Thinking of becoming a pilot?

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wait... I dont understand. If you have the credentials and spent a few years building time why cant you get a good paying job?

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That's the thing you have to accept - much like playing music for the love of it - you may never get the big bucks!!
 
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Then you read MTSU's post about 57 days in Iraq... No way I would die after 5.7 hours.

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Those 57 days weren't even in Iraq - We did that crap even stateside!

And it doesn't kill you - just makes you that much stronger!
 
ok guys maybe Im a little slow, sorry. Im not even that concerned with the money I just want to understand the why part. Because aviation is not doing good? because?????
 
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ok guys maybe Im a little slow, sorry. Im not even that concerned with the money I just want to understand the why part. Because aviation is not doing good? because?????

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LOL...you're not slow at all. Basically, there aren't enough jobs for everyone. Combine that with an industry that isn't doing so hot right now, and jobs can be hard to come by.

Now, without a doubt, those that have a negative attitude will have a more difficult time. Those that have a positive attitude will have a slightly easier time. It's all in how you look at it. So, "Tim" may look at a crappy regional job as being underpaid and overworked, while "Phil" may feel glad that he has a job doing what he loves. "Janet" may be bitter because "Phil" likes it too much, and blames him for bringing the industry down. She tends to believe that since pilots don't make what they did in 1979 when she got in the field, nobody should be happy with their job. Phil, though, doesn't let it get to him. He doesn't do anything crooked, and he's a hell of alot happier because he once worked as a [insert your least favorite occupation] and dreamed of flying. Janet never really felt that way because she dreamed of flying when she was in high school, went to [insert your choice of prestigious aviation institute] and now she's mad because she has to pay back loans and doesn't really like her job anymore.

It's all in how you look at it!
 
Because even when aviation is "doing good" it is still a somewhat unstable and unpredictable industry compared to other industries.

More importantly, because being a professional pilot is a COMPETATIVE business, and there just aren't enough big dough jobs for the thousands and thousands of pilots who want to get paid big dough to fly. You could end up in what you consider a "dues-paying" flying job for most of your entire career and never reach a Donald Trump lifestyle.

I'm sure there are many thousands and thousands of aspiring actors out there who love to act and would love to someday be big-screen celebrities. But it just won't happen for many of them at all. A few will be HUGE, a few more will make good money, and many thousands of them might spend their career struggling to make ends meet (even though they have paid their "dues" and they may be excellent actors).

It's a numbers game. There isn't a guaranteed career pipeline that will land you a dream job in X number of years or after X amount of experience. There isn't necessarily a "guaranteed return" on your investment in aviation, although there is lots of potential.

But you're right about life being about experiences and memories - I like that. I've done some fun and interesting flying (it hasn't been all about "building time" for a dream job). If I lost my license right now, I could look back on my flying career with fond memories, good stories, and interesting pictures too.
 
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But you're right about life being about experiences and memories - I like that. I've done some fun and interesting flying (it hasn't been all about "building time" for a dream job). If I lost my license right now, I could look back on my flying career with fond memories, good stories, and interesting pictures too.

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Amen to that!!
 
Crazy part is........ Other places in the world are doing great. They cant hire enough people, some even go left seat direct(obviously experience is a must)
 
OooooHHHHH.... I got you guys.... It couldnt have been explained any better thank you
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So basically what you guys are saying is its like betting your life on a crap shoot? Put it all on the line and be prepared for the worst? Too easy drill sergeant too easy...
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I tend to like things that way. Some might think its self destructive I call it an adventure. If you crap out well... It was one hell of a ride. People are different, lifestyle choices are different. Id rather sit dusted and disgusted with a group of people that are about something then a polished product of an assembly line any day. I already did it once. The relationships, experiences, and memories are worth more than anything and I wouldnt trade them for the world.

Thats me though... I usually urge people to NOT do what I do.
 
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ok guys maybe Im a little slow, sorry. Im not even that concerned with the money I just want to understand the why part. Because aviation is not doing good? because?????

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LOL...you're not slow at all. Basically, there aren't enough jobs for everyone. Combine that with an industry that isn't doing so hot right now, and jobs can be hard to come by.

Now, without a doubt, those that have a negative attitude will have a more difficult time. Those that have a positive attitude will have a slightly easier time. It's all in how you look at it. So, "Tim" may look at a crappy regional job as being underpaid and overworked, while "Phil" may feel glad that he has a job doing what he loves. "Janet" may be bitter because "Phil" likes it too much, and blames him for bringing the industry down. She tends to believe that since pilots don't make what they did in 1979 when she got in the field, nobody should be happy with their job. Phil, though, doesn't let it get to him. He doesn't do anything crooked, and he's a hell of alot happier because he once worked as a [insert your least favorite occupation] and dreamed of flying. Janet never really felt that way because she dreamed of flying when she was in high school, went to [insert your choice of prestigious aviation institute] and now she's mad because she has to pay back loans and doesn't really like her job anymore.

