Reflections and Thanks

[Stephen]

Bravo.

 

[avbug]

No, kid. You grew up with the idea that airline pilots were idols.

When I was a kid, I figured airline pilots were overpaid aarogant busdrivers. Now, half a lifetime later and well into my career, I recon I was right.

 

[supsup]

Nice post, it's refreshing to hear something positive on this forum for a change.

supsup

 

[Rook]

I agree with supsup.

Don't let the tools bring you down.

Rook
600' AGL Autopilot on.
'WHEW!'

 

[Publishers]

Thanks

Sometime back at the death of the tanker pilots out West, I wrote about the differences between pilots and aviators. FLYCHICAGA is an aviator.

 

[bobbysamd]

Nice post.

Too bad you weren't around in the '50s when you could have flown on Connies and DC-7s. Those were real airliners. You would have enjoyed them.

 

[AAflyer]

Fly Chicaga,

Nice post. Don't listen to the Avbugs and the SuperstudPFT (or whatever the he11 his name is ). Many feel as you do. It is worth the wait, and enjoy the ride to get there it is half the fun.

AAflyer

 

[bobbysamd]

DC-7s and Connies

I took my first airline flights, on DC-7s and Connies, when I was eight years old. I remember both flights to this day, 43 years later. I loved airplanes back then and knew both aircraft as well as an eight-year-old can know them. My family was taking trip to Phoenix. We flew on Continental, I believe, from DEN to ABQ on the 7 and picked up the Connie on TWA to PHX.

I do remember getting airsick. But, I remember how I loved being on those airplanes, especially the Constellation. I knew that I wanted to be part of it, one day.

 

[AAflyer]

That must be why you PFted, mighty big raft you are hanging out on. I figured with your smug arrogant comments you are waiting for someone to say something. What the he11, I am bored tonight. I am surprised GIA doesn't have you flying around Turkey Day being junior and all.

AAflyer

 

[dgs]

Amen brother

FlyChicaga -- Nice post. It is truly unfortunate that a few selfish people had to ruin what could have been a truly inspiring thread visited by those who really love flying. I feel privileged to sit at the controls of a commercial airliner and never take it for granted. Although I paid my dues in a different way—flying endless hours over the desert and countless days away from the family—I was always thrilled by the idea of being an airline pilot. I love the excitement of the airport—the same excitement I felt as a kid on my first flight. I love it when kids stop by the cockpit with wonder in their eyes. It’s Thanksgiving—let’s give thanks!!

 

[supsup]

Hey PFT, I heard of a great opportunity for pfters like yourself at Florida Coastal Airlines. Sounds like a perfect match for you.

supsup

 

[avbug]

Ah, romance. That's what we're after. Silly me. Is that the two gallons of 60 weight oil trickling back down your throat when the oil line exploded during a stop, or the burned hands on the exhaust stacks, the constant purchase of new shirts due to 60 weight stains, the frequent engine failures and lifted heads, carb and stack fires, etc? Or just the stuff we read about in the books?

I went for years without a day of intact fingers or hands when being around radial engines...constant burns and cuts from safety wire, hot exhaust, baffling. I can tell you a lot about the condition of oil just by the taste. Those were the good old days, all right.

Call me cynincal? Would this be the same comair come-up-quick in the world crowd that bounced onto the scene joyfully screaming "props are for boats" and other garbage, and then cried when the furloughs began? The same crowd that hadn't been in the industry long enough to rember the last time, or the one before that? The same crowd that sings of brotherly love and standing up for one another? The same crowd that waves the flag and chants about trusting in God (but probably doesn't go to church),a nd united we stand...but probably doesn't donate time to the community or give back? Is this the same crowd?

We're all individuals. Some have earned their place. Some have bought their place. Some won't ever see their place because they died earning it in places we can't even discuss. We're all in the same boat. But there is no great romance, no great unity, no brotherly kindness. I kind of suspect that the flambait pftsuperstar is really clownpilot with yet another moniker...but the truth is, he's right. It's a cutthroat industry from the word go.

I know some really great folks from many segments of the industry. However, I know a lot of overblown windbags who have the goal of making as much as possible while working as little as possible, who look down on others from their lofty guilded-epaulet station, and who think their seniority number applies to the world at large outside their company.

I honestly never looked at flying the line as a lofty goal, but rather a place I might get sentenced if I couldn't make it elsewhere. Truly it's become an entry level job today. This is no slight on those entering here, or those who have been here long enough to have some semblence of seniority. People must make their own way, and having a job at all in aviation today is nothing to sneeze at. Flychicago is right...be grateful for what you have.

At the same time, try not to climb so high on the fetted horse that when someone accuses the job of being downright boring and overhyped, you don't hurt yourself. Else, you prove the point you fight. The industry is too cramped, and life is too short, to get that upset. If you don't like the opinion, then proffer a better one, and let all benifit from your experience.

Or you could just attack mine...seems to be the option of preference. Strike away, kids. Have a ball.

 

[stingray]

Some people have grudges against airline pilots, and some just fly for a scab run airline.

