What I don't understand is why so many pilots want to go to work, then sit there all day and discuss the ails of the industry. It's like they want to make themselves feel bad, and put their mood/attitude into the sh*tter. Whenever I see one of these conversations begin, my eyes usually glaze over and I start thinking about playing golf and drinking some beer. Then I start talking about it, and the other guy does, and soon we just fly the airplane and talk about anything but the airline industry.
I'm at a point right now where I know for a fact that I'd enjoy more stability, more nights at home, and more money. Those are givens. But, I also know that when I go to work I really enjoy what I'm doing, and normally I really enjoy the people I work with. I think working with such a wide variety of people in a career path that is constantly challenging me to be better with every flight has done a lot for my own self-improvement. I've lately spent more time getting into books trying to gain more knowledge for this job, so I don't just "do it." I "do it well." I look forward to each flight, working harder and harder to get it perfect. It never is perfect, but there is the challenge! You might have had a great takeoff, flown the climb profile perfectly, found smooth altitudes, gotten shortcuts, flown the arrival right on the money, and had a smooth landing... but when you flew through the localizer back there 15 miles out, that needed correcting. So you try again the next leg.
I've also found that this job can really open your eyes to the world around you. Get a map, find some info about your local overnight, and explore. When it's clear, I don't sit there with USA Today. I break out my map, and look at various cities, lakes, rivers, and how they all relate. We have a unique position up front to see just exactly how the Appalachian mountains form. You can see the border between Louisiana and Mississippi on the Mississippi river, and how it looks just like the state outline on any map. For instance, I never know that the 24 mile bridge over Lake Ponchinarian north of New Orleans was the longest bridge in the world. But I saw it, and it sure was long.
What about the food, the drink, and the people? Just on this last trip, I was able to go out on Hermosa Beach in Los Angeles, which is something I probably wouldn't have done if I wasn't at work. Or getting to a small town in Louisiana, and searching out some alligator to eat. None of my friends here in Chicago working in an office, at the police department, or taking classes can say any of that. I called one friend and asked what she did this weekend... she said "worked on some things for the office, and went out Saturday." That consisted of drinking with people from the office downtown, at like $10 per martini. That's great, just not the life for me.
I think people need to stop focusing so much on all the negatives, and start enjoying the positives. Yes, in the back of your mind you should be cognisant and prepared for furlough, Chapter 11, mergers, acquisitions, base closure, contract negotiations, LOAs, and all the rest. But they shouldn't be your focus, or all you think about at work. Have a plan of action and a strong stance for all those topics, and be ready for them. Bad things happen... they are happening a lot right now. Just like most other downswings in the industry over the past 60 years.
I just hope I never get to the point where life has beat me down. Just go to work, enjoy working with new people and old friends. If your crew sucks, have a computer, a book, or go out by yourself. Lay by the pool. So for a walk. Just don't rot away in your room thinking of how terrible you have it.
