OK For Real Now..

[gangdev]

"halfway to regional"

"halfway to regional" means that I am almost halfway through training at a school that has contracts with eagle, expressjet, awac, and some others, to interview at 500tt. The thing is that you have to pay for a type rating in a CRJ/ERJ. Instructors here are being hired quite a bit, so it is working it seems.
Some airline reps visiting our school recently expressed a general preference for 500tt pilots (with a type) because they are "easier to mold" than 2-3000tt kingair-type- pilots.

interesting responses on this thread, yo....

 

[Kingairrick]

And thus ends any further help from the majority of hard working pilots on this board...

 

[Gulfstream 200]

What the hell does that mean?

I was thinking the same thing...

"halfway to a regional"...

oh boy....

 

[English]

Casper?

 

[Kingairrick]

My bet is TABExpressFO. Is it gettin' warm in here? Do you smell smoke?

 

[English]

Yep sure is...where's Gulfstream 200 to put out the FLAMES!

 

[Best on a Camel]

What the hell does that mean?

Who cares. Where did you get that avatar? Some of the threads on here suck, but man is it fun checking out the avatars.

BOAC

 

[Diesel]

Or you could be like publishers and just talk about flying without actually doing it.

 

[atrdriver]

You know, every now and then I get down on my job, and I have to be reminded why I love flying so much. That reminder can be from a sunset, seeing a kid watch us park, seeing stars I can't see from the ground, or sitting in a money line with 30 planes in front of me. This is by far the best job in the world once you are off the gate. It's having to deal with the assiciated cr@p that wears people out, and I'm no exception. The contracts, scheduling, the chief pilots, the gate agents, etc can get to anyone. But anyone who doesn't like this job once the doors are closed and the chocks are pulled probably isn't capable of liking any job.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

because they are "easier to mold" than 2-3000tt kingair-type- pilots.

You had me worried there for a moment. So how well can you mold a 2000 HR Navajo pilot?

contracts with eagle, expressjet, awac, and some others, to interview at 500tt.

I have a contract to interview with Southwest at 1000 Hr trubine PIC and unrestricted B73 Type.

 

[FN FAL]

You know, every now and then I get down on my job, and I have to be reminded why I love flying so much. That reminder can be from a sunset, seeing a kid watch us park, seeing stars I can't see from the ground, or sitting in a money line with 30 planes in front of me. This is by far the best job in the world once you are off the gate. It's having to deal with the assiciated cr@p that wears people out, and I'm no exception. The contracts, scheduling, the chief pilots, the gate agents, etc can get to anyone. But anyone who doesn't like this job once the doors are closed and the chocks are pulled probably isn't capable of liking any job.

I hear ya blood...one fine day I'm working like a criminal defense lawyer trying to get the visual for my destination. Many miles prior to this, I had been lucky to find a good AM station on the ADF. They were playing stuff like big band and Chicago (which is kind of funny since I'm a Clutch, Rob Zombie, Rammstien kind of first time listener, long time caller). All of the sudden I get cleared for my last PD descent and I'm going trough some broken layers and looking down at the lake superior shore line and the ADF starts belting out the Carpenters, "I'm looking down on creation and..."

 

[bobbysamd]

Pft

"halfway to regional" means that I am almost halfway through training at a school that has contracts with eagle, expressjet, awac, and some others, to interview at 500tt. The thing is that you have to pay for a type rating in a CRJ/ERJ. Instructors here are being hired quite a bit, so it is working it seems.
Some airline reps visiting our school recently expressed a general preference for 500tt pilots (with a type) because they are "easier to mold" than 2-3000tt kingair-type- pilots.

(emphasis added)

Another P-F-T victim. RAA, if I might ask? You may remain silent - the Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

"halfway to regional" means that I am almost halfway through training at a school that has contracts with eagle, expressjet, awac, and some others, to interview at 500tt. The thing is that you have to pay for a type rating in a CRJ/ERJ. Instructors here are being hired quite a bit, so it is working it seems.
Some airline reps visiting our school recently expressed a general preference for 500tt pilots (with a type) because they are "easier to mold" than 2-3000tt kingair-type- pilots.

interesting responses on this thread, yo....

