We are #1! .... Most Stressful job.

[Data]

It's still off to me how pilots can make the argument against the stress- makes me think you're in management- or people who downplay this career aren't that good- don't studythat hard- don't put much effort into it and things get missed (or would get missed if it weren't for their flying partner). Or you've just been lucky- Look- there is a big difference between being well suited for and talented at the job, recognizing the benefits of the job (ie: no way to take it home w/ you) AND saying it has no stress.
Bc that's pure and simple lack of experience and perspective- and it's arrogant too. If you're not stressed at this job- chances are you've never been furloughed, never seen or been part of an FAA witch-hunt, and never had an emergency or weather related incident that really nailed down that "life-threatening at times" attribute that you just downplayed.

Or you're just mgmt and want your pilots downplaying themselves

I say stick with the managment idea as it relates to me. That way you won't have to justify your weak arguments and we'll both be happy (ie less stressed).

 

[waveflyer]

Well which is it Data? Youre saying you ARE mgmt? I dont hate you for it, i used to be an ACP. And why the animosity?
I can say I'm not stressed now- but I work at SWA who keeps my sleep consistent doesn't schedule me beyond body limits AND pays me enough that I can afford to take my days off-
We need managers- but I also know my pilots respected me bc I flew enough to never lose the perspective of a line pilot. My boss did not and his replacement went from likable line pilot to... Well, let's say he lost perspective (and respect) amazingly quick.

Are you flying a line Data?
This isn't personal- but I am talking from experiencing a wide array of civilian aviation- pilots are so mentally tough and type A - we often will not admit to stress. And stress isn't always over-stressed. But I've had jobs where I was very very stressed, and handled it well for the most part- but it DEFINITELY had to be acknowledged in order to manage it.
Now, I'm grateful every day for having a life that isn't stressed- grateful to SW and to myself that I've made good choices and set good priorities to keep stress at bay...

 

[GogglesPisano]

GMAFB! Stressful my ass. The desk job I had while on furlough was ten times more stressful than flying. We're a bunch of pampered cry babies who'll never make enough money like back in the "good" ol' days, never have the schedules we so richly deserve, never get the respect we so badly deserve to stroke our over-inflated ego's, and on and on......what a bunch of whiners. It's no wonder we get stereotyped as pompous a$$holes by a good percentage of the public. And we seriously think they'll give a $hit when we picket about how bad we have it.........pathetic.

Grow a pair, show up, do your job and STFU already. Our grandparents would be embarrassed.

Do us all a favor and never, ever consider a spot an any negotiating committee anywhere at anytime. You are management's wet dream.

 

[HA25]

Do us all a favor and never, ever consider a spot an any negotiating committee anywhere at anytime. You are management's wet dream.

hey googles, long time no see... not since my moderation days at least.. But yeah, this guy is a real gem, ain't he?

 

[Data]

Well which is it Data? Youre saying you ARE mgmt? I dont hate you for it, i used to be an ACP. And why the animosity?
I can say I'm not stressed now- but I work at SWA who keeps my sleep consistent doesn't schedule me beyond body limits AND pays me enough that I can afford to take my days off-
We need managers- but I also know my pilots respected me bc I flew enough to never lose the perspective of a line pilot. My boss did not and his replacement went from likable line pilot to... Well, let's say he lost perspective (and respect) amazingly quick.

Are you flying a line Data?
This isn't personal- but I am talking from experiencing a wide array of civilian aviation- pilots are so mentally tough and type A - we often will not admit to stress. And stress isn't always over-stressed. But I've had jobs where I was very very stressed, and handled it well for the most part- but it DEFINITELY had to be acknowledged in order to manage it.
Now, I'm grateful every day for having a life that isn't stressed- grateful to SW and to myself that I've made good choices and set good priorities to keep stress at bay...

