IF you could do it over again

[Boeingman]

I have to agree with Enigma. For me, the insulting gov't attitude and blind eye by the unions reference the TSA debacle and how we are treated is the final straw for me.

I have more fun flying my own airplanes now without all the BS and hassle.

This profession is headed straight into the toilet. From pay and work rules to the attacks on pensions, ridiculous mandates from the FAA etc., a young kid would have to be insane to desire this career.

 

[loNslo]

A little humor (Very little!)

I received this short story from a friend of mine a few months ago. Since it kind of applied to the topic of this thread, I thought it would be enjoyed as a "tongue in cheek" description of what has happened to the airline side of our profession. Take it for what it's worth. Good luck to all, young and old, novice and veteran.


Would things have changed if you knew this beforehand?

SO YOU WANT TO BE A PILOT

I walked into the interview with a great deal of confidence and
enthusiasm. Flying airplanes was my one true passion in this life. This was my big chance to merge my occupation with my love. I would become an airline pilot. "So you want to be an airline pilot?" the interviewer inquired. "Yes, sir, more than anything else I have ever wanted," I replied, realizing I sounded like an anxious adolescent. "Well, great, welcome aboard," the airline executive said. "You mean I'm hired?!" I cheered. "You bet, we're glad to have you. Actually, we've had trouble finding good pilots to hire," the exec explained. If I was surprised, it was overshadowed by my joy of reaching my dream. "Let's just go over a few points before you sign on the dotted line," the company man chortled. "We're going to send you to the world's most renowned medical center. They'll spend two days probing you body orifices, draining and analyzing your blood, and administering psychological exams. They'll literally take you apart and put you back together. If they find any hint of current or future problems, you're fired and can find your own ride home." "Gee, I think my health is O.K.," I nervously choked out. The manager went on, "Good, next we'll evaluate your flying skills in an aircraft you've never been in before. "If we don't like the way you perform, you're fired", I was confident with my flying, but this guy was making me worried. He continued, "Next, if you're still here, we'll run you through our training program. If during any time in the next 10 years you decide to leave the company, you'll have to reimburse us $20,000, or we'll sue you. Also if you fail to measure up during training, you're fired." The man who had just given me my dream job listed still more hurdles. "Each time, before we allow you near one of our multimillion dollar aircraft we'll X-ray your flight bag and luggage, because we don't trust you. Also we'll ask you to pass through a magnetometer each time. If you fail to do so, you'll be arrested and jailed." "When you've completed your flight, we'll have you provide a urine sample, because we don't trust you to not take drugs. Very soon, we plan to take a blood sample to look for more drugs. "Also if you ever fly with another crew member who may have used drugs or alcohol, you must report to us immediately. If you fail to notice that anyone has used these substances, you'll be fired, have your license to fly revoked, and be fined $10,000." "Every six months, we want you to go back to the medical center for another exam. If they ever find a hint of a problem, your license to fly will be revoked and we'll fire you. Anytime you see a medical person, you must tell us about it so we can see if you need to be grounded and terminated. Also, we need to examine your driving record, and you must tell us if you have even any minor infractions so we can remove you from the cockpit as soon as possible." "At any time, without notice, a special branch of the government will send one of its inspectors to ride in your aircraft. The inspector will demand to see your papers and license, If your papers are not in order, you'll be removed, fined, terminated, and possibly jailed." "If at any time you make an error in judgment or an honest human mistake, you will be terminated, be fined tens of thousands of dollars, and be dragged through months of court proceedings. The government will make sure you never fly again for any airline." Smiling an evil smile now, the airline hirer went on. "Oh, and one last thing to cover. Occasionally, we in management fail to see a trend and screw up royally or the country's economy falls flat on its face. If as a result of one of those events the corporation begins to lose money, you as an employee will be expected to make up the losses from your paycheck." "Now sign here," he pointed, grinning as he handed me a pen. I faked a sudden nosebleed. Holding my head back and pinching my nostrils, I hurried from his office. When I got to the hall, I began to run. I ran all the way to my car. I figured if I hurried I could still get to the county vocational school before 5:00 and enroll in the industrial welding career program.

 

[PilotOnTheRise]

I am a young guy/boy . I just yesterday had my last day of high school. Ever since I have been a little boy I have always been fascinated by airplanes and airports. I decided then that my dream was to be a professional pilot. Unlike most young kids I never stopped having that dream and still right now desire so much to be sitting in the cockpit of an airliner. I am lucky and have been able to start my flight training at an early age. I am near completion of my private pilot license. I remember just a few years ago when the industry was booming. Pilots were being hired left and right. Now it is totally different. I realize very much what is going on in this industry. I, despite that, have no desire to stop chasing my dream, regardless of how hard it may be to obtain it. I have made some decisions as far as what I will major in, etc. to make sure I am secure with a job as I work toward this goal. Being an optimistic person, I believe that I can obtain that dream of flying an airliners or a big corporate jet one day!

I guess what I am saying is this ... although technically I am a pilot (student pilot) ... I am not a pilot in the sense of having a flying job. I, despite what the industry is going through, would not change a thing about my dream. Flying is what I have loved for too long to give up over an obstacle, that for all we know may be removed in the next several years. It wasn't too long ago the airlines were just like they are now and then it ended it being what it was just before 9/11 = BOOMING. It could happen again!

