Dream Job?

[CrewDawg]

Since were talking dream jobs here. F-16 Guard bum, win the lottery so I can fly my own P-51 around all I want. Also I would like to build my own airplanes and fly out of my own grass strip.

 

[Geronimo4497]

Life is GOOOOOOD!

Hey LJDRVR and Avbug et al,

I know that I am in the same boat as you guys. While I absolutly love flying, I also enjoy turning wrenches. For instance, I am on 'vacation' right now, and have spend everyday either at the local airport hanging out with some friends, or up in Maine working in my hangar. I am performing an annual inspection on a friend's 172 (factory float kit!) and having a blast doing it. There is some corrsosion in the vertical stab from some goddang birds that got up there and made a nest. Looks like the nest has been there many years and never been caught at other inspections. I only found it because I had to pull the rudder off to replace some bearings and run new wires for a strobe light system. It may seem like a pain to do, but I really enjoy this type of work.

Long story longer.....I just realized that after I get back from Vegas this weekend, I have to go back to 'work'. Flying a brandy new PC-12 around the east coast................ahhhhhh............It doesn't get much better than this.

Who wants to start a fly-in community somewhere? 4000' of grass and an adjacent sea plane base. THAT would be heavan on earth!

 

[avbug]

Especially when they all run to the left side of the airplane to see the jumpspot. Nothing like a lateral shift to make you appreciate the Sherpa's handling characteristics!

Try having six or eight jumpers outside the aircraft setting up for a jump. We used to get new jump pilots nervous by hanging from the wings, struts, and anything else we could find while they tried to deal with draggy and slow...make them work a little.

 

[Frozen Ronin]

I find myself wandering in my career path. I wonder if the corporate scene is what I need. I have over a decade with the airlines in maintenance, several more years in management, and now fly single pilot multi engine IFR in Alaska, in the bush. I'm pretty good at what I set my mind to, but now what? I'm looking for a vocational home, where I can be for a while. I've watched employer after employer go out of business (TWA, Swissair, Braniff, etc). I'd like to settle in and raise a family, and be around to enjoy it....

I'm looking for an employer that values what I have; a proven ability to fly under extreme conditions and workloads, an A&P, an IA, a manager. And yet allows me to be home enough to maintain a healthy marriage and family. Wow. That seems to be asking for alot... has anyone found that? Is it in the Corporate World? I need to know there's a place like that in aviation, somewhere...

 

[avbug]

Corporate jobs that have you flying and turning wrenches? You bet. Will you like it? Probably not.

Two jobs for the price of one, three times the effort and time put in, and an increase in your liability by orders of magnitude.

What do you consider extreme conditions and workloads?

 

[Lead Sled]

Corporate jobs that have you flying and turning wrenches? You bet. Will you like it? Probably not.

Two jobs for the price of one, three times the effort and time put in, and an increase in your liability by orders of magnitude.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away (actually SLC back in the 80's), we shared a hangar with Mrs. Field's G-II. At the time they had a chief pilot and a couple of pilot mechanics. On more than one occasion I saw those poor guys get back from a long trip to Europe then immediately change into their coveralls and start working on the airplane in order to get the airplane ready for another trip. Sure, this is an extreme example, but it makes the point – it ain't worth it.

Bob Hoover once told an interviewer the reason why he didn't ferry his own plane to the various airshows was that he could be a good instrument pilot or he could be a good aerobatic pilot but not both. I think that the same reasoning applies to pilot/mechanics. Airplanes have gotten pretty complex and it takes a pretty sharp mechanic to stay on top of everything - let alone trying to keep their piloting skills up to speed. A good friend of mine, who is an EXCELLENT mechanic and a pilot said it best: "Their pilot buddies think they are good mechanics and their mechanic buddies think they are good pilots."

Sure there are some guys who are able to pull it off successfully. I know several chief pilots who love their pilot/mechanics. They don’t use them to turn wrenches, but to oversee and monitor inspections.

‘Sled

 

[G100driver]

I am not Ted Kennedy fan but I do not know about that bumper sticker. They both sound pretty scary.

 

[oceandude]

Nice reading this thread. I just got laid off and its nice to read something like this. I honestly dont know if I will pursue another flying job. Sadly enough I am getting tired of it all. Good luck to everyone!

