RE: professionalism

[tjvpa28]

Re: professionalism

The problem is, quite simply, what Karl Marx called 'surplus labor,' and what laymen call 'supply and demand.'
Capitalism thrives on surplus labor because it drives the cost of labor down. And since the costs for what Marx called 'the means of production' are fixed (land, machines, buildings, etc.) the best way to for a capitalist to make profit is to ensure a steady supply of cheap labor.
This is why early Americans brought slaves to U.S.
This is why after slavery was abolished the U.S. allowed almost unregulated immigration — a source of cheap labor.
This is why the U.S. continues to allow/encourage legal and illegal immigration.
For better and for worse, we are all subject to the rules of capitalism.
As long as it remains so easy to get one's flight ratings in the U.S., there will always be a surplus of 'pilot labor.'
These are merely observations, not criticisms.

This is true...but you are not helping the problem by flying for free because you get to fly cool airplanes that you have dreamed of flying and laugh all day. Other people have dreams too, like home ownership, get out of debt, provide for their families, etc. Letting someone make money off of your free labor screws the other guy over. Period.

 

[tjvpa28]

Re: professionalism

A quick post history search reveals he's paid DC-3 freight pilot. Think he was "what-if-ing" in his earlier post.

I realize that but the point remains.

 

[granlistillo]

Re: professionalism

A quick post history search reveals he's paid DC-3 freight pilot. Think he was "what-if-ing" in his earlier post.

His post indicates he does not get paid to sit in the right seat of a DC3. (Other than flight time...)

 

[Ian_J]

Re: professionalism

His post indicates he does not get paid to sit in the right seat of a DC3. (Other than flight time...)

Ahh... right you are. I missed this one:

I fly part time at a small part 135 cargo op. Right seaters load cargo and fly without pay. Captains also load cargo and are paid to fly. After 1~2 years most right seaters move to the left seat. Virtually all who have come through our company now fly for the airlines or have other well-paid flying jobs.
Those co-pilots who thought that their time was too valuable to fly for free?
Well, most of them are now doing other things with their lives — things that don't involve flying airplanes for a living.

I think I just hoped above hope it wasn't as it seemed.

 

[fishrichard]

Re: professionalism

What if you're working for free but in exchange you're getting to fly cool, radial-engined airplanes which you've dreamed your whole life of flying?
And what if you're also logging PIC turbine time while getting trained in turbines and glass cockpits?
And what if you're working with a group of people so happy that you spend most of the day laughing?
And you're doing this in the most beautiful place in the whole wide world?

There is, thank God, other wealth than that of gold.

Please, for the love of God, tell us you are being sarcastic.

 

[n6149s]

Re: professionalism

The problem is, quite simply, what Karl Marx called 'surplus labor,' and what laymen call 'supply and demand.'
Capitalism thrives on surplus labor because it drives the cost of labor down. And since the costs for what Marx called 'the means of production' are fixed (land, machines, buildings, etc.) the best way to for a capitalist to make profit is to ensure a steady supply of cheap labor.
This is why early Americans brought slaves to U.S.
This is why after slavery was abolished the U.S. allowed almost unregulated immigration — a source of cheap labor.
This is why the U.S. continues to allow/encourage legal and illegal immigration.
For better and for worse, we are all subject to the rules of capitalism.
As long as it remains so easy to get one's flight ratings in the U.S., there will always be a surplus of 'pilot labor.'
These are merely observations, not criticisms.

In a few more words for the not so laymen, gliderboy, my point exactly.