Have you read the book "Squawk 7700"?

[Joseph II]

What did you think?

 

[BoDEAN]

Never heard of it.
Who is the author?
What is it about?

 

[Joseph II]

http://www.squawk7700.net/

http://www.squawk7700.net/

It's a book about a pilot's dream to fly for the airliners, and what he went through flying freight, and his experience in the regionals... Then back to freight, then out of the aviation industry.

I wondered if anyone thought what this guy whent through was to be expected as you proceed up the career ladder (I'm mainly talking about bosses demanding that you bend the rules).

If anything, it's a great read.

 

[Chunk]

stay away...

This is a self-published book. The author/publisher has relentlessly spammed every board in the past posing as someone else plugging the book. He threatened to sue anyone who complained.

Chunk

PS--Everything I said here was true and is publicly available info....can't sue me for libel/slander.

 

[Fly4ever390]

I admire your decision to preserve the integrity of your marriage and your future family rather than allow the airline industry to destroy your family and your integrity.

The above post from Chunk is correct! This person has threatened to sue message boards to individuals who disputes his so called validy. Can you say looooooser! Can't sue me either for libel/slander since I still retain all e-mails as well as a number of individuals I know who he theatened as well. He is good for a laugh at best-My opinion. Glad he is gone out of the industry! Have fun fishing.

 

[Cardinal]

I'd agree that it was an interesting read, though there was some strange decision making towards the end. I figure one oughtta expect the hardship in this industry and revel in it as part of the experience. But this guy went through all the hardship then chucked the reward out the window. Who hasn't felt overwhelmed and perhaps even dissillusioned in the two weeks after starting a new job?? I'd go so far as to recommend the book just so newbies get the big picture.

 

[Timebuilder]

Sounds like the book would be a big "reality check" against the glitzy ads that talk about high pay, pilot shortages, and guaranteed interviews.

Can you say Air Inc?

 

[bobbysamd]

Petey Buffington

I absolute appreciate Timebuilder's comments about airline reality and anti-Kit Darby. However, this probably isn't the book to read.

The author had a vanity press publish his book. I remember the summer before last he was putting up a ton of posts about his "book." Real publishers, such as Random House and Doubleday, have credibility. Anyone can have his own book published. For that reason, I wouldn't place much stock in it.

I remember seeing where that redoubtable rag, Pain & Pilot (misspelling intentional) swallowed the book whole and published a "review" of it. Apparently, so did Mr. Buffington's local paper.

Now, if someone is looking for an interesting book about the airlines, consider reading Takeoff!: The Story of America's First Woman Pilot for a Major Airline by Bonnie Tiburzi, ISBN: 0517552639. That was a very enjoyable book about a new airline pilot. Bonnie even writes about her furlough from AA.

 

[Snakum]

I second Bobby on both counts.

Count One ... we have this loser spamming the boards anually with this garbage. No one ... I mean NO ONE gets into aviation as a profession without hearing the horror stories of furloughs, strikes, schedules, sh!tty pay, San Juan cockroaches, etc. This guy knew what he was in for, he either couldn't hack it or he didn't want it bad enough. Period.

Count Two ... Bonnie Tiburzi's book was AWESOME. A must read for scheduled airline aspirants!

Minh

 

[Joseph II]

Speaking of the book... The author wrote of his adventures as a new-hire as a regional airline first officer. He wrote about many many things that his captain did that were against company policy.

Have any of you experienced similar things?

Did you expect better conditions before you got the job?

Thanks

 

[sydeseet]

I think I see what you're getting at here Joseph. You want to know if line flying is done 100% by-the-book and if anyone ever bends/breaks the rules.

No, it isn't; never has been, never will be, and never should be. Rule bending is a fact of life in any industry, trade, lifestyle, or flying technique.

You wonder if Mr. Bluffington (spelled wrong intentionally) is COMPLTETLY full of it, if he has any legitimacy, and maybe sees the truth in an otherwise dangerous industry full of stick cowboys, pushy bosses, and captains who aren't afraid of weather.

Oh he's full of it alright, but this industry is full of the people described above. It's up to you to say no - also up to you to say "I can't handle this thing called professional aviation so maybe I'll sell tools for a living." I don't think he saw the truth so much as he is justifying his reason(s) for throwing away 8 years and who knows how much money on flying.

This book is a good example of why we pledge such alegence(sp?) to America. You want free speech??? Picture any failure with a grudge having the freedom to publish the memoirs of his "career" plus the option to sell it for profit. It's one sided, un-founded, whining garbage - but every word he says might be true. Before I put too much stock in it I'd make sure you ask around - specifically to those who have survived the "puberty" of a piloting career to go on to great things. Try reading Bob Buck's book "North Star Over My Shoulder" Now THAT's a great read............

One of Pete's old schoolmates...........

 

[Huck]

Or "Fate is the Hunter." Written 50 years ago - but still an accurate portrait of the highs and lows of this job.