The truth about being a pilot

You know the thing that would ultimately keep me from making the leap (beyond the massive pay cut in the first decade) is the seniority system. As tough as flying a cube can be sometimes, my promotions have come as a result of merit, rather than my spot in a line. And if I ever lose my job, I can generally transfer my status to a new employer.

I get the seniority system - my dad worked under it as a long haul trucker - but there's just too little challenge in that for me.
 
Murdoughnut said:
You know the thing that would ultimately keep me from making the leap (beyond the massive pay cut in the first decade) is the seniority system. As tough as flying a cube can be sometimes, my promotions have come as a result of merit, rather than my spot in a line. And if I ever lose my job, I can generally transfer my status to a new employer.

I get the seniority system - my dad worked under it as a long haul trucker - but there's just too little challenge in that for me.
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In general corporate aviation doesn't have a seniority system.
 
Mavmb said:
I am just amazed that people think my career is so awesome. It has gotten to the point where I want to tell them how much it sucks lol. I don't want to sound negative but sometimes I just feel that way. There are definitely a lot of negatives with this career, just like any other career.

What would everyone say are the worst parts of this career?

I would honestly say that the tests every six months, and the time away from home are some of the biggest negatives.
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Not to be a buzzkill, but these are all things that were known when you signed on.....Seriously if things get to the point where it truly does suck, then get out.....Life is short....
 
Damn phone posting...

How do you complain when you get paid for such a great job? Those 6 month tests are what you should know anyways. 99% of it is just rote actions.
 
Mavmb said:
I am just amazed that people think my career is so awesome. It has gotten to the point where I want to tell them how much it sucks lol. I don't want to sound negative but sometimes I just feel that way. There are definitely a lot of negatives with this career, just like any other career.

What would everyone say are the worst parts of this career?

I would honestly say that the tests every six months, and the time away from home are some of the biggest negatives.
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I've made similar posts. Well no. I've actually made quite specific posts about how things were very, very wrong where I worked. No time off for the birth of a child. Company opening up credit cards without my permission using my credit. Keeping someone with a very recent DUI flying with me when he wouldn't report to FAA medical. The list goes on, and on. Check my post history if you'd like.

People on this thread giving you a hard time, they were giving me a hard time too. Although they never said anything constructive. Things like "quit" etc. They pointed out I was never happy with any jobs. Which was true because I faced unbelievable issues at these jobs. Really bad professionalism issues. With some perspective. I realize they never flew 135 or 91 and they don't understand how bad the issues are at many but not all of these jobs.

My issue is that I stayed in the 91/135 world. Now that I am flying 121 it doesn't bother me when people say I'm awesome and my job is rad. It kind of is. Seriously no complaints here. So if you're not flying 121 I suggest you give it a try. I know, the pay sucks. But being treated like a human being and a professional, that makes up for the low pay. By far.
 
BEEF SUPREME said:
I've made similar posts. Well no. I've actually made quite specific posts about how things were very, very wrong where I worked. No time off for the birth of a child. Company opening up credit cards without my permission using my credit. Keeping someone with a very recent DUI flying with me when he wouldn't report to FAA medical. The list goes on, and on. Check my post history if you'd like.

People on this thread giving you a hard time, they were giving me a hard time too. Although they never said anything constructive. Things like "quit" etc. They pointed out I was never happy with any jobs. Which was true because I faced unbelievable issues at these jobs. Really bad professionalism issues. With some perspective. I realize they never flew 135 or 91 and they don't understand how bad the issues are at many but not all of these jobs.

My issue is that I stayed in the 91/135 world. Now that I am flying 121 it doesn't bother me when people say I'm awesome and my job is rad. It kind of is. Seriously no complaints here. So if you're not flying 121 I suggest you give it a try. I know, the pay sucks. But being treated like a human being and a professional, that makes up for the low pay. By far.
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So what you're saying is we said "maybe you're doing it wrong." You changed it and now it's better?
 
IslandFlyer said:
It's all about life experiences/perspective.

Sometimes when I'm complaining to friends and family, I look back on previous life experiences and have to remind myself "I'm not really filling sandbags anymore, am I"

If you've never experienced "the suck", then maybe you don't get it. But most of us have and it just takes a quick jog down memory lane to realize how nice life actually is - especially as a pilot.
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This times 1,000,000. Tell me anywhere else that you can break $200,000 with 15 days off a month. Even so, for most of us it's about love of aviation, nothing more.
 
Murdoughnut said:
You know the thing that would ultimately keep me from making the leap (beyond the massive pay cut in the first decade) is the seniority system. As tough as flying a cube can be sometimes, my promotions have come as a result of merit, rather than my spot in a line. And if I ever lose my job, I can generally transfer my status to a new employer.

I get the seniority system - my dad worked under it as a long haul trucker - but there's just too little challenge in that for me.
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There are plenty of opportunities in the airlines for aptitude. If you so desire, you can do roles in addition to flying. I've spent most of my airline career behind a desk or in a simulator. Promotion to check airman or other roles is not seniority based.
 
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PhilosopherPilot said:
There are plenty of opportunities in the airlines for aptitude. If you so desire, you can do roles in addition to flying. I've spent most of my airline career behind a desk or in a simulator. Promotion to check airman or other roles is not seniority based.
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Oh I still work in aviation - I'm in charge of air service development for a large hub airport, and I work with network planning counterparts. But that's cool that there are opportunities that still allow you to fly. I met a network planner for Frontier recently who also flies for them.
 
Murdoughnut said:
Oh I still work in aviation - I'm in charge of air service development for a large hub airport, and I work with network planning counterparts. But that's cool that there are opportunities that still allow you to fly. I met a network planner for Frontier recently who also flies for them.
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But you'se ain't got BOARZ hett sangwiches and no KCM! :)
 
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