Why do you LIKE or DISLIKE about your job as a pilot?

[cj555]

Hello all. I am considering changing careers at age 30. After several years working as an accountant, I cannot see myself doing this for the rest of my life. The flying bug is really getting to me (I have recently started my PPL). I am well aware of the ups and downs of the industry. I also understand the dues that the average pilot pays to earn the "dream job". Considering the fact that so many people leave other careers to chase the dream to fly, it must be worth the sacrifices!?
Or is it? I am curious what many of you think, especially if you left a better paying (and more stable career) to do this.

Why do you like your job?
If you are not happy, why?

My opinion: I have always wanted to be a pilot, but decided to go into something more stable. But I could never shake the voice in my head saying "what if?" I know it is now or never, and I would like to hear feedback on what you really like, and what you really dislike about your job, and if it has been worth the sacrifice?

[Nark]

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=79935

[jpilot77]

Whenever somebody asks for advice on becoming a pilot I urge them not to do it unless they are an aviation nut. That being said the down side are: living on the road and being away from home for long periods, working in remote locations with few luxuries, not being able to find a job in your area.

Up side: working outdoors, well compensated (this can be hard to find starting out), getting to visit remote parts of the country, running the show in the field.

Bottom line I knew I would have a hard time working in an office 5 days from 8-5, so I love being a pilot. You'll give up a lot but for some it's the only job for us.

[MrWings]

Do you have a family? Do you plan on being around for kids' birthdays, school recitals, holidays, Christmas eve and Christmas morning?

[justwork]

If it's what you want to do then don't let a pilot talk you out of it. Pretty quick someone will say something about doing it as a hobby while accounting full time. You only live once, so do what you want. The down side is always having to start over. What I mean is you'll start out at a pretty crappy job, work your way into a captain spot earning enough to survive, then you'll move on to something bigger and start in the right seat and take a pay cut, you'll work there for a while and then the same thing will happen. Even your first year at AC, Westjet, Jazz, Porter, or where ever you end up will likely be another pay cut. Same goes with schedule, it's starts off bad but will eventually get better. If I could do it again I would have tried harder to get over seas. Money is better and growth is faster.

[Shiny Side Up]

Do you have a family? Do you plan on being around for kids' birthdays, school recitals, holidays, Christmas eve and Christmas morning?

Contrary to popular belief, aviation isn't the only sector where one ends up with this sort of work schedule/commitment. For my self I've never held a nine to five job, so it was a moot point having to do this sort of schedule but also fly planes. The big difference with aviation I find that is both the best thing about the job and the worst is the people. It is maybe just me, but flying airplanes really seems to attract what one may call the "statistical outliers" of humanity. On the good side you meet and work with a lot of really good people who have a common thread with you, which is really missing from a lot of workplaces. When you get to spend time with good people over the course of your day it makes it really worth while - this is something most people go their entire unhappy lifetimes without realising. In the business of flight training, its being able to help said people which makes the day.

Those "statistical outliers" though also account for what is worst about the work as well. Pilots may complain about the pay being the worst, but again that by no means is unique to the industry but varies more on the company than the particular work. Its the people who can on occasion make your day miserable, but in aviation it seems to happen in increasingly ludicrous ways. I swear the bar for least sane person I've ever met gets raised every year, though the last two candidates to hold that title I hope are going to be tough to beat, but I won't hedge my bets that they won't be...

[x15]

I got into aviation pretty late in life. Started training at 30. Finished everything 3 years later. Instructed for a year and went up north for 2 more. Now I am back in Toronto my home town working.

Being happy at work is a matter of perspective. Before getting into flying I worked all sorts of jobs that were not the most fun. Most involved hard blue collar labour for dismal wages. I moved onto sales hoping to save my back from oblivion and made decent money but spent every waking hour chasing leads and customers and dealing with issues.

When I was teaching people to fly I could hardly believe that someone was paying me to do it. I got into an airplane wearing a huge smile, my students the same and we had a blast. Teaching people to enjoy what only a small number of people ever get to enjoy and to do it as safely as they could was very rewarding. Up north it was damn cold. I saw temps as low as -53. In the summer the bugs would eat you alive. But everyday I showed up to fly the HO or the 200 and loved every single moment of it no matter what time of night or how cold it was. Because I knew what life was like before I got into aviation.

