AAPalmTree
Well-Known Member
EVERYTHING is a PR stunt when a camera is involved.
American Airlines shows future Aviator around PHX base
- Thread starter Avgirl
- Start date
Dphoenix
Love lasagna, hate mondays
Wow, why the heck is all the shade being thrown at Derg for that video not being "organic" enough or whatever? I don't know what you guys want. I get literally giddy when a kid or heck, even an adult with an interest asks to come up front in the E175 and I can show them a few things and maybe spark that interest in aviation. I remember as a little kid I ALWAYS had to go up front every flight and check it out. I was so fascinated by everything, and it started a lifelong interest in aviation. Frankly, I get kinda disappointed when I see all these kids onboard that have no interest in even checking it out or getting a pair of wings or whatever... it totally makes my day when one is interested. Whether it starts with a Kimmel video or something else.... anything that promotes a love of aviation is a positive. Nuff said. Be the example of the kind of person you would want your younger self to meet.
This. My 6 year old has been riding on planes since he was about 5 months old. As he got a little older he would ask me to take him to the airport to watch planes. He's now at the point where he wants to do day trips on my off days and he always asks me if I can ask if it's ok to see the cockpit after we land (he says he's too scared to ask). We recently did a turn on one of our 175s and he got to go up front afterwards and talk to the CA and even got his picture taken in the FO seat. He literally talked about it several days afterwards. It reminds me a lot of how I was at his age. You are totally right though in that it seems most kids these days don't seem to have an interest in it,they'd much rather be buried in their iPhones.
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Avgirl
Well-Known Member
I think it is great that you are one of those pilots that loves to show kids of all ages around. I know that turns can be very short and sometimes there isn't a ton of time, but it makes a huge difference to the person being shown around regardless of age, and probably makes your days better because it reminds you why you are doing this in the first place. Who can't love that? More pilots should have the attitude that you do. Because, it really is the coolest job with the best office view.
I figure when people stop talking crap about you or your mission, it's a sign you've become irrelevant.
AAPalmTree
Well-Known Member
No shade on Derg. I think (I believe I know) derg would have done it with or without cameras or the PR result. Mine was a comment on society. Russell Wilson visits kids in hospitals. It's a PR deal now. Probably not RW's intention.
Because if you're a pilot it's not "cool" to like your job or be enthusiastic, or do anything other than piss and moan about the industry.
grkero
fer yer health
I had an adult want to come up at the end of a flight last trip. I could tell she felt dumb so we said "Noooo you are going to take full advantage of this moment. Get the hat, get the blazer on. Now gimme your camera." It was so funny... probably a 50-something year old lady by herself. Never too late to nerd out - hard.
I kinda like it when older adults with a genuine curiosity come up as opposed to kids. It's cool to see a kid's enthusiasm, but half the time the kids are too shy to do anything other than stand there petrified, and I don't know how to be anything other than awkward around children.
Cptnchia
Dissatisfied Customer
GypsyPilot
Mohawk Town
From what I've seen, those are usually people that don't know any better... Those of us that have had non-pilot jobs are typically pretty happy and aware of how good we have it, even at the regional level.
I've been flying an RJ for 5.5 years and still like my job and find new ways to challenge myself (I just got signed off as a CA for our ASE/EGE flying for example). It definitely beats the 8-5 grind.
phill1174
Well-Known Member
I don't understand this about some guys. I think a lot of guys take this job for granted and forget it could be all over with the loss of a medical or something unfortunate. I'm not always smiling ear to ear but I do appreciate coming to work and not feeling like i'm in prison or having a great view while my friends are sitting in some office pushing paper posting "its Monday" memes. It's also great to see kids that want to stop by the cockpit. I'm glad to see that there are kids that still take an interest in aviation. Don't get me wrong there are crappy times in this industry but it's not all doom and gloom.
My friend, being under the radar like that isn't necessarily a bad thing. No drama and no BS to deal with.
Being a pilot for a job, is in fact a job. But that doesn't mean it has to be a hated or disliked job. Every job will have their good and bad days or particulars.
Yup. Yesterday I started out at 5am on the west coast, 3 legs, which I'd done a good 7 times already that trip, then spent longer two-leg commuting home than I was on duty, head finally hit the pillow at 3am east coast time. I was pretty damn grumpy (although that's my own doing), and sure during that 4 days there was probably some "work work work *scheduling!* work work" type banter. But even earlier tonight I was thinking about what it would be like if I was sitting on the highway in traffic, every day, at the same time, going to a cubicle to stare at numbers and file TPS reports, how miserable I would be. Generally even on the worst trip, at least once a day I reflect on how fortunate I am to even be in my shoes.
BEEF SUPREME
Well-Known Member
Why is it that talented people, justifying their aviation careers focus on the worst aspects of an "office job."
My wife works from home. Makes more money than I did flying a large cabin 3 engine private jet. Has better benefits. Other friends can pick up their kids from school by leaving work early and many other "unpublished" benefits.
Meanwhile a bunch of people are living in trailers at LAX crying themselves to sleep. All the while talking about how great their existence is.
I don't get it.
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My wife works from home. Makes more money than I did flying a large cabin 3 engine private jet. Has better benefits. Other friends can pick up their kids from school by leaving work early and many other "unpublished" benefits.
Meanwhile a bunch of people are living in trailers at LAX crying themselves to sleep. All the while talking about how great their existence is.
I don't get it.
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GypsyPilot
Mohawk Town
Not at all. I was just trying to add perspective. I had an engineering career prior to aviation, which most would classify as being one of the better paying QOL gigs out there. In other words, I've had a real actual career before. It's not all it's cracked up to be - for myself.
You're a young guy with a wife making good money and enjoying a nice QOL. If you like what she does, start working towards that career. What have you got to lose?
As for the LAX trailer guys... That's a decision THEY made. Nobody forced them into that lifestyle.