"Lowly" - a short rant

killbilly

killbilly

Vocals, Lyrics, Triangle, Washboard, Kittens
This isn't exactly aviation-related - more aviation-forum related, but I've seen this going on since I joined JC and it bugs me.

The usage of the word "lowly." I don't like it. Folks around here say, "Now, I'm just a lowly PPL" or "I'm just a lowly CFI..."

It's BS.

Earning a license to fly an airplane, much less TEACH in one, is not an easy task. It requires new thinking skills, it requires time, money and effort - commitment. And the guys who earn the CFI tickets shouldn't denigrate themselves by saying they're lowly CFIs. It's a noble profession that requires great skill and nuance to do well, and I am in awe of those of you who do it - I'm not sure I'd be a good instructor at all.

Now, I know the term is used as a mark of deference to the older, more experienced members of the site, and while that deference is appropriate, being low-time doesn't make you lowly. It means that you're just not as far along on your journey as others have been.

Have some self-respect, guys. You're not lowly. You've worked hard, gotten this far, and you'll keep working hard to go farther. You ain't lowly. You're just low-time. :D
 
Thank You.

Increase the self-respect at the bottom, and then at some point perhaps we can expect people to actually have some professional self-worth and respect. Thus, they don't go off doing stupid things (PFT/PFJ) which negatively impact the profession. . . because they respect their professional training and movement.
 
kind of a catch 22 here. Not easy to pump yourself full of self respect when you work full time and a two weeks paycheck is 200 bucks. That makes it kind of hard for me to see myself as anything other than lowly.

At the same time if we see ourselves as "lowly" then why would managment want to make job more real in terms of pay and benifits. Why pay people more who constantly talk about moving on ASAP for a "real job"

Just FYI i love instructing. I don't think it's lowly at all, though I can certainly appreciate the mindset. If I could find a CFI gig with a salary I would probaly retire from it.
 
Good post Kills!

The problem with most people is they look too far ahead sometimes...I think.

Its good to be motivated, but I see some people that want to fly 777 or a GV before they even get their feet wet in aviation. You're setting yourself up for a long road of bitterness and dissapointment with that kind of mentality....IMO

I have been a "lowly" CFI for 9 years now, and for me I have a good mix of instructing and Corporate flying to keep my sanity:)


Like you, when I was a student pilot I was in awe of my instructor and thought he had the best job in the world, and now students tell me all the time that I have the best job in the world.

It gets you thinking that "yeah, I do take this job for granted sometimes".

Just this morning I was doing some touch n goes while enjoying my morning coffee. There are a lot worse jobs I can think of.

-ryan
 
poser765 said:
kind of a catch 22 here. Not easy to pump yourself full of self respect when you work full time and a two weeks paycheck is 200 bucks. That makes it kind of hard for me to see myself as anything other than lowly.

At the same time if we see ourselves as "lowly" then why would managment want to make job more real in terms of pay and benifits. Why pay people more who constantly talk about moving on ASAP for a "real job"

Just FYI i love instructing. I don't think it's lowly at all, though I can certainly appreciate the mindset. If I could find a CFI gig with a salary I would probaly retire from it.
Click to expand...

Just keep busting your ass. Stay proud. It'll get better....Guaranteed.
 
launchpad said:
Just keep busting your ass. Stay proud. It'll get better....Guaranteed.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

poser765 said:
I sure hope so. So does the wife...
Click to expand...

I'm sure she does. Times were different two years ago, but without the support of my wife (of which I challenged multiple times due to the stress I was feeling) I would not be where I am today.

No matter how stressed you may be, always remember to reward your lady with a healthy dose of extreme gratitude for putting up with you and this industry.
 
Why don't you choose 10 random NTSB accident reports to read, and report back if you still feel that it takes something remarkable to become a pilot.
 
surreal1221 said:
Times were different two years ago, but without the support of my wife (of which I challenged multiple times due to the stress I was feeling) I would not be where I am today.

