Thank You, AA - (story)

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by Cruise

KB, I certainly wasn't suggesting YOU were starry-eyed when I made that statement to Velo. It was just a generalization for younger people excited about aviation.
While I don't actually know you, I've read enough of your posts to know you do your homework regarding this industry. You, are certainly not noobish. Sorry if you thought I was talking about you....'cause that's just not the case.

Nope, I didn't infer that at all. No worries.

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by Velocipede

You can garner an awful lot of experience listening to the old heads, or you can go out an "live" your experience in the bottom of a smoking hole (literally OR career). You make the choice.

Velo,

Seeing as how you are very much an old aviation head compared to me, I would really appreciate it if you'd take the opportunity in this thread to do exactly that: would you mind sharing a mistake or two you made in your career that you'd advise a young a pilot to avoid making? And how? This is the kind of stuff - first-hand knowledge - that goes a long way for me.

One of the reasons I buy pilots a lot of lunches is it's a quid pro quo - food for knowledge. I'll even feed ya beers and food if you'll let me know when you're in Dallas.

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by WildCougar

Finally, someone who actually GETS it! You may not agree with what the seniors on this forum have to say, be it aviation-related or not, but you should listen and then make your own INFORMED decisions based on all different points of view, not just the ones you agree with. Thanks!

Just to be clear - I've not disagreed with any of the advice I've received on these forums from any pilot because I have no real basis for comparison. But I do like having the information to process when it becomes relevant to whatever decision I'm going to be making at given times.

Eh. Strike that. I've received advice about doing primary in various places (the old academy vs. FBO debate) and I'm leaning, actually, toward the flying club method at the moment, but that has more to do with my personal situation than anything else. I guess that's not really agreeing or disagreeing, but rather considering relevant factors.

I think of it as adding tools to the toolbox, so to speak, and when something comes up, I'll have enough wrenches and screwdrivers to figure out the right way to do it. Make sense?

And thanks.

[ready2fly]

Originally Posted by Velocipede

Well, Mr. "I've been an airline pilot for a year and a half", we're still waiting for your "correction" on your statement that there are no AA pilots on furlough. I guess your "edit" didn't make it to this thread. Just for everyone's info, there are about 2,400 AA pilots currently on furlough.

And our buddy here is having the time of his life sitting at home and getting paid welfare wages. Good for him. If I were a new guy, that's whose advice I'd listen to...someone with less than 500 hours of airline flying. Yep, he's the man.

Wow. Quite the mature response. Bravo.

Doesn't make your statement that being on shortcall reserve any less bogus, now does it.

But, hey - you've insulted someone. Hope you feel better about yourself.

[SteveC]

Mmmm...fried eggs is a goodness.

[falconvalley]

I grew up around airplanes. I ran into the wing of a corporate jet when I was 5yo and cracked a tooth...still loved airplanes.

Started flying when I was 16 and still hadn't soloed after a year and 24 hours logged...still loved airplanes.

Sometime during my first year of flying lessons had a root canal on the tooth that I cracked when I was 5...still loved flying

Had a horrible first year in the AF...still loved airplanes

Got out of the AF after 4 interesting years, took forever to get a multiengine rating because of finding an aircraft and instructor. At one time was on a waiting list at a university for a year...still loved flying

Scheduled my initial CFI for Sept 11, 2001...nuff said...still loved flying even after 100 hours dual given during the next YEAR

Got a part-time job in the right seat of a King Air 200 after cleaning it on 3rd shift for a year and a half. This ultimately didn't work out as anything more than experience. Managed to scratch up 30 hours PIC when we flew empty. Didn't get hired full-time because of my low time and Iraqi Freedom...still loved flying

Flew jumpers on and off for 3 years and never really got any turbine time out of it though that was what I originally intended. Originally didn't have the total time for it and didn't have the freetime to do it later on...still loved flying

FINALLY got a full-time job flying freight and was fired after 8 months and numerous disagreements with management and a select few in the training department and the line...still loved flying

Been at a 121 outfit for almost a year now...and



you guessed it...



I still LOVE flying.

You can put me down as someone who loves his job, killbilly

[Cruise]

Originally Posted by Velocipede

You know what, Cruise, I do remember the young dragon. He learned a planeload from the "old guys". He listened when they talked about the mistakes they had made in the hangar flying sessions.

He was in a reserve squadron and listened intently when the Reservists who were airline guys talked about their careers and how to avoid the mistakes they made.

You can garner an awful lot of experience listening to the old heads, or you can go out an "live" your experience in the bottom of a smoking hole (literally OR career). You make the choice.

Absolutely agree 100%. Like I said previously, I wasn't disagreeing that youngin's need to listen more than speak.

Instead, I was suggesting not EVERY post be filled with noob-crushing reality. That's all, nothing more. I'm sure you have a great deal of aviation-wisdom to share.....and along those lines, I'm certain not all of those experiences are negative.

Tell us a bit about the positive aspects of Velo's career.

[Airdale]

KB, I'm happy for you that those guys treated you the way they did. Things at AA are pretty bad, so its good of them to treat their customers with respect and share a little aviation passion with someone.

Unfortunately, the industry does have its pits and downfalls. I think the thing to remember is that the same things can happen in other industries. If pilots stick together, unite and try to make things change, we stand a good chance.

While there are things my company does that piss me off, and sometimes I complain alot about that, I love my job and wouldn't leave the industry unless I absolutely had to. I've worked a lot of jobs up to this point and believe me, being an airline pilot is awesome. Folks that are considering careers in the industry just need to be made aware of the "reality". I just think its important to "choose your employer" wisely.

Although I think Velo comes off as being harsh, what he says is the unfortunate reality. But when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. Not go around cursing the guy that gave you the lemons. Translation - Yeah the industry sucks compared to what it was. But you can either accept that, keep a positive attitude and join others to fight back (by not taking jobs at places like Go-jets or Jetblue), or just get out of the industry and fly a desk.

[akaFlyboy 4]

Originally Posted by Airdale

Although I think Velo comes off as being harsh, what he says is the unfortunate reality. But when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. Not go around cursing the guy that gave you the lemons.

I hope my post passed on this message as well. I have read a lot of Velo's posts, I hear his and others frustration. I hope to learn from them all. I meant no disrespect to Velo.

[vikingair]

What a moment huh? One day you'll be the the guy up in front and maybe just maybe will get to be the inspiration for the flying life.

Awesome!