I think having KCM means that we'll probably get dropped off at the main terminal. And that would blow.
The truth about being a pilot
- Thread starter Mavmb
- Start date
I think having KCM means that we'll probably get dropped off at the main terminal. And that would blow.
Inverted
mmmmmm wine
Spoiler alert, it's a job. There is a false aura surrounding this industry that it is not a job and it is so somehow a hobby that you get paid for, and you feel like you haven't worked a day in your life. It is a job, it is somebody telling you when and where to be. Are there fun parts to the job? Absolutely! Are there crappy parts to the job? Absolutely!
It is a pretty good career that can have pretty good earning potential. I wouldn't want to do much else in the way of a job. Overall it is pretty easy, and I enjoy finding local food and pubs/wine spots on my layovers. Professional flying is a vessel to me working only half the month, collecting a paycheck and retirement, and enjoying my layovers, that's about it.
Nobody pretends to be a banker, than learns to be a banker as a hobby, then later on becomes a professional banker. We are victims of thinking that our love for flying can turn into being paid for our love for flying, and we don't really think about the job aspect of that.
It is a pretty good career that can have pretty good earning potential. I wouldn't want to do much else in the way of a job. Overall it is pretty easy, and I enjoy finding local food and pubs/wine spots on my layovers. Professional flying is a vessel to me working only half the month, collecting a paycheck and retirement, and enjoying my layovers, that's about it.
Nobody pretends to be a banker, than learns to be a banker as a hobby, then later on becomes a professional banker. We are victims of thinking that our love for flying can turn into being paid for our love for flying, and we don't really think about the job aspect of that.
BobDDuck
Island Bus Driver
They don't have smurfs standing at all the exit lanes already?
ozziecat35
4 out of 5 great lakes prefer Michigan.
I just got hired onto my first type, at 1100 hours, to fly a jet maybe 175 hours / 50 overnights a year....Salaried....Aviation can be pretty awesome, it all depends on your perspective. I've been in the IT world for 10 years prior to now, I die a little every day sitting at my desk.
BEEF SUPREME
Well-Known Member
I don't think it depends on your perspective but in how lucky you get in your job search. Sounds like you scored. Congrats.
Murdoughnut
Well sized member
They do. We've discussed exit lane technology as a means of reducing (by one) TSA labor, but it's a rather distinct possibility that that free floating smurf will get sent to another airport, rather than being reassigned here. Also, I'm told it takes more than one agent to run a KCM station (I'm not very knowledgeable about it - that's just what I was told).
ozziecat35
4 out of 5 great lakes prefer Michigan.
No doubt I got lucky, I'm well aware and thankful. That said, I turned down quite a few job offers to fly because it didn't work for my family. (65K to SIC in a King Air 200 @ 300 hrs a year....that one hurt.)
ppragman
No pasa nada.
I believe there was a thread recently where people were telling me how "white collar" the job was and how it deserved a certain level of respect that a welder or carpenter didn't deserve...yeah...the aura is super strong.
BigZ
Well-Known Member
@BEEF SUPREME is thinking about the rolled newspaper and giant turd as he's reading the above while gently touching the white collar of his airline uniform.
PS Just kidding
a job is a freaking job. I had a blast laying in a hammock in the hangar all day answering calls and emails on my phone while making a good bit more than a regional captain and even that was a job and it needed to be worked. I enjoy flying at FL450 which is why I do what I do now. I think I'm very fortunate to be where I am with the hours that I have and all that good stuff, but the point remains - it's a job, I have to show up when the schedule says so and go some place as indicated on the trip sheet. Not quite the same thing as taking your kid flying just because of flying a loose formation with friends to the Keys because the yellowfin over there is great for lunch.PPS Interestingly enough to refer back to that thread, new uniforms are supposed to be coming to our shop. Light grey shirts with light grey collars. That's an honest assessment methinks
Box hauler
Well-Known Member
I like this job. I mean sometimes it does suck but I still wouldn't choose to do anything else. I have crazy flexibility to drop/swap trips to adjust my schedule, spend most of my time looking out the window, I usually have 15 - 18 days off per month and many other perks most people with "normal" jobs never get. I would like to be home more just like everyone else but at least when I am home I am totally detached from work and I don't show up Monday through Friday doing the same thing. Some people may call me crazy but I actually think that being a pilot is good for my marriage because my wife and I aren't going through the same motions everyday and we really enjoy the days off that I have. That said I don't have kids so I can't speak to that side of the career.
pete2800
'Member?
This is true.
There's a large element of luck involved. My career is largely luck-based thus far. When people ask how I got hired at the current shop, the answer is something like "Well that's a good question..."
BEEF SUPREME
Well-Known Member
@BEEF SUPREME is thinking about the rolled newspaper and giant turd as he's reading the above while gently touching the white collar of his airline uniform.
PS Just kidding
PPS Interestingly enough to refer back to that thread, new uniforms are supposed to be coming to our shop. Light grey shirts with light grey collars. That's an honest assessment methinks
So far, I've only had to put on my white collar for 8 days this month and I turned my phone off the rest of the month. So there is that
BigZ
Well-Known Member
So far, I've only had to put on my white collar for 8 days this month and I turned my phone off the rest of the month. So there is that
First trip was on the 12th, so not an accurate assessment, but so far 4 days and 21.8 hrs in the logbook, one night in the hotel. Can't complain as of yet.
BobDDuck
Island Bus Driver
It may per their "playbook" but many airports (including LAX) run a single agent at the exit point who also processes KCM. I suppose it is possible that there is exit lane technology deployed as well, backing them up, but I don't recall seeing any in terminal 2 nor terminal 5 the last few times I went through there.
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
Terminal 5 has a second person.
Nark
Macho Superpilot
I was going to write up a large detail of my flight last night, to give some perspective of career flying. I decided not too.
Meh. You're either going to like the easy lifestyle, and minamal daily challenges, or not.
Next time someone groans about schedule or something trivial, I'll tell them about my flight last night and see if their tone changes. Or not.
Meh. You're either going to like the easy lifestyle, and minamal daily challenges, or not.
Next time someone groans about schedule or something trivial, I'll tell them about my flight last night and see if their tone changes. Or not.
DeltaAlphaNovember
Well-Known Member
I love flying. I just get bored as hell doing it at the airlines.
pilot4500
IT Architect/ Former Cirrus Charter Pilot
Due to medical issues I don't fly for a living anymore. I was denied a First Class Medical twice. I would encourage those who do fly for a living to enjoy it and remember that you get to do something that most people cannot do. Any job will have its drawbacks, flying included. I think that flying for a living has more good points than it does bad. Try to make the most of it.
AA34
Well-Known Member
C'mon, now you gotta share!