Flying for a living - boring?

[powerlifter]

Hey,

I've been kicking around the idea of flying as a sidejob just to test the waters. Do most of you guys who fly for a living ... whether its little planes, big planes, little airline, big airline, passengers, cargo, etc ... find it boring for the mostpart? Despite being very interested in aircraft and aviation from the time I was a little guy, the grown-up in me sees a career spent waiting in crew lounges and at cruise altitude trying not to fall asleep. Doesn't sound THAT much better than flying a desk, from that angle.

My hunch is that this is especially true when flying long-haul routes in shiny new jets for big companies. Am I right? Are those jobs at the majors really all they're cracked up to be?

I figured that flying cargo in small aircraft would be a great gig. Solitude (usually 1 man crews, right?), more hands-on flying, operations into a wide variety of airports and regions, etc. Just seems like a badass way to earn a buck. What's the story on cargo pilot pay for these small outfits? Dogsh*t?

What do you guys think are the most stimulating niches in aviation?

Thanks for your input.

CJ

 

[navigator72]

When I was flying for a living, I was never happier...... I was totally immersed in aviation. Now I fly once or twice a month and kind of miss hanging out at the FBO all day everyday.

 

[Fugawe]

My hunch is that this is especially true when flying long-haul routes in shiny new jets for big companies. Am I right? Are those jobs at the majors really all they're cracked up to be?

Let's start here.................
What do you think a majors job is like, or cracked up to be?


Fugawe

 

[Black Hawk]

My hunch is that this is especially true when flying long-haul routes in shiny new jets for big companies. Am I right? Are those jobs at the majors really all they're cracked up to be?

Let's start here.................
What do you think a majors job is like, or cracked up to be?


Fugawe

Isn't it like the press says? Average pilot makes $150K a year working 80 hours a month.

 

[QuasarZ]

I know many pilots that say... The worst day flying still beats the best day behind any desk

 

[avbug]

Boring. Yes. So far this year, one forced landing, two engine failures one brake failure, two cases of smoke in the cockpit with one hydraulic failure when the pump caught fire, and a few other little things here and there. It's been a sleeper. I've been thinking about getting an accounting job on the side just to liven it up a bit.

 

[Erlanger]

Flying consists of long hours of boredom, with the possibility of moments of sheer terror!

 

[dpilot83]

What's the story on cargo pilot pay for these small outfits? Dogsh*t?

Depends on how you define little guy I guess.

I think at Ameriflight you start out at around 2000 a month with a potential for a little over 5,000 a month if you stay there quite awhile.

AirNet you can make between 20,000 and 80,000 on base pay runs depending on how long you've been there and what you're flying for them.

Those two aren't by any means the smallest freight companies though. If you go smaller you might find some random deals that pay well and some deals that pay pretty bad. I think those two kinda set the standard for the entry level freight jobs though.

 

[ackattacker]

I've done a fair mix of flying.... cargo, charter, single pilot, and 121 crew...

Is it boring? Sometimes. Especially charter (sitting around FBO's). It can be very routine. It's not normally exactly challenging. If you find it challenging it probably means you're in over your head.

If you are a people person crew flying can be very nice. You get a lot of small-talk type interaction. Can be a bad thing if you get the wrong crew, or you just don't feel like being personable. It helps to have a sense of humor and not get pissed off too easily.

Single pilot type flying is a different feel. You generally have more to do, and shorter legs, so you keep busy. The time can just fly by. (Sorry for the bad pun).

Generally I've always looked forward to going to work in aviation. Can't say that about when I had a desk job. I like not having deadlines or take-home work. It's nice to have a straightforward job to do and do it well, then be done.

Sometimes, not often, but sometimes, you get one of those moments where it's truly fun. A beautiful sunset, a "squeeker" landing, a challenging approach that goes like clockwork... whatever it is for you.

As for small vs. big, well, in a sense you're right that small plane flying can seem more romantic and challenging. And in a sense it is. Certainly it is more demanding of "skill" vs. knowledge. It's undeniably more dangerous. But you also have to deal with a lot of BS. A lot of small aviation companies are shady. Especially cargo. Horror stories abound. If you also want to make a living and have decent quality of life then it helps to go big.

 

[Fugawe]

I've flown fast, and flown slow. Flown high, and flown low. I've paid to fly, and been paid. I've instructed and been a student many times. Been scared, and been bored flying. I've worked as a cook, a roofer, in an office, auto mechanic, investor, consultant, and other unglamorous endeavors.

Until you become financially independent, you gotta be paid to do something. I'd choose flying, with all its warts, any day.


Fugawe