Having to be a "people person"?
01-06-2013, 02:56 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 584
Having to be a "people person"?
Hi all,
To get to the point, how much of a "people person" do you think you have to be for 121 pax flying? I have a lot of social shyness (like being in a crowded mall makes me uncomfortable) and I seriously dislike dealing with the American public. I figured pilots would rarely have to deal with pax, but I've heard otherwise from a friend whose a regional captain. Would I be better off going strictly for cargo flying or 135/corp/frac (where it's private owners/pax and not big crowds of angry people)? I've worked customer service jobs before (non-aviation) and had some very bad experiences; I hated it. I can get a long with co-workers with no problems. Thanks.
To get to the point, how much of a "people person" do you think you have to be for 121 pax flying? I have a lot of social shyness (like being in a crowded mall makes me uncomfortable) and I seriously dislike dealing with the American public. I figured pilots would rarely have to deal with pax, but I've heard otherwise from a friend whose a regional captain. Would I be better off going strictly for cargo flying or 135/corp/frac (where it's private owners/pax and not big crowds of angry people)? I've worked customer service jobs before (non-aviation) and had some very bad experiences; I hated it. I can get a long with co-workers with no problems. Thanks.
01-06-2013, 03:36 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Posts: 156
Part 121 pax will be the least passenger mingling of any(cargo excluded). 135/corp/frac is nothing but being nice to people and ensuring they are happy. Any crew flying requires the ablilty to socialize... Perhaps single pilot cargo is what you're looking for...
01-06-2013, 04:20 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: Left seat
Posts: 206
121 is not for you... I can't count how many times I'm asked questions walking down the concourse, or standing somewhere talking on my phone. If you don't like people, you certainly won't like the flying public!!
01-06-2013, 04:45 PM
#4
Working weekends
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 2,384
Hi all,
To get to the point, how much of a "people person" do you think you have to be for 121 pax flying? I have a lot of social shyness (like being in a crowded mall makes me uncomfortable) and I seriously dislike dealing with the American public. I figured pilots would rarely have to deal with pax, but I've heard otherwise from a friend whose a regional captain. Would I be better off going strictly for cargo flying or 135/corp/frac (where it's private owners/pax and not big crowds of angry people)? I've worked customer service jobs before (non-aviation) and had some very bad experiences; I hated it. I can get a long with co-workers with no problems. Thanks.
To get to the point, how much of a "people person" do you think you have to be for 121 pax flying? I have a lot of social shyness (like being in a crowded mall makes me uncomfortable) and I seriously dislike dealing with the American public. I figured pilots would rarely have to deal with pax, but I've heard otherwise from a friend whose a regional captain. Would I be better off going strictly for cargo flying or 135/corp/frac (where it's private owners/pax and not big crowds of angry people)? I've worked customer service jobs before (non-aviation) and had some very bad experiences; I hated it. I can get a long with co-workers with no problems. Thanks.
Cargo job ? You might get a job driving a farm tractor in the middle of a corn field in Nebraska
01-06-2013, 05:43 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Volleyball Player
Posts: 4,024
If depends on the company a lot IMO. When you have the company with the right attitude and support, it's not so hard, even for people like me. When it's a place where no one helps anyone else and the corporate health and culture is deficient, it can be hell on earth. This has always made the biggest diff to me. I'm never going to work for a major now, and I wouldn't want to with my new job, but if I didn't have this job and I stayed on the traditional path, I now realize there are majors that I would never fly for, even if they offered me a job right out of college. It's easy to get tunnel vision and just take the first job that comes along, but in this industry you can waste 10+ years working for the "wrong" company. It's not worth it for mental health.
01-06-2013, 08:33 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Position: CFI/II/MEI
Posts: 481
I would say you'd want to go cargo. If a mall makes you feel uncomfortable, I can only imagine how a crowded passenger terminal would be...
As for 135 and 91 flying pax, there's a lot of interacting with people. Number one is keeping the passengers happy (well number two if you count flying the plane lol), that means at times arranging things for them and dealing with a lot of stuff on their behalf (transportation, hotels, catering, etc) and occasional a$$kissing. If you're on anything smaller than a challenger or G5 that means there definitely isn't going to be a flight attendant, and you're going to have to deal with why you didn't get the New York Times at the FBO, or why the coffee is too hot/cold/strong/weak, etc. Or if 15 min out from your destination, they have a change of plans and suddenly want a rental car instead of a cab waiting when you arrive, you are the one that deals with arranging that and keeping everyone happy.
But honestly, a few years ago I never considered myself a people person. Working a number of customer service jobs (not by choice, but because that was the only/best job available at the time) made me learn to deal with it. Then flight instructing for the past two years, and my short stint flying right seat in 135 and 91 stuff, made me really hone my people skills. While manning a booth at a conference because I was voluntold by my employer, or dealing with bratty kids by teaching them how to fly simulators at some big boyscout aviation day is not at all my cup of tea, I learned to like the good things about my job and I realize a job could be a lot lot worse (because I've had some pretty terrible jobs).
