WHAT THE H*LL AM I SIGNING UP FOR??

[Flychicka]

I came out with my licenses post 9/11 and will admit the first year and a half were a bit of a struggle. Albeit, I was single and willing to move to places where most people wouldn't, I found myself within two years making a very comfortable salary, being able to buy some toys and even travel a little bit. If you're looking to stay in major centers, the road is probably going to be a bit bumpy, but if you (and your partner) are willing to get off the beaten path for a couple of years, with the right research you can get a pretty comfortable gig, even in todays market.
On the flip side, coming from someone who is a pilot and just ended a relationship with a RCMP member due to his crazy schedual... remember what the RCMP entails. It often means being moved to a remote community for a minimum three year contract, where depending on what the staffing levels are, you will be expected to work on all of your days off if its required. Couple that with long days (I though my days could be long!), and unpaid overtime, and the frequent moves... it looks like to me the only thing that really differentiates between new pilot lifestyle and new RCMP is that the RCMP get paid a little better in the start and they get a fancy uniform and a gun.
If you want to be a pilot, be a pilot. If you want to be a cop, be a cop, just know what you're getting yourself into on both ends. Just two cents

[EPR]

After spending 15 years in and out of aviation (instructing,ramping,F/O) and not making much money but sacrificing practically everything in the process (marriage,time with kids,friends and family) I would have to suggest doing the RCMP thing and purchasing your own plane to fly where you want,when you want,and with who you want.The used plane market is a buyers market these days and once you have your own plane you can continue with your training without having to rent a plane.

[Flybaby]

Actually, for planning purposes, just assume she'll leave you.

Best quote I've read all day, that was f***ing awesome and true.

[ditar]

You're making it sound like moving up north is the end of the world. Like a lot of people on here have said, most pilots do a stint up north. Where I work isn't exactly the edge of the earth but it is still a day's travel from civilization. When I first came up here a year and a half ago I figured I'd be ready to go back to the city after a year. Now as it stands I'm in no rush to move back to the city and the rat race that it is. Sure, the winters are a bit longer and colder, but overall life is so easy up here. There is the odd night that I am away, or get called out at 11 PM, but generally I'm in my own bed every night. If I had kids, which I don't yet, they'd certainly see me every day. Plus, there's something to be said for meeting the same people every day in the grocery store. Many of the other pilots in my company have brought their significant others along with them when they moved here and most have turned out to enjoy it as well. So if you don't need to shop at Wal-Mart every day or go to the movies every night, the north isn't so bad. Plus, I'm in the city at least a couple times a week anyway. Who needs to drive down there when you can just do your shopping while waiting for the patient in the hospital?

[iflyforpie]

Actually, for planning purposes, just assume she'll leave you.

A.I.D.S.

Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome.


Hasn't got me yet, but I am not pushing my luck. Rotation at Borek would probably do it for me. Anyways, I like pistons.

['effin hippie]

Ahh the Borek rotation....

Spend 15 days actively dreading phone calls with home while freezing balls off. Get home, endure 3-4 days silent treatment. She gets over it, providing 4-5 day window for sex, assuming work, kids, dog and her biology don't interfere. She remembers you are leaving again before you can attend whatever party, dinner, event she had planned, 3-4 Days more silent treatment until you get up at 0-dark-stupid to catch 5T, that's always a great car ride...

Repeat!

It does take a special lady...

ef

[Invertago]

As some have mentioned aviation is a passion not a job, and thus is the problem with entering in this industry. You have to do it because it is some worthy cause and you love to fly and will sacrifice family and finances for it. This mentality that moving that metal tube is somehow your calling in life above all else so you shouldn't demand any decent pay or working conditions. Pilots will work for free, not many cops do that. So for those of us who insist on a livable paycheck we face an uphill battle.