Now I live like a king. I spend 2 weeks a month basically at home chilling drinking beer, socializing and hanging out with friends and I get a paycheck. The other 2 weeks I am on vacation at destinations all around the world. I goto places like Italy, Spain, St Maarten etc....I drink beer, eat local food, take pictures, chase some skirts then I get back in my plane and go home. Whenever I even remotely feel like I got it hard I just think of the guy driving the trucks I used to drive, or the sales guys dealing with endless issues for an ever decreasing slice of pie and I smile and enjoy the view as it goes by at 8 miles a minute.

I like everything about my job as a pilot because I choose too. If I discover I dislike something I find a positive solution. If I am unable to change what I don't like. I think of the nights I was loading 53 foot trucks by hand in the winter for 9 bucks an hour and suddenly remember how good I have it

[MrWings]

Contrary to popular belief, aviation isn't the only sector where one ends up with this sort of work schedule/commitment.

I wasn't implying that aviation was the only sector with this type of schedule. Just making sure he is aware that it can be.

An accountant would pretty much have 9-5, except for tax season.

Having loved ones not being able to count on you being there is a big drag.

[JungianJugular]

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=82461&hilit=career+change

I've spoken to people on here with different opinions. I've come to the realization that there will always be positive and negatives to everyone's story and any viewpoint you receive is based on someone's personal experiences in the industry, good or bad. Asking people whether or not it was worth the sacrifice is going to get you various responses. Ultimately, the only opinion and viewpoint that matters is your own.

Take a look at this website, for example:

http://thetruthabouttheprofession.weebl ... -ugly.html (based in context of US aviation industry)

It destroys the profession. I read it a while back and thought to myself, "Holy Shit!" But like you, it hasn't stopped me from working towards my goal.

I've spoken to a few people who did it later on in life and with families. Their stories are inspirational and motivate me even more every time I re-read them.

Do what makes you happy, man. Stop asking these questions, you seem like you know enough already and start working towards your goals. Don't look back. The guys I spoke to that made the career changes, the pay cuts, the sacrifices with family all told me they had no regrets and based on your post. However, there are people that I've spoken to who wish they never got into the industry and are only in it because they know nothing else but flying. At the end of the day, you are an accountant and whatever happens there will always be a demand for money swindlers.

Depending on your religious affiliation, you only get one shot at life. Or you may just come back as a bug that can fly, then you'll truly be living your dream in the next life. Do you want to take that chance? Better start working those karma points.

Your answers to your own questions are the real answers that matter above anyone else's response(s):

Why do you like your job?
If you are not happy, why

[cj555]

Thank you for all the great responses.

I know there are many differing opinions from all different kinds of people. I have been persuaded to follow my dreams just as often as I have been discouraged from it. But despite all the downsides and risks, I really feel like I only have one chance to do this and it is right now (I'm turning 30 this year). I would rather try and realize later its not for me then wonder "what if" for the rest of my life. If there are people before me who have made the career switch later in life and are now happier then ever, and have no regrets, that inspires me. I know the odds are stacked against me, but I still feel like I have to try. Thanks to all of you for your advice.

[MrWings]

Attitude means a lot.

There are pilots out there thinking the industry owes them something from day one. They always seem disgruntled.

If you are willing to work hard, you can make it. You might have to give up a few things along the way, but it is doable.

[cj555]

Thanks for the encouragement MrWings!

As far as your day to day job goes, what aspects of the job do you like? What aspects do you dislike? I would like to hear what it is about the job that makes it so rewarding, and what drags you down sometimes?

[Duster]

Likes

-The fantastic people I've worked with over the years
-Laughing so hard on the flight deck that I can't see the panel - stupid FO and his stupid jokes!
-Shooting an ILS to mins on a shitty slippery runway - very satisfying
-The first cup of coffee as you break out on top in the morning
-3 am on the red-eye at 390 - northern lights and a great time for some quiet introspection
-landing in fresh snow on a clear -40 morning in the middle of nowhere
-the look on your students face when he or she finally "gets it"
-first load of the morning - 502 running swwetly - and a full half section of spuds to spray
-lucking out and getting a good landing
- drinking whiskey with bunch of other pilots
- the feeling at the end of the day when the noise stops and you know you have done the job well
- flying over the eastern seaboard on a clear night
- aerobatics
-coming home to my family after a stretch on the road - God love 'em

Dislikes

-That feeling in the pit of your stomach when you realize you have just done something incredibly stupid
- Whiners, nitpickers, and arrogant SOBs
- FIghting the boredome in extended cruise
- Those that use procedure,policy, and regs as an excuse not to think
- Airport security
- Being away from my family
- Freezing my ass off in Rainbow lake waiting for late customers
- 40 acre fields with 80 foot trees all around
- Airport delays - especially THorgard alerts



Would I do it all again - you bet.

