Is it just a little boy's dream or a real job?

[3enginejock]

Just because you start out making low wages does not mean you will be stuck making low wages for the rest of your career. I don't think a McDonalds employee makes the same as a major airline Captain making over 150k a year.

Again, You will have to work to get to where you want to be. You will have to live poor sometimes but eventually if you really want it bad enough you will get to the position you want to be.

There are plenty of pilots who made it and are doing very well right now, for some reason they don't post much on this forum though. All I see here is a bunch of pilots who whine about unions and low pay.

Whats funny is a lot of people talk about flying being boring after awhile. If you truly love to fly it will not get boring. I think some people joined this profession thinking they would look good in a pilots uniform.

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by 3enginejock

Whats funny is a lot of people talk about flying being boring after awhile. If you truly love to fly it will not get boring. I think some people joined this profession thinking they would look good in a pilots uniform.

For what it's worth - I really, truly believed I loved flying. It was my passion. Then I got bored with it and left the profession. Some people keep the love and passion for flying, some lose it. I guarentee you, when I was at your experience level I felt I loved flying at least as much as you do. It really can happen to anyone. Once this happens though, some choose to stay in the profession, and some choose to leave based on their personal circumstances.

Oh, and I for one have never, nor have I ever wanted to wear a "pilot's uniform."

[ZapBrannigan]

Originally Posted by Ian J

Oh, and I for one have never, nor have I ever wanted to wear a "pilot's uniform."

Especially the hat. I firmly believe it is what led to my eventual hair-loss.

BUT...I wore it every day just like the company wanted me to. I guess I have a thing about responsibility and integrity.

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by skidz

23 dollars an hour for sitting and watching the clouds go by?
Geesh...Some people would do that for free...

My point was that if I am getting paid a wage, such as $23 an hour ... I'd want to find it enjoyable.

I suppose every cruise is enjoyable so long as metal doesn't start sheering.

[3green]

There are plenty of pilots who made it and are doing very well right now, for some reason they don't post much on this forum though. All I see here is a bunch of pilots who whine about unions and low pay.

Whats funny is a lot of people talk about flying being boring after awhile. If you truly love to fly it will not get boring. I think some people joined this profession thinking they would look good in a pilots uniform.

Trust me when I say(and others may agree or not) that the uniform is the last thing you want to be wearing when your commuting or greeting them after/before a flight. I cannot even begin to tell you the stupid things people have said to me when I was in uniform.

Like Ian stated, everyone loves flying thats why we all went through hoops and bounds to get where we were in the airlines. Perspectives change due to experience, thats just life.

As for not getting bored since you really love flying? Its like saying you wouldn't get bored sitting in a car for 4 hours? Especially with "George"(autopilot) at the helm...

[3green]

There are plenty of pilots who made it and are doing very well right now, for some reason they don't post much on this forum though. All I see here is a bunch of pilots who whine about unions and low pay.

We're just trying to prepare you for the experience you will have in any crewroom and flightdeck out there. Welcome to the airlines!

[DE727UPS]

"Again, You will have to work to get to where you want to be. You will have to live poor sometimes but eventually if you really want it bad enough you will get to the position you want to be."

I once made $600/mo, six days a week, and had to clean toilets. I stuck with it.....

[IslandFlyer]

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

I once made $600/mo, six days a week, and had to clean toilets. I stuck with it.....

That's dedication!!!!

[modernicarus]

USA Today did an article online titled, "Midlifers live their dreams by changing careers."

While it is not aviation specific, alot of the same issues are presented.
here is the link:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2008-09-24-midlife-passion_N.htm?POE=click-refer

[atpwannabe]

No, it isn't. This is my story:

I've always wanted to be an airline pilot. As a little boy, growing up in Riviera Beach, FL, when television would go off at night, TV stations showed military aircraft while playing the National Anthem. After the anthem, a narrator would say the poem "High Flight". At the end, when they are showing the fighter pilot sitting in the cockpit with his sunshield down, the narrator would say those words that stuck with me for the rest of my life...."and I will slip the surly bonds of earth...reach out and touch the Face of God". In the great wisdom & innocent understanding of a 5-6 year old, I equated being a pilot with literally being able to "reach out and touch the FACE of GOD! I know who gave me the desire to fly.


atp