Some have become a pilot for the status

Most of us became pilots for the love of the job

The origanal post was a good reminder of why most of us have gotten into this businees

 

[bulldog]

pftsuperstar

Current position: looking to steal your job.

with your attitude there isn't one pilot here who needs to worry about you stealing their job. Every interviewer will see you for what you are. We earned our jobs annd we did so with sweat, integrity, honesty, and professionalism. Fortunately, Darwiniasm still seems to work in aviation.

flychicaga: great post thanks

 

[Flynfish]

Flychicaga, you are awesome. That is the feeling I had as a kid growing up. Unfortunately, there are people like pftsuperspunk, and we have all flow with those crusty MFer's, What a joy that is. But those of use who really enjoy what we do, we just blow them off for what and who they are. Anyway, I am very thankfull for the family, friends, and career that I have. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

[avbug]

It is my profession. The day it cannot stand criticism it is dead.

Is that today?

 

[Flynfish]

WOW superspooge, you really got me with that one. Anyway.....

 

[bobbysamd]

Flamebait

UGH! Think im gonna puke!!
Aviation is a cold, cutthroat, evil industry where people will sell their best friend Jim down river to get ahead. Evil people run companies into the ground and pilots fight each other over who gets to fly what and how much money they stand to make from it.
It only makes me feel warm and fuzzy to see the look on that poor kid's face when he finally figures all that out. The ship is sinking dude, and all of the drowning rats are clawing each other to try to stay on the top.


-wet rat

500 P-F-T hours? I am most impressed!! 500 hours of P-F-T certainly makes you an expert on every aspect of aviation.

I bet you cannot even spell "pilot."

I must agree with you that evil people run companies into the ground.

Having gotten that out of the way, without question this is flamebait, guys 'n gals. This gentleman registered today and has already posted 19 times - and I thought that I was a prolific poster.

 

[bobbysamd]

Romance

Call me cynincal? Would this be the same comair come-up-quick in the world crowd that bounced onto the scene joyfully screaming "props are for boats" and other garbage, and then cried when the furloughs began? The same crowd that hadn't been in the industry long enough to rember the last time, or the one before that? The same crowd that sings of brotherly love and standing up for one another? The same crowd that waves the flag and chants about trusting in God (but probably doesn't go to church),a nd united we stand...but probably doesn't donate time to the community or give back? Is this the same crowd . . . We're all individuals. Some have earned their place. Some have bought their place. Some won't ever see their place because they died earning it in places we can't even discuss. We're all in the same boat. But there is no great romance, no great unity, no brotherly kindness. I kind of suspect that the flambait pftsuperstar is really clownpilot with yet another moniker...but the truth is, he's right. It's a cutthroat industry from the word go . . . . People must make their own way, and having a job at all in aviation today is nothing to sneeze at. Flychicago is right...be grateful for what you have . . . .

I agree with Avbug's thesis. I agree wholeheartedly that aviation is a cutthroat biz. But, name a business that isn't.

I worked in broadcasting for nineteen years. Talk about a cutthroat biz. I still see the scarring on my back from the knives thrust therein (How about you, Timebuilder?). Let me give you an example. You are employed at a radio station that is not doing well in the rating services. Ratings are the name of the game because they sell advertising, which pays your salary. Management brings in a consultant, whose job is to improve the station and up the ratings. Radio programming consultants have carte blanche to do anything necessary to improve the station. The next thing you know, you are out of a job. You did nothing to warrant termination. This consultant, who barely spoke with you or never met you, turns thumbs-down on you. You are gone. Thank G-d that unemployment looks kindly at terminated broadcasters.

Law is another cutthroat business. I'm writing about internal law firm politics. So many people who work in the legal profession have big egos and are ambitious. They'll screw anyone who blocks their way. I worked in a firm where three young punks complained to the principal shareholder about the paralegals. These were out-and-out lies, probably because these were immature and inexperienced attorneys whose only experience with paralegals was in our lawfirm. The boss took the attorneys' side because they were "attorneys" ("halo," please) and we were just lowly paralegal puke scum. Well, these punks left the firm four months later. They tried to hijack some of clients in ways that clearly violated state attorney ethics. So, the boss saw them for what they were, but there was no redemption for the paralegals. The boss blamed us for some of the client hijackings! We were carrying out these attorneys' instructions, because that's what paralegals do. The boss said we should have stood up to them. Paralegals learn early not to defy attorneys' instructions.

I've learned in my experience that cutthroats exist everywhere. You can't avoid them. Realize that, devote your career to work that you enjoy, and watch your backside.

 

[Float Pilot]

Good post by FlyChicaga. I don't fly for a living, but I do fly for fun. And I also envy those who get to fly for a living. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Other than when the mud gets slinging on forums like this, aviation is a wonderful fraternity to be a part of. I once heard it said that it doesn't matter what you fly, just that you do fly. I've also found that to be the attitude held bt almost all pilots that I've been acquainted with, including airline pilots.

I also heard about a trial program run by an airline back in the 60's to get new pilots into the system. Years later, every one in the program had switched careers. They joined the program for the money, but lacking that true inner love of aviation, they all moved elsewhere. They weren't the kind of person that looks up to an overhead airplane no matter what else is going on around them.

Let's all give thanks for the good times that aviation has brought to all of us. Happy Thanksgiving!