If flying has become "just a job"...

Flatline · September 15th, 2005, 11:21

If flying has lost its thrill (which seems to be the case for so many of the more seasoned posters here), please allow me to recommend taking up aerobatics. You might just find yourself passionate about flying again (and maybe even addicted). Just one man's suggestion.

MikeD · September 15th, 2005, 11:25

[ QUOTE ]
If flying has lost its thrill (which seems to be the case for so many of the more seasoned posters here), please allow me to recommend taking up aerobatics. You might just find yourself passionate about flying again (and maybe even addicted). Just one man's suggestion.

[/ QUOTE ]

Aerobatics is fun. Affordable? I guess it depends. Would be neat to have as a job. And that's the point. It's not the flying that is "a job", it's the job itself. The job itself (that which pays the bills) can get tedious....that is, layovers/commuting/reserve time, etc.....in specific reference to airline flying. If it were easy to pay the bills with flying aerobatics, that'd be cool.

I would love to take up cropdusting or SEAT fire aircraft. Flying an AT-802 turbine single-engine would be a hoot. That, or own my own warbird.

MQAAord · September 15th, 2005, 11:26

Aerobatics are cool. I had the terrific opportunity to do a ride-along with an aerobatic pilot many years ago in a decathalon and it was a really fun experience.

Though I think it's not necessarily losing the thrill of flying that's the issue, I think it's dealing with the company bulls#it that is wearing on many people. It's hard to find money for aerobatic lessons/flying when paying the mortgage is hard enough.

Kingairer · September 15th, 2005, 11:51

Never really cared for it.

BrettInLJ · September 15th, 2005, 12:22

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If flying has lost its thrill (which seems to be the case for so many of the more seasoned posters here), please allow me to recommend taking up aerobatics. You might just find yourself passionate about flying again (and maybe even addicted). Just one man's suggestion.

[/ QUOTE ]

Aerobatics is fun. Affordable? I guess it depends. Would be neat to have as a job. And that's the point. It's not the flying that is "a job", it's the job itself. The job itself (that which pays the bills) can get tedious....that is, layovers/commuting/reserve time, etc.....in specific reference to airline flying. If it were easy to pay the bills with flying aerobatics, that'd be cool.

I would love to take up cropdusting or SEAT fire aircraft. Flying an AT-802 turbine single-engine would be a hoot. That, or own my own warbird.

[/ QUOTE ]

I imagine it would be great to instruct aerobatics occasionally on your days off. I've seen that kind of thing before. I know one 767 captain that would fly his friend's homebuilt FlyBaby on his days off, in addition to flying old warbirds for the CAF. Then there's other's like my father who just ran errands and did stuff around the house on his day's off. He seemed to still love and appreciate the flying part of the job, all the way up to retirement day.

FlyChicaga · September 15th, 2005, 14:43

I'd rather spend my money on a boat. Then, on my days off, I could go boating with my friends, have some good times, eat good food, drink some beers, and relax. Not think about work. So, when I go flying at work, I'll have stuff to think about as I'm crusing around at 330. What fun that would be! Flying around, cup of coffee in one hand, yoke in the other, thinking about my boat.

woodreau · September 15th, 2005, 14:56

[ QUOTE ]
If flying has lost its thrill (which seems to be the case for so many of the more seasoned posters here), please allow me to recommend taking up aerobatics. You might just find yourself passionate about flying again (and maybe even addicted). Just one man's suggestion.

[/ QUOTE ]

If I can't afford to rent a Cessna 152 on my first officer salary, how am I supposed to take acro lessons?

On my last job working on a boat, we'd be cruising around at 30knots, coffee mug in one hand, trying to shake all the cruise ships and pleasure yachts edging too close trying to get a view of our flight operations. We didn't maneuver if they got in the way though because except for supertankers, we'd win the law of gross tonnage, though these new cruise ships are getting huge as well. But our bridge crew would be talking about how cool it'd be to fly for a living as planes were getting flung off the flight deck.

But at least my last job paid me well enough to fly Duchesses and R-22s on my time off.

Chris_Ford · September 15th, 2005, 15:06

[ QUOTE ]
What fun that would be! Flying around, cup of coffee in one hand, yoke in the other, thinking about my boat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here here! ( or is it hear hear!)... Hope you're talking about a sailboat though. THAT would be the life. Work a few days, sail for a day or two, repeat.

Doug Taylor · September 15th, 2005, 15:10

It's not the flying, it's (a) being an employee and (b) dealing with idiots!

FlyChicaga · September 15th, 2005, 15:11

Absolutely a sailboat. Gas prices and all.

BCTAv8r · September 15th, 2005, 15:13

There's something wrong with your question. You should have said airline/cargo flying. Flying aerobatics for money must be awesome. How hard is i to make it to the US teams?

