Be honest now... -a rant.

w squared · Post by **w squared** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 3:07 am

I can't answer for anyone else, but I'll share my motivations.

I currently make more than I can reasonably forsee making until I've been flying professionally for at least 10 years (and that's optimistic). From what I can see of salaries in the industry, I'd have to be a captain with some seniority at AC or be doing quite well in a specialized field (fire supression) to meet or exceed the money that I'm making right now. If I was simply chasing the alimghty dollar, I'd stay on in the field that I'm working in, pay some more dues, and move up.

In short, I can categorically state that I'm heading in the direction that I'm heading because I love to fly.

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:48 am

Wsquared: Awesome, and congratulations. Now the tough part of the question: If you WEREN'T making out so well, struggling from paycheck to paycheck, putting your life on hold, and racking up the debt like so many new to the industry are/have been, would you still be doing it for love or money? Think back to your first few years. What kept you in it?

Pitts99 · Post by **Pitts99** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:55 am

It's special to have this topic in the forum, because few weeks ago, I almost gave up. I was thinking at my life style that is not the life style that I aim for, the question of money, stability in life and schedule. I was in a bad situation at my present job and everything was present to make me stop aviation.
I did few phone calls to people that I knew in other field of activity and I got a 1 year contract for an interesting office job with a good salary, schedule and general condition. Right after I started to imagine myself in this job. I can tell you, I was ready to buy a lot of stuff that I need, including decent clothes, decent car, to go to restaurant with friends, to do alpine skiing and a lot more. $$$$ was talking.
But I also started to think at the job itself; being between 4 walls all day long in front of a computer, meeting customer, 9 to 5, 5 days a week knowing exactly at the beginning of the week what I would do all week long, and were I would be. And worst; the feeling that I would have in this office, knowing that previously I was flying an aircraft, something that I love so much, and that now I would be working in an office, something that I hate.
Finally I decided to continue to struggle to survive in aviation for few more years.
When I will be old, and I will look behind me, I don’t want to say; I should have made more efforts…
I’m relatively new in business (few years), I know that it’s not easy, especially when the questions of the familial situation show up, but I feel like a junky, addict to the aviation. I can try, try and try to imagine myself doing something else, but I would not be able to give up, simply because I’m addict and I love to much aviation.
Well, that’s the reason why I continue. Maybe I’m an idealistic and a dreamer, but I still believe that at some point I will find a decent job to make a living and I will be happy in aviation.

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:10 am

Great story pitts. Thanks, and best of luck. Remember those times when things turn around- it'll make it that much sweeter.

Chantal · Post by **Chantal** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:47 pm

Pardon me, but I think Airtids is saying that most pilots will never get up to the big airlines so he tries to understand some pilots ambition. I've seen some older pilots still flying navajo's, etc. with the small operator so we can see it is true. Airtids I'd say these are Fine , they still serve their fellow man in these jobs. What I'd like to point out is that Parents steer their kids these ways and so of course they all want to be pilots. What the world really needs is more doctors. How come there aren't more kids studying to become Doctors, especially in Canada and USA ? Long time ago it was a great aspiration for young men, nowadays I never met someone who wants to be a doctor. Did you hear there is a doctor shortage in the world? Another awful thing about that is, there is a brain drain from the poor countries who really need them too. What happens is the medical students leave their country to study in another country and then are obligated to practice there which is too bad. I think it says something about us.

costermonger · Post by **costermonger** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:19 pm

Because it's really ******* hard, that's why. A few people I knew in highschool are studying medicine, I'll be curious to see if they all end up in that field.

frog · Post by **frog** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:25 pm

Costermonger is right!
How long and how hard it is to complete your pilot training versus let us say a couple year of medecine...

350TT · Post by **350TT** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:53 am

I'd have to say that I've always loved flying but not in terms of a machine... like ooOO look at that Concorde, etc (I don't care about the make and model) I've always just enjoyed the feeling I get on take-off, not caring to know what engine is revving up creating that feeling. Possibly because I'm a woman, who knows. I also enjoyed hang-gliding very much. I could have bought one and began winch launches but I knew I would eventually get bored of that too.

I am, like a previous poster mentioned... a nomad. I really thrive on new situations, new places, moving, and learning new things.

My motivation to keep me in this industry has been MOSTLY the golden carrot of money and secondly the chance to move around as I please.

I also believe it takes money to make money. If I were rich I could have bought myself a type-rating on an Airbus and I'd be off to the races to quench my thirst for "First Class International..."

if any of you have seen the movie "View from the Top"

Cheers.

Switchfoot · Post by **Switchfoot** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:35 pm

Pitts99 wrote:I did few phone calls to people that I knew in other field of activity and I got a 1 year contract for an interesting office job with a good salary, schedule and general condition. Right after I started to imagine myself in this job. But I also started to think at the job itself; being between 4 walls all day long in front of a computer, meeting customer, 9 to 5, 5 days a week knowing exactly at the beginning of the week what I would do all week long, and were I would be. And worst; the feeling that I would have in this office, knowing that previously I was flying an aircraft, something that I love so much, and that now I would be working in an office, something that I hate. Finally I decided to continue to struggle to survive in aviation for few more years.

Well, that’s the reason why I continue. Maybe I’m an idealistic and a dreamer, but I still believe that at some point I will find a decent job to make a living and I will be happy in aviation.

At the end of the day, one simply has to be content with what they are doing. It's not the work or the $ that make things worthwhile....it's the quality of your life. If you're content with what you're doing and where you are, and you have a positive attitude, it's really amazing what can come of that! You have to do what makes you happy.

I'll be the first to admit that the pilot's lifestyle hasn't been the easiest road to travel down. We've all grumbled and complained, but those who have been patient and persistent have been incredibly blessed in their line of work. A few months back, I was ready to pack it in also, but I've been fortunate to get into the flying position I've been working towards for the last 8 years. The journey isn't over either...in fact, it's just beginning!

Keep on keeping on and if you want it badly enough, you'll get to where you want and need to be. The machines and $ will follow. Stay true to yourself. I wouldn't trade this for anything else (this despite some setbacks and disappointments). Optimisim will take you many great places.

Switchfoot.