Being Pro-active about this industry.

[ahsmatt7]

I have been on JC.com for about 8 months give or take. I am more of a lurker, but I have read ALOT about how if we all do at least something about our industry then we can change it for the better. Thats all fine and dandy if one already has a 121 gig or 135 or maybe is a CFI.

What about the students out there? I have a friend who is going to school and getting an aviation major. He is leaps and bounds ahead of me. However, I spoke with him about the industry and he got extremely offensive when I said that we both may end up starting and finishing our careers at a regional. Its not a fun thought but, it may be the truth and we cant have people thinking these regionals are just "stepping stones."

Me on the other hand, I am working at chipotle and paying as I go to get my PPL and move up one day to a 121 gig. Its hard looking at the numbers and realizing that I may be at a regional getting paid peanuts. What can I do if anything to help out the industry? I preach every time I am at my flight school to kids my age about what to look for and how to go for the job who has the best benefits and etc. rather than the job who flies the biggest jets. I would like to be pro-active about changing at least something. Is there anything I could do? Considering the fact that I am just shy of 23 hrs.


Its quite scary seeing all these guys/gals always wanting something more or bigger and justifying it by saying, "because I did this or I did that"...


-Matt

 

[Jshutt64]

I have a friend who is going to school and getting an aviation major. He is leaps and bounds ahead of me.

Me on the other hand, I am working at chipotle and paying as I go to get my PPL and move up one day to a 121 gig.

You'll find a few years down the road and you have the same FAA certificates and your friend is 100k in debt, you were leaps and bounds ahead of him the entire time.

As far as helping the industry, I would say the best thing a student can do is to learn to fly to pay the CFI and fly airline as much as you can instead of driving. Too bad money doesn't grow on trees.

 

[ahsmatt7]

You'll find a few years down the road and you have the same FAA certificates and your friend is 100k in debt, you were leaps and bounds ahead of him the entire time.

As far as helping the industry, I would say the best thing a student can do is to learn to fly to pay the CFI and fly airline as much as you can instead of driving. Too bad money doesn't grow on trees.

I wish it did though.

 

[granlistillo]

You'll find a few years down the road and you have the same FAA certificates and your friend is 100k in debt, you were leaps and bounds ahead of him the entire time.

Are you suggesting that not getting a degree is the way ahead? You don't like the "major"?

I
Me on the other hand, I am working at chipotle and paying as I go to get my PPL and move up one day to a 121 gig.

Matt there are a lot of guys that may be stuck in the regionals because they don't have a degree. Make sense to me to get the degree now when airlines aren't hiring.

Good luck.

 

[ahsmatt7]

Are you suggesting that not getting a degree is the way ahead? You don't like the "major"?


Matt there are a lot of guys that may be stuck in the regionals because they don't have a degree. Make sense to me to get the degree now when airlines aren't hiring.

Good luck.

I am currently working on my BA in business Management. I am getting my degree as a back up just encase I ever get furloughed. I am a strong advocate for getting a higher education.

 

[Jshutt64]

Are you suggesting that not getting a degree is the way ahead? You don't like the "major"?

No, getting a degree is of the utmost importance. I myself am currently a college student. What I'm saying is aviation degrees with university flight training, in my opinion, cost alot more than they are worth.

But that's an argument for a different thread.

 

[granlistillo]

I am currently working on my BA in business Management. I am getting my degree as a back up just encase I ever get furloughed. I am a strong advocate for getting a higher education.

Smart move, and realistically it is very important for your marketability in the industry, besides giving you options.

No, getting a degree is of the utmost importance. I myself am currently a college student. What I'm saying is aviation degrees with university flight training, in my opinion, cost alot more than they are worth.

But that's an argument for a different thread.

Gotcha, Glad I asked... can't say you're wrong.:beer:

 

[wjmiller3]

I wouldn't hire you, cause I am a Freebirds fan myself (joking, about the hiring part, not the Freebirds!!)

When you do get done and you dont have the huge loans to pay for, it will be more than worth it. I did take out a loan (42k)for my training, but I also sold my house in Arkansas when I moved to Houston and made about 50k profit, so I used about half of that to bring my balance down to a managable level.

 

[ahsmatt7]

I wouldn't hire you, cause I am a Freebirds fan myself (joking, about the hiring part, not the Freebirds!!)

