Would you do it if you could start over?
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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
[quote= One frustration I have with this career is the lack of control you have over your progression and success. Once you make it to a major airline, you have no control. It's all seniority and standards based. You could be the best pilot in the world but you are no more valuable to the company than the guy who just barely meets the standard. You fly the same amount of hours, on the same routes with the same passengers and generate the same amount of revenue for the company. Therefore you are no more in demand and have no more negotiating leverage than the other guy. And being the best pilot won't get you a promotion any quicker either since it's all seniority based. Compare that with a business or banking career. The CEO is the CEO because he advanced through the company, he was good at his job so he got the promotions ahead of others and he could demand higher compensation because he was in demand. The bankers who get the biggest bonuses and get the promotions are the ones who make the most money for the bank. It's easy for the bosses to see who is the best, they just look at who made the most money. Of course if you're not making lots of money you find yourself unemployed very quickly so it's not the most stable of careers and only the strong survive. [/quote]
thanx to the unions!!!! seniority over performance
thanx to the unions!!!! seniority over performance
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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
Yep.... you may get more money with unions... but every union shop seems like a miserable place to work. If you are using money to buy happiness... why not have more happiness in the first place? Especially when the tax man rapes you in those upper brackets anyways.
Yeah... I'd do it all over again. Same job, same career path. I think the best thing I ever did was give up the trek to the airlines.
Yeah... I'd do it all over again. Same job, same career path. I think the best thing I ever did was give up the trek to the airlines.
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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
traveller123 wrote:Most non union places operate the same way. I don't know of a better way of doing it either. In such a safety critical job, where everyone meets the standard, I don't think giving the promotion to the guy that carries the least fuel or the most cargo is the way to go either. The nature of our career lends itself to a seniority based promotion system. I don't particularly like it but I don't know of a better way of doing it either.One frustration I have with this career is the lack of control you have over your progression and success. Once you make it to a major airline, you have no control. It's all seniority and standards based. You could be the best pilot in the world but you are no more valuable to the company than the guy who just barely meets the standard. You fly the same amount of hours, on the same routes with the same passengers and generate the same amount of revenue for the company. Therefore you are no more in demand and have no more negotiating leverage than the other guy. And being the best pilot won't get you a promotion any quicker either since it's all seniority based. Compare that with a business or banking career. The CEO is the CEO because he advanced through the company, he was good at his job so he got the promotions ahead of others and he could demand higher compensation because he was in demand. The bankers who get the biggest bonuses and get the promotions are the ones who make the most money for the bank. It's easy for the bosses to see who is the best, they just look at who made the most money. Of course if you're not making lots of money you find yourself unemployed very quickly so it's not the most stable of careers and only the strong survive. [/quote wrote:
thanx to the unions!!!! seniority over performance
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
As an evaluator, If you measure based on a "standard," how do you measure those who exceed the standard? Do you care if they are do? How do you measure those who are better than those who merely exceed the standard? How do you compare those who take 2 attempts to meet the standard, vs. those who meet it on the first try? If two guys meet the standard, but one is "better" than the other, is the one who isn't quite as good somehow inferior even though they both met the standard?
How do you deal with the politico or the psycho who is really good at schmoozing with the CEO and he gets promoted to the left seat of the "Megabus" over more-deserving candidates? Or the guy who meets the standard but looks like someone who gave the CEO the finger in traffic last night so he never gets promoted?
Seniority is a pain, but eventually it makes sense and eventually you are the number one. The only time its no good is when the company goes to the wall or is sold or whatever, then all of a sudden you get to recoup all the artificial protection you enjoyed for all those years as you go from left seat of a "megabus" at $200/year to the right seat of a 1900 at $2000/month.
How do you deal with the politico or the psycho who is really good at schmoozing with the CEO and he gets promoted to the left seat of the "Megabus" over more-deserving candidates? Or the guy who meets the standard but looks like someone who gave the CEO the finger in traffic last night so he never gets promoted?
Seniority is a pain, but eventually it makes sense and eventually you are the number one. The only time its no good is when the company goes to the wall or is sold or whatever, then all of a sudden you get to recoup all the artificial protection you enjoyed for all those years as you go from left seat of a "megabus" at $200/year to the right seat of a 1900 at $2000/month.