Well that went over your head. No, I'm not managment. Yes, I am a line pilot. Yes, I work for a company that abuses its pilots. No, I don't get stressed by it. I don't believe this is a stressful job, or at least on par with the stress of air traffic control, or investment broker, stock trader, lawyer, sales manager etc. Sure being a pilot has moments that can be stressful, even life threatening. My two best friends are a lawyer and a sales manager for a large industrial firm, the lawyer had a minor heart attack at 38 and the sales manager has had bouts of depression over continued pressure to meet sales quotas. They both make bank but wear their stress on their sleeves. Me, I'm the happy go lucky dumb ass among them that pretty much walks around in a stress free bubble. Thay call me for lunch and I'm out at the park playing with me kids, that one always gets them. 10 years ago I was a software developer, I had contant headaches and was sick all the time. These days, not at all. Spare me the 'this is the most stressful job' line, it isn't. Not even close. And its not personal on you, I look forward to working at a major like you and enjoying the job. I just don't buy it when I hear people whining about this while not having experienced the other side (not you, but you've picked up the baton and run with it so I'm responding to you).

 

[GogglesPisano]

hey googles, long time no see... not since my moderation days at least.. But yeah, this guy is a real gem, ain't he?

Yep. Love the "this job is so easy a monkey can do it," crowd. Uesful in negotiations and influencing public opinion -- for management.

 

[HA25]

Yep. Love the "this job is so easy a monkey can do it," crowd. Uesful in negotiations and influencing public opinion -- for management.

I hear ya... btw, you need to slow down, you're almost caught up to me with the number of type ratings you're collecting...

 

[Saabslime]

Yep. Love the "this job is so easy a monkey can do it," crowd. Uesful in negotiations and influencing public opinion -- for management.

"Influencing public opinion"....you make me laugh. You'll be better off once you realize that the public doesn't give two $hits about you or your contract. All they care about is the price tag, but go on believing they really care about you if it makes you sleep better at night.

Oh, and this job IS easy. Easy because I've spent decades doing it. Acknowledging that fact doesn't mean I don't know my own value......not by a long shot. The difference between you and I is I don't feel the need to put on a facade about how stressed I am:bawling:, or how dangerous this job is to get what I want out of management.

 

[GogglesPisano]

"Influencing public opinion"....you make me laugh. You'll be better off once you realize that the public doesn't give two $hits about you or your contract. All they care about is the price tag, but go on believing they really care about you if it makes you sleep better at night.

Oh, and this job IS easy. Easy because I've spent decades doing it. Acknowledging that fact doesn't mean I don't know my own value......not by a long shot. The difference between you and I is I don't feel the need to put on a facade about how stressed I am:bawling:, or how dangerous this job is to get what I want out of management.

I'm sure you do a splendid job getting "want you want out of management" without negotiating.

Negotiating is all it comes down to. Highlighting the negative aspects of our job helps accomplish this.

 

[HA25]

"Influencing public opinion"....you make me laugh. You'll be better off once you realize that the public doesn't give two $hits about you or your contract. All they care about is the price tag, but go on believing they really care about you if it makes you sleep better at night.

Oh, and this job IS easy. Easy because I've spent decades doing it. Acknowledging that fact doesn't mean I don't know my own value......not by a long shot. The difference between you and I is I don't feel the need to put on a facade about how stressed I am:bawling:, or how dangerous this job is to get what I want out of management.

if we're to believe your profile (and I never put all my details in mine for reasons of privacy), then you have a single turboprop type rating, and yet you're telling a guy with more than 1/2 a dozen, including widebody jets how much work there is involved in being a pilot?

Have you ever flowing outside the US? Have you ever flown an NDB approach in non-radar in Africa in a heavy? Have you ever flown through south asia or the middle east and had to use 2 radios and 2 charts to keep in contact with the right ATC authorities so you don't get blown out of the sky by their airforce? all while you're on the back side of the clock, jet lagged, on min rest and flying a 13 hour leg?

Yeah, it's easy to buzz back and forth in a 340 between your hub and your spoke... memorizing the ATC frequencies, the arrivals and the airport map.. buy try being a real airline pilot for a few days.. and then tell me there's no stress.