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FalconCapt · August 16th, 2004, 16:23

I posted this thread not create a big controversy, but to open the eyes to the realities of this career and profession... I wanted to put things into perspective so that you go into this profession well informed and knowledgable not with your head in the clouds, or worse, up your a$$....

Many of you younger folks (and this site is chock full of you guys) are wearing rose colored glasses, dreaming of the day you'll get to fly a jet... It is very easy to say money doens't matter when you are living at home with mom & dad and they are paying nearly all of your expenses... But when the day comes (and it WILL come) when Mom & Dad give you the boot and tell you to stand on your own 2 feet, you will quickly realize that:

"flying a jet" doesn't pay the rent... Money does...
"flying a jet" doesn't pay for food... Money does...
"flying a jet" doesn't pay the utilities... Money does...
"flying a jet" doesn't buy you things... Money does...
"flying a jet" doesn't pay the car payment... Money does...
"flying a jet" doesn't pay the student loans... Money does...

While other career fields have seen their wages steadily increase (at least at the rate of cost of living increases)... MANY pilot jobs (i.e. Regionals) have seen their wages deteriorate... Some of you are right, until there is truely a qualified pilot shortage you will not see wages increase, because there is always some knucklehead who will work for less, just to fly a jet...

Before you jump into this career, make sure you get as informaed as your can, about ALL the aspects... Don't ignore the bad parts (furloughs, pay cuts, union battles, QoL issues, Scope, etc...) they aren't going away... If you ignore them, once you are here it will be that much harder to turn around and do something else...

Don't get me wrong, this job is rewarding, but it certainly isn't for everyone, even if you just absolutely love to fly... Being a Professional Pilot goes FAR, FAR beyond manipulating the controls of a flying machine...

August 16th, 2004, 16:23	#29
FalconCapt Banned Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: USA Posts: 489	Re: Can\'t wait to get to the regionals??? I posted this thread not create a big controversy, but to open the eyes to the realities of this career and profession... I wanted to put things into perspective so that you go into this profession well informed and knowledgable not with your head in the clouds, or worse, up your a$$.... Many of you younger folks (and this site is chock full of you guys) are wearing rose colored glasses, dreaming of the day you'll get to fly a jet... It is very easy to say money doens't matter when you are living at home with mom & dad and they are paying nearly all of your expenses... But when the day comes (and it WILL come) when Mom & Dad give you the boot and tell you to stand on your own 2 feet, you will quickly realize that: "flying a jet" doesn't pay the rent... Money does... "flying a jet" doesn't pay for food... Money does... "flying a jet" doesn't pay the utilities... Money does... "flying a jet" doesn't buy you things... Money does... "flying a jet" doesn't pay the car payment... Money does... "flying a jet" doesn't pay the student loans... Money does... While other career fields have seen their wages steadily increase (at least at the rate of cost of living increases)... MANY pilot jobs (i.e. Regionals) have seen their wages deteriorate... Some of you are right, until there is truely a qualified pilot shortage you will not see wages increase, because there is always some knucklehead who will work for less, just to fly a jet... Before you jump into this career, make sure you get as informaed as your can, about ALL the aspects... Don't ignore the bad parts (furloughs, pay cuts, union battles, QoL issues, Scope, etc...) they aren't going away... If you ignore them, once you are here it will be that much harder to turn around and do something else... Don't get me wrong, this job is rewarding, but it certainly isn't for everyone, even if you just absolutely love to fly... Being a Professional Pilot goes FAR, FAR beyond manipulating the controls of a flying machine...