As for 135 and 91 flying pax, there's a lot of interacting with people. Number one is keeping the passengers happy (well number two if you count flying the plane lol), that means at times arranging things for them and dealing with a lot of stuff on their behalf (transportation, hotels, catering, etc) and occasional a$$kissing. If you're on anything smaller than a challenger or G5 that means there definitely isn't going to be a flight attendant, and you're going to have to deal with why you didn't get the New York Times at the FBO, or why the coffee is too hot/cold/strong/weak, etc. Or if 15 min out from your destination, they have a change of plans and suddenly want a rental car instead of a cab waiting when you arrive, you are the one that deals with arranging that and keeping everyone happy.
But honestly, a few years ago I never considered myself a people person. Working a number of customer service jobs (not by choice, but because that was the only/best job available at the time) made me learn to deal with it. Then flight instructing for the past two years, and my short stint flying right seat in 135 and 91 stuff, made me really hone my people skills. While manning a booth at a conference because I was voluntold by my employer, or dealing with bratty kids by teaching them how to fly simulators at some big boyscout aviation day is not at all my cup of tea, I learned to like the good things about my job and I realize a job could be a lot lot worse (because I've had some pretty terrible jobs).
Last edited by Bellanca; 01-06-2013 at 08:36 PM. Reason: Spell-checker attacks!
01-06-2013, 10:24 PM
#8
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,260
I'm not a people person. I don't like being around people or interacting with them. What you like, however, is irrelevant when it comes to doing the job.
Your people skills aren't oriented to answering flip questions in the terminal from people who might ask. I don't think I've ever been asked a question while passing through a crowded terminal, except perhaps where's XXX gate.
Your people skills will be most crucial when interacting as a crew. As a crew member, your ability to interact and dismiss any personal prejudices or limitations will be absolutely critical to your ability to operate in a crew cockpit environment.
This is no different in cargo operations than in passenger operations.
You don't need to be a "people person." You simply need to be able to sit down and do your job, and act professionally with those around you. Do that, and it doesn't matter how shy you may be.
You will need to overcome a certain amount of shyness to be able to effectively operate with confidence and authority, especially higher workload conditions, such as an emergency. Meekness isn't necessarily a desirable characteristic in the cockpit.
I imagine that any tendency you have to be reserved will settle into a normal routine once you're exposed to the environment. Sounds like you don't have any experience yet, and are probably very young. That being the case, don't worry. You'll probably do as well as the next guy. It's not nearly as intimidating or demanding as you may thing. When you sit down in the cockpit, you're among friends, and when you are outside of the cockpit, you're granted a certain amount of recognition by the public in general. Don't abuse it, act professionally, and your uniform comes with some built-in respect that you can help or hurt with your own behavior. Most do very well in their uniform, no doubt you will too.
You'll only know if you apply.
Your people skills aren't oriented to answering flip questions in the terminal from people who might ask. I don't think I've ever been asked a question while passing through a crowded terminal, except perhaps where's XXX gate.
Your people skills will be most crucial when interacting as a crew. As a crew member, your ability to interact and dismiss any personal prejudices or limitations will be absolutely critical to your ability to operate in a crew cockpit environment.
This is no different in cargo operations than in passenger operations.
You don't need to be a "people person." You simply need to be able to sit down and do your job, and act professionally with those around you. Do that, and it doesn't matter how shy you may be.
You will need to overcome a certain amount of shyness to be able to effectively operate with confidence and authority, especially higher workload conditions, such as an emergency. Meekness isn't necessarily a desirable characteristic in the cockpit.
I imagine that any tendency you have to be reserved will settle into a normal routine once you're exposed to the environment. Sounds like you don't have any experience yet, and are probably very young. That being the case, don't worry. You'll probably do as well as the next guy. It's not nearly as intimidating or demanding as you may thing. When you sit down in the cockpit, you're among friends, and when you are outside of the cockpit, you're granted a certain amount of recognition by the public in general. Don't abuse it, act professionally, and your uniform comes with some built-in respect that you can help or hurt with your own behavior. Most do very well in their uniform, no doubt you will too.
You'll only know if you apply.
01-07-2013, 03:35 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 584
Great responses. It's really only large crowds of strangers and the obnoxious/uncivilized general public that I don't like. I never have problems with other pilots, small groups, etc. I do a lot of civil air patrol work where I deal with lots of other members with ease.
01-07-2013, 09:41 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2009
Position: Left seat of a Jet
Posts: 514
Great responses. It's really only large crowds of strangers and the obnoxious/uncivilized general public that I don't like. I never have problems with other pilots, small groups, etc. I do a lot of civil air patrol work where I deal with lots of other members with ease.