When you do get done and you dont have the huge loans to pay for, it will be more than worth it. I did take out a loan (42k)for my training, but I also sold my house in Arkansas when I moved to Houston and made about 50k profit, so I used about half of that to bring my balance down to a managable level.

hahaha I like Freebirds more than chipotle! Do you do 121 flying or 135, 91? Maybe just for fun. I was in Houston over thanksgiving break visiting my family.

 

[stesta5074]

I don't know anything about being proactive in the industry, but I do know that Chipotle is a heck of a lot better than Freebirds!!

 

[ahsmatt7]

I don't know anything about being proactive in the industry, but I do know that Chipotle is a heck of a lot better than Freebirds!!

Considering the fact that I work at Chipotle, I can 100% attest to the fact that we make all of our food fresh everyday. Its quite surprising at first. Im always up in the air when I say Freebirds is better. I think I can say that becasue I eat Chipotle for diner or lunch almost every day.

 

[jrh]

I have been on JC.com for about 8 months give or take. I am more of a lurker, but I have read ALOT about how if we all do at least something about our industry then we can change it for the better. Thats all fine and dandy if one already has a 121 gig or 135 or maybe is a CFI.

What about the students out there?

Matt,

Here's some advice that applies to any job in any industry: Vote with your feet, take care of yourself, and don't worry about what other people are doing.

What I mean is, decide for yourself what you're worth, then don't work for less. If you get offered a job with compensation below what *you* think is fair, turn it down. Simple as that.

That might mean leaving flying for a time if things get competitive and other pilots start racing to the bottom. You *have* to be willing to walk away if it comes to that.

There's no reason to stress about other pilots "bringing the industry down." They're only shooting themselves in the foot. If they want to work for peanuts, I say, "Let 'em." I don't care. When they're burned out and disgruntled with pay in ten years, while you're working at a job you're happy with, who has the better life then? Or maybe they won't get disgruntled. In that case, everyone is happy and everyone wins.

I don't understand pilots who apply for, work hard to get, then accept a job, only to bitch about the pay. I feel like saying, "Are you serious??? You took the job! What the heck did you expect? Nobody lied to you. Nobody stuck a gun to your head and forced you in to this position. You clearly saw the pay scale before accepting the position. Either shut up and make the best of it, or leave."

 

[Kristie]

I am currently working on my BA in business Management. I am getting my degree as a back up just encase I ever get furloughed. I am a strong advocate for getting a higher education.

now you're one step ahead....the other guy, does he have a backup degree or hobby ready to go if he needs it? hmmmmm

the only thing i can suggest is just to keep networking, grow your contact base....meet all the FBO's and other companies out there so you can keep tabs on them, they on you for if/when you need to timebuild...get a mentor to help shape your direction and keep you motivated...but overall, if you keep networking, you're constantly being proactive and you'll meet the people that will help propel you forward.

but don't forget to stay in school, get good grades, don't do anything that would kill your prospective future! :clap: (hehe, had to say that)

HTH

 

[ahsmatt7]

Matt,

Here's some advice that applies to any job in any industry: Vote with your feet, take care of yourself, and don't worry about what other people are doing.

What I mean is, decide for yourself what you're worth, then don't work for less. If you get offered a job with compensation below what *you* think is fair, turn it down. Simple as that.

That might mean leaving flying for a time if things get competitive and other pilots start racing to the bottom. You *have* to be willing to walk away if it comes to that.

There's no reason to stress about other pilots "bringing the industry down." They're only shooting themselves in the foot. If they want to work for peanuts, I say, "Let 'em." I don't care. When they're burned out and disgruntled with pay in ten years, while you're working at a job you're happy with, who has the better life then? Or maybe they won't get disgruntled. In that case, everyone is happy and everyone wins.

I don't understand pilots who apply for, work hard to get, then accept a job, only to bitch about the pay. I feel like saying, "Are you serious??? You took the job! What the heck did you expect? Nobody lied to you. Nobody stuck a gun to your head and forced you in to this position. You clearly saw the pay scale before accepting the position. Either shut up and make the best of it, or leave."

now you're one step ahead....the other guy, does he have a backup degree or hobby ready to go if he needs it? hmmmmm

the only thing i can suggest is just to keep networking, grow your contact base....meet all the FBO's and other companies out there so you can keep tabs on them, they on you for if/when you need to timebuild...get a mentor to help shape your direction and keep you motivated...but overall, if you keep networking, you're constantly being proactive and you'll meet the people that will help propel you forward.

but don't forget to stay in school, get good grades, don't do anything that would kill your prospective future! :clap: (hehe, had to say that)

HTH

I really like your take on things jrh. I have the same mindset. I am HUGE on researching before diving into something and learning from people who have been where you want to be. I would just like to help in any way I can. Even though I struggle to pay for one flippin flight lol, When I fly I get a huge sense of accomplishment and I would like to feel like I am making this a better industry in some form. Like you said though I wont worry and I will continue to plug away!