AHHH...let me guess....which one are you:

the "Im 17 and look mommy Im going to be an airline pilot"
-or-
the "Im 39 and switching careers and you guys dont know what its like to be in a cubicle all day and I just want to fly, money does not matter"

chances are one of the above...

pathetic, pathetic, pathetic.

The only thing that burns me is why I didnt start one of the schools long ago and get my pockets fat taking advantage of the RETARDED. (they are easier to mold you know...) NEWS FLASH JACKARSE - the only ting that "easier to mold" is your guddam VISA card!!

The lure of the poly uniform and the terminal stud strut....this stuff is stronger than Crack...and the scheme is all legal. I love Capitalism. Always some idiot to buy into a dream..

Gangdev - you ARE that idiot.

I used to laugh at the Carlton Sheets get rich quick infomercials etc.. and wonder what kind of helpless souls maxed out thier $1000 limit credit card at 19.9% to buy into the dream....but heck!, at least that guys promising RICHES! - this moron even KNOWS what kind of money he will be making!! (NONE).

The Shortcut, The quick move to the big game (the regional...)

I love it. Just wish I was profiting from it...

...


*Disclaimer* - I know I used the word "RETARD". I mean no offense to the visibly mentally handicapped. For I know they are much brighter than folks like Gangdev...

 

[Jagdflieger]

If it sucks so badly..quit and free up a senority number.

I love flying and I do it for a living. I also fly in the military and own an airplane. So, I fly a lot. I love what the "professional" flying job allows me to do. Fly first class to the UK for free, fly to the Grand Canyon for lunch, fly to Louisville to fly a P-51, fly to Phoenix to volunteer at the CAF until I get checked out in the B-17...and not to mention...get a family to their destination safely so they can start that well earned vacation. Take a soldier coming home from Iraq to his family. Take that kid on their first airplane ride and see the look in their eyes. Sit there and watch a massive thunderstorm build over Texas. Follow the sunset. It gives me time to fly my wanna be fighter, the Yak-50. It gives me appreciation of things I have at home when I am gone. Most of all....

It keeps me sane!!


I am alive. Up there with the song of the engine and the air whispering on my face as the sunlight and shadows play upon the banking, wheeling wings, I am completely, vibrantly alive. With the stick in my right hand, the throttle in my left, and the rudder beneath my feet, I can savor that essence from which life is made. Stephen Coonts

All the "love for flying" in the world can't put food on the table or a car in the garage.

I would say that I enjoy my job but "love" it? It's still a job. It's what keeps me from friends and family during holidays or other important events. What's to love?



And flying professionally will be different how? You're making a decision on this profession without having walked a mile in these shoes? The two most important things are pay and days off.

Most folks really enjoy this job, it has a lot of perks. But don't think that it isn't a job. Let me know if you love waking up for your 5:30 AM hotel van so you can start your long day.

 

[Goose Egg]

I really am halfway to a regional job, and I'm doing it the old fashioned, non-PFT way! (Flame suit--On. Welding mask--Down.)

One of the absolute coolest things that I have ever done in my flying career so far is taken one of my students who had previously never even set foot in an aircraft (not an airliner, not a small plane--nothing!) through the solo and into the cross-countries (I'm still working with him.) It was slow at first--the guy struggled a lot with making safe landings. But now that he has figured that out, he's absolutely unstoppable, and flying better than a lot of private pilots I know out there. And you can see on his face that he loves every minute of it.

Anyway, one day as I was sitting on the ground watching him fly off on a local solo, I found myself thinking, "yeah, this is what it's all about." I'm really excited about moving on in flying, maybe going to a regional or a corporate job, but for now, seeing these guys learn and progress in flying is sure a rush!

Which is not to say that even my CFI job doesn't have some associated BS. But the cool moments make putting up with the BS worthwile. I don't expect anything different in future flying jobs. It's sort of like golf for me; a brilliant shot or two is what keeps you coming back, even though the rest of the round went like crap.

