Glorified Bus Driver

Killtron2000 said:
They did this on mythbusters and with the help of ATC they managed it. I don't remember what kind of jet it was.
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Well, they also had the opportunity to sit there and try it over and over again after many failed attempts. They were also only landing after being placed on final approach. Out of context maybe?

I think the OP's question is a mostly foregone conclusion, but I'm curious... how many out there have ever worked ramp/fueling jobs? Driving fuel trucks should make the transition to busses a snap.
 
OhioStatePilot said:
Well, they also had the opportunity to sit there and try it over and over again after many failed attempts. They were also only landing after being placed on final approach. Out of context maybe?

I think the OP's question is a mostly foregone conclusion, but I'm curious... how many out there have ever worked ramp/fueling jobs? Driving fuel trucks should make the transition to busses a snap.
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Actually no they had one try without help from ATC and they crashed into the airport. And the second try was with help and they weren't lined up on final to start out. They didn't crash the plane right away without help either they just kept coming in to fast not configured but pointing the airplane where they wanted it wasn't a problem for them.
 
Well, that's what they showed. I thought they mentioned that it took quite a few more attempts than they showed in the episode?
 
They were also trying to fly a plane that was already airborne. THe OP said that the plane in his scenario was sitting at the end of the runway ready to takeoff.
 
I meant it more in the sense that he wasn't some whiny newbie just breaking into the industry who still has visions of Catch Me If You Can floating in his head.

Duh.
:)
 
I agree with killtron; this stuff is getting way to close to circle jerk mode. The OP's situation is unreasonable. Most, if not all, pilots have a drivers license and have been driving for years. To set this up on fair terms the bus drivers would need to at least have a sport pilot licenses. You are also (incorrectly) assuming most bus drivers could not learn to fly an airplane. Just because you have more knowledge in a particular area than someone doesn't mean you're better than them. Hell I even had a CFI and student cut me off the other day.

[YT]M_tFq910y58[/YT]
 
Killtron, Clearblue - I do agree with you guys that it's an unreasonable challenge. I do, however, think the original point was to illustrate that it's an unreasonable comparison for the media to make and it's frustrating as hell to professional pilots. In lighter news, I do happen to know someone who is both a bus driver and a pilot. :D

By the way, Clearblue, that video is ridiculous. Did you get in contact with them on the radio or on the ground?
 
I wouldn't be busting my ass through four years of college if just anyone could fly an airliner. Last time I checked, most major airline pilots and a lot of other airline tradesmen and women have collegiate experience... Aviation is a professional occupation no matter how you slice and dice it involving the mastery and application of operational theory for the utilization of operational procedure unlike, for instance, a bus driver who must only know specific operational procedure without any accompanying theory. It's counterproductive and counter-intuitive to devalue aviation professions and trades if we ever hope to improve them...
 
Trip7 said:
In my personal experience the general public still seems to have a high respect for airline pilots. On lady came up and shook my hand to tell me she was proud I got where I am at my age. Doubt I would get that driving a bus around....
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That's because at your age no one would trust you with a bus. In their mind you'd probably kill a bunch of people.

Actually one time I was sending members of my family on a bus that was going to some concert. There was this kid(18-25) at the step of the door who was taking info or something of the pax. I asked him if he was the driver he laughed and said no. I just chuckled to myself because I found it funny that at around his age I'm flying jets yet I don't feel comfortable with that guy as the possible driver of a bus. Go figure!
 
The origional post was a response to a statement in the media that pilots shouldn't be paid more than 16K per year since all they do is push buttons as "Glorified Bus Drivers".

Hey if you are all happy with the fact that the career earnings are a fraction of what they once were, the trend has been and continues to be down (adjusted for inflation) with no end in sight, then you got exactly what you want.

For those posting idiotic remarks who left the industry or have never even been in it, isn't there any forums for your career? If yes let me know the link. Since I know nothing about your career I would like to go over there and post my opinion about the qualification requirements, working conditions and pay for your job.
 
seaav8tor said:
The origional post was a response to a statement in the media that pilots shouldn't be paid more than 16K per year since all they do is push buttons as "Glorified Bus Drivers".
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Yea, but ya gotta know what buttons to push! They don't pay you for what you do....they pay you for what you know!;)
 
OhioStatePilot said:
I do, however, think the original point was to illustrate that it's an unreasonable comparison for the media to make and it's frustrating as hell to professional pilots.
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Ever heard a lawyer joke? Ever heard a joke about a cop and a dunkin donuts? Ever heard someone say that actors are morons? This sort of thing happens to tons of people in tons of professions. I think some people need to grow a skin and get over it.
 
