Be Honest.

[Bushhatesyou]

So with everyone talking about the down-ward sprial, and SJS. How many of you would have not chosen this job/way of life. Had you known what you do now.

I would be willing to bet alot of you still would.

 

[Alchemy]

Every time I see my grandfather he says to me:

"Son, you'd probably be doing this even if they didn't pay you a thing as long as they covered your hotel and food and the road."

At some point during my path to this job, I apparantly conveyed to my friends and family that I enjoyed the job so much that pay isn't important. I don't understand how that happened, because now I bitch about the pay to my friends at least once every time I see them. It's hard to swallow when one of them is working as a grocery store stocker/donut frier and is just about out-earning you. I don't recall ever saying I would work for sub-standard wages (and never have, unless you count being a CFI for 22 bucks an hour w/ unpaid office work or an FO at what is now the highest paid 50 seat regional), but somehow the fact that I enjoy(ed) flying seems to indicate to people that I don't care how much I'm paid. That couldn't be further from the truth.

 

[Bushhatesyou]

The problem is... We are our own worst enimies.. Not managment, ect. You really can not blame the 500hr guy on the outside looking in.. You were there once, and you would have done/did the same thing..

 

[GINCHBLASTER]

If I had to do it all over again I would do something else.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

If I had to do it all over again I would do something else.

In July you were a student pilot with 18 hours and now you're saying you would do something else?

Do you people not educate yourselves at all as to what this business is like before you get here or do you just buy all of the crap that the pilot factory school tells you?

As for myself, I have no real complaints. I guess I have always tried to have realistic expectations. I learned back in 1997 as a teenager with a private pilot's license that beginning RJ pilots aren't paid very much. Why would I have expected it to be any different when I got here?

 

[BenderGonzales]

"in 1997 as a teenager with a private pilot's license"

(sigh) Suddenly I feel very old.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

By the way, those of you that have been furloughed 2-3 times I can't really blame you for having regrets. I just can't sympathize with those who have never been furloughed and have been RJ FO's for 3 years or less and complain about the pay.

 

[Flyby1206]

I would still have chosen this job knowing what I know now. I knew back when i started that RJ pilots dont make that much money, what I didnt expect was to have to make a career out of flying an RJ. I was hoping for maybe 5-7 years in an RJ then progress on to a major and work my way to the top. Now a more realistic career path is 7-8 years in the right seat of an RJ, then left seat for the remainder of my career in the same plane.

The industry is cyclic and I am hoping that oil drops in price and things turn around. As of now enrollment at FBOs, flight schools, universities is dropping and there isnt as much desire to be a pilot. When things do pick up that pilot shortage we have been hearing about for the past 10yrs will hit and wages/benefits will get a little better... But maybe I am on crack and I say this all to keep my sanity! :beer:

 

[fletch717]

If I had it to do all over again, I would have started sooner, studied harder. As it is I'm living my life's dream. I love it, I'm greatful for every day "they" allow me to do it.

 

[BRA]

I wouldn't change a thing so far. I am 26. When I was working on my private and instrument rating I wasn't even a regular user of the internet yet. (1998-2000) It is far easier to get information now about careers then it was back then. I was very unaware about this industry as a whole. At the time, i don't think I even knew the difference between a regional airline and a major. No one in my family had any background in aviation.

 

[Magneto]

Here is my point of view. I absolutely love this job. I'm an RJ FO and it is hard being away from my wife and kids but they are very understanding and supportive.

I will tell you what I would change in a second though.

Unfortunately, I don't come from a long line of pilots and daddy didn't pave the way for me. I had to pay my whole way through this training. Needless to say, I was a bit naive when it came to choosing my path for training. I chose to go to one of the flight academies and it was probably the worst decision I ever made. Granted I got awesome instruction in brand new planes and I had a guaranteed CFI job once I got my MEI. Plus, I had over 500 hours multi. Pricetag: $65,000.00 With interest this loan is now over $80,000.00!!!!

I should clarify though that I did live off this loan for a year while I went to flight school full time. I certainly got here quickly after instructing for a year and then flying cargo for a year on the east coast. I am now finally where I want to be. The alternative would have been work full time at my desk job and just pay as I go. I would now probably be finishing up my CFI. So I paid a huge price to get done quickly and get my seniority number.

If I would change anything it would be the route I took. This loan is going to kill me. I can't sleep at night and I am constantly grinding my teeth because of the stress. To lighten my load I tell myself that that was the price I paid to do a job that I absolutely love.

Before you guys all jump on me telling me that I still have stars in my eyes, I do see the reality of my situation at the airlines and do realize that this profession isn't perfect. Sorry for the novel.

 

[COOPERVANE]

If I had it to do again, I would have found someone else that wanted flight time, purchased a seminole/seneca, and flown the CRAP out of it!! I would have never made a payment, had it repo'ed, defaulted on the loan and gotten all my flight time for the price of the gas.

Credit rating?, whats a credit rating?

 

[AWACO]

I will start over if the career still sucks when I break even on what it cost me to get here. That will be a very very long time from now!