Kristie, I liked that last line.:clap: I cant tell you how many times I have heard that one. As for networking. This site has done wonders. Sometimes I feel like I cant contribute as much as others but thats to be expected since I am only half way done my PPL. I'm slowly learning from you, Doug and everyone else here. Slowly lol. I do however sometimes feel like I come off to strong when I talk to other pilots or people at my flight school. I guess thats the nature of the beast.

Matt

 

[wjmiller3]

hahaha I like Freebirds more than chipotle! Do you do 121 flying or 135, 91? Maybe just for fun. I was in Houston over thanksgiving break visiting my family.

91, I fly contract for a small handfull of people and a little flight instructing on the side.

 

[Blackhawk]

Matt,

Here's some advice that applies to any job in any industry: Vote with your feet, take care of yourself, and don't worry about what other people are doing.

What I mean is, decide for yourself what you're worth, then don't work for less. If you get offered a job with compensation below what *you* think is fair, turn it down. Simple as that.

That might mean leaving flying for a time if things get competitive and other pilots start racing to the bottom. You *have* to be willing to walk away if it comes to that.

There's no reason to stress about other pilots "bringing the industry down." They're only shooting themselves in the foot. If they want to work for peanuts, I say, "Let 'em." I don't care. When they're burned out and disgruntled with pay in ten years, while you're working at a job you're happy with, who has the better life then? Or maybe they won't get disgruntled. In that case, everyone is happy and everyone wins.

I don't understand pilots who apply for, work hard to get, then accept a job, only to bitch about the pay. I feel like saying, "Are you serious??? You took the job! What the heck did you expect? Nobody lied to you. Nobody stuck a gun to your head and forced you in to this position. You clearly saw the pay scale before accepting the position. Either shut up and make the best of it, or leave."

What he said. Another pet peeve of mine are those who look for the cheapest way to get their ratings... then piss and moan that CFIs don't make very much. Don't get me wrong... I have nothing against those looking to get the most bang for their buck. Even when I loose business to those who underbid me by essentially working for free (I've been asked to teach and ferry airplanes for the flight time). That's life.
As far as flying for the rest of your life for a regional... that may well be the case. So be careful where you work and as you were told be ready to walk. There are some regionals out there where you can actually make pretty good money and have a good life. You won't be the richest guy in the graveyard when you die, but you won't be poor.

 

[PGT]

I don't understand pilots who apply for, work hard to get, then accept a job, only to bitch about the pay. I feel like saying, "Are you serious??? You took the job! What the heck did you expect? Nobody lied to you. Nobody stuck a gun to your head and forced you in to this position. You clearly saw the pay scale before accepting the position. Either shut up and make the best of it, or leave."

I want to take this, bold it, and sticky it.

 

[t-cart]

I think you've got plenty to contribute here.

 

[Xcaliber]

What jrh said.

However, I spoke with him about the industry and he got extremely offensive when I said that we both may end up starting and finishing our careers at a regional. Its not a fun thought but, it may be the truth and we cant have people thinking these regionals are just "stepping stones."...Its hard looking at the numbers and realizing that I may be at a regional getting paid peanuts...I preach every time I am at my flight school to kids my age about what to look for and how to go for the job who has the best benefits and etc. rather than the job who flies the biggest jets...Its quite scary seeing all these guys/gals always wanting something more or bigger and justifying it by saying, "because I did this or I did that"

I just want to add something really quick right here. From your post, you sound like you think you are destined to live at a regional for the rest of your life. Here's some news: there are a LOT of jobs out there that aren't the regionals (well, maybe not a lot of open jobs at this point, but you get my point). My job, for example: I fly a 206 (eek, a small plane!). I may not be building multi or turbine time, but I'm building lots of high performance PIC time, I have a much better schedule than my friends at the regionals, and I'm getting paid almost $7000 more a year than they are. Plus I get a lot of free time to play tourist while I'm on the road (see my avatar ).

I'm not saying that I went the "right" way and they were wrong. My friends are certainly making the best of their lives. I just wanted to urge you to look outside of the 121 environment at the other options. There's a lot more to do than just the regionals.

 

[Inverted25]

I agree. There are ALOT of good jobs outside of 121 flying.