Bad day

Stryker172

Stryker172

Well-Known Member
Ever have one of those days that makes you question why you decided to start flying in the first place? How did you get through it? Asking for a friend...
 
Stryker172 said:
Ever have one of those days that makes you question why you decided to start flying in the first place? How did you get through it? Asking for a friend...
Click to expand...
Many. lol I think that all careers are like that, really. Even the one you love most of the time. They all have their pitfalls and moments, their ups and downs. And these days it's more difficult with the economy and uncertainties that plague many careers. Taking a breath, stepping away to put it all back in perspective and taking some of the stress out of the situation, will help. Also, understanding that no matter what, there are few givens in this life. As you age, you just seem to learn to roll a bit better with the punches and take things in stride. Never make any rash decisions in the heat of the moment, either. Step away, gain a realistic perspective and relax. There are always brighter days ahead. Live for them.
 
This was mine: 31 March 2003, nearly being shot down by a Roland over central Iraq.

9781841768021-uk-300.jpg


How did I get through it? I picked up my uterus and pressed on.
 
Felt like death for the horrible 2 hour flight back to base and discussed as a crew how we might all be Q3'd (Air Force speak for unqualified to fly) on the spot after we landed and possibly have our wings taken from us in the long run (admittedly we were being a bit dramatic for what happened, but we weren't thinking rationally at the time). We discussed how the ultimate CRM failure got us to where we were at that point. We landed and the Aircraft Commander made the long walk to the Squadron Commanders office immediately after the Engine Shutdown Checklist was finished. We got chewed, bad... We flew a very challenging and successful mission the next day. Ya gotta get back on that horse man.
 
Last edited:
Not really. I mean, I've had days like today where my day was annoyingly long and I had to do a bunch of unessecairly extra stuff due to another persons shear incompetents, but never a "I'd never do this job again" moment.
 
It's a cliche, but it's true...My worst day of flying, the days I ask myself what am I thinking are FAR better than the best days at some of the other jobs I've done. So every time I have a bad day I just think about the MANY occupations I've had in my adult life and how completely miserable they all made me. It's worked for me so far, and after 4 years of airline flying I've never had a day where at the end I still couldn't think of anything else I would rather be doing.
 
Soku39 said:
Felt like death for the horrible 2 hour flight back to base and discussed as a crew how we might all be Q3'd (Air Force speak for unqualified to fly) on the spot after we landed and possibly have our wings taken from us in the long run (admittedly we were being a bit dramatic for what happened, but we weren't thinking rationally at the time). We discussed how the ultimate CRM failure got us to where we were at that point. We landed and the Aircraft Commander made the long walk to the Squadron Commanders office immediately after the Engine Shutdown Checklist was finished. We got chewed, bad... We flew a very challenging and successful mission the next day. Ya gotta get back on that horse man.
Click to expand...

Perhaps I missed it but what happened?
 
Yup, it happens. Watch One Six Right or your favorite Aviation Movie/Documentary and you'll remember why you love flying.
 
Glad Im not the only one. After doing some serious budgeting Ive discovered Ill be living in the same cramped apartment well into my 30s and be able to spend about 30 hours every week in it. So many of my friends and family have surpassed me in almost every measurable way and Ive been feelin like Ive committed myself to a life of poverty by doing this.
 
Everyday I leave my family behind. My wife would kill me if I switched to something that made me unhappy though.
 
poser765 said:
It's a cliche, but it's true...My worst day of flying, the days I ask myself what am I thinking are FAR better than the best days at some of the other jobs I've done.
Click to expand...

So, I take it that means you've never had an emergency or scenario in an airplane that involved paralyzing, gut-wrenching terror and a fear that the next few moments were going to be your last on Earth?

I am passionate about aviation, but I can't make the "my worst day flying is better than my best day in a desk job", because I have had times in an airplane that I'd wished I was in the safety of an office chair clicking away at a computer.
 
I've had a lot of bad days. Very rarely was it the job itself, but rather the baggage that comes along with it. The paying of dues so to speak can be rather unbearable at times. It can be worth it though, you just have to stick with it. This is a strange ride in that if you quit and decide to start again it can be like you go all the way back to the beginning.

My advice, find happiness outside of work. This job will kick you in the nuts some day, if you don't have other aspects of your life to turn to you'll be in for a rough ride.
 
Hacker15e said:
So, I take it that means you've never had an emergency or scenario in an airplane that involved paralyzing, gut-wrenching terror and a fear that the next few moments were going to be your last on Earth?

I am passionate about aviation, but I can't make the "my worst day flying is better than my best day in a desk job", because I have had times in an airplane that I'd wished I was in the safety of an office chair clicking away at a computer.
Click to expand...
No I haven't. And there is a statistical likely hood I never will. Of course the basis of experience I have as a civilian pilot is fundamentally different then yours. So no, Hacker, I've never thought "wow this is it, so long world," but neither have the vast majority of my colleagues. The best I can give you is the realization that I was in a situation that could easily escalate to "last moment on earth" levels of seriousness.

If I ever find myself in a situation like I'm sure I will reevaluate my thoughts on the matter. Of course that's sort of a basic truth of life in general, right? Everything is awesome until it sucks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top