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Originally Posted by Murdoughnut  I buy your retort and I agree with most of what you've said. But to a certain extent, I think it's somewhat overly optimistic to expect a considerable amount of professionalism with this gig, for a few reasons.
First of all, as you have alluded to, it's the new American creed to do as little as possible. I've seen it in 5 years of college teaching just as you see it in your field. The problem is that we compete with these folks. I spent two years at Ohio State working on my Masters degree, yet was surpassed by folks in education who earned theirs in 9-months from a barely accredited college, all the while never leaving their computer. Unfair? Absolutely. But it's the unfortunate twist the market has taken.
As unprofessional as some of my employers have been, airlines take the cake. You're talking about companies who have survived a considerable race to the bottom against other bottom feeders - how much could the possibly value their employees if they have little to no concern for their customers?
I really wish you guys had a union with the backbone and power to put a stop to all of this - and I say this primarily as a passenger who wants to ensure the safety of myself and my family. I believe that what you describe is a problem - but I believe the responsibility (in the absence of corporate responsibility) lies with your unions. You guys have to collectively say enough is enough. Problem is, now your ranks are filling with the sort of pilot you're trying to preclude.
I probably came off as more of an arse than I meant to - I'm sorry. I agree with you, but I just don't think you can blame the new pilots. By most accounts, the first few years of an airline career are pretty awful. Can you blame someone for wanting to get past them as soon as possible?
And to your other question, no - I decided a few months ago that professional aviation wasn't for me. Interestingly, it had a lot to do with some of the people I met in aviation - folks who had, IMO, very little concern for safety (this all stems from a horrible attempt at gaining my multi-certificate). This happened about the time my plane was involved in a fatal accident. A few weeks later I had the unfortunate experience of flying the USAir system. The look of despair and fatigue on the faces of the regional crews I encountered in that weekend were enough to make me reconsider. But this is all personal to my situation - I wouldn't tell anyone else that it was wrong for them to go into the profession, of course. Each case is unique. From what I can tell, you seem to be enjoying it which is great. |
I just think you read into the post a little bit much, and responded to what you thought was there.
I write very deliberately, and there was no hidden agenda behind what I was writing. I HAVE and I will CONTINUE TO write about the educational aspects of the erosion of the fundamentals in the aviation community these days, but this thread was about how to weather the storm that I believe is brewing. You can argue the Machiavellian perspective of getting your seniority number now, but I'll continue to counter that the ends DO NOT justify the means in this pursuit and I'll back it up with the experiences that I've had in this career thus far. If you wanna hear all about it, come to NJC. But in the end, it was still not the intent of my post. I'm simply laying out what I believe to be the fact that if you take short cuts you WILL get hosed in the end. I have no worries about losing my job and finding a new one, because I can do more than fly airplanes. That gives me some freedom in this career, but it also gives me piece of mind that I can continue to pay my bills and provide for my soon to be wife if it comes down to it. You know as well as I do, dreams are great but you've still gotta find a way to pay the bills. If you don't have that, you're in serious trouble and you'll be married to this career, and you will be forced to take whatever cutbacks the company hands to you. If you can walk away, you have MUCH more power. And that comes from having options, and being the most qualified applicant on the next job when you lose your current one.
Oh hey question for you, think there's any chance that a Masters in Public Admin. that's done online would be looked at as more than a joke? I'm looking into a program through one of the California State University schools right now, looks pretty interesting and since I don't have the time to go to a regular graduate program these days, it looks like a good alternative. Any experience with such a thing?