 

[Prop2Jet]

Best job ever....
Would not change a thing except where I live!!!!! Banjos and all!

hahhah

 

[nyboilermaker]

Medical School. Work near home. Buy a Citabria.

Still might do it...

 

[Salty Pirate]

no f----ing way would I do this again.

My W-2 I just got said $ 28,000. Take the cash for ALPA, the price of the commute ( crash pad, 2 cars, parking, meals on the road.....) that leaves me with about $20,000 before tax. Factor in the holidays worked, the time away from home and family, and having no control over my career because it is a seniority based system and what are we left with. I'm looking at 5-6 yr as an RJ FO if I,m lucky. And not to mention how lame the job is, THROW THE POWER LEVERS FORWARD, PULL BACK, AUTO PILOT ON, READ THE PAPER, FLARE REPEAT. IF IT'S SO EXCITING AND FRESH WHY THE HELL DO WE FALL ASLEEP WHILE WE ARE DOING. If you say you love the job it called denial!!!!!

 

[F16fixer]

So what are you saying?

My W-2 I just got said $ 28,000. Take the cash for ALPA, the price of the commute ( crash pad, 2 cars, parking, meals on the road.....) that leaves me with about $20,000 before tax. Factor in the holidays worked, the time away from home and family, and having no control over my career because it is a seniority based system and what are we left with. I'm looking at 5-6 yr as an RJ FO if I,m lucky. And not to mention how lame the job is, THROW THE POWER LEVERS FORWARD, PULL BACK, AUTO PILOT ON, READ THE PAPER, FLARE REPEAT. IF IT'S SO EXCITING AND FRESH WHY THE HELL DO WE FALL ASLEEP WHILE WE ARE DOING. If you say you love the job it called denial!!!!!

 

[F16fixer]

The only thing I wish is that I loved banking or medicine as much as flying. Life would be a lot easier.

 

[bogberto]

If I knew now what I knew then, I'd be driving a brown truck, in much better shape, home every night, and living where I want to be.

Wouldn't do it again if I had the choice.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

If I knew now what I knew then, I'd be driving a brown truck, in much better shape, home every night, and living where I want to be..

Someone has seen one too many episodes of the King of Queens.

 

[Regul8r]

Why is it such a big deal? I got into a job I knew NOTHING about. All I had to go off of was what my future boss said. He made it sound like a walk through the roses! Guess what? In my opinion, it wasn't a bed of roses. So I quit and opted for flying. Having just completed ground school, we will see how it goes. I'd like to think I have realistic expectations for the job (which aren't much) and if it doesn't pan out...oh well. There's my two cents.

 

[merlindrvr88]

Hi Magneto

Here is my point of view. I absolutely love this job. I'm an RJ FO and it is hard being away from my wife and kids but they are very understanding and supportive.

I will tell you what I would change in a second though.

Unfortunately, I don't come from a long line of pilots and daddy didn't pave the way for me. I had to pay my whole way through this training. Needless to say, I was a bit naive when it came to choosing my path for training. I chose to go to one of the flight academies and it was probably the worst decision I ever made. Granted I got awesome instruction in brand new planes and I had a guaranteed CFI job once I got my MEI. Plus, I had over 500 hours multi. Pricetag: $65,000.00 With interest this loan is now over $80,000.00!!!!

I should clarify though that I did live off this loan for a year while I went to flight school full time. I certainly got here quickly after instructing for a year and then flying cargo for a year on the east coast. I am now finally where I want to be. The alternative would have been work full time at my desk job and just pay as I go. I would now probably be finishing up my CFI. So I paid a huge price to get done quickly and get my seniority number.

If I would change anything it would be the route I took. This loan is going to kill me. I can't sleep at night and I am constantly grinding my teeth because of the stress. To lighten my load I tell myself that that was the price I paid to do a job that I absolutely love.

Before you guys all jump on me telling me that I still have stars in my eyes, I do see the reality of my situation at the airlines and do realize that this profession isn't perfect. Sorry for the novel.

You are the guys killing us. You look down on me because I come from a long line of pilots. My grandfather was flying mail for the company that finally became USAIRWAYS, and my entire family ended flying for them, except for me. THANK GOD!! But coming from an aviation family, at least we expect to be paid something. I love to fly, my family memebers love to fly, we are not going through a midlife crisis. Guys who are just happy to fly, need to go away. Do you find stockbrokers just happy to trade? Or exterminators just happy to kill bugs? NOOOO!! They want money for what they do, and so do pilots. Quit taking the bj pay and argue for some professional pay. Don't just be happy to fly. This is a profession idiot. And lets raise the bar moron.

 

[Magneto]

You are the guys killing us. You look down on me because I come from a long line of pilots. My grandfather was flying mail for the company that finally became USAIRWAYS, and my entire family ended flying for them, except for me. THANK GOD!! But coming from an aviation family, at least we expect to be paid something. I love to fly, my family memebers love to fly, we are not going through a midlife crisis. Guys who are just happy to fly, need to go away. Do you find stockbrokers just happy to trade? Or exterminators just happy to kill bugs? NOOOO!! They want money for what they do, and so do pilots. Quit taking the bj pay and argue for some professional pay. Don't just be happy to fly. This is a profession idiot. And lets raise the bar moron.