-Goose

 

[gangdev]

gulfstream 200, check yourself

Gulfstream 200,
well you are wrong on your guesses of my history, but allow me to take a guess of your history:
-you got burned by some flight school, and have enough anger embedded in you that you feel urged to attack others who may resemble this part of yourself that you hate....
**and/or**
- you hate yourself, perhaps because you were emotionally injured in childhood. I am sorry if such has happened, but know that healing is possible. If aviation doesn't provide the passion to spark this, I suggest you quit, foolio.
Just because you might think your perspective is the "only true one out there" doesn't mean that it actually is. This mental distortion is the reason we have war on this planet.
My advice: heal yourself before you wreck yourself

As for others' responses to this thread: thank you for you honest feedback, I knew some aviators would jive with what I originally said. In case you still don't understand why I started this thread, then, no worries, just be sure to dump your emotional poison somewhere else, thank you very much.

 

[Kingairrick]

Gangdev check yourself.

I'll chime in here as G200 is offline.

You mentioned that you have been a member of this forum for a while. You might have tried reading some posts before opening mouth. Specifically, I would suggest that you do a search on the topic "PFT" before you dig yourself any deeper. G200 is expressing his viewpoint, one that many of us here share, on the "shortcut" you have attempted to take to a career.

In this thread, many of the great replies you have gotten involve situations that you will never find yourself in flying, assuming you are successful in your schooling. Most of us busted our a$$es to become the pilots we are today, and have the associated memories (experience) to go with it. You will miss that, and always be a little less for it, in my opinion.

I doubt that G200 was burned by a flight school. In order to fly a G200 you have to be pretty impressive in your credentials in this competitive climate. He probably finished a much more respected flight school than yours with high marks. How can I make such an assumption? Once again, experience.

Lastly, in response to your original post, if you are reconsidering your career choice at this point in your training, give up and get out now. Based upon your apparent lack of enough conviction to make it all the way through even a shortcut training program, I would doubt you will be happy wading through the probationary period at a regional airline.

 

[AA717driver]

gangdev--You are asking the right question here but by paying for the chance at a low-time entry into the biz, you are cheating yourself.

If you can't live without flying, get into the business. It only becomes a grind if you let it(or if you're a F/E ). You can let the people take the fun out of flying--you can even let the airplane take the fun out of flying(too much automation) but in the end, YOU allow it to become mundane(unless you're a F/E... ).

Go get your ratings, fly pipeline patrol, flight instruct--whatever. But get some experience on your own. You'll respect yourself in the morning.TC

AAslag--good post. Didn't know you were that eloquent...

FN FAL--"traffic watch in a Traumahawk"? Man, that's just draconian!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Gulfstream 200,
well you are wrong on your guesses of my history, but allow me to take a guess of your history:
-you got burned by some flight school, and have enough anger embedded in you that you feel urged to attack others who may resemble this part of yourself that you hate....
**and/or**
- you hate yourself, perhaps because you were emotionally injured in childhood. I am sorry if such has happened, but know that healing is possible. If aviation doesn't provide the passion to spark this, I suggest you quit, foolio.
Just because you might think your perspective is the "only true one out there" doesn't mean that it actually is. This mental distortion is the reason we have war on this planet.
My advice: heal yourself before you wreck yourself

As for others' responses to this thread: thank you for you honest feedback, I knew some aviators would jive with what I originally said. In case you still don't understand why I started this thread, then, no worries, just be sure to dump your emotional poison somewhere else, thank you very much.

retard boy -

you are completly out of touch.

burned by a flight school?? - please...I finished college 8-9 years ago.."flight school" is a distant memory. It served a purpose. It was EASY. Its just an aiplane moron. A chimp can fly it. (and not get paid) Maybe that "academy" is making you feel special? you are TopGun buddy, you really are...

me?

I never paid for a job
I never made regional airline money (even as a CFI I made 20-30K/yr)
I enjoy flying!
I make a good 6 figure income from flying.
It provides me with the means and time to enjoy life.

yourself? sounds like you are far from the above...

You see, Im the norm. There are many here like me. We laugh at pathetic losers like yourself who want to be pilots so darn bad you will PAY for a job at a regional airline. I pity the folks struggling at that level nevermind the TOOLS who PAY FOR IT!!! Good God help yourself! You gotta realize you a sandbagging the guys trying to make a living at that level....but you dont care...."look mommy Im a pilot"

PFT'ers...looking for the shortcut...more like cant cut it anywhere else....which is pretty SAD considering how fundamentally easy flying is. I couldn't imgaine that the only way into the cockpit is to PAY for it.

Think about it man, where you going? How good you going to feel when you get there?