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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
If you love aviation then forget the trade. I have a trade and then got my CPL/float/multi-ifr. I was working for a great operator out of Yellowknife on the dock. The wife started bitching (now the ex) about the crap pay and I went to the diamond mines and made 5 times what I was making as a dockhand overnight. I enjoyed it on the dock, but I had a trade in my backpocket to fall back on. I wish I had not. I last flew July 7th, 2002 and then not again till a few months ago when I got current again. I will never have that opportunity again to work for a company like that and I am not happy about it, but life goes on. Most of the guys I was working with are now flying for Jazz and West Jet. They did not have trade tickets like the smart one...me.
I am sure, as posted otherwise on this thread, lots of guys will argue the point. But man if you want to fly...do it and don't f#$% around with a trade...unless it is as an AME which will help you with your flying. Feel free to PM me and I can provide more details if you like...

I am sure, as posted otherwise on this thread, lots of guys will argue the point. But man if you want to fly...do it and don't f#$% around with a trade...unless it is as an AME which will help you with your flying. Feel free to PM me and I can provide more details if you like...
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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
In a nutshell... 703.cj555 wrote:human garbage wrote: I would have been much further ahead, not to mention healthier (stress kills) and happier.
What is it specifically about your career in aviation that causes so much stress and unhappiness?
First was the crap pay. 18k a year was my first Capt. gig. Couldn't really afford to eat without a second job. Trying to balance two jobs meant no life and a pretty marginal existence. That coupled with 14 hour duty days lead to me being pretty unhappy.
Second was the nature of that part of the industry. Old clapped out planes being beaten within an inch of failure most of their lives lead to the inevitable breakage of equipment one would expect in those conditions. Boots stop working over the rocks in icing, nav instruments malfunctioning, turbos going, etc. All part of the low end of aviation where margins are the tightest.
Third was, even surviving all that (when co-workers and acquaintances didn't - RIP guys) what was the reward? Oh now you are a training Capt. and get the greenest of the green for your FOs. That meant a parallel walk around to make sure nothing was missed, usually prior to my official start time. Being hyper vigilant even as PNF because you never quite knew what the other crew member was going to do at any given time. Basically the whole thing is on your shoulders until they come up to speed. Like single pilot IFR while babysitting. Once you get someone to the point you can trust them, the whole process starts over with someone new. Frustrating.
The last two points were the major source of my stress in my career. Marginal aircraft (in marginal wx) coupled with marginal crewmembers (at least at first). Add to that management that insists on chipping away at wages and conditions the whole time. Go from 50k on your T4, to 44k the next year, etc. all while working harder. No bueno.
The fact I came from a trades background where I got paid/treated well just highlighted how crappy the whole scene is. By the time I got to the point I could move up/on, I'd lost all passion for it. I knew it would always be the same to a greater or lesser extent regardless of where I went. It is the nature of the beast. Besides that, there was the fact that I became a pilot to fly not push buttons and monitor systems. It made me incompatible with advancement in which that is the norm (ie 704/5). I tried reverting to other segments of the industry where I could purely fly and make decent coin, but that was also just as screwed up. On call or living on the road is what it boiled down to, so no more appealing to me unfortunately.
I apologize cj555 because you asked a simple question and got a rant instead! However, if I had read stuff like the above before I started out instead of flight school BS and propaganda, I might have thought a bit harder about doing it. Unfortunately it was the nascent era of the internet so I didn't have Avcanada. So I'm basically just throwing it all down for the record, so someone else may make another choice. Life is too short to not enjoy a good portion of it. Work is a big part of life.
Like I've said before, flying is great. I encourage anyone to get a RPP or PPL. I just don't think that it is a good career, hence my original comments. YMMV of course. And for those who are really keen, don't let this bitter old dude dissuade you... You just can't say you weren't warned after reading this.

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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
If you have the passion, or "the bug" as it is often referred to, go for it, if you don't, don't, because all the sacrifices mentioned by previous posters will not be worth it and very few people have the resolve to endure without that light at the end of the tunnel.
You should know whether or not you really love it pretty early on in your PPL.
I think it boils down to the following question you have to ask yourself: 10 years from now, if you haven't gone for it, every time you hear a jet above you and look up at the sky, will you feel a stabbing sense of regret, because you know that you didn't chase your dream?
Or, will you look up and think "huh, cool plane" and carry on with your day.
You should know whether or not you really love it pretty early on in your PPL.
