No longer an airline pilot

[pavelump]

First of all, good luck in the future.

Buffalopilot, what you did really hurt the industry. When airlines have pilots trained on their dime and then you leave after a few months, that hurts the rest of us.

That's pretty funny. Are you an airline pilot? When the airlines realize that they can't retain their pilots then they will have to adjust the way they treat and compensate them.

Now buffalopilot can't say that he didn't know what he was getting into (whether he listened or not), but at the same time he's under no obligation to stay in a situation that he doesn't like because he "owes" it to the company/industry.

What's up with "soft" days off? Is this something new at Comair?

I think that one thing that can be learned from this is that reserve sucks and reserve at regionals sucks even worse. And even worse, commuting to reserve at a regional is the absolute worst.

Hopefully others can learn from your experience, but unfortunately the desire to fly with the big boys can make you put on the blinders and agree to things that you later regret.

To all of those out there with applications in at the regionals, you're getting in at a time when you don't have to start at the very first place that calls you. Do your research and ask yourself, "Why do I want to work for this company?" If your only answer is, "Well, they were the first to call", then maybe you need to do some more research and come up with some better reasons...

 

[Minnesota_Flyer]

Now buffalopilot can't say that he didn't know what he was getting into (whether he listened or not) . . .

There's a pretty big difference between "knowing what you're getting into" on paper and actually living it.

I knew what I was getting into going to Navy OCS, inasmuch as I talked to people who had been and read about it. But Day One of Master Seargent Cranky spraying spittle in my face while suggesting that I might try some calisthenics was a whole 'nother deal altogether.

Buf -- good for you to step out. One of the biggest challenges in life is understanding when something is not for us and having the courage to make a change. Good luck.

 

[Kristie]

I'm just really curious about the story myself...simply because he was only there for 5 months...did he try to change the commute situation or try to change bases? would another base have been better, could he have moved the family, was wife the sugamomma or did he just up and say "screw this" without trying to put other effort forth to take a horrible situation and make it better? I personally don't know enough about buffalopilot and his situation because he never opened up to us in order for us to help him along...he always posted one liners for the most part (from what i recall).

only reason i wonder is cuz everyone knows what it's like to be at the bottom of the regionals, they read about it thereby learning (from others experiences) what to expect and what to prepare for...there's an adjustment period and i think it takes practically an entire year to adjust and get used to how things in the airlines work.

he knew his poison going in...did he try to do something about it to make it better or just walk away? it takes balls to walk away.. it takes even more balls to try and fix the situation (make it better, more easily adjustable) before just up and saying "i quit". in fact, the word "i quit" has never been in my vocabulary.

then again, it's all in what you want out of the industry...like anything in life, if you want to get to the top, your gonna have to get your hands dirty to get there.

 

[scramjet]

Its always been a worry of mine. To dream about this job and then despise it after a while.

Same here. But I think the way around that is to keep your ultimate goals in mind, it helps you along the way. Plus, I also feel that there may be times when the going gets tough, but aviation is something I've loved ever since I can remember and I know if I can keep a positive and proactive attitude, things should work out!

 

[Murdoughnut]

everyone knows what it's like to be at the bottom of the regionals, they read about it thereby learning (from others experiences) what to expect and what to prepare for...there's an adjustment period and i think it takes practically an entire year to adjust and get used to how things in the airlines work.

Not that this applies to this guy, but I imagine a lot of the big academies shield their students pretty well from such information - maybe at least until they've invested so much that there's no turning back. I have to think that a lot of people are shocked at how crappy the life is - attrition wouldn't be so high if that weren't the case.

 

[Kristie]

true.... i probably should just say that "eveyone on this site" knows...cuz that's really all we can claim to fame.

 

[scramjet]

On that note, I'm feeling slightly burned out over my PPL training, oddly enough. Mainly because I haven't been able to make any progress on it in a few months due to scheduling constraints and a generally busy life.

 

[bwade210]

All of you saying he just forgot the tag...hummm. I think you're all just trying to be nice. I think he meant what he said. If I was joking with something so serious like that I'd make sure to double check everything before clicking the submit reply button.

Exactly! Uncalled for and very unprofessional.:whatever:

 

[H46Bubba]

BP, sorry things didn't work out for you. Best of luck with your future endeavors. I've been in the airline industry for over seven years combined. I was lucky getting positions in SAN and MCO. But even then the airline industry is the military. If you want to work for them, you have to go where they want you to be. I had to move to PHX when I worked for Mesa and I had to move here to CVG to work for Comair. Luckily my wife is very supportive and will move wherever(At least used to, she's set on stating here for a while ) That's the nature of the beast and you knew it coming in to your position at CMR. You gotta do what ya gotta do. You have three months to come back and keep your seniority# if you change your mind. Good luck dude.

 

[CapnJim]

I wish that I could say that "I quit" has never been in my vocabulary. I had a huge "I quit" in my early twenties, and I still hold it with regret. Thing is, had I not said "I quit", life would have been vastly different for me, and quite possibly not as good. Quite probably, in fact. Moreover, that "I quit" had a galvanizing effect on my will; without it, I would not have had the motivation to make this flying career work. I could not stand to have another failure in my life. In that sense, "I quit" was one of the best things that I could have said.

During my first year at ExpressJet, I was commuting to EWR from DFW on reserve. I had a similar experiece to Buff, what with commuting on days off, living in a crashpad, never being home, etc., but with one major difference: I had an apartment, a girlfriend, and a dog. Not a house, a wife, and kids. The time you lose with your family is time you will never get back, ever, and I don't think there's a single mom or dad here that would have traded a year of their kid's childhood for 20K and some jet time. Five months was sacrifice enough to realize that it just wasn't worth it.

