What do you tell your children?

[BizPilot]

I have a son who just turned 7 years old. The other day was the first time he said to me, "Dad, I think I want to be an Airline Pilot."

He caught me off guard, and I really didn't have an answer for him. So I just laughed it off.

What are you guys with children telling your kids? Are you encouraging, or discouraging an airline career?

Just want to get everyone's thoughts on this subject that I can't seem to grasp myself.

(I fly corporate, not for an airline)

 

[YourPilotFriend]

It all depends, really the future of any career right now is uncertain. The airlines might be the place to be in the future, nobody knows. You should know where things are going by the time he gets old enough to start choosing a career path.

 

[1973Arrow]

At 7, I'm not even sure I knew that there were any other kind of pilots, other than airline pilots and military pilots. As we all know, those are two huge catagories, but they are not the all to end all. Encouraging him to be a pilot isn't a bad thing. I would say encourage, but help provide guidance. Heck, sign the little guy up for flightinfo

 

[OPECJet]

I'd ground my kid for using that kind of language.

 

[Hobit]

Tell him to get a different job and fly for fun. That way nobody can ever take away his joy of flying.

Of course, you know that if he's thinking about it and speaking of it this early... Sorry and Congrats, I guess.

At least he doesn't want to be a lawyer or politician. Also, this is something that the two of you will be able to share forever and it may help you get him through the many pitfalls of teenage years.

 

[captain caveman]

Become independantly wealthy first. Then you can afford to strike before taking consessions and starting a race to the bottom.

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

Long time ago a Captain I respected said this:

"Get your son a subscription to Flying Magazine, every month when it arrives, take him out back and flip thru the pages; at every picture of an airplane, SLAP HIM HARD! If you catch him early enough, you might just condition it out of him."

 

[81Horse]

Grog tell funny story. :]

BizPilot, why disillusion your kid? He's only 7. Wait till he's older, and then tell him he'd better have a Plan B. And C.

And he should start himself an IRA right now.

 

[DirkkDiggler]

I have a son who just turned 7 years old. The other day was the first time he said to me, "Dad, I think I want to be an Airline Pilot."

He caught me off guard, and I really didn't have an answer for him. So I just laughed it off.

What are you guys with children telling your kids? Are you encouraging, or discouraging an airline career?

Just want to get everyone's thoughts on this subject that I can't seem to grasp myself.

(I fly corporate, not for an airline)

He obviously admires you and wants to be just like you. (Pretty typical of a seven year old looking at his dad) Why would you want to give him any negative feedback at that age? Let him continue thinking you're Super Dad and as he gets older, if it's still with him, give him the facts and let him make his own decision.

 

[acaTerry]

I have a son who just turned 7 years old. The other day was the first time he said to me, "Dad, I think I want to be an Airline Pilot."

He caught me off guard, and I really didn't have an answer for him. So I just laughed it off.

What are you guys with children telling your kids? Are you encouraging, or discouraging an airline career?

Just want to get everyone's thoughts on this subject that I can't seem to grasp myself.

(I fly corporate, not for an airline)

Ah geez , this is like the Marine whose kid wants to join the navy!

 

[81Horse]

Ah geez , this is like the Marine whose kid wants to join the navy!

What's the difference?

</joking!!!!>

 

[WIPilot]

Though I am nor a airline pilot (yet...) or a parent...(hopefuly will not be until the first part...) I still think you should let a 7 year old dream

 

[DirkkDiggler]

Though I am nor a airline pilot (yet...) or a parent...(hopefuly will not be until the first part...) I still think you should let a 7 year old dream

Agreed. There's nothing worse than having your parents tell you that your dreams are stupid. (Especially at age 7)

 

[Green]

I say tell him to go for it. As bad as things are there is still a decent living to be made flying airplanes. Would you rather he get rich screwing you or someone else out of your retirment as a lawyer/manager? Atleast we can sleep well at night knowing we earn an honest living providing a service that is of benefit to others.

 

[dhc8fo]

If my daughter said this to me (she is 2 though), I would tell her that that is great but that she has to go to college first and a degree (in something other than aviation, of course).

I would enjoy the fact that your kid admires you and loves flying and try to enjoy the common bond while it lasts. Your kid may very well have the same aspirations when the time comes, but it is just as likely that he won't.

