30West
NARF!
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2006
- Posts
- 533
In my years as a flight instructor and later sim instructor/check airman I did learn one thing. Not "everyone" is cut out to fly airplanes. Fewer still are cut out to be airline pilots. But that is not limited to just aviation. Personally I'm not smart enough to design software or be a Wall Street wiz. I could learn to do it, but I'd never be able to reach the professional levels of either trade. As a flight instructor, I flew with many folks who were at the top of their respective positions- Doctors, Successful business owners, lawyers, etc. But once airborne had absolutely no aptitude or natural ability. Obviously folks like this aren't stupid or they wouldn't be where they are.
As a simulator instructor, I have seen many folks wash out who are otherwise good pilots, just not cut out for airline flying. Doesn't mean they are not good pilots.
That being said, I will never apologize for what I make as a pilot. I have worked hard for the last 18 years since I took my first flying lesson honing and practicing and doing all I could do to get where I am now. Not a single opportunity or flight hour was handed to me on a silver platter. I happen to take pride in my profession and would never prostitute myself for the sake of one more hour in my logbook.
A quick show of hands- How many here think Al Haynes shouldn't have been paid his salary?
To all the non aviation professional folks who might be on this board- Instead of wondering why pilots get paid too much, why not ask yourself why you aren't getting paid what you are worth? I'll go out on a limb here and guess other high paying professions aren't busting their asses for years to get where they are, only to have to constantly justify themselves to everyone?
Why is it that doctors are allowed to be paid high salaries so they can afford to pay off the costs of their education, yet as pilots we're just expected to suck it up and just be "happy we're flying". Pilots have bills and mortgages just like everyone else.
BTW no I don't make 200k a year and never will in an airplane, but I do feel I am paid what I am worth and make no apologies.
As a simulator instructor, I have seen many folks wash out who are otherwise good pilots, just not cut out for airline flying. Doesn't mean they are not good pilots.
That being said, I will never apologize for what I make as a pilot. I have worked hard for the last 18 years since I took my first flying lesson honing and practicing and doing all I could do to get where I am now. Not a single opportunity or flight hour was handed to me on a silver platter. I happen to take pride in my profession and would never prostitute myself for the sake of one more hour in my logbook.
A quick show of hands- How many here think Al Haynes shouldn't have been paid his salary?
To all the non aviation professional folks who might be on this board- Instead of wondering why pilots get paid too much, why not ask yourself why you aren't getting paid what you are worth? I'll go out on a limb here and guess other high paying professions aren't busting their asses for years to get where they are, only to have to constantly justify themselves to everyone?
Why is it that doctors are allowed to be paid high salaries so they can afford to pay off the costs of their education, yet as pilots we're just expected to suck it up and just be "happy we're flying". Pilots have bills and mortgages just like everyone else.
BTW no I don't make 200k a year and never will in an airplane, but I do feel I am paid what I am worth and make no apologies.
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