If you went the RCMP route, you could do that for 15 years, take care of life's needs and wants, buy your airplane train on it while working, spread out the training and enjoy it. After 15 years you have good finances, a CPL ticket and some hours. You can take a leave of absence from the RCMP (so you can go back in if aviation sucks) go get a flying job and see how things go then.

[Flying Nutcracker]

Nobody here is happy about their choice to fly airplanes, apparently...

High expectations are dangerous, so don't have them! What you must have is very high ambitions! Only with high ambitions can you succeed in this industry. It is what drives you to making it through hardship and frustrations.

It is a wonder, after reading the multitude of depressing statements on this board, that there are anyone left to fly airplanes in this country that are actually motivated...

X amount of years of complaining only to get to a major airline where the morale is saturated with pilots who think management is out to screw them... forget expectations! Stick to your ambitions! And be happy that you eventually get to get paid for what you love to do!

[iflyforpie]

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE TO FLY!!

This is where I was yesterday (didn't know a poor 150 could get to 11,000ft).

And I was home for supper and there for breakfast this morning.

[Invertago]

Is that last pic somewhere between Golden and Calgary? I think I recognize that peak from my last trip through the rocks... interestingly enough in a C150 as well, one of my more memorable trips.

[Invertago]

Nobody here is happy about their choice to fly airplanes, apparently...

High expectations are dangerous, so don't have them! What you must have is very high ambitions! Only with high ambitions can you succeed in this industry. It is what drives you to making it through hardship and frustrations.

It is a wonder, after reading the multitude of depressing statements on this board, that there are anyone left to fly airplanes in this country that are actually motivated...

X amount of years of complaining only to get to a major airline where the morale is saturated with pilots who think management is out to screw them... forget expectations! Stick to your ambitions! And be happy that you eventually get to get paid for what you love to do!

I'm not saying don't enjoy your job, I love flying, but it is a job and it should pay half decent considering the time, resources and energy I've put into starting a career in aviation. What I'm saying is don't work for free because you think flying is a noble cause and you enjoy it. Be a professional and demand compensation for your work. If you just want to fly for fun or think aviation is a noble cause, get a job, buy an airplane and have fun. I'm motivated to show up to do my job because it pays me to do so, I also happen to enjoy my job, but doesn't mean I'll do if they treated me like crap and don't pay.

[iflyforpie]

It's Mt Assiniboine, south of the direct track between Golden and Calgary. Tallest peak in the Continental Rockies.

The plane was a private 150 that never gets flown, so the owner told me to go put a couple hours on it. Was just going to fly it on my own time but he said to send him a bill.

I guess the temptation to fly for free even gets to me sometimes

[Mustang06]

The response to your questions is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7HmWU2Tm5s

[E-Flyer]

I dont Understand what you mean by this at all?...... Please elaborate. The reason i ask, is bc im getting into aviatin to have an exciting and travel oriented career.... not the same old Sh*t different day job.....

Dude ! either you're in or you're out.



And more importantly, don't have high expectations of aviation ! It is a common error that demotivates pilot's to move out of the industry.


Good Luck

I was saying that you either comitt to it, or you stay the hell away. I am a guy who doesn't like to start something and not finish it.

I think everybody agrees with me on the fact that people have high expectations of aviation when they first start out. It doesn't hit them until they get their CPL to realize how they just entered the bottom of the industry. It takes true passion, ambition, patience, and good attitude to take you far in aviation. Many people don't really think about those factors and say that they are passionate, ambitious, patient, and all, but as said earlier, their emotions with respect to aviation will be greatly tested in many phases and these are the phases that causes many pilot's to give up. The basic defence mechanism of Resignation !

Research what you're getting into, and don't be close minded; expect hard work and if things go as they should go, you will see the results. Hedley said something good before, your luck is important (the year you were born) hehe.

[MUSKEG]

Financially speaking, should you proceed, this will be the worst decision you will ever make. Twenty years in the industry, and now out has taught me that. We need more good RCMP, not poorly paid pilots.