Joe Gremlin said:
Ever heard a lawyer joke? Ever heard a joke about a cop and a dunkin donuts? Ever heard someone say that actors are morons? This sort of thing happens to tons of people in tons of professions. I think some people need to grow a skin and get over it.
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Lawyer joke, yea the joke is on you laugh it up when you see how they bill. It's not block time. It's every minute.

Cop joke, yea after 20 years he is collecting a lifetime pension adjusted for inflation. You are paying for it laugh it up.

Actor joke, yea well we see how much they get paid.

Pilot joke, the joke is on you. Here is your retirement home. 1969 single wide mobile on your kids property, allowed by county rules under the "hardship clause" Laugh it up. And yes thick skin will be needed.
 
seaav8tor said:
Lawyer joke, yea the joke is on you laugh it up when you see how they bill. It's not block time. It's every minute.

Cop joke, yea after 20 years he is collecting a lifetime pension adjusted for inflation. You are paying for it laugh it up.

Actor joke, yea well we see how much they get paid.

Pilot joke, the joke is on you. Here is your retirement home. 1969 single wide mobile on your kids property, allowed by county rules under the "hardship clause" Laugh it up. And yes thick skin will be needed.
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It depends. You generalize too much. Last time I checked, a 20-year captain at Delta makes more than a 20-year public defender. That captain still gets a better pension than a 20-year sheriff in a rural county. Most actors are waiters, not Brad Pitt. Of course, the comparison switches poles when using regional pilots as the example. Still, it's difficult to say that regional pilots are all getting screwed worse than say, off-broadway theater actors, ballet dancers, journeymen minor league baseball players, grad school TA's, or public defenders.

Each of these jobs requires years of specialized training, the pay is terrible, the hours are awful, there is sometimes little or no job security, and the competition is fierce just to get an interview/audition. What many of these jobs share, much like being a regional pilot, is that (in theory) they offer some valuable experience or benefit that can be converted into a better job down the road. Actors and dancers in a local theater group get a precious chance to perform before an audience. Ball players get to play pro baseball and get a shot at making AAA or the majors. TA's get teaching experience and a shot at becoming a prof. PD's get to appear in court and build a reputation that can be converted into a private practice. Regional pilots get turbine PIC that they can (again, in theory) use to eventually get a job in the majors (not the reality, I've heard). They also get to fly shiny jets and say things like "best office in the world." Outside of the military, the regionals and 135 freight, there aren't too many other places to get turbine PIC time. Airline management appears to have figured this out a long time ago.
 
seaav8tor said:
Lawyer joke, yea the joke is on you laugh it up when you see how they bill. It's not block time. It's every minute.

Cop joke, yea after 20 years he is collecting a lifetime pension adjusted for inflation. You are paying for it laugh it up.

Actor joke, yea well we see how much they get paid.

Pilot joke, the joke is on you. Here is your retirement home. 1969 single wide mobile on your kids property, allowed by county rules under the "hardship clause" Laugh it up. And yes thick skin will be needed.
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So... if it weren't for the payscale, it'd be ok to pick on airline pilots. Ok. Thanks for clearing that up. :rolleyes:
 
Joe Gremlin said:
So... if it weren't for the payscale, it'd be ok to pick on airline pilots. Ok. Thanks for clearing that up. :rolleyes:
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That is correct.

It's all about the Benjamins.

Show me the money.

I love it when someone with a pile of cash or a big fat salary or secure pension turns up their nose at someone of lesser means and accuses them of lacking any sense of altruism then when the tables are turned they go beserk. The airline pilot career, all things considered is a very undercompensated career yet the focus is always on the top 5% wage earners. Many pilots themselves don't even figure this out until in their 40s and look around and realized they have lost so much time they will never make up for it even if they make 6 figures the last few years. In the past the higher salaries and pensions did make the goal worth going after. Not anymore. Long gone. Good bye Sully. Hello Marvin.


It's all about the Benjamins.

Show me the money.
 
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