Reflections and Thanks

[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!

 

[350DRIVER]

I agree completely with avbug. His experience in the industry is much more than most of ours and he has been in this "game" MUCH longer than probably most who frequent this board and I value and respect most of his comments. As much as I would like to believe that pilots are out to help others I feel that is bs- we are ALL attempting to do one thing and that is being able to put food on the table, feed our family, etc, etc, ....and when that is on the line then it is like a "prize" fight and may the "best" fighter win...


Being a pilot is "just" a job- nothing more and nothing less-

3 5 0
I do think however that it was a good post since that is what you feel towards this industry and I respect your honesty and feelings.

 

[JCJ]

"nomex and tennis shoes" strikes again

PFTSuperstar is of course the same flamebaiter that has also recently used the names 'Zeek" and 'Jedi Inane" to harass board users. Those messages have been removed by the moderators.

Dude, get some counseling to manage your anger

 

[PilotoHalcon]

Three things got me flying....My dad when he was learning to fly Tiger Moth in the UK while he was with the USAFand I was six years old, the book "The Devil to Pay" by E. Gann I read when I was in Junior High, and the movie "Battle of Britain" when I was about the same age.
We fly because it is not what we do, it is because it is who we are, it is what we are. All those long days and nights, those freezing/blistering ramps, all those missed meals, those days in those tents living in the desert while in the Army, those cancelled passengers, the ones who show up looking for a ride. The waiting for the crew bus in the snow and slush in Wilmington, Ohio. But one full moon on top of crummy WX with a back drop of snow covered peaks (Christmas day, Camp Casey, Korea 1983) Or taking your daughter on her first flight and then watching her solo makes it all worth it, at least to me.
It was a great post, do not let those losers (They know who they are) get you down. I have a flight to OTBD. See ya'll later.
j
Ps, I like tennis shoes

 

[VFR on Top]

I'VE CRACKED THE CODE!

PFTSuperstar is a 14 year old kid...goes by "MagnoliaFan" on one of those movie message boards...moviepoopshoot.com, I think.

 

[bobbysamd]

Brilliant work, Holmes!

 

[AAflyer]

350,

I hardly think it is just a job. People usually don't like "jobs". People normally do the job and go home. Aviation and piloting is a career. People who fly for the most part do it because it is a part of them, it is a career, it encompasses who they are.

You mau say it is a job, but why would you spend hours on an aviation chat board? Sharing experiences and BSing about our profession and industry.

I do not know many managers or people holding regular 9-5 jobs that feel they way you and I do. When a jet flies over your head do you look up? Could you sit in a bar for a few hours have a beer and hanger talk? Could you walk past Flying, Airways or any other mag without picking it up?

Flying is in your blood as it is in mine and many others on this board, it is more than a job and deep down I think you know that.

AAflyer

Happy Thanksgiving

 

[JCJ]

pftsuperstar = magnoliafan

maybe but he made acomment a few posts about nomex & tennis shoes a few posts ago that makes me think he's also zeek and jedi inane (not jedi nein)

oh well i guess we all could use some comic relief

 

[bobbysamd]

"It's not a job, it's an adventure"

I hardly think it is just a job. People usually don't like "jobs". People normally do the job and go home. Aviation and piloting is a career. People who fly for the most part do it because it is a part of them, it is a career, it encompasses who they are . . . . Flying is in your blood as it is in mine and many others on this board, it is more than a job and deep down I think you know that.

(emphasis added)

It's a job, but one that you love because it is distinguished from the usual 9-5 type of drudgery. Flying for its own sake is great. Factor in the great amount of BS you deal with to get and keep the job and it becomes a job.

Right now, I hold a "job." It is a good job in which I contribute and help people, but it is a "job." When I was flying for pay, I had a job(s), all right, but it wasn't a "job." I mostly enjoyed it every day, especially at the beginning.

Several weeks ago, Falcon Capt. and JetPilot500 were in town. We got together for dinner. It was some of the best fun I had in ages. I told my mother about our dinner and the enjoyment I had. Her comment was that I was with "my people." That sums it up in a nutshell.

 

[PilotoHalcon]

Good point Bronco on the "my people".
j

 

[FlyCMI]

What a Post!

FlyChicaga,
I couldn't have said it better myself. I think you answered your own question about the downfalls about what we do. The worst thing about it is that there are people out there that just don't love it as much as we do. To those that do love it, that is what hurts the most. We see that daily at PT and I bet we will see it the rest of our lives. From someone who isn't there yet, I think you hit the nail on the head. So...Happy Thanksgiving, because we do have a lot to be thankful for!


FlyCMI