Dear Airlines and Unionized Pilots

There are many like 777 that have stars in their eyes when it comes to becoming a professional pilot. Those that have gone ahead of him have discovered that although flying an airplane is a pretty cool job, the glamor and easy living lifestyle are pretty elusive for the most part. One is more likely to discover ugly things like fatigue, industry instability and management that in most cases is hostile and non supportive. The future of our industry largely depends on guys like 777 recognizing that the skill and judgment he provides any future employer should be repaid in kind with respect, a safe operating environment and a fair wage that recognizes the awesome skill and responsibility that professional pilots exhibit every day. My advice to 777: Forget the image you have of sitting in a 777 right now and how cool it would be. Study hard on fundamentals like weather, communications, aircraft systems and things that will fortify your foundation. Take your flight training very seriously and try to end each day being a better pilot than you were the day before. Ask lots of questiions and listen more than you talk. Be humble in your training and avoid the trap of believing you are a better pilot than you really are. Even us old guys learn something new almost every flight so long as our egos don't get in the way. Your excitement and enthusiasm will carry you far if you stay focused and keep believing in yourself. These are your friends here at JC and they have a wealth of information to draw upon - use it. Forget about how much you will be willing to accept for your services once you do become employable and just focus on being the best pilot you can be. Strive every day to raise your standards and take a lot of pride in becoming a pilot. Your hard work and dedication will pay off one day and you will be the one sitting here sharing your old timers wisdom with the young bucks that will surely follow. I think you will be telling them the same thing you are hearing from others here. I am convinced you will be a great pilot 777, and it would be my pleasure to someday share a seat on the flight deck with you. One last thing 777: I would suggest you limit saying silly things about the industry like "pilots have less stress than teachers" and other things that are not anchored in fact. These comments can be considered inflammatory to some since you really don't know how much stress the average professional pilot experiences. Just be careful not to alienate those here that you will come to depend upon for help and information. See, you got a lesson and didn't even have to pay for it.....
 
As a former Naval aviator who flew off carriers I know a wee bit about skill set....
I don't want to be sucked into an argument with an idiot but really.... perhaps you can land on the deck of a carrier in Microsoft flight sim but that doesn't make you a pilot.
 
calcapt said:
There are many like 777 that have stars in their eyes when it comes to becoming a professional pilot. Those that have gone ahead of him have discovered that although flying an airplane is a pretty cool job, the glamor and easy living lifestyle are pretty elusive for the most part. One is more likely to discover ugly things like fatigue, industry instability and management that in most cases is hostile and non supportive. The future of our industry largely depends on guys like 777 recognizing that the skill and judgment he provides any future employer should be repaid in kind with respect, a safe operating environment and a fair wage that recognizes the awesome skill and responsibility that professional pilots exhibit every day. My advice to 777: Forget the image you have of sitting in a 777 right now and how cool it would be. Study hard on fundamentals like weather, communications, aircraft systems and things that will fortify your foundation. Take your flight training very seriously and try to end each day being a better pilot than you were the day before. Ask lots of questiions and listen more than you talk. Be humble in your training and avoid the trap of believing you are a better pilot than you really are. Even us old guys learn something new almost every flight so long as our egos don't get in the way. Your excitement and enthusiasm will carry you far if you stay focused and keep believing in yourself. These are your friends here at JC and they have a wealth of information to draw upon - use it. Forget about how much you will be willing to accept for your services once you do become employable and just focus on being the best pilot you can be. Strive every day to raise your standards and take a lot of pride in becoming a pilot. Your hard work and dedication will pay off one day and you will be the one sitting here sharing your old timers wisdom with the young bucks that will surely follow. I think you will be telling them the same thing you are hearing from others here. I am convinced you will be a great pilot 777, and it would be my pleasure to someday share a seat on the flight deck with you. One last thing 777: I would suggest you limit saying silly things about the industry like "pilots have less stress than teachers" and other things that are not anchored in fact. These comments can be considered inflammatory to some since you really don't know how much stress the average professional pilot experiences. Just be careful not to alienate those here that you will come to depend upon for help and information. See, you got a lesson and didn't even have to pay for it.....
Click to expand...
:yeahthat:
This is the way to get your point across.:)

VF-213 said:
As a former Naval aviator who flew off carriers I know a wee bit about skill set....
I don't want to be sucked into an argument with an idiot but really.... perhaps you can land on the deck of a carrier in Microsoft flight sim but that doesn't make you a pilot.
Click to expand...
This is not.:rolleyes:
 
future777captain said:
I'd rather be a teacher than a flight instructor, but I'd also rather be a carrier pilot over a teacher.
Pilots have less stress.
Click to expand...

