Airline pilot the goal of all pilots?
- Thread starter Inverted25
- Start date
Nice way to put it.
Amen x2.
Source?
Personally, I'll do it if I have to (pax airlines), but I'd rather just not. I don't know how some of you folks deal with it. Between the miserable public, management that's always trying to nickel and dime you to death and other pilots that would be miserable with Jesus H. Christ signing their checks, I'd put a bullet in my brain.
That said, if I had to do it and if I got to choose, there would only be two or three airlines I think I'd really "enjoy" working at.
If I really got to pick, assuming I don't get to try the mini-tours again (which I may give a shot at in the next 24 months or so), I'd like to teach GA stuff. I get a kick out of that. If not that, then single pilot corporate stuff in either something in the Cj series, some kind of twin turboprop or something like a Baron or 421. And if not that, then I'd like to get back to single pilot on a schedule. If the pax/stuff isn't there when it's go time, it's still go time. This waiting around at the FBO for 6 hours for late pax only to have them bitch at me about the thunderstorms that came in while they were late is really not enjoyable.
For me it all comes down to being at home. If I can max my days at home, I'll take a little less pay. If I can work out being home every day with reasonable allowances for annual/semi-annual training, then I'd consider even less (while still being a proper pay rate for the job).
-mini
OldTownPilot
Well-Known Member
Actually they do.
I am almost sure that I read that they do it , you had to fly with a check airman of sorts, and of course be typed in the plane.
SpiraMirabilis
Possible Subversive
DJS!!
PeanuckleCRJ
Poodle Wrangler
I grew up wanting to be a mil pilot (fighters) and then airline pilot....mainly due to my dad. I saw him home all the time, we lived a very nice lifestyle, and it was an excellent career.
Eyesight didnt afford me such a path, and did it all civilian. My goal has always been to have a nice job at a high paying airline flying large aircraft. Partly due to lifestyle, partly due to comfort (long leg? just stand up and stretch!), partly due to schedule and ability to pursue other types of flying.
My schedule has afforded me the ability to fly both the 757 as well as get paid to fly other aircraft on the side... hopefully soon enough that will delve into aerobatics, which is an area I've dabbled in, but never got to get the full experience in.
I gotta say.... there's not much more satisfying that shoving the throttles full forward on a lightly loaded 757...
That being said (and not to diverge from the thread), it truly is a rewarding career after a while. Patience, discipline, and hard work with a little bit of luck are all key.
Eyesight didnt afford me such a path, and did it all civilian. My goal has always been to have a nice job at a high paying airline flying large aircraft. Partly due to lifestyle, partly due to comfort (long leg? just stand up and stretch!), partly due to schedule and ability to pursue other types of flying.
My schedule has afforded me the ability to fly both the 757 as well as get paid to fly other aircraft on the side... hopefully soon enough that will delve into aerobatics, which is an area I've dabbled in, but never got to get the full experience in.
I gotta say.... there's not much more satisfying that shoving the throttles full forward on a lightly loaded 757...
That being said (and not to diverge from the thread), it truly is a rewarding career after a while. Patience, discipline, and hard work with a little bit of luck are all key.
PeanuckleCRJ
Poodle Wrangler
We had an ER from DTW to JFK with only 80 passengers a couple of days ago.
I thought I was going to have to talk the captain through the takeoff and climb there!
Oh man.... freaking awesome! That thing is a rocket ship on a domestic leg as it is...
I had a totally empty 767-300 domestic a couple weeks ago for a saints charter... flew it from IAD-BWI...only 40 miles.
The runway was contaminated, so we were required to do a full power flaps 15 takeoff. V1 was 109....
25 degrees nose up and we were still accelerating!
Tristan
Well-Known Member
For some reason a lot of pilots I've come across starting out tend to conceal their airline aspirations, and say they are not interested. As if it's uncool to admit you're aiming for Qantas or Emirates. But sure enough as you get to know them you figure out that they are just like the rest of us. Not saying everyone wants the airlines, but I'd say the vast majority of young pilots in GA are aiming for something at that level. However, as people progress in their careers, circumstances can change for various individuals and decide against the airlines even if they have the opportunity presented to them.
staplegun
Well-Known Member
We had an ER from DTW to JFK with only 80 passengers a couple of days ago.
I thought I was going to have to talk the captain through the takeoff and climb there!
Earlier this month I ferried an empty 777 from ATL to DTW with just me and the Captain on board. Take-off from ATL the throttles moved forward about an inch and we were at 2000' AGL by the end of the runway...
Kevin
david2000
Well-Known Member
Well, for me I couldn't change my mind to another career, or position in aviation, and I share the emotion of the last comments but with the 37 throttles
bunk22
Well-Known Member
I think there's nothing wrong with wanting it or not wanting it. Most of my buds fly Southwest. Now I'm a military pilot, as were they, and they make some good money with that extra flight time. I think as long as it's for a good company, I might want to do it when I retire in 3 years and 3 months (if they are hiring of course)
R
Roger, Roger
Guest
Sounds good to me. Though as you pointed out, it sounds like those days are gone and/or on their way out. Oh well. I guess the key is to be happy where you are...for me that means subtly trying to talk my way into cockpits every time I speak with an owner who has a nice airplane in the shop.
They're not totally gone, they're just not as prevelant as they once were........same thing happened with traffic watch, with automated traffic cams, why deal with putting an airplane airborne? For 135 freight, though, it seems it'll be around for some time to come IMO.
Speed Pilot
Brain Damaged
I currently have no aspirations for the airline life. I don't think I would enjoy it. My current dream job would be flying Lead Plane for BLM or Forest Service. One of our Air Attack pilots looks like he has secured a gig doing such in Alaska. Hopefully he remembers me kindly when it's my turn to interview down the road.
Rosstafari
Likes tacos
I ended up taking lessons to become a better controller. If money and time permit, I'd enjoy doing it all the way up to ATP, but I don't ever intend to switch careers. Most others in my flight school had similar, non-airline pilot related goals... one wanted to be a bush pilot in Alaska, another was interested in a regular diet of $100 hamburgers. And the instructor, who considered himself a career pilot, had no intention of doing it with an airline (as far as I know... he's on here, maybe he'll correct me).
On a related note, even at the PPL level, I can see how the vets seem to agree that it's not too hard to tell the controllers who're pilots as well. The FAA rewards controllers who hold a license a bit, too, which is a good thing. I wish it were practical to require every controller to get at least a private. But that's a discussion for another thread...
On a related note, even at the PPL level, I can see how the vets seem to agree that it's not too hard to tell the controllers who're pilots as well. The FAA rewards controllers who hold a license a bit, too, which is a good thing. I wish it were practical to require every controller to get at least a private. But that's a discussion for another thread...