Besides, airline flying doesn't suck to everyone. It is purley case dependent. And, as you know, there are so many roads to take in aviation that he may well end up with some sort of a great career.

Take yer boy flying!

 

[Guitar Guy]

Just a little humor...

I remember hearing this story one time...

A teacher at an elementary school decides to have her students tell the rest of the class what each of their parents does for a living.

Susie is first up. "My daddy is fireman. He goes into burning buildings and saves people from fires."

Mikey is next. "My dad is policeman. He arrests bad people and makes all of us safer."

Bobby is next. With an uncomfortable look, he says, "My daddy is a gay nude dancer. He dances in front of other men. Sometimes, my daddy has to go into a back room with some of the men and do bad things."

Stunned, the teacher doesn't know exactly what to do, so she tells the class to go out for recess, except for Bobby.

The teacher asks Bobby if what he said was true. Bobby says that no, it isn't true. So the teacher asks Bobby why he lied.

Bobby replies, "My dad is actually an airline pilot, but I'm too embarassed to admit it so I tell everyone he's a gay nude dancer instead."

 

[Nixon]

Our six-and-a-half-year-old daughter wants to be a ballerina. We haven't told her that a life of anorexia and chain-smoking are waiting for her. She'll figure it out.

This is the same kid who wanted to know what fractionals are. We told her. She said that she didn't think it was a good idea to fly a quarter of an airplane.

 

[SennaP1]

I remember hearing this story one time...

A teacher at an elementary school decides to have her students tell the rest of the class what each of their parents does for a living.

Susie is first up. "My daddy is fireman. He goes into burning buildings and saves people from fires."

Mikey is next. "My dad is policeman. He arrests bad people and makes all of us safer."

Bobby is next. With an uncomfortable look, he says, "My daddy is a gay nude dancer. He dances in front of other men. Sometimes, my daddy has to go into a back room with some of the men and do bad things."

Stunned, the teacher doesn't know exactly what to do, so she tells the class to go out for recess, except for Bobby.

The teacher asks Bobby if what he said was true. Bobby says that no, it isn't true. So the teacher asks Bobby why he lied.

Bobby replies, "My dad is actually an airline pilot, but I'm too embarassed to admit it so I tell everyone he's a gay nude dancer instead."

Sorry, Dumb.

 

[FN FAL]

I have a son who just turned 7 years old. The other day was the first time he said to me, "Dad, I think I want to be an Airline Pilot."

Can't you talk any sense into the child?

 

[Rerouted]

Just a thought

At 7 I don't think you have much to worry about, I agree that it's probably just wanting to be like daddy. If the airlines continue to be much as they are now, I would find it hard to encourage him to pursue a career in this field as he gets older. I disagree on many levels with those who say that there is still a good income to be earned in this field. You can earn aliving, yes. If you are at FedEx, UPS or SWA, you can even make a very good income....and live the pilot lifestyle...for better or worse. That aside, pilots are a horribly underpaid and underappreciated group. Think about all you give up and how little you get in return. I can't think of any field where you pay as much to be a part of it to make so little in return. No, don't encourage it as they get older. Just my take on it.

 

[onionluvr]

I think you should block out a Saturday and spend the day doing the the following:

First make sure he has a working definition of union, MEC, scope clause, "the race to the bottom," strike pay, ALPA, teamsters, pay rate, "lowering the bar", quality of life, junior manning, short reserve, long reserve, "block or better," bidding, mainline, regional, wide body, narrow body, RJ, undercut, whipsaw, stock options, undeserved bonuses, contract negotiations, shiny jet syndrome, quality of life, commute, jumpseat, CASS and flamebait.

After you're sure he understands that then tell him that you won't be able to afford to buy his way into the right seat of that shiny new jet, so he is going to have to do it the hard way and pay his dues by flying cargo/flight instructing to build his time.

When he does get ready to start at an airline make sure he knows which ones are ok to go to and which ones aren't. Explain that some airlines are lowing the bar and they he doesn't want to be a part of that. Those airlines are allowing the management of other airlines to whipsaw their pilot groups. Working for an undercutting airline like that will mean that he will be despised by the rest of the airline pilot community and may not be able to jumpseat when he wants to go commute to work.

Finally explain that he and the rest of his class at school should write a letter to their congressmen telling them to oppose changing the age 60 rule.