Let me guess, you will be one of the many who say "no, I didnt PFT, my airline stopped that right after I get here"...uh-huh....nobody can admit PFT off an aviation message board - they are too embarassed once they get out in public.

What a joke. You deserve whats coming your way - a fruitful regional airline job with a scumbag PFT operation.

Enjoy.

 

[Nova]

"halfway to regional" means that I am almost halfway through training at a school that has contracts with eagle, expressjet, awac, and some others

Contracts? ExpressJet doesn't have contracts with flight schools to provide new hires. The closest that XJet has is an ab initio program with KSU and you don't go there.

 

[Nova]

If it sucks so badly..quit and free up a senority number.

Never said it sucks.

I love what the "professional" flying job allows me to do. Fly first class to the UK for free, fly to the Grand Canyon for lunch, fly to Louisville to fly a P-51, fly to Phoenix to volunteer at the CAF until I get checked out in the B-17..

Well you're talking about the perks as well as flying as a hobby, neither address the issues of the job and that is what started this thread. Someone asks about flying professionally and it seems some pilots are quick to tout the days off, travel perks, flying a jet, etc. The hobby keeps you sane, not the job.

...get a family to their destination safely so they can start that well earned vacation. Take a soldier coming home from Iraq to his family. Take that kid on their first airplane ride and see the look in their eyes. Sit there and watch a massive thunderstorm build over Texas. Follow the sunset. It gives me time to fly my wanna be fighter, the Yak-50. It gives me appreciation of things I have at home when I am gone.

<sniff>You're right, who needs to be paid for this job.<sniff>

 

[Standby 1]

I just don't see where anyone who's been working their butt off in this industry should have to justify thier comments/complaints/observations to a low (or high) time PFT'r.


....

 

[Jagdflieger]

Flying can become a job if you let it! Does getting up early in the morning to catch the crew van blow, sure. Does being away from your family on holidays and birthdays suck..yeah. Does dealing with EWR congestion irritate, sometimes. Are there days when I would rather be at home..definately.

All the crap that comes with this "job" does not out weigh the benefits of it. If it did, then I would have been gone a long time ago. If your unhappy, then it is past time for you to step aside. What kind of performance can one expect from someone who does enjoy what they are doing?

To all who want to pursue a professional flying job: There are downsides to this profession and I am sure you are aware of them. Delays, WX, MX, crappy crews, low pay (for awhile),time away from family...and the list goes on. But then there is doing something you love..and getting paid for it.


The romance of flying for some is gone...but then again, it probably was never there in the first place.

 

[nosehair]

"Lemony Snicket"

 

[bobbysamd]

Pft

I just don't see where anyone who's been working their butt off in this industry should have to justify thier comments/complaints/observations to a low (or high) time PFT'r.

D@mn straight. Seconded.

 

[Duderino]

LOL. That is hilarious, foolio..

Ho Ho Ho!

 

[Swede]

There are a bunch of interesting perspectives here. Re: the original post, I think "Passion" is too strong a word.

Save your passion for activities which aren't a regular job. Be passionate about rock climbing, guns, stamp collecting, parachuting, acro, whatever. Because as soon as you try to make money off of your passion, within a couple of years (or a month of line flying) the ardor will cool. There may be a few rarities who escape the phenomenon, but not many.

It is and can be a good job, rewarding; it can also suck, cause marital breakup, be low-paying, unstable.

Ultimately I think it was a classic Dilbert strip that summed it up best. "If this job was truly fun, you'd do it for free." Guys in the saddle doing this regularly, from the lowliest regional to the mightiest WB international, and who have been at it for more than a year, if you recieved a call from your chief pilot to show up for a 6-day trip, and oh by the way, you won't be paid, would you sign in and fly?

If the answer is yes, then the job is fun, because by definition, you pursue a fun activity for no reward. Conversely, if the answer is no? I guess flying that 6 day simply isn't fun.

Don't misunderstand. I'd apply all these descriptions happily:

- Rewarding
- MUCH better than a cubicle
- Occasionally challenging
- Good pals for layover hoopla and general frat-like behavior
- Wouldn't trade jobs unless the cash was significantly higher

Passion gets us started. Passion isn't forever, though, and there are moments (sometimes many) when frankly it sucks bananas.

 

[Duderino]

Sorry for blinding everyone.