Chris_Ford · September 15th, 2005, 15:15

[ QUOTE ]
Absolutely a sailboat. Gas prices and all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm, in about... 10 years or more, you want to go 50-50 on a nice big sailboat?

BrettInLJ · September 15th, 2005, 15:17

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Absolutely a sailboat. Gas prices and all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm, in about... 10 years or more, you want to go 50-50 on a nice big sailboat?

[/ QUOTE ]

If you're willing to live on one, it can be affordable to get a smaller one since you don't have to pay rent (just slip fees and maintenance). My friend in San Diego did just that.

Chris_Ford · September 15th, 2005, 15:23

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Absolutely a sailboat. Gas prices and all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm, in about... 10 years or more, you want to go 50-50 on a nice big sailboat?

[/ QUOTE ]

If you're willing to live on one, it can be affordable to get a smaller one since you don't have to pay rent (just slip fees and maintenance). My friend in San Diego did just that.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was actually thinking about that, but what about, say... electricity and whatnot? I mean, I couldn't live without my internet

And if I want to cook my own food, is that possible? I really haven't looked into sailboats that much, I'm trying hard enough to just be able to afford the occasional multi-engine time building

ERfly · September 15th, 2005, 17:03

[ QUOTE ]
It's not the flying, it's (a) being an employee and (b) dealing with idiots!

[/ QUOTE ]

Once the cockpit door is closed and LOCKED and we're away from the gate, I love my job. It's dealing with all the other crap:

-"We're weight restricted, how many can I put on?!" (Can I get in my seat first, and besides, ask the Captain, he's the boss with the paperwork!)

-"Man, this thang is tha smallest thang I'd ever been on!" (Sorry, we had to pull the DC-10 off IAH-CLL after 9/11.)

-"Ya'll ain't drunk, yet, are ya?" (Nope, not yet.)

-"Yeah, ops, we're 3 past go-time and our rampers disappeared."

Stuff like that is not the most enjoyable part of flying, but once I'm in the air, I love my job. There's something about flying up the Long Island Sound at 10,000 and 320 kts on a beautiful late summer's day. Or taking off out of BTV and still seeing a little bit of fog over the lakes, rivers and valleys as the sun comes up. That is the good part about this job.

I'm with Matt, maybe I need to go buy a hole in the water to dump money into.

Kingairer · September 15th, 2005, 17:12

You cant let little stuff get to you or youll burn out, or start sharing your frustrations with people who dont deserve it. You learn this quickly flying for UALExpress and USAirways EXpress. Stuff like we are weight restricted and rampers not cooperating are not "big deals". Getting as many people and bags on as we can is part of the challenge that makes things different and fun sometimes. IMO of course.

Maximillian_Jenius · September 15th, 2005, 17:25

[ QUOTE ]
I'd rather spend my money on a boat. Then, on my days off, I could go boating with my friends, have some good times, eat good food, drink some beers, and relax. Not think about work. So, when I go flying at work, I'll have stuff to think about as I'm crusing around at 330. What fun that would be! Flying around, cup of coffee in one hand, yoke in the other, thinking about my boat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey there is a curse floating around on JC for members who fly for regionals who want to buy a boat. Just ask Viper.

Beware,beware...

-Matthew

flightmedic · September 15th, 2005, 21:27

[ QUOTE ]
own my own warbird.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ahhhhhhh..................a man with the same dream as me.

Brent

Cruise · September 15th, 2005, 21:41

Dream world....me and my P-51............ripping it up in the wild blue yonder!

scoobs · September 15th, 2005, 22:51

Hey Mike isn't it tough to get a SEAT job? And how do you become an aerobatic pilot at an airshow, do they get paid?

MikeD · September 16th, 2005, 03:54

[ QUOTE ]
Hey Mike isn't it tough to get a SEAT job? And how do you become an aerobatic pilot at an airshow, do they get paid?

[/ QUOTE ]

Getting a SEAT job is indeed tough. Those guys come from the agriculture community, and get add-on SEAT training for fires at places like Safford, AZ, and such. A big part of it is who you know. It's not impossible to get a job like that, but probably easier than getting many other jobs. Aerobatic pilots usually get sponsored like a racecar, and/or belong to a formal aerobatic team (such as the Red Baron pizza Stearmans).

September 15th, 2005, 11:21	#1
Flatline Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 21	If flying has become \"just a job\"... If flying has lost its thrill (which seems to be the case for so many of the more seasoned posters here), please allow me to recommend taking up aerobatics. You might just find yourself passionate about flying again (and maybe even addicted). Just one man's suggestion.