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

The truth, is you CAN'T go back and change your life. You have made choices, and have done things. Things have been done to you. That is in your past, and it's over.

Now, starting today, what do want? What do you need? What can you do that will help get you what you want and need?

You can change your life, starting today. There are a lot of things you can try, and you can try them starting now.

Do the best you can with the rest of your life. Trying always helps. Good luck!

Cliff
GRB

 

[ultrarunner]

I think I'd choose to be a 'retired' CEO, that just got a 100 million dollar golden parachute.

that's the ticket. you betcha.

 

[Alaskaairlines]

Well you know what guys......

I am a PP and training for my Instrument,etc..

I think the fling bug is in my blood. Its kind-of funny to remember what my mother says I said when I was bout 4: "When I grow up, I will be as tall as a piano and smart as an airplane".

I am about 6'3" and am on the path to an airline career. So it usually starts at an early age, at least for me and to many others on this board.

What do you guys think of my friend who is 37 and is almost done with his Inst rating, has a degree?

He wants to become an airline pilot also - realistic?

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I got started at a regional at age 39. There was a lady a few classes ahead of me that was hiring on at age 55.

Cliff
GRB

 

[bobbysamd]

Age discrimination and competition

What do you guys think of my friend who is 37 and is almost done with his Inst rating, has a degree?

He wants to become an airline pilot also - realistic?

I do not believe that it is realistic. For one thing, he would likely use the regionals as a stepping stone. I believe that age discrimination is rampant at the regionals.

I was 36 and had been flying for about five years when I decided to change careers to professional aviation. I had my four-year degree and just needed my multi ratings. At that time, in 1987-'88, there was a major hiring boom. Although I was a little light on time (about 900 total, about 35 of multi) I started applying immediately to regionals. I received replies that I didn't have enough time. I also applied to freight. About ten months later, I got an instructing job at ERAU. At ERAU I built total and multi time, and got my ATP and a Citation type. All the while I continued to apply to the regionals. I was pushing 40 at the time.

I finally had four interviews and a cattle call, but otherwise received few responses to my reams of inquiries. However, my peers at Riddle, who were 25 and younger, were getting interviews at the same places to which I applied but had heard nothing. Nothing different, such as 135 time, distinguished their quals from mine. Thus, it takes neither a pilot or rocket scientist to figure out what was happening to me.

A more recent example would be a friend of mine. We're about the same age. About four years ago he went to a regional interview and was rejected. He found out that he was flat-out rejected because of his age.

You do hear stories about the majors hiring pilots who are over 40. What those stories fail to mention is that these pilots have been flying for years and are very experienced and qualified. They may be ex-military, or corporate, or have flown for the regionals. They are finally getting their chance.

Finally, in case you haven't noticed, is the majors are in bad shape. For example, United is in bankruptcy and has furloughed thousands of pilots. American has furloughed thousands. U is in bankruptcy. The economy is bad. Let's assume your friend gets a regional job and builds hours. By the time he's ready to move up there may not be many openings available at the majors. And he will have to fight off the furloughees, regional pilots, corporate and freight pilots, etc. who've been in the game longer than he. In other words, if your friend wants to be an "airline" pilot, he might have to revisit his definition of "airline."

Your friend can still build a flying career. But he would be well advised to look elsewhere besides the airlines. Best of luck to your friend.

 

[ultrarunner]

".....A more recent example would be a friend of mine. We're about the same age. About four years ago he went to a regional interview and was rejected. He found out that he was flat-out rejected because of his age....."


Good grief... you think these hiring folks are stupid??? C'mon. Lets just assume your logic is correct....rejection because of age.... Hiring departments have way too much to do than call people in for interivews that they plan on rejecting.

You went on 4 or 5 interiews??? That's more that a bunch of other folks. Think about that!

 

[Barberpole]

I have enjoyed my aviation career through the good times and bad times including being currently unemployed. I was fortunate enough to get my private pilot license as a senior in high school and work my way up through the ranks. I attended a technical college and got my A&P. There were the awful jobs including my favorite quote from a co-worker "If I ever lose this job I'll have to move to Tia Juana and suck d**k for a living until I get my self respect back." Then there were the OK jobs that you stayed long enough to get your experience and move on. Then my last job was my dream job or so I thought until it was gone.

I remain optimistic that the good times are not gone but only beginning. As I consider all the opportunities my aviation career has given me, I would only change one thing. When I was a beginning aviator I was very cynical and did not have the foresight to think I would ever make it as far as I have. Some of my earliest full time flying jobs I hated at the time. As I look back at them from this direction I wish I would have enjoyed them while I was there.

My life has been enhanced by the opportunity to experience so many different cultures. Not only the international experence but all of the different cultures that exist right here in the US. People who do not fly for a living have no concept of what we do every day at work. My office window has the best view available although there are times when I would rather be looking at the weather radar on my home television instead of in front of my airplane.

If you have a dream to become a career pilot, don't ever give up on your dream. There were numerous occasions when I was ready to give up and call it quits. Now I am glad I stayed in the game.