It's all in how you look at it!

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Sheer poetry. It can't be said any better.

One of the priveleges I had was to fly with a co-pilot who flew as a passenger in an airplane for the first time in his mid 30's. Decided then and there to be an airline pilot. Took a job as a night janitor, in addition to his day job, to pay for training. Ended up in the right seat of a Delta jet and nobody was going to tell him he had a bad job. And he is a minority just to ice the cake.

It's all about what you want. If it's just money and time off, go somewhere else than aviation.

Dave
 
I think we should take Tim, Phil, and Janet there and start a JC soap opera. Maybe something like The Prop Life or Jet Rules?

Anyway, I think ESF had a really, really bad day/week/month and needed to vent to those that would understand where he is coming from, and he definately came to the right place.

I also agree with Lloyd that some people aren't just "happy happy joy joy" (now I have Ren and Stimpy in my head), they've just been a lot lower. After working for $6.40 an hour at a job I despised with no chance of upward mobility, $20K a year sounds like a king's ransom to me. We all keep talking about the fact that the days of the $300K/yr pilot are over, yet we keep complaining that the regionals aren't paying enough. To me, those are two sides of the same coin.

As long as you keep a BALANCED outlook, you'll be happier in anything. Those people that are too negative bring themselves down and kill the buzz of the people around them. Those that look through rose colored glasses are just setting themselves up for a big disappointment.
 
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I think we should take Tim, Phil, and Janet there and start a JC soap opera. Maybe something like The Prop Life or Jet Rules?


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we need writers...any writers? Kell and I can't do this on our own!!!
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Who's gonna play Janet?
 
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So, "Tim" may look at a crappy regional job as being underpaid and overworked, while "Phil" may feel glad that he has a job doing what he loves. "Janet" may be bitter because "Phil" likes it too much, and blames him for bringing the industry down. She tends to believe that since pilots don't make what they did in 1979 when she got in the field, nobody should be happy with their job. Phil, though, doesn't let it get to him. He doesn't do anything crooked, and he's a hell of alot happier because he once worked as a [insert your least favorite occupation] and dreamed of flying. Janet never really felt that way because she dreamed of flying when she was in high school, went to [insert your choice of prestigious aviation institute] and now she's mad because she has to pay back loans and doesn't really like her job anymore.


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seems like we've got a lotta phils around here
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Your post kinda reminds me of the only quote I remember from my franklin planner quote of the day: "The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances." - Martha Washington
 
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"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances." - Martha Washington

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That's the truth! Some people are just sour at the world. Sour at work. Sour about women or men, sour about the weather, sour about the union, sour about this or that....

I say live life! It's easy to complain about the world. It's easier to enjoy life and do what you love!
 
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"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances." - Martha Washington

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That's the truth! Some people are just sour at the world. Sour at work. Sour about women or men, sour about the weather, sour about the union, sour about this or that....

I say live life! It's easy to complain about the world. It's easier to enjoy life and do what you love!

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Straight truth, that!

The corollary is that it is important to love what you do, not just to do what you love. People that consciously work at enjoying what they do, no matter what it is, are the best people in the world to be around. Bar none. It isn't easy to do, and everyone gets beat down once in a while, but the people that work at finding the best in all situations are the ones that do well in life.

And those are the ones that I want to share a flight deck with.
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And those are the ones that I want to share a flight deck with.
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Just shut up and raise the landing gear when I tell you to........
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From "Friendly Flight Deck 101"
 
Music, to answer your question.........

Yes, if you're cut out for this profession and you "pay your dues", put in your time, network (like I know you can), and calculate your decisions throughout your career progression, you will succeed. Yes, as long as your health permits, you will eventually get a job flying a "big" airplane (whatever that means to you), making good dough.
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Like anything, there are variables, but if you truely have it "in you", you will succeed. Simple as that man.
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I.e., I have 5 friends that I've grown up with that also got into this crazy flying business. We're all flying jets, making pretty good money. Two of us fly corporate, one flys a triple seven, one flys a 737, and the other one flys G's for a 135 operator. The reason I give this example is to illustrate that it can be done and is done everyday. Even in a slow market/industry/economy etc. I think you get the point. You'll know when you start flying if you've got it or not. Besides, I'll fly with you. If you ain't got it, I fill ya in.
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Hey Im there brother! Thanks for the support you know it goes both ways!

Now I just got to hurry up and take care of business so I can go to flight school!
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I am starting to get so addicted to this stuff its getting in the way. haha I didnt go to work today because I was outside trying to figure out what the proper Vy would be for flapping my arms. haha
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