September 15th, 2005, 11:25	#2
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] If flying has lost its thrill (which seems to be the case for so many of the more seasoned posters here), please allow me to recommend taking up aerobatics. You might just find yourself passionate about flying again (and maybe even addicted). Just one man's suggestion. [/ QUOTE ] Aerobatics is fun. Affordable? I guess it depends. Would be neat to have as a job. And that's the point. It's not the flying that is "a job", it's the job itself. The job itself (that which pays the bills) can get tedious....that is, layovers/commuting/reserve time, etc.....in specific reference to airline flying. If it were easy to pay the bills with flying aerobatics, that'd be cool. I would love to take up cropdusting or SEAT fire aircraft. Flying an AT-802 turbine single-engine would be a hoot. That, or own my own warbird.

September 15th, 2005, 11:26	#3
MQAAord Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Looney Bin Posts: 9,093	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... Aerobatics are cool. I had the terrific opportunity to do a ride-along with an aerobatic pilot many years ago in a decathalon and it was a really fun experience. Though I think it's not necessarily losing the thrill of flying that's the issue, I think it's dealing with the company bulls#it that is wearing on many people. It's hard to find money for aerobatic lessons/flying when paying the mortgage is hard enough.

September 15th, 2005, 11:51	#4
Kingairer Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Nomadic...World Wide Boobie Bungalow Bouncer Posts: 3,170	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... Never really cared for it.

September 15th, 2005, 12:22	#5
BrettInLJ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Home:SFO Work:MSP Posts: 1,035	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] If flying has lost its thrill (which seems to be the case for so many of the more seasoned posters here), please allow me to recommend taking up aerobatics. You might just find yourself passionate about flying again (and maybe even addicted). Just one man's suggestion. [/ QUOTE ] Aerobatics is fun. Affordable? I guess it depends. Would be neat to have as a job. And that's the point. It's not the flying that is "a job", it's the job itself. The job itself (that which pays the bills) can get tedious....that is, layovers/commuting/reserve time, etc.....in specific reference to airline flying. If it were easy to pay the bills with flying aerobatics, that'd be cool. I would love to take up cropdusting or SEAT fire aircraft. Flying an AT-802 turbine single-engine would be a hoot. That, or own my own warbird. [/ QUOTE ] I imagine it would be great to instruct aerobatics occasionally on your days off. I've seen that kind of thing before. I know one 767 captain that would fly his friend's homebuilt FlyBaby on his days off, in addition to flying old warbirds for the CAF. Then there's other's like my father who just ran errands and did stuff around the house on his day's off. He seemed to still love and appreciate the flying part of the job, all the way up to retirement day.

September 15th, 2005, 14:43	#6
FlyChicaga Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,801	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... I'd rather spend my money on a boat. Then, on my days off, I could go boating with my friends, have some good times, eat good food, drink some beers, and relax. Not think about work. So, when I go flying at work, I'll have stuff to think about as I'm crusing around at 330. What fun that would be! Flying around, cup of coffee in one hand, yoke in the other, thinking about my boat.

September 15th, 2005, 14:56	#7
woodreau Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 263	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] If flying has lost its thrill (which seems to be the case for so many of the more seasoned posters here), please allow me to recommend taking up aerobatics. You might just find yourself passionate about flying again (and maybe even addicted). Just one man's suggestion. [/ QUOTE ] If I can't afford to rent a Cessna 152 on my first officer salary, how am I supposed to take acro lessons? On my last job working on a boat, we'd be cruising around at 30knots, coffee mug in one hand, trying to shake all the cruise ships and pleasure yachts edging too close trying to get a view of our flight operations. We didn't maneuver if they got in the way though because except for supertankers, we'd win the law of gross tonnage, though these new cruise ships are getting huge as well. But our bridge crew would be talking about how cool it'd be to fly for a living as planes were getting flung off the flight deck. But at least my last job paid me well enough to fly Duchesses and R-22s on my time off.

September 15th, 2005, 15:06	#8
Chris_Ford Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,329	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] What fun that would be! Flying around, cup of coffee in one hand, yoke in the other, thinking about my boat. [/ QUOTE ] Here here! ( or is it hear hear!)... Hope you're talking about a sailboat though. THAT would be the life. Work a few days, sail for a day or two, repeat.

September 15th, 2005, 15:10	#9
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 40,430 Blog Entries: 1	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... It's not the flying, it's (a) being an employee and (b) dealing with idiots!

September 15th, 2005, 15:11	#10
FlyChicaga Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,801	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... Absolutely a sailboat. Gas prices and all.

September 15th, 2005, 15:13	#11
BCTAv8r Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boca Raton Posts: 6,068	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... There's something wrong with your question. You should have said airline/cargo flying. Flying aerobatics for money must be awesome. How hard is i to make it to the US teams?