[oneill10999]

You guys/gals.... are really starting to scare me..... it sounds like almost 80% of you, wish you never chose aviation for a career? Is there no passion for the flying? or is it really that bad, that your passion is gone????????

[E-Flyer]

Don't use av canada to formulate your opinion of aviation.

Aviation is good if you truly have the passion. Don't mistake your passion for a time line of goals that MUST be met, that's when you will slide and forget why you even got into aviation.

To dumb it down, aviation isn't ACA. Aviation is flying, do any kind of flying that interests you and have fun ! This will take you far.

[Kelowna Pilot]

For planning purposes, I'd be more worried about the world economy and its affect on aviation over the next few years.

Remember India? The Land of the Great Pilot Shortage?

Read this:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/arti ... 330950.cms

This will be Canada next Spring.

[Meatservo]

Pfff... you need to do some more responsible research than just asking here. Half of these guys are still wondering what being a pilot is really like.

I hear the RCMP can be difficult for the relationship too.

[AJV]

Quick!!! Someone gt this guy a paper bag before he passes out!!!!
Listen I have 400 hours and I am 32. I plan on being with a larger carrier by the time I am 36 and if you can't live on 60-80 G a year doing something as awesome as flying everyday then tell me how the poor prick working at Wal Mart can do it making 30??. Believe me I used to work there and it can be done. Once you get going in this industry you have the potential of making well over 100 G a year, does it take some time? Yes. Do you have to keep studying and upgrading? Yes. Do you have to put up with shitty bosses and shitty pay? Sometimes. But let me put it to you this way, You get out of High Shcool and go to University to become a Lawyer, 7 to 8 years later and probably 100 g later including living costs and you can get a job "Articling" at about 24 G a year, then you get called to the Bar (more school + an exam) and you start making 40 G then maybe in a couple of years you are up to 80-90 So lets just say 10-11 years. Sure there is the potential of making a lot more but you have huge student loans and it has taken 10-11 (7 to 8 of it warming a seat in school)years to start to make it pay off. So whats better? I take flying any day!! As for the RCMP route, it takes a certain kind of person to be able to deal with that kind of work, not to mention the fact that you don't really get to choose where you live and that a large portion of the population will hate you. When was the last time you heard " Those freekin pilots have nothing better to do than to take money I don't have"? Never. Is it the cops fault? No, he is just enforcing the laws that he swore to, even if he doesn't agree with them. Now on the girlfriend thing, you have to make that work, name a job that you can make 60-120 at that doesn't require you to be at work a lot? And once you get to a larger carrier you will be home a lot , maybe even too much!!!
This of course is my opinion, nothing more.
BTW you should read a book called The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach, it will help you realize how much you really can do on a smaller income.

Best of luck!!

[oneill10999]

Quick!!! Someone gt this guy a paper bag before he passes out!!!!
Listen I have 400 hours and I am 32. I plan on being with a larger carrier by the time I am 36 and if you can't live on 60-80 G a year doing something as awesome as flying everyday then tell me how the poor prick working at Wal Mart can do it making 30??. Believe me I used to work there and it can be done. Once you get going in this industry you have the potential of making well over 100 G a year, does it take some time? Yes. Do you have to keep studying and upgrading? Yes. Do you have to put up with shitty bosses and shitty pay? Sometimes. But let me put it to you this way, You get out of High Shcool and go to University to become a Lawyer, 7 to 8 years later and probably 100 g later including living costs and you can get a job "Articling" at about 24 G a year, then you get called to the Bar (more school + an exam) and you start making 40 G then maybe in a couple of years you are up to 80-90 So lets just say 10-11 years. Sure there is the potential of making a lot more but you have huge student loans and it has taken 10-11 (7 to 8 of it warming a seat in school)years to start to make it pay off. So whats better? I take flying any day!! As for the RCMP route, it takes a certain kind of person to be able to deal with that kind of work, not to mention the fact that you don't really get to choose where you live and that a large portion of the population will hate you. When was the last time you heard " Those freekin pilots have nothing better to do than to take money I don't have"? Never. Is it the cops fault? No, he is just enforcing the laws that he swore to, even if he doesn't agree with them. Now on the girlfriend thing, you have to make that work, name a job that you can make 60-120 at that doesn't require you to be at work a lot? And once you get to a larger carrier you will be home a lot , maybe even too much!!!
This of course is my opinion, nothing more.
BTW you should read a book called The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach, it will help you realize how much you really can do on a smaller income.

