Pilots in the 70s

[phoenix 23684]

So I took a trip to Venezuela to visit my dad and asked him how it was being a pilot in the 70s down there when he started, you are going to be amazed and jealous.

He started in the mid 70s with Avensa Airlines just after receiving his FAA commercial 250hrs, he did his training in the US, right seat in the Convair 440. So for those who don't think low timers belong in the aircraft, that was the norm back then, and remember no radar environment, on board radar, TCAS, GPS, good weather services, and yes ADF only, so a lot more challenging.
Now to the good bart, he was paid two flight hours before the flight and one after, after 3000 hours he collected captain pay, whether or not he could hold left seat, giving him take home of us dollars 12-16k per month. Vacation was 3 choices: 15 days off 60 days of pay, 30 off 45 pay, 60 off 30 pay. Of course they were treated with a lot of dignity that was given to pilots back in the day.
Oh yeah upgraded to DC-9 Capt in 3 or 4 years of starting at the company, and that airline was only regional to the area, he could have gone to Viasa for the international perk but wanted to be home often. They usually traded trips so basically you flew as much as you could for one week and had 3 weeks off.
But before you think about packing your bags, that no longer happens there due to extreme corruption of the government, top Capt pay is now only 2k.
Either way it was interesting getting a different picture of the times. He told me American captains were making about 4k a month, which was still pretty good money to 70s standards of living, Venezuela was more expensive than the US back in those days, but I do remember living rather well when I was a kid.

[belliott]

I found it interesting that as a Metroliner FO I was making approximately the same as a 737/DC9 CA in Venezuela. We stayed in a hotel during a mx problem and chatted it up with one crew over dinner and a few brews.
Nice pilots.... although a little too judgemental..... FA's were smoking hot.... then again I would say that an overwhelming percentage of Venezuelan women are gorgeous.

[Mad Doggy Dog]

Originally Posted by phoenix 23684

no radar environment, on board radar, TCAS, GPS, good weather services, and yes ADF only

Ah, the 70's.


When sex was safe, and flying was dangerous!




.

[youngflyer]

That is pretty neat.

[Stapp0770]

thats interesting, thanks for sharing!

[TXaviator]

belliott is the caribbean party pilot i aspire to be :-D

[ppragman]

Originally Posted by phoenix 23684

He started in the mid 70s with Avensa Airlines just after receiving his FAA commercial 250hrs, he did his training in the US, right seat in the Convair 440. So for those who don't think low timers belong in the aircraft, that was the norm back then, and remember no radar environment, on board radar, TCAS, GPS, good weather services, and yes ADF only, so a lot more challenging. .

Sounds like alaska. No radar, no tcas, no wx service, and wonderful GPS sometimes doesn't work at really high latitudes.

We flew the hondo like that, and it worked out fine (though the ones with the 430s would seldom #### out)

[SeanD]

My old man flew in the 70s for the airlines. He says the late 70s were the best years he had in aviation. Not to mention flying the diesel 8 when it was kind of new. A pilot was also allowed to have side burn chops.

[belliott]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

belliott is the caribbean party pilot i aspire to be :-D

I am a nobody.... but I do happen to provide some good breaks and house during the inflight entertainment portion of hauling cargo... off to the oildfields of TX.... anybody in the Midland/Odessa area?!

[Bigey]

Originally Posted by SeanD

My old man flew in the 70s for the airlines. He says the late 70s were the best years he had in aviation. Not to mention flying the diesel 8 when it was kind of new. A pilot was also allowed to have side burn chops.

I'm bringing chops back to the airlines, or at least i'm going to try. We gotta fight for our right to have nice sideburns!!!!!!!!

[ERfly]

Originally Posted by Bigey

I'm bringing chops back to the airlines, or at least i'm going to try. We gotta fight for our right to have nice sideburns!!!!!!!!

You'll get about as far as your local CP. Just a head's up.

[Doug Taylor]

Not below the middle of the ear lobe at Southernjets, I think.

I grow facial hair like a early pubescent 16 year old so I never really had to worry about confirming the rule

[Bigey]

Originally Posted by ERfly

You'll get about as far as your local CP. Just a head's up.

Yeah, i know it's the truth...


Until i become the CP....then it all changes! *shifty eyes*

[KLB]

Originally Posted by Bigey

I'm bringing chops back to the airlines, or at least i'm going to try. We gotta fight for our right to have nice sideburns!!!!!!!!

You could always fly freight and don't have to fight at all.