You may want to block out some more time over the next few weeks to review these items and expand on some of them. That would be up to you.

OR

You could take him to the airport once in awhile and watch airplanes with him. You could take him on and airplane ride, or on one of your trips when he is old enough and if it's allowed. You could get him some cool airplane posters for his room. You could go to his class on career day and let the rest of his class admire you while he can sit back and be proud of his dad. You could tell him that if he wants to be a pilot he needs to keep working hard in school and the you will help him as much as you can. You could also tell him that if he decides being an airline pilot is what he wants you would be very proud of him.

 

[DashCojones]

Tell him he could always play piano in a cathouse.

 

[PacoPollo]

Start saving money. Then send him to Gulfstream Academy. Thats the right path now-a-days.

 

[rogerdoger]

No offense man. But I wouldn't be for parental advice from flightinfo.com. You know as well as I do these guys have sick and twisted sense of humor.

 

[Flyingdutchman]

I'd ground my kid for using that kind of language.

ROFLMAO

 

[PilotOnTheRise]

I say tell him to go for it. As bad as things are there is still a decent living to be made flying airplanes. Would you rather he get rich screwing you or someone else out of your retirment as a lawyer/manager? Atleast we can sleep well at night knowing we earn an honest living providing a service that is of benefit to others.

I agree 100% with this. Whether you think you are underpaid or not, pilot salaries are equal to, and at the major level more than the majority of all careers the typical average American goes into. Average American salary out of college - $35,000. Average American salary, overall - $39,000.

Pilots need not kid themselves into thinking the problems they are having right now, they are experiencing alone. I touched on this in another thread, but industries across the board are having problems, cutting pension, benefits, pay, having lay offs, etc. Recently I read an article that says 80% of all American workers think they are underpaid and under valued.

I think it is a parents job and responsibility to help their children make the best decisions for their life. It is ultimately, however, up to the child. Eventually they will come of an age where it is their decision, and nobody else's. I knew I wanted to be a pilot when I was about your sons age, and never did that desire leave. I say if it is something he truly wants to do, encourage it. Who knows where the airlines will be by the time your son is at the point to look for a job. They could be flourishing. Also, corporate is not a bad way to go, and salaries at that level are/can be great as well. I would certainly not discourage him from becoming a professional pilot on some level, even the military.

 

[JumpCaptain]

If he's serious, send him over to Mesa. He probably meets their requirements and pay would be competative with his current allowance.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I agree 100% with this. Whether you think you are underpaid or not, pilot salaries are equal to, and at the major level more than the majority of all careers the typical average American goes into. Average American salary out of college - $35,000. Average American salary, overall - $39,000.

Pilots need not kid themselves into thinking the problems they are having right now, they are experiencing alone. I touched on this in another thread, but industries across the board are having problems, cutting pension, benefits, pay, having lay offs, etc. Recently I read an article that says 80% of all American workers think they are underpaid and under valued.

I think it is a parents job and responsibility to help their children make the best decisions for their life. It is ultimately, however, up to the child. Eventually they will come of an age where it is their decision, and nobody else's. I knew I wanted to be a pilot when I was about your sons age, and never did that desire leave. I say if it is something he truly wants to do, encourage it. Who knows where the airlines will be by the time your son is at the point to look for a job. They could be flourishing. Also, corporate is not a bad way to go, and salaries at that level are/can be great as well. I would certainly not discourage him from becoming a professional pilot on some level, even the military.

what a load of garbage.

http://www.admissionsconsultants.com/mba/compensation.asp

there's your average MBA grad salary (year one)

Is it any harder to hit six years of college than it is to do 4+ and get pilot ratings and experience?

across the board industries are not hurting. Many are posting record profits, record bonuses, etc..outside of automotive (well, 2 of them) and airlines - what industries are hurting?...energy, finance, tech...they all seem to be doing pretty well.

lose the "average joe makes" mentality, unless thats what it takes to justify a terrible job...

 

[501261]

I have a son who just turned 7 years old. The other day was the first time he said to me, "Dad, I think I want to be an Airline Pilot."

Take him to the local fire station, seriously. My oldest used to love airplanes, then I took him to the Airport Fire Rescue. They were great, showed him all the trucks and equipment, then we got to drive around the airport, and shoot the water cannon in their "practice area." Ever since then I haven't heard a thing about airplanes, it's just firemen, and firetrucks .