stearmann4
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2005
- Posts
- 46
This came over from another forum (the author is friend of mine), but it's a pretty good illustration of why it's so hard to break into the ag flying industry. I'm sure AvBug will agree...
MR-
I've been working as an Ag-Pilot going on seven years now. (WOW time fies!) I've seen a lot of guys try and fail. It seems that only about one out of a hundred actually make it. I've seen many who were given training, and ratings on a silver platter only to bawk and flake out. Or take the help they were given down the road. Well... that is bullsh*t in the highest degree! There are a lot of guys out there who dream of tear assin' around the country side in high powered flying machines, close to the ground ( flyin' low and lookin' mean). But most don't have what it takes to actually do the job. I'm fed up with spoon feeding a beginning pilot only to hear whines and complaints in return. The folks I work for and many others that I know of have spent a lot time and money and have taken great risks to start a new pilot only to be left holding the bag when the guy shrugs and walks off. This aint no pretty boy, clean shirt, Rayban wearin' hot shot pilots job! It's a whole lot of work and risk and it takes dedication and guts. The industry... the work... determines what you do with a mighty big portion of your life. The bugs don't care if your old lady is pissed off. The weeds are going to continue to invade weather or not you got your feelings hurt. If you want to do this kind of work, if you want to be an Ag-Pilot, you get your ass in that plane and go spray. and do it right! There are times when millions of dollars and perhaps somebody else's way of living are on the line every time that throttle goes forward or that money handle goes down.
If you find that you are not cut out for this kind of work, for what ever reason, even if you tried, at least be man enought to tell the guy that's paying your way so that he won't be depending on you or spending more of his money.
If you want to be an ag-pilot and be a part of this amazing way of life... fine. Be sure you can conduct a true and honest self evaluation in order to determine weather or not you can make it when the opportunity is presented to you. That includes your family life, your home, finances, your car, your dog, every damn thing in your life. This job... especially the first couple of years takes determination and dedication of just about every aspect of your existence. If you can't do that go somewhere else and quit wasting time, and by all means... stop whining. It is what it is and nothing or nobody is going to change anything about it in order to suit you. ATTITUDE is everything. Show up here with a lousy, smart ass, attitude and you'll be circling the drain before you get in the door. Nobody "deserves" anything and nobody owes you anything. The boss doesn't care how a great a pilot you are. He's goning to care if YOU care! Take care of the equipment and do the job right.
I hope that some of this sinks in to a few minds out there. We need Ag-Pilots, not whiners or Tom Cruise wannabees. So... to the new guy... if you want to do it... get your head out of your ass.... man up and give it your best. OR.... go on down the road and find something that suits you better.
MR-
I've been working as an Ag-Pilot going on seven years now. (WOW time fies!) I've seen a lot of guys try and fail. It seems that only about one out of a hundred actually make it. I've seen many who were given training, and ratings on a silver platter only to bawk and flake out. Or take the help they were given down the road. Well... that is bullsh*t in the highest degree! There are a lot of guys out there who dream of tear assin' around the country side in high powered flying machines, close to the ground ( flyin' low and lookin' mean). But most don't have what it takes to actually do the job. I'm fed up with spoon feeding a beginning pilot only to hear whines and complaints in return. The folks I work for and many others that I know of have spent a lot time and money and have taken great risks to start a new pilot only to be left holding the bag when the guy shrugs and walks off. This aint no pretty boy, clean shirt, Rayban wearin' hot shot pilots job! It's a whole lot of work and risk and it takes dedication and guts. The industry... the work... determines what you do with a mighty big portion of your life. The bugs don't care if your old lady is pissed off. The weeds are going to continue to invade weather or not you got your feelings hurt. If you want to do this kind of work, if you want to be an Ag-Pilot, you get your ass in that plane and go spray. and do it right! There are times when millions of dollars and perhaps somebody else's way of living are on the line every time that throttle goes forward or that money handle goes down.
If you find that you are not cut out for this kind of work, for what ever reason, even if you tried, at least be man enought to tell the guy that's paying your way so that he won't be depending on you or spending more of his money.
If you want to be an ag-pilot and be a part of this amazing way of life... fine. Be sure you can conduct a true and honest self evaluation in order to determine weather or not you can make it when the opportunity is presented to you. That includes your family life, your home, finances, your car, your dog, every damn thing in your life. This job... especially the first couple of years takes determination and dedication of just about every aspect of your existence. If you can't do that go somewhere else and quit wasting time, and by all means... stop whining. It is what it is and nothing or nobody is going to change anything about it in order to suit you. ATTITUDE is everything. Show up here with a lousy, smart ass, attitude and you'll be circling the drain before you get in the door. Nobody "deserves" anything and nobody owes you anything. The boss doesn't care how a great a pilot you are. He's goning to care if YOU care! Take care of the equipment and do the job right.
I hope that some of this sinks in to a few minds out there. We need Ag-Pilots, not whiners or Tom Cruise wannabees. So... to the new guy... if you want to do it... get your head out of your ass.... man up and give it your best. OR.... go on down the road and find something that suits you better.