September 15th, 2005, 15:15	#12
Chris_Ford Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,329	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] Absolutely a sailboat. Gas prices and all. [/ QUOTE ] Hmmm, in about... 10 years or more, you want to go 50-50 on a nice big sailboat?

September 15th, 2005, 15:17	#13
BrettInLJ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Home:SFO Work:MSP Posts: 1,035	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Absolutely a sailboat. Gas prices and all. [/ QUOTE ] Hmmm, in about... 10 years or more, you want to go 50-50 on a nice big sailboat? [/ QUOTE ] If you're willing to live on one, it can be affordable to get a smaller one since you don't have to pay rent (just slip fees and maintenance). My friend in San Diego did just that.

September 15th, 2005, 15:23	#14
Chris_Ford Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,329	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Absolutely a sailboat. Gas prices and all. [/ QUOTE ] Hmmm, in about... 10 years or more, you want to go 50-50 on a nice big sailboat? [/ QUOTE ] If you're willing to live on one, it can be affordable to get a smaller one since you don't have to pay rent (just slip fees and maintenance). My friend in San Diego did just that. [/ QUOTE ] I was actually thinking about that, but what about, say... electricity and whatnot? I mean, I couldn't live without my internet And if I want to cook my own food, is that possible? I really haven't looked into sailboats that much, I'm trying hard enough to just be able to afford the occasional multi-engine time building

September 15th, 2005, 17:03	#15
ERfly Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 548	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] It's not the flying, it's (a) being an employee and (b) dealing with idiots! [/ QUOTE ] Once the cockpit door is closed and LOCKED and we're away from the gate, I love my job. It's dealing with all the other crap: -"We're weight restricted, how many can I put on?!" (Can I get in my seat first, and besides, ask the Captain, he's the boss with the paperwork!) -"Man, this thang is tha smallest thang I'd ever been on!" (Sorry, we had to pull the DC-10 off IAH-CLL after 9/11.) -"Ya'll ain't drunk, yet, are ya?" (Nope, not yet.) -"Yeah, ops, we're 3 past go-time and our rampers disappeared." Stuff like that is not the most enjoyable part of flying, but once I'm in the air, I love my job. There's something about flying up the Long Island Sound at 10,000 and 320 kts on a beautiful late summer's day. Or taking off out of BTV and still seeing a little bit of fog over the lakes, rivers and valleys as the sun comes up. That is the good part about this job. I'm with Matt, maybe I need to go buy a hole in the water to dump money into.

September 15th, 2005, 17:12	#16
Kingairer Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Nomadic...World Wide Boobie Bungalow Bouncer Posts: 3,170	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... You cant let little stuff get to you or youll burn out, or start sharing your frustrations with people who dont deserve it. You learn this quickly flying for UALExpress and USAirways EXpress. Stuff like we are weight restricted and rampers not cooperating are not "big deals". Getting as many people and bags on as we can is part of the challenge that makes things different and fun sometimes. IMO of course.

September 15th, 2005, 17:25	#17
Maximillian_Jenius Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KPHX, KFFZ, KIWA Posts: 18,851	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] I'd rather spend my money on a boat. Then, on my days off, I could go boating with my friends, have some good times, eat good food, drink some beers, and relax. Not think about work. So, when I go flying at work, I'll have stuff to think about as I'm crusing around at 330. What fun that would be! Flying around, cup of coffee in one hand, yoke in the other, thinking about my boat. [/ QUOTE ] Hey there is a curse floating around on JC for members who fly for regionals who want to buy a boat. Just ask Viper. Beware,beware... -Matthew

September 15th, 2005, 21:27	#18
flightmedic Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: wishing I was flying instead.......... Posts: 70	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] own my own warbird. [/ QUOTE ] Ahhhhhhh..................a man with the same dream as me. Brent

September 15th, 2005, 21:41	#19
Cruise Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SYR, ABE Posts: 2,245	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... Dream world....me and my P-51............ripping it up in the wild blue yonder!

September 15th, 2005, 22:51	#20
scoobs Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 678	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... Hey Mike isn't it tough to get a SEAT job? And how do you become an aerobatic pilot at an airshow, do they get paid?

September 16th, 2005, 03:54	#21
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: If flying has become \"just a job\"... [ QUOTE ] Hey Mike isn't it tough to get a SEAT job? And how do you become an aerobatic pilot at an airshow, do they get paid? [/ QUOTE ] Getting a SEAT job is indeed tough. Those guys come from the agriculture community, and get add-on SEAT training for fires at places like Safford, AZ, and such. A big part of it is who you know. It's not impossible to get a job like that, but probably easier than getting many other jobs. Aerobatic pilots usually get sponsored like a racecar, and/or belong to a formal aerobatic team (such as the Red Baron pizza Stearmans).

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