One question . . .
Does Gulfstream charge people to fly on their airplanes?
(OK two questions)
Do they require two pilots to operate?
If they require two pilots, then you are paying them form something they are required to provide, which is a qualified pilot in that seat.
If every airline operated this way, there would be half of the pilots working in the industry you want to join.
Just take a minute and consider that.
OK get back to me on how this is even good for you. (Not to mention our industry)
Good luck.
We are all (Edit: Apparently I can't say another word for prostitute)to this industry; We all get paid less than we should and we take it. Let's face it, being a pilot is every little boys dream. Well that and Fireman and Cop. What did you used to do?
I made big money as a Logistics Analyst and Transportation Manager. I sat behind a computer and played Excel jockey. There is much less training required for that. Heck a monkey could do it. I got the big dough though because most folks are like "Screw that I wanna be a pilot".:buck:
Now I have spent $50k to become a professional pilot. I work more than I ever have before. I make 1/4th of what I made before. The difference is that I love what I do, and am just a "Lowly"(Sorry Billy) Flight Instructor right now. Unfortunately, it is a profession that makes alot of people happy.
You did the same thing; left firefighting, went to ATP, and then headed over to Skywest...To make jack diddly squat, but you are happy right? Honestly...I mean really honestly, would you have not even entertained the idea of doing this program back when you were starry-eyed drooling over flying for a living? Do you really think that it will degrade the industry? Maybe it is just a sign of the times. You know, no jobs, no lenders, pilot supply high. In a year or two, Gulfstream will be back in the hole, almost bankrupt, because the airlines are hiring again and this program is not needed? Alot of folks jumped on the PFJ bandwagon a few years back, screaming "For Shame!". Then the airlines started hiring like crazy. Heck companies like Eagle were PAYING for training. And guess what the same people on the other bandwagon said? "For Shame!".
In the mean time, for an individual, it does not seem like an incredibly bad thing to do. I mean, standing alone against a CFI, yes it does...to me anyway. If the individual were to do the whole deal though, which includes CFI ratings, then flight instruct, I would think it would make them even more marketable than someone like me, with no turbine time.
If you can get this whole program for $75K at 3% interest, where a year ago just the PPL+ACP cost this at 12-14% interest, would it not be something to consider?
, the moral PFJ argument is getting harder and harder for me to ignore. i think at first i was blinded by slick marketing and, as you say, "the best financing deal i've seen". now i'm coming on board with you guys in the respect of having self-respect is more important than a quick resolution to goals.