Of course, it's easy to sit at your keyboard and type "Well, you read it here first, why didn't you listen?" To those people, I hope that your experience on Earth is never so limited that you make major life decisions based on anonymous postings on an internet message board. Further, I find the implication that Buff just "didn't think about these things in advance" not only insulting, but rather obtuse and shallow. Does anyone here think he really didn't take family and schedule into account when he made his decision? Is anyone here in Buffalopilots shoes? What makes people so arrogant as to think that they can judge, after the fact, with 20/20 hindsight Monday-morning quarterbacking haughtiness, what another man should or should not have done? Shame on those people, and pray God that they someday gain the wisdom to judge themselves before they attempt to judge others.

I would imagine that Buffalopilot is feeling pretty down right now, but that has not stopped certain people from kicking. For God's sakes, have some empathy, have some respect, and at least have the foresight to see that people remember your behavior, and will decide on that who they wish to have in their corner when the chips are down. There are more than a few in this thread that I would not have in mine, and they know who they are.

I'm going to leave this with a quote, one I find somewhat appropriate:

'It's not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.'

 

[Airdale]

I wish that I could say that "I quit" has never been in my vocabulary. I had a huge "I quit" in my early twenties, and I still hold it with regret. Thing is, had I not said "I quit", life would have been vastly different for me, and quite possibly not as good. Quite probably, in fact. Moreover, that "I quit" had a galvanizing effect on my will; without it, I would not have had the motivation to make this flying career work. I could not stand to have another failure in my life. In that sense, "I quit" was one of the best things that I could have said.

During my first year at ExpressJet, I was commuting to EWR from DFW on reserve. I had a similar experiece to Buff, what with commuting on days off, living in a crashpad, never being home, etc., but with one major difference: I had an apartment, a girlfriend, and a dog. Not a house, a wife, and kids. The time you lose with your family is time you will never get back, ever, and I don't think there's a single mom or dad here that would have traded a year of their kid's childhood for 20K and some jet time. Five months was sacrifice enough to realize that it just wasn't worth it.

Of course, it's easy to sit at your keyboard and type "Well, you read it here first, why didn't you listen?" To those people, I hope that your experience on Earth is never so limited that you make major life decisions based on anonymous postings on an internet message board. Further, I find the implication that Buff just "didn't think about these things in advance" not only insulting, but rather obtuse and shallow. Does anyone here think he really didn't take family and schedule into account when he made his decision? Is anyone here in Buffalopilots shoes? What makes people so arrogant as to think that they can judge, after the fact, with 20/20 hindsight Monday-morning quarterbacking haughtiness, what another man should or should not have done? Same on those people, and pray God that they someday gain the wisdom to judge themselves before they attempt to judge others.

I would imagine that Buffalopilot is feeling pretty down right now, but that has not stopped certain people from kicking. For God's sakes, have some empathy, have some respect, and at least have the foresight to see that people remember your behavior, and will decide on that who they wish to have in their corner when the chips are down. There are more than a few in this thread that I would not have in mine, and they know who they are.

I'm going to leave this with a quote, one I find somewhat appropriate:

Well said!!

 

[Hootie]

Buffalopilot helped out everyone at comair by talking with his feet. Just think if 30-40% of every newhire class said screw it at the 6 month mark? Management would have to listen.



Capnjim, Great post!!

 

[meyers9163]

Well said!!

Well said, well said indeed!

 

[turbojet28]

Good luck to you, Buffalo. Big decisions like this are so tough. I've seen them made by others in my family, and I'm starting to realize that making them myself isn't as cut and dry as I thought it was as a starry-eyed high schooler. I've believe that each person's life is different from another's, love and family come first, people can be the master of their own happiness if measured against no one, and the future is so uncertain that the only real way to make these decisions is on principle and gut feeling, all the while just enjoying the ride and making the best of any situation. I have respect for you, and wish you the best.

 

[oespinoza]

buffalo,

Family first - you made the right choice! Respect and good luck.

Thing work out when people have their priorities right!

:yeahthat:

 

[PGT]

There are a ton of other opportunities to fly.

Everyone has their priorities in life, you chose family over career. A very, very, good decision that your family will thank you for down the road.

 

[Tram]

Maybe he quit and is interviewing at Colgan?

I'm sure we've all thought about calling it quits... I know I have.. Not sure why I keep on truckin..

Best of luck to you Buff...

 

[alphaone]

I sincerely apologize. I was trying to be funny and well, the right words didn't come out. I meant no disrespect to BP, or anyone for that matter. In the future I will pay more attention to what I post on serious forums.
Again, I'm sorry for the dick remark.

P.S. If it makes a difference, I don't remember much from last night.....

 

[Captain_Bob]

No worries Alpha... others have made similar comments in the past in similar threads... for some reason though... folks decided to gang up on you... different times I guess.

Bob

 

[meyers9163]

I sincerely apologize. I was trying to be funny and well, the right words didn't come out. I meant no disrespect to BP, or anyone for that matter. In the future I will pay more attention to what I post on serious forums.
Again, I'm sorry for the dick remark.

P.S. If it makes a difference, I don't remember much from last night.....

I agree with Captain Bob man no worries.... If those same people take the time to get to know you as theywould have buffalopilot back when he was going through his search and we all jumped on a wagon against him and well they'd have known better. Much like my comment about this earlier when I said from the TOP down some need to check their comments no worries bro! We who know you know you are a great guy!