Thanks for the personal insult. Real professional.

I should have clarified that I am not one of those that loves this job so much that I would do it for peanuts. If I feel that I am not getting paid what I deserve for this career then I'm going to do something about it. Whether that means strike, I will stand my ground with my fellow brothers. I don't come from a long line of pilots and I don't look down on those who do. So I don't know where you got the idea that I did.

Anything else you want to bring to the discussion merlin?

 

[AAsRedHeadedbro]

I most certainly would do it all over again. Honestly. I've been with my company for almost fifteen years and I'll admit it hasn't been easy at times (many times), but I honestly never regretted choosing this line of work. Never.

There were times when I was seriously depressed because my pay so meager for the seven years I flew as an FO (starting pay was $1,116 / month). I got furloughed about a year and a half after I'd been hired. I got displaced all over the country and into various airplanes without asking for it, causing many years of miserable commuting. I missed many birthdays and holidays, etc.

But I also had a chance to meet many, many great people along the way and learned the ins and outs about flying all over this country day in and day out, season after season. I also still manage to get a certain sense of satisfaction and contentment from aviation and piloting. I enjoy the challenge of trying to constantly better myself, trying to be a better pilot.

The travel benefits have been used extensively by my wife and me over the years to fly all over the world for next to nothing and to sit in absolute luxury in some of the finest First Class seats in the business, anywhere (think 777 International). This job allowed me and my wife to fly on Concorde TWICE before it was retired. There would have been no way in he11 that would have happened without me being employed by my company.

I have probably commuted for five of my fifteen years with this company but am currently fortunate enough to live within an hour's drive of where I'm based, so no complaint there. My pay, now that I've got so much seniority, is not great but certainly not bad either - pretty close to six figures this last year.

So no, I'm not complaining, and yes I'd do it again.

Sorry to crash your pity party.

 

[C425Driver]

Hindsight being 20/20, I would have done something different. I have no regrets about the path I took - If I didn't become a pilot I would still be on the other side of the airport fence wishing that I was flying one of those planes. I've been a CFI, 135, regional, and frac pilot. The coveted major airline jobs aren't so coveted anymore so I don't aspire to be at the majors anymore. I don't know what I would do if I wasn't a pilot, but I would choose something that would provide a much better QOL. I'm still trying to figure out what Plan C is and I hope to find it soon.

C425Driver

 

[Regul8r]

Thanks for the personal insult. Real professional.

I should have clarified that I am not one of those that loves this job so much that I would do it for peanuts. If I feel that I am not getting paid what I deserve for this career then I'm going to do something about it. Whether that means strike, I will stand my ground with my fellow brothers. I don't come from a long line of pilots and I don't look down on those who do. So I don't know where you got the idea that I did.

Anything else you want to bring to the discussion merlin?

With no disrespect to Magneto, I can empathize with Merlin. Ultimately flying boils down to one thing and one thing only; it's a job. People should NOT put it up on a pedestal by any means. If you do, you'll get taken advantage of and become extremely disappointed. Then organizations like ALPA exploit that situation further which is another topic in and of itself. USE it as a learning experience and move on if you have the option because the airlines are using you too.

And if it wasn't implied, jobs are for one thing only, to make as much money as possible.

 

[AAsRedHeadedbro]

Ok, wise one.

 

[CaptainMark]

deleted

 

[Flyer1015]

I most certainly would do it all over again. Honestly. I've been with my company for almost fifteen years and I'll admit it hasn't been easy at times (many times), but I honestly never regretted choosing this line of work. Never.

There were times when I was seriously depressed because my pay so meager for the seven years I flew as an FO (starting pay was $1,116 / month). I got furloughed about a year and a half after I'd been hired. I got displaced all over the country and into various airplanes without asking for it, causing many years of miserable commuting. I missed many birthdays and holidays, etc.

But I also had a chance to meet many, many great people along the way and learned the ins and outs about flying all over this country day in and day out, season after season. I also still manage to get a certain sense of satisfaction and contentment from aviation and piloting. I enjoy the challenge of trying to constantly better myself, trying to be a better pilot.

The travel benefits have been used extensively by my wife and me over the years to fly all over the world for next to nothing and to sit in absolute luxury in some of the finest First Class seats in the business, anywhere (think 777 International). This job allowed me and my wife to fly on Concorde TWICE before it was retired. There would have been no way in he11 that would have happened without me being employed by my company.

I have probably commuted for five of my fifteen years with this company but am currently fortunate enough to live within an hour's drive of where I'm based, so no complaint there. My pay, now that I've got so much seniority, is not great but certainly not bad either - pretty close to six figures this last year.

So no, I'm not complaining, and yes I'd do it again.

Sorry to crash your pity party.

Wait, what airline do you fly for ?

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Looks like Eagle to me.