[Dash-Ate]

Never work for free!!

[Caracrane]

like the kind of flying I do but clearly underpaid driving a 30 millions plus acft at tree tops.

[flying4dollars]

cj555:

I'm on my 3rd company as a pilot. I spent 1 year at my first job, 3 at my second, and am just under a year at my 3rd. I can tell you that every job has been a step forward from the previous, so I consider my moves to be appropriate. I gained a lot of valuable experience at each company and made great friends who I still keep in touch with by phone and by dinners etc. Really, at the end of the day, it's the people you'll meet along the way that make this industry great. Having to make life work on salaries as low as $25,000 a year is difficult. But it only goes up from there. I have steadily progressed from the mid 20's as an F/O to the 60's as captain and I have done quite well for myself. My collective debt is nearly wiped out and I'm almost ready to buy a home. I'm not even 30 yet. On top if it all, I could have been at the majors over a year ago, but I chose my path for my own personal and specific reasons and have not regretted it.

SO, to answer your question, and this is specifically relating to my current job at my current company (I am a captain at a 704 company).

Likes: Coworkers, schedule, seniority system, the base I was awarded, training (second to none), professionalism and safety endorsed by the company itself, potential for the company to grow is huge right now, and it's starting to show, travel benefits are second to none.

Dislikes: I can't say I dislike anything. I'm quite happy with where I am in my career. I do wish there were a few things that were better, but I think that's an inherent trait of all pilots at all companies. We always want more.

I've never thought of leaving my career for anything else. Even at my worst of days. Then again, some people are able to endure more than others and it's really a matter of personal opinion. If I could go back in time and make the decision to become a pilot again with the knowledge I have today, I'd probably do it all over again. It's an enjoyable job and when things like weather, mechanical problems etc go wrong, it's a challenge I enjoy dealing with. The dynamics of this job are so different from others and I enjoy every bit of it.

Good luck!

[cj555]

Thanks for the post flying4dollars. I enjoy it when someone says if they could do it all over again, they would. I imagine I would love the dynamic aspect of flying. I can say that the nature of my job (sitting at a desk in front of a computer day in and day out) is very difficult for me, especially since I'm always dreaming about flying.

[bananaskins767]

Thanks for the post flying4dollars. I enjoy it when someone says if they could do it all over again, they would. I imagine I would love the dynamic aspect of flying. I can say that the nature of my job (sitting at a desk in front of a computer day in and day out) is very difficult for me, especially since I'm always dreaming about flying.

Enough said! Quit your day job and go do what you want to do!

[schnitzel2k3]

Likes:
- Great pay for second year in the industry (I'm in Survey)
- Quick upgrades
- Unique locations
- Low level and it's legal (under 250' most of the day, combined with 45 degree turns every 5-25 minutes)
- 3-6 months off paid in the year
- Great experience without the sacrifices and pain of working 703/04 in the north

Dislikes:
- Away 6-9 months of the year (I have a wife and soon kids)
- Smaller aircraft (no way to eventually go direct the majors - I will fulfill my agreement + some, as I like who I work for)
- MAJOR pay cut moving to anything outside of survey including the majors
- Unique locations...

Typical day on:

Wake up for 0700 - check weather. Depending on location we need at the very least improving weather beyond min VFR. Anything less, especially with terrain, is a no-go. When the weathers good - get to the airport for 0830, walk-around, quick briefing and launch.

Flights are anywhere between 6-7 hours in length - so we generally pack a lunch - some healthier than others. When we are 'on-line', the survey equipment guides us along a line that generally has restrictions of 20 metres left and right and 30 metres top and bottom (60'x90' box). Generally we are trained not to exceed 5m in any direction. At the end of the line we trade the controls.

Return to airport, fuel up (most places require us to fuel out of drums). Tie down, head back to hotel. Crack a beer (or more than one if the weathers down for the next day) and try to keep busy.

This goes on for 2-3 months, after which we rotate out and spend a month at home bored or with our significant others.

I like what I do, but I look forward to the day I can come home at the end of the day to my family.

IF I could pass on a message to all the new pilots out there:

Ramping and Instructing or paying for your type-ratings isn't the only solution for getting into the industry. 702 operators generally operate under contract (so lots of turn-over), with decent-to-above average pay. Aerial Photography, pipeline patrol, survey are just a few of the rewarding and well paying jobs out there, that give great experience and have you see lots of unique places.

Hope this helps!

Safe flying guys.