 

[HalinTexas]

When I started out, I wanted to live on a boat in the Carrib. flying seaplanes or DC-3's around the islands, own a bar, and play golf and scuba on my days off.

Then I modified my ambition to fly for SWA since I was living in Dallas. I wanted to enjoy my occupation, not just go to work.

Nothing has turned out that way.

The islands are really expensive to live on and Chalk's was too hard to get on with. WN turned me down three times. I'm gonna try for a fourth this summer.

I worked (slaved) for Uncle Hulas' flying circus, aka TSA, for 5 years. Been with ATA for a little over 7 years. I'm a divorced dad, but have remarried. My mother died before she got to see me succeed. Of course, I've moved backward quite a bit, too. She didn't really want me to be a pilot anyway. I've flown the L1011 and got to see a lot of the world. Wouldn't trade that for anything. Typed in my favorite airplane, the B757, but only flew it for 6 months. I upgraded to Capt. on the B737-800 at 37 with less than 5 years of longevity. I thought I had it made. Until reality set in.

2004 wasn't so great. House fire and it's recovery took up most of my private life. Hadn't been in the left seat a year and ATA was taking concessions. Finished the year with the company entering bankruptcy. Sick parents and inlaws.

2005 was no picnic either. Displacment, more paycuts, increasing living expenses, and disgruntled labor group.

2006 is an unknown. Don't feel like I've hit bottom yet. Trying to start a sideline business to supplement the lost income and maybe move away from depending on flying airplanes to make a living. Too unreliable.

So, what do I want?

Happiness. I've had it and I want it again. 2003 was the happiest year of my life. Health. Covered. My home and family to have the above. Working on it. Financial independence. "The Man" is a b@st@rd. Also working on it. I'd still like to fly, it's in my blood, but I'm much less picky about where I do it and what I fly. The QOL has to be good and the pay can't be any less than I'm making now for very long. I'm not selling my house!

I still dream.

 

[FalconJetDriver]

Round Engines..uR,uR,uR

Getting paid to fly all the good ol' round engine stuff- especially a G-Staggerwing!

 

[Skyranger777]

#1 be Bill Gates personal pilot and wait for the xmas bonus!

#2 Fly a small twin for a resort in the carribean part time. Dive Master on the side for fun. Rent out jet skies on the beach for $100 an hour and sit back drinking a beer or margarita, while I rub my belly and smoke a cigar!
That would be the OPTIMAL QOL for me

 

[wings421]

Put me on the list of love to fly.

Don't surround yourself with negative people or let them get you down. There's plenty of negativity in this industry.

 

[doh]

Long haul International for me! 1 trip a month, and home. I used to do that as an FA and now I got offered the job at Focus, I'm happy with what I got. See me in class hopefully in july.

 

[135fr8r]

Due to the fact that I play drums professionally on weekends, I'd have to say playing drums for a huge name act, and flying thier butts around in their own equipment. That would equal 2 different checks, or one large one.

 

[tracearabians]

Dream Job

With JanaBJana !!

All right boys and girls...what's your dream flying job?

Type equipment?
Route?
Company?
Location?

What say you?

Eric

 

[dardar]

Something based in a big city where I don't have to drive to work (i.e. public transit)

A 4 on 3 off schedule with only out and backs

weekends off

I never have to wake up before noon, but home before midnight

Something with turbine engines and retractable landing gear. Also, nothing that smells bad. (Some freight guys know what I'm talking about)

At least 60K a year

 

[English]

CE525 (CJ3+) Single Pilot
110k per year
40-50 hours a month
95% day trip
1 or 2 international per year

did I mention I'm typed in the 525...

Hey no fair - that's MY dream job. I called dibs several years ago...

 

[aperson]

old school airline job with 15+ days off a month, living in Park City Ut, and skiing/snowboarding 15+ days a month during the winter, with summer trips to worldwide surf destinations, that would kick ass

 

[Lead Sled]

old school airline job with 15+ days off a month, living in Park City Ut, and skiing/snowboarding 15+ days a month during the winter, with summer trips to worldwide surf destinations, that would kick ass

You're about 25 years too late for that one.

 

[aperson]

You're about 25 years too late for that one.

I know...but if I could go back 25 years, I would forget about the flying, I would just invest in Microsoft and CA. real estate, and then buy my own airplane.