Best of luck!!

Thanks Man,
ANd Thankyou everyone...
haha, youre right!! Where is the paper bag!! It is overwhelming!! haha So many different oppinions and views... It makes you wonder who is right and who is wrong? But i guess an oppinion can never be wrong. Ive been thinking and reading and thinking and reading.... actually, ive been thinking and reading about the pilot industry for years.... So Just to make the decision taht much more interesting... i went on a police ride along the other night in my city... It was SLOW taht night... But i really still enjoyed tyhe freedom you have to control yourself.. I really really liked it... and could deff see myself doing it.... BUT.... I think im obsessed with and love flying... So as tempting as it is..to be a cop, get some adrenaline, make good $ off the get go, and not be in debt.... I still think i will have to follow my heart... and walk towards aviation.... If i dont... ive come to the conclusion taht i dont think i wll ever forgive myself!!

[Embraer190]

It's not really about opinions, it's about facts. You will get paid shit wages for years. There are no guarantees of ever making it to a major airline. You may have to move around to find work. The more flexible you are, the better it will be for your career. Whether all that is worth it or not is up to you.

[armchair]

[805ITT]

I think E-flyers comments ring true.

There are two golden rules that I have to a happy aviaion career.

1. Never fly pass a pilot that has turned around. Remember that in your first 3000 hrs when you are really fresh.

2. Money, Metal or Matrimony. Pick 2 out of 3.

[Severe Clear]

Dude! If you want to fly airplanes go for it! It was a dream of mine as well and knew at the age of 12 (While flying ILS approaches on Flight Sim 98) That I could do this for a job. I was even playing with toy airplanes at the age of 5 and the thought of a machine that's able to go in the sky facinated the hell out of me!

However Im not going to lie, it wont be easy, and it may take some time and experience being under paid, in lousy places. I've been in the industry 8 years now and being paid to fly for only 3. The rest of my time was spent fueling airplanes, answering phones, and dealing with unnecessary stress. This was all due to 9-11. There was a point after my third year working at an FBO, that I was ready to throw the towel in and rip up my license. I hated aviation and everthing about it. I hated the people that got jobs with less time then me just because their dad golfed with the chief pilot. And I hated looking at airplanes because it made me think how long will it take to fuel it.

But I spoke with many different pilots and they all told me the same thing. "Stick with it" Eventually something will happen.

I eventually got my break and now im having the time of my life flying a king air in the big city. I fly medevacs and live 10 minutes away from the city centre airport. I can sit at home and do whatever I want while on call, besides drink beer, lol! I fly for a great company that has great people. I've never worked in a place in all my life where morale is so high. I am also home every night.

Some word of advice however, starting out you may have to take whatever job you can get due to low experience. But once you have some time, pick an airplane and chase it! If you think flying in the bush and going to remote places is your thing, then go for a twin otter. If you want to fly something High and fast with good equipment then go for a king air. Flying in the bush is alot of work. You will have to put up with grumpy captains that will watch you load 3500 lbs of freight while they yell at you. You will also freeze your ass off and maybe live in a tent and not shower for days. But I guess there are people that get off on that kind of stuff. I did it, never liked it and moved on. I still have lots of friends that are still doing this and they wish they could move on as well.. So be carefull in which jobs you accept!

Anyways thats all I have to say. Im no expert, but have seen alot in 8 years and it took this long to reach a point where I go to work happy, leave work happy, and think about flying on my days off!

Cheers!