Anyone have anything POSITIVE to say?

[MarineGrunt]

There's been a lot of doom and gloom talk going around in the industry lately. I notice that I haven't heard anything positive in a while. With all of these high time pilots being furloughed, it kind of discourages low-timers like myself.

Does anyone have any encouraging comments???

 

[puddlejumper]

Some Good News

There's hiring going on! Having been a layed-off, freelance pilot services guy for just over a year, I've finally got myself a full-time flying job! It seems like things are turning a bit for corporate aviation. Since I've started working full-time, there seems to be a pilot service provider shortage. I've had to turn down a 2 week lear right seat gig, a couple citation daytrips, BE350 daytrips, Bonanza and Archer trips and weekend skydive jobs!

I'd hazard to say that someone with about 1500 hrs and some turbine experience could do pretty well in the SE Virginia area putting themselves out there for pilot services.

I'm looking for someone to take over flying a '99 Archer III part-time for a non-pilot owner. PM me if you're interested.

-PJ

 

[avbug]

Yeah. I get to see my kids this weekend, after many months without them. Two days, and that's very positive.

You need to understand that the events unfolding right now are normal. The industry runs in general cycles, and this isn't anything new, or anything unexpected. Things will improve. Work is still out there. Don't give up just yet.

Just remember, it always looks darkest just before it goes totally black.

Oops, that wasn't positive, but it's true. Of course, later, it gets light again. Once more, a cycle thing.

 

[Clearsky]

You might be more sellable as a low time pilot in an entry level job right now than a high time.

 

[Eagleflip]

My kids love me, the good woman is still here after 21 years, and I'm healthy. I have a flying job that took a long time to gain, but is what I dreamed about.

While we live in a country that is enduring a gut-wrenching economic slow down, as a society we thrive on hope and determination. That hope will see us through to better days.

 

[Draginass]

The swing will reverse itself in a couple of years. As a young guy, work on making yourself marketable for the next hiring boom. Patience is a requirement in this crazy industry.

 

[Fast8945]

"The toes you step on today, may belong to the ass you have to kiss tommorow"
- Unknown

 

[bobbysamd]

Hiring cycles

There is good news. Something to look forward to. The good news is that when things are bad, invariably they get better. I experienced one cycle personally (circa 1987 - '91), observed another cycle (1995-2000), and learned about another cycle (late '70s).

I would be concerned about a hiring wave. I remember how that 1987 - '91 wave crashed into the beach somewhat abruptly. Hiring was growing like crazy. Then, Saddam invaded Kuwait and, perhaps coincidentally, although I don't think so, hiring just stopped cold. I worry more about the good times because they can end so abruptly.

Once more, the positive about all this is it will get better. Just be prepared to paddle out and catch the wave.

 

[Mr.Aviation]

NO!!!!!

 

[Sunken_Lunken]

Well we are all blessed to be here in the U.S. where aviation is bigger than in any other country in the world. And if there is any country where hard work, persistence, and patience pays off, it is here!

Like others have said, the cycle will swing back in the other direction. If aviation is your dream, just hang in there and keep improving yourself and your situation the best way you know how.

For another tidbit of good news, I am a low-time GA pilot with a full time job as an electrical controls engineer. What's the good news in that you ask? Well, I don't want a career as an airline or corporate pilot, so that means 1 less person for you to compete with for a flying job.

Best of luck to all of you in your aviation careers!

 

[Corbon]

Once the cats at my crashpad "accidentally" get out of the apartment and run for the highway I'll have something positive to say.

 

[bobbysamd]

Another positive

I know that quite a few people gripe about airspace usage. Compared to the rest of the world and especially Europe, we have it made here in the U.S.

Europe uses an ICAO-style airspace system. Some of the things that pilots there must endure we wouldn't stand. E.g., filing flight plans for EVERY flight (well, maybe that's not that bad an idea). PPRs (prior permission required) to takeoff and land. Low transition levels, meaning some sort of postive control is REQUIRED at altitudes as low as 5000' MSL. I believe that European pilots have to pay takeoff and landing fees every time they. Finally, fuel is much more expensive there than here.

Bottom line: Flying may be expensive here, and it is; I know, and, seemingly, restricted, too, but not nearly so as it elsewhere.

 

[rumpletumbler]

Since you and I both have a long way to go to get furloughed I suggest that we both be about the business of getting there.

RT

 

[Skyrunner]

Made it through the summer

The high in Tucson was 78. No more running in triple digits.

 

[Caveman]

Yeah , I got a positive comment for you. I'm positive that unless you do everything you possibly can to succeed you won't. This is a cyclical industry. Get to work and be ready when the pendulum starts back the other way. Don't quit before you even start. Semper fi...

 

[kilomike]

Passenger pleased with good service

It's the passengers like me who keep the airlines going.

I do have something positive to say--I took Delta Air Lines today and experienced excellent service. A customer rep showed us how to use the computer system to check in so we would not have to wait in lines and the flight attendants gave us good service. Good service like this will have the passengers returning and will help keep the airline industry alive and strong for passengers and pilots alike.