of my family.
There is no right or wrong... only what you're comfortable with and enjoy.
05-31-2006, 01:54 PM
#94
New Hire
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: A320 Captain UAL
Posts: 5
The Military Factor
>>Pilot shortage<<
I don't believe there will be a shortage of pilots available until the military starts becoming a nicer place to spend 20-30 years. The fact is that military training is near 20 year highs. Between that training and those working up through regional ranks, I see a pilot glut near term (10 years). Toss in an age 65|62 modification to work rules, and it goes from a moderate glut to a constipated lump in the snake. Now, it may well be the GLUT that will lead to the shortage.
The REALLY big elephant in the room is the military pension system. As long as THAT promise is not broken (hmmm), all that will be required is a lack of overseas war deployments for a few more of those pilots to stay put.
Bern
I don't believe there will be a shortage of pilots available until the military starts becoming a nicer place to spend 20-30 years. The fact is that military training is near 20 year highs. Between that training and those working up through regional ranks, I see a pilot glut near term (10 years). Toss in an age 65|62 modification to work rules, and it goes from a moderate glut to a constipated lump in the snake. Now, it may well be the GLUT that will lead to the shortage.
The REALLY big elephant in the room is the military pension system. As long as THAT promise is not broken (hmmm), all that will be required is a lack of overseas war deployments for a few more of those pilots to stay put.
Bern
05-31-2006, 03:40 PM
#95
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
Bern,
I agree, there won't be a shortage of pilots anytime soon, IN THE US. However with continually growing industry in places like India, Asia (Particualrly China and Japan), and the Middle East, there will be plenty of need for pilots that are willing to live/work/travel overseas. I remember seeing an article about 2 months ago that estimated that China alone will triple the size of its commercial aircraft fleet in the next 10 years.
I agree, there won't be a shortage of pilots anytime soon, IN THE US. However with continually growing industry in places like India, Asia (Particualrly China and Japan), and the Middle East, there will be plenty of need for pilots that are willing to live/work/travel overseas. I remember seeing an article about 2 months ago that estimated that China alone will triple the size of its commercial aircraft fleet in the next 10 years.
05-31-2006, 03:42 PM
#96
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Points
Originally Posted by LAfrequentflyer
Sky,
there is no answer to your question. josh has it right...read his post a few times...
-laff
there is no answer to your question. josh has it right...read his post a few times...
-laff
Aside from living overseas. Wouldn't you say that living where you wish is a basic element to ones happiness? And if one is willing to sell of one part of his life what about the rest?
SkyHigh
05-31-2006, 03:53 PM
#97
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
China Air
Originally Posted by FlyerJosh
Bern,
I agree, there won't be a shortage of pilots anytime soon, IN THE US. However with continually growing industry in places like India, Asia (Particualrly China and Japan), and the Middle East, there will be plenty of need for pilots that are willing to live/work/travel overseas. I remember seeing an article about 2 months ago that estimated that China alone will triple the size of its commercial aircraft fleet in the next 10 years.
I agree, there won't be a shortage of pilots anytime soon, IN THE US. However with continually growing industry in places like India, Asia (Particualrly China and Japan), and the Middle East, there will be plenty of need for pilots that are willing to live/work/travel overseas. I remember seeing an article about 2 months ago that estimated that China alone will triple the size of its commercial aircraft fleet in the next 10 years.
Get me a job with China Air that comes with a Seattle base and I will gladly eat my words for you.
SKyHigh
05-31-2006, 03:58 PM
#98
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: DFW A320 FO
Posts: 586
Jeez....To each his own.
I'm a boring domestic kinda guy and you wouldn't get me overseas for less than 7 figures, but if YOU wanna go then more power to ya'!
The real point here is that it's sad that our aviation jobs have gotten to the point where anyone would have to do it to secure their future.
There will be a better day stateside, soon I hope.
I'm a boring domestic kinda guy and you wouldn't get me overseas for less than 7 figures, but if YOU wanna go then more power to ya'!
The real point here is that it's sad that our aviation jobs have gotten to the point where anyone would have to do it to secure their future.
There will be a better day stateside, soon I hope.
05-31-2006, 05:48 PM
#99
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hello All,
My son and I lived in Europe for 5 years, I had a Dutch partner who was a KLM pilot, and we had a very nice family.Unfortunately, he was killed in a midair 6 years ago,and I found myself questioning all the choices that I had made in life.My son, who I taught to fly when he was 5, refuses to fly to this day.We stayed in Europe another 4 years,and we are now happily back in the States. Our overseas experience was a poignant one,but one which I wouldnt give up for the world
My son and I lived in Europe for 5 years, I had a Dutch partner who was a KLM pilot, and we had a very nice family.Unfortunately, he was killed in a midair 6 years ago,and I found myself questioning all the choices that I had made in life.My son, who I taught to fly when he was 5, refuses to fly to this day.We stayed in Europe another 4 years,and we are now happily back in the States. Our overseas experience was a poignant one,but one which I wouldnt give up for the world
05-31-2006, 06:00 PM
#100
Just Plane Stupid
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Captain
Posts: 461
Originally Posted by B757200ER
Springfield, WHERE, HeavyDriver???
Rather be in Kuwait or Bishkek, huh?
Rather be in Kuwait or Bishkek, huh?
Kuwait isn't the highlite of our bid choices...lol...(B757200ER knows where I'm coming from)..But I love Bishkek!...I've made a bunch of money with business connections there!...Plus the night life is awsome!..
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