No matter how stressed you may be, always remember to reward your lady with a healthy dose of extreme gratitude for putting up with you and this industry.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat: Thanks for speaking my mind!

Its not hard to feel "lowly" (unless you are a CFI) as a beginner in this industry.
 
I don't know about you but I think lowly is a great word to describe us. It is an adjective to be humble. Being humble in this profession is a pretty good way to be imho.
 
Murdoughnut said:
Why don't you choose 10 random NTSB accident reports to read, and report back if you still feel that it takes something remarkable to become a pilot.
Click to expand...
It is remarkable to be a pilot, but pilots are human. Machinery is made by humans. NTSB reports only deal with something once it has caused damage. The remarkable thing about pilots is that most of the time when things go wrong, as they often do, the NTSB isn't involved.

. . . but what do I know I'm only a lowly regional captain;)
 
killbilly said:
Earning a license to fly an airplane, much less TEACH in one, is not an easy task. It requires new thinking skills, it requires time, money and effort - commitment. And the guys who earn the CFI tickets shouldn't denigrate themselves by saying they're lowly CFIs. It's a noble profession that requires great skill and nuance to do well, and I am in awe of those of you who do it - I'm not sure I'd be a good instructor at all.
Click to expand...

I understand the general premise of your post but I have to disagree with to a point. Flying now days has become easy. Accelerated courses, glass cockpits and tricycle gear has taken the challenge out of learning. This isn't the golden age of aviation where navigation was key, trainers where cubs and you had to demonstrate three types of spins to get a private ticket.
I agree people shouldn't walk around thinking that because they're only a CFI the guy in the jet is better than they are. Jets are polluted with Dbags just as much as Cessnas are.
 
You know, I think you've got something there.

If you think of yourself as lowly, and management sees that, you will be paid lowly wages

If, on the other hand, you think of yourself as a talented and extensively trained individual and portray yourself as such, then you are likely to receive more in compensation
 
tonyw said:
You know, I think you've got something there.

If you think of yourself as lowly, and management sees that, you will be paid lowly wages

If, on the other hand, you think of yourself as a talented and extensively trained individual and portray yourself as such, then you are likely to receive more in compensation
Click to expand...

Exactly. Transcends pretty much all professions as well.
 
killbilly said:
This isn't exactly aviation-related - more aviation-forum related, but I've seen this going on since I joined JC and it bugs me.

The usage of the word "lowly." I don't like it. Folks around here say, "Now, I'm just a lowly PPL" or "I'm just a lowly CFI..."

It's BS.

Earning a license to fly an airplane, much less TEACH in one, is not an easy task. It requires new thinking skills, it requires time, money and effort - commitment. And the guys who earn the CFI tickets shouldn't denigrate themselves by saying they're lowly CFIs. It's a noble profession that requires great skill and nuance to do well, and I am in awe of those of you who do it - I'm not sure I'd be a good instructor at all.

Now, I know the term is used as a mark of deference to the older, more experienced members of the site, and while that deference is appropriate, being low-time doesn't make you lowly. It means that you're just not as far along on your journey as others have been.

Have some self-respect, guys. You're not lowly. You've worked hard, gotten this far, and you'll keep working hard to go farther. You ain't lowly. You're just low-time. :D
Click to expand...


Well said! I would hope up and comming pilots keep this in mind the next time a job offer comes thier way that has low pay and bad working conditions. Perhaps pilots won't have to hoe themselves out as much, all in the name of getting flight time. Being humble is a good thing and all, but not if it lets others step on you.


edit: I found out today there have been a few pilots that have polluted my chief pilot's desk with their resumes that are asking for a job and offering to work for free just so they can get some experience flying business jets.

I R a bit pissed at the moment. To anyone that thinks that's a good idea, I offer you a free kick to the nuts. Consider it a character building lesson.
 
What about "lowly" second lieutenants? Is that redundant?

Public Announcement: Bill's work ethic and dedication to flying safely is unmatched in my experience as a CFI. He's pretty much the anti-lowly. Maybe even "the Sully?"
 
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