While not a carrier pilot I have seen plenty of launches and recoveries onboard the USS Ranger.

If think there is no stress landing on a pitch black, pitching and rolling flight deck in the middle of the ocean you have a lot to learn.

Don't worry about where you are going. Enjoy the time it takes you to get there.
 
future777captain said:
I'd rather be a teacher than a flight instructor, but I'd also rather be a carrier pilot over a teacher.
Pilots have less stress.
Click to expand...

So, how is a flight instructor NOT a teacher? Kinda curious how all those "students" get to where they are without being "taught" by an "instructor."

As for pilots having less stress.....wow. Can't wait to hear how that one gets explained.
 
JEP said:
While not a carrier pilot I have seen plenty of launches and recoveries onboard the USS Ranger.

If think there is no stress landing on a pitch black, pitching and rolling flight deck in the middle of the ocean you have a lot to learn.

Don't worry about where you are going. Enjoy the time it takes you to get there.
Click to expand...

My sim instructor said on his first night carrier landing you couldn't stick a needle up his butt with a sledgehammer:D
 
calcapt. Out of all the posts I read yours is the most balanced and informative. You're right that my comments seem inflammatory. But my intention was to express feelings of frustration I had toward the industry. I also have shared my opinions with a friend at Air Canada, who saw where I was coming from, but said the industry in North America sucks so bad that there is little that can be done to save it anways.
I will take your words to heart.

To the navy pilot, I didn't mean 'carrier' like aircraft carrier. I meant passenger carrier. I haven't played microsoft sim in years and years.

Someone said that I am not a real pilot. In reality, I became a pilot the first time I took the control with the instructor. All student pilots are just as much pilots as you. They just haven't reached 'standardized levels.'
 
VF-213 said:
As a former Naval aviator who flew off carriers I know a wee bit about skill set....
I don't want to be sucked into an argument with an idiot but really.... perhaps you can land on the deck of a carrier in Microsoft flight sim but that doesn't make you a pilot.
Click to expand...

When were you in VF-213? I was in HS-6 and deployed with CVW-11 and the Black Lions for 2 WestPac's on the USS Enterprise, 1983-1986.


Kevin
 
Well if I was a pilot the first time I took the controls, why did I spend all that money on those pieces of paper that say I am one? I wish someone had told me that, would have saved alot of money and studying, doh!!! Let's not go knockin' flight sim, I don't care if you are a pilot or not, it is still fun. 777, be careful not to get too cocky like Cal Capt suggests ( great post by the way) throughout your training things will happen that will humble you very quickly(tanked checkride, near mid-air, flying down to mins the first time). Don't get to wrapped up in all this, remember flying is FUN!!!
 
calcapt said:
There are many like 777 that have stars in their eyes when it comes to becoming a professional pilot. Those that have gone ahead of him have discovered that although flying an airplane is a pretty cool job, the glamor and easy living lifestyle are pretty elusive for the most part. One is more likely to discover ugly things like fatigue, industry instability and management that in most cases is hostile and non supportive. The future of our industry largely depends on guys like 777 recognizing that the skill and judgment he provides any future employer should be repaid in kind with respect, a safe operating environment and a fair wage that recognizes the awesome skill and responsibility that professional pilots exhibit every day. My advice to 777: Forget the image you have of sitting in a 777 right now and how cool it would be. Study hard on fundamentals like weather, communications, aircraft systems and things that will fortify your foundation. Take your flight training very seriously and try to end each day being a better pilot than you were the day before. Ask lots of questiions and listen more than you talk. Be humble in your training and avoid the trap of believing you are a better pilot than you really are. Even us old guys learn something new almost every flight so long as our egos don't get in the way. Your excitement and enthusiasm will carry you far if you stay focused and keep believing in yourself. These are your friends here at JC and they have a wealth of information to draw upon - use it. Forget about how much you will be willing to accept for your services once you do become employable and just focus on being the best pilot you can be. Strive every day to raise your standards and take a lot of pride in becoming a pilot. Your hard work and dedication will pay off one day and you will be the one sitting here sharing your old timers wisdom with the young bucks that will surely follow. I think you will be telling them the same thing you are hearing from others here. I am convinced you will be a great pilot 777, and it would be my pleasure to someday share a seat on the flight deck with you. One last thing 777: I would suggest you limit saying silly things about the industry like "pilots have less stress than teachers" and other things that are not anchored in fact. These comments can be considered inflammatory to some since you really don't know how much stress the average professional pilot experiences. Just be careful not to alienate those here that you will come to depend upon for help and information. See, you got a lesson and didn't even have to pay for it.....
Click to expand...

