Third most dangerous job?

[cezzna]

I've seen this in the news a couple of times recently. How can being a pilot be the third most dangerous job you can have? I would think it would be quite safe once you get out of the bug smashers.

 

[banned username 2]

I think that was based solely on "on the job" fatalities. Not too many accountants die balancing books.

 

[skeezer]

I would think it would be quite safe once you get out of the bug smashers.

The people who did the survey lumped all commercial flying into one group. The article even mentioned how Alaskan bush pilots swayed the numbers. Thus commercial pilot is the 3rd most dangerous job.

I'm actually quite supprised that they understood the definition of a commercial pilot.

Skeezer

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Wall Street Journal published an article a few years ago regarding Alaska flying. Percentage of pilots who would not finish a 30 year career in Alaska was approximately 11%. Scary odds....

Was a very well written article.


Mr. I.

 

[Quillpig]

Not too many accountants die balancing books.

A whole bunch did about 2 years ago...

 

[DitchDriver]

Percentage of pilots who would not finish a 30 year career in Alaska was approximately 11%.

"Alaskan pilots have a one in eight chance of dying during a 30-year career,"

"Even though pilots flying small planes have a much higher fatality rate than pilots flying big airline jets, they're not financially compensated for the added danger; non-jet pilots average about $52,000 a year in pay while jetliner pilots make about $92,000."


money.cnn.com/2003/10/13/pf/dangerousjobs

 

[avbug]

I'm sure a lot of folks would like to find out where those jobs are that drag the "non-jet" average up to fifty grand. I'd say it's more likely closer to half of that.

 

[labbats]

They could be lumping propellers on one side and jets on another, but I'm guessing of course.

 

[Broke in CVG]

Gate agent makes an announcement, "Ladies and gentlmen flight 123 to LGA has been deplayed due to a maintanence issue."

An old lady walks up to the agent and asks, "What is the problem with the plane?"

Agent tells the old lady that she is not sure, but the pilot says it's unsafe and he refuses to fly it.

Lady says, "oh so are we waiting for a new plane?"

Agent responds, "no, we are waiting for a new pilot."

 

[mar]

It doesn't have to be that way

Flying in Alaska doesn't have to be much more risky than flying in the Lower 48.

Look at what problems the state of Alaska does NOT have:

--A shortage of airspace
--Impossibly congested airports
--High density altitude/high humidity (for the most part)
--Severe in-flight icing (see below)
--Intense competition (infact, highly subsidized)

Don't get me wrong, Alaska has it's problems but almost each and every one is addressable. The biggest problem is the 'Bush Mentality' but even this is beginning to wane as newer and newer pilots (and thinking) change 'The Way Things Are Done'.

That leaves the second biggest problem (in my opinion): The lack of infrastructure within the state. But we live in a democracy and that means the most people will receive the most money.

That means an oil company can afford to build an airport with an ILS but the native village must make do with an unlighted strip.

I'm not trying to politicize things but it's true and verifiable.

What I was trying to say about severe in-flight icing was that there are some areas in the rest of the nation (Cacades/Sierras/Rockies/Northeast) that get severe icing on a much more regular basis and due to traffic and/or airspace congestion the pilot is left with fewer options.

In southeast Alaska the icing is frightening but the MEAs are quite high down there leaving that area for higher-performance aircraft.

In the rest of the state (Alaska Range/Brooks Range) the icing is manageable *most* of the time due to the dryness of the arctic airmass.

At any rate, if my time in Alaska can say anything I hope it says: Yeah, I can get the job done and I can follow the Rules and I can have a good time too all at the same time.

But I'm ever-vigilant and I hope you are too.

 

[avbug]

There's ice in alaska?

 

[flywithastick]

Re: It doesn't have to be that way

That means an oil company can afford to build an airport with an ILS but the native village must make do with an unlighted strip.

Y'all get GPS up there yet?! You just wait!! works *great* down here in Texas. Find those little landing strips, towers, etc. just fine! Even works for marking a good fishing spot. Those space program guys are some kind of smart...

just gigging you, mar. I get your point.

 

[fr0g]

on-jet pilots average about $52,000 a year in pay..

Oh REALLY.. well I suppose for my 20k there must be someone making 80k a year flying a "non-jet".. hehe I want that job

 

[mar]

Ice in Alaska

Avbug--Shame on you. You know I ain't talkin' 'bout the ice in my bourbon.

Flywithastick--GPS? Got it. But it still won't getcha down to 200' and 1800 RVR.

I kinda wish we had those "fogbusters" that Alaska Airlines uses down Juneau way but I suppose a DC6 navigating with satellites is enough of an anachronism.

Fly safe(LY)--for the grammar nazis (Tony C).

 

[avbug]

Navigating via sattelites in a Loadmaster is okay so long as they're planets and stars, and you're viewing the through a sextant in an astrodoe.

There's bourbon in Alaska?

Next thing you're going to try to tell me that you have bit fish, or even a bear.

 

[flywithastick]

Re: Ice in Alaska

Flywithastick--GPS? Got it. But it still won't getcha down to 200' and 1800 RVR.

probably not in your ride. class G, light/slow plane, no problem.

OK - I'm ready. Bring on the arrows and flames...

 

[mar]

No Arrows and Flames from me.

Flywithastick--Don't make me go medieval on your a$$.

I was trying to be all touchy-feely, new agey kinda bush pilot.

Believe me, the DC6 (empty) has a Vref of 86 kts. With a 20 knot headwind on the approach that's a groundspeed of about 65 knots.

Believe me, with only a GPS we can find a dirt strip with no lights....if we had to.

But like I was saying: I'm a touchy-feely new agey kinda pilot and I always follow the rules.

And when I flew 135 the wx was never lower than 500 and 2.

Never.

 

[mar]

Dammit--this is what I'm talking about

I just got suckered into the old "I can get it done" trap.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. This crap has gotta stop.

You're right, flywithastick. It would be highly irresponsible and very unprofessional to go poking around in the fog with a transport category airplane.

<note to self: stop puffing chest>