cheap foreign labor

[Hugh Jorgan]

Statistically, one cannot say we are any more unemployed now than ever. If the health of your chosen industry has changed, then you need to adapt. It's as applicable in aviation as anything else. Only you can help stop the whining.

http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat1.pdf

 

[jarhead]

You may be right, Hugh, but the quality and pay of those jobs held is NOT measured in the unemployment rates put out every month. It does not address those who must hold down two jobs to stay off the homeless roles, and it does not address the people whose wages have stagnated and dramatically declined over the past few years. Nor do the unemployment percentages address the people who have fallen off the unemployment compensation 26 week safety net. Numbers can be very deceiving.

But, you are right, no amount of "whining", as you put it, will change anything. And yes, one must keep their wits about them, and work hard to get themselves out of economic distress. I choose to have a certain amount of empathy with these folks who have fallen on hard times. They sure could use some moral support, rather than calling them lazy, stupid people, and imply it's their entire fault for falling into the role of the disenfranchised. There but for the grace of God……….

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Statistically, one cannot say we are any more unemployed now than ever. If the health of your chosen industry has changed, then you need to adapt. It's as applicable in aviation as anything else. Only you can help stop the whining.

http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat1.pdf

Hugh, you are correct sir. but let's say something effected you personally that cut you off at the knees. For example, cabotage. While you may adapt, speculate you'd be hacked off at the very least.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I choose to have a certain amount of empathy with these folks who have fallen on hard times. They sure could use some moral support, rather than calling them lazy, stupid people, and imply it's their entire fault for falling into the role of the disenfranchised.

I do as well. And for those who adapt I have the utmost respect. For those who choose to do nothing but whine, I have none. An unemployed person is not lazy or stupid. An unemployed person who doesn't adapt is, however, a loser.

 

[jarhead]

Hugh

We are probably on the same page then

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Hugh, you are correct sir. but let's say something effected you personally that cut you off at the knees. For example, cabotage. While you may adapt, speculate you'd be hacked off at the very least.

Sure I would. But I wouldn't waste much of my energy in being "hacked off" or whining about it. I'd need too much of it to prepare myself for what I needed to do to adapt and succeed in my new surroundings. Placing blame is such a waste of energy. Dealing with your current situation would be much more efficient.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Re: Hugh

We are probably on the same page then

Sounds good to me.

 

[surfnole]

****
People also need the forethought to prepare themselves for changing work conditions, nationwide. The best way to do that is to position yourself accordingly (education and job selection), preferably before starting a family (I know it's not a perfect world).
*****

Its difficult to tell what industries will do well. Four years ago, IT was king of the heap. Now its disappearing overseas. What exactly should we retrain for? Engineering? Finance? Accounting? Many of those jobs will go overseas too.

I checked into Physician's assistant. Its a two year graduate program with about one year of prerequisites. Starting pay around 60K and tops out about 100k. Perhaps when they send my jobs overseas I will give it a go.

 

[jarhead]

Surfnole

You hit upon an occupation I know something about. I have a nephew, who at the age of 30, decided to completely change direction. He wanted to become a P.A. (physicians assistant). He lives in Montana, and went to the University of Montana for the 21 month course, and then several six week rotations in different diciplines, all over the country.....from Alaska to Missouri. He got outstanding grades and recommendations from surgeons he ran into and worked under in those rotations.

Fast forward.........

He is now 34 years of age, living in the city of Bozeman, Montana, and working as a P.A. to an orthopedic surgeon partnership, specializing in neck and back surgery. He's been there less than two years, and is now pulling in just under 150 K per year. True, he doesn't have a life, as he's always on call, and works about an 80 hour work week. But.....he loves the job, so it does not seem like work to him.

BTW, the MD's he works for all pull in just under 500 K per year, but they put in about 11 years of school to get there.

P.A. is a good route if you have the smarts for it. Very hard education, with lots of chemistry and drug related courses.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Re: Surfnole

He is now 34 years of age, living in the city of Bozeman, Montana,

ANNNNND, he gets to ski the steep and deep of Bridger Bowl. I've skied that ridge. Most insane powder skiing I've ever done!

 

[jarhead]

Hugh

LOL......Actually, he's given up on downhill skiing, as he's fractured a leg in three different years doin' that stuff. He turned to mountain climbing, and before he got into the PA business, was a guide for expeditions on Denallie (sp) (Mount McKinley up in Alaska) Now THATS insane!

 

[Swass]

I agree with the above, being a PA is a very smart move. I was once accepted to medical school just out of college, but could not attend due to family circumstances that would not allow me to. However, I started my own business after being raked over the coals at a large U.S. corporation (laid off when I was at the hospital while my wife gave birth to our 2nd child. Talk about cruel, they called me and told me I was unemployed while I held my 4 hour - old baby). I decided to take matters into my own hands and have never looked back. The company I own has grown astronomically, I own two planes (Husky and a Conquest II), nice house, boats, cars. I employ 14 people, after their salarie's are payed and all expenses are paid I still make more than the Dr's in the above post do. This business started with me wanting to control my own destiny and not having to worry about someone calling me when my wife's giving birth or something else like that. I started it with nothing, worked my ass off to get here.

The company mentioned above was Coca Cola, and I'm 29 now. Life leads you down a crazy path, ten years ago I thought I would be a Dr., heII, seven years ago I was accepted into KU Med. Hold on for the ride

 

[jarhead]

Life is a wild ride, is it not!!!!!

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Sure I would. But I wouldn't waste much of my energy in being "hacked off" or whining about it. I'd need too much of it to prepare myself for what I needed to do to adapt and succeed in my new surroundings. Placing blame is such a waste of energy. Dealing with your current situation would be much more efficient.

I am slowly resigning myself to your outlook. While I am gainfully employed, feel like we've all become too dependent on corporations to provide for us. Also gets tiring of being the "Black Sheep" within my company . Both my grandfathers were successful small business owners.
As long as we live in a "free" society (for now), most people will at least have the opportunity to provide for themselves. Still think a lot of American businesses have sold out their main customers, but life will go on.
Hey maybe I'll open a PFT flight engineer and navigational school, "Moe, Larry, and Curly's School of Aeronautics"?!

 

[surfnole]

Swiss,

What kind of business do you run now? My guess would be insurance or real estate. Successful agents can do well.

 

[Swass]

Surf,
Employee benefits broker. My med background is why I give 350 Driver so much crap (he'll know what I mean). I sell to groups all over the Midwest, the usual stuff. med insurance, disability 401k etc. I also deal with a somewhat limited individual health insurance base.

If some of you have questions or feel that you have been screwed by your health insurance let me know, I have some powerful resources that I can tap to help out, just PM me if you feel the need (no charge ). Love you guys on this board even if we disagree sometimes.

 

[350DRIVER]

My med background is why I give 350 Driver so much crap (he'll know what I mean).

All is well, no worries... Regardless of political affiliation or beliefs "aviation" is the common bond that brings us together. I think we can agree for once on this one.



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ps>> Never realized you had a medical interest or background.