As a very recent private pilot, I swear to you that I am printing the above post up and framing it on the wall of my office.

Calcapt - it was so good to see you back here. Thanks for this. I know it was meant for another poster but it resonates well even with this "curmudgeonly" 34-year-old. :)
 
staplegun said:
When were you in VF-213? I was in HS-6 and deployed with CVW-11 and the Black Lions for 2 WestPac's on the USS Enterprise, 1983-1986.


Kevin
Click to expand...

Ya gotta love those Westpac -kers! :D;). I'm about to go have lunch with a former one...not that I have a thing for having lunch with studly Navy Westpac dudes or anything! I love Fridays!

p.s. Hi Kev! :)
 
future777captain said:
To the navy pilot, I didn't mean 'carrier' like aircraft carrier. I meant passenger carrier. I haven't played microsoft sim in years and years.
Click to expand...

I'm still gonna stand by my statement. Please explain to me how you came to the conclusion that pilots (even us lowly passenger carrier pilots) have less stress. I still wanna hear this one.
 
calcapt said:
There are many like 777 that have stars in their eyes when it comes to becoming a professional pilot. Those that have gone ahead of him have discovered that although flying an airplane is a pretty cool job, the glamor and easy living lifestyle are pretty elusive for the most part. One is more likely to discover ugly things like fatigue, industry instability and management that in most cases is hostile and non supportive. The future of our industry largely depends on guys like 777 recognizing that the skill and judgment he provides any future employer should be repaid in kind with respect, a safe operating environment and a fair wage that recognizes the awesome skill and responsibility that professional pilots exhibit every day. My advice to 777: Forget the image you have of sitting in a 777 right now and how cool it would be. Study hard on fundamentals like weather, communications, aircraft systems and things that will fortify your foundation. Take your flight training very seriously and try to end each day being a better pilot than you were the day before. Ask lots of questiions and listen more than you talk. Be humble in your training and avoid the trap of believing you are a better pilot than you really are. Even us old guys learn something new almost every flight so long as our egos don't get in the way. Your excitement and enthusiasm will carry you far if you stay focused and keep believing in yourself. These are your friends here at JC and they have a wealth of information to draw upon - use it. Forget about how much you will be willing to accept for your services once you do become employable and just focus on being the best pilot you can be. Strive every day to raise your standards and take a lot of pride in becoming a pilot. Your hard work and dedication will pay off one day and you will be the one sitting here sharing your old timers wisdom with the young bucks that will surely follow. I think you will be telling them the same thing you are hearing from others here. I am convinced you will be a great pilot 777, and it would be my pleasure to someday share a seat on the flight deck with you. One last thing 777: I would suggest you limit saying silly things about the industry like "pilots have less stress than teachers" and other things that are not anchored in fact. These comments can be considered inflammatory to some since you really don't know how much stress the average professional pilot experiences. Just be careful not to alienate those here that you will come to depend upon for help and information. See, you got a lesson and didn't even have to pay for it.....
Click to expand...

This has to be one of the best posts that I've read in my short time here at JC... Well said calcapt!
 
staplegun said:
When were you in VF-213? I was in HS-6 and deployed with CVW-11 and the Black Lions for 2 WestPac's on the USS Enterprise, 1983-1986.


Kevin
Click to expand...

Always grateful to you Helo guys!!

Academy, flying a desk in DC for a lower board, then VF-101 Missed all the fun in '86. The Enterprise 87-88 then reassigned (tar lang) DC.

Thank you for your service
 
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