I think it boils down to the following question you have to ask yourself: 10 years from now, if you haven't gone for it, every time you hear a jet above you and look up at the sky, will you feel a stabbing sense of regret, because you know that you didn't chase your dream?
Or, will you look up and think "huh, cool plane" and carry on with your day.
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
If I knew back then what I know now. Then no.Dirty A wrote:Hello, I am relatively new to posting here so forgive me if this is a topic of general repetition.
I have recently finished university (age 23) and am considering several career paths to pursue, one of which is piloting. I have partially completed a PPL, but am no where near any sort of significant investment. Browsing these forums I see a real mix of impressions regarding the profession; from those who claim the industry is doomed and all those still able to walk shall run, to those who predict an incredible demand inflation and stabilized conditions/salary in the near future.
So, to those already involved in aviation, has it been/will it be worth your time? I should note that my goal is to make it into the majors and I would be unsatisfied with anything less. While I understand that the glory days of mid-20th century aviation are long forgotten, is there still a viable future for someone just starting out?
Thank you, and once again I apologize if this topic has been covered extensively.
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
Its pretty simple really. If you are young and willing to put up with living in crappy places, crappy accommodation, crappy pay and for questionable operators while eating Kraft Dinner then by all means go ahead.
If i was 19 again i'd probably do it all over again, because i was willing to do that, just like I was once willing to lie under a car in a snow bank at -30 and change a transmission.
Now that i'm significantly older, with a family of my own and financial obligations then there is no way in hell i'd do it again. So it all depends on what you are willing to put up with and where you are in life. It's one of the reasons that it's so hard for an older guy or gal to get started in this industry, not that they can't be a good pilot, its that they often aren't willing to put up with all the crap to get get started.
If i was 19 again i'd probably do it all over again, because i was willing to do that, just like I was once willing to lie under a car in a snow bank at -30 and change a transmission.
Now that i'm significantly older, with a family of my own and financial obligations then there is no way in hell i'd do it again. So it all depends on what you are willing to put up with and where you are in life. It's one of the reasons that it's so hard for an older guy or gal to get started in this industry, not that they can't be a good pilot, its that they often aren't willing to put up with all the crap to get get started.
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
As up`n`down as this industry is, I still believe YOU make your own breaks in any career path.
Some graduates from flight school have to instruct, then go in the bush, then on call for a charter job in a small twin, then move up to 704 ops and possibly onto 705 at the majors.
Some people will never progress all the way through that chain, due to many things; failed rides, failed finances, stress - personal and family - , or lack of "the bug"!
I was wicked lucky. I had the bug since childhood, and I have a personality that lends itself to advancement.
My career path has leap frogged the above example, straight from flight school to 704 FO. The money is not great, but the flying is awesome. If you have a chance to dispatch during your training, do it! You'll learn how the operation works and have a leg up on any outsider.
Perhaps it will take me 5-10 years to get into a large jet, perhaps it will only take 2-3, perhaps never!
The industry is kinda twisted like that. But if you LOVE flying and crane your neck to see every plane you hear, I believe that love of flight will help you through your career. When I started out I didn't want to go to AC or WS on a heavy, but I do now, you may change your mind too!
Everyone has their own `ideal`career at the beginning, but I think most of those change!
I wish you all the best, but don`t do it for the $$$$, as you have read from above!

Some graduates from flight school have to instruct, then go in the bush, then on call for a charter job in a small twin, then move up to 704 ops and possibly onto 705 at the majors.
Some people will never progress all the way through that chain, due to many things; failed rides, failed finances, stress - personal and family - , or lack of "the bug"!
I was wicked lucky. I had the bug since childhood, and I have a personality that lends itself to advancement.
My career path has leap frogged the above example, straight from flight school to 704 FO. The money is not great, but the flying is awesome. If you have a chance to dispatch during your training, do it! You'll learn how the operation works and have a leg up on any outsider.
Perhaps it will take me 5-10 years to get into a large jet, perhaps it will only take 2-3, perhaps never!
The industry is kinda twisted like that. But if you LOVE flying and crane your neck to see every plane you hear, I believe that love of flight will help you through your career. When I started out I didn't want to go to AC or WS on a heavy, but I do now, you may change your mind too!
Everyone has their own `ideal`career at the beginning, but I think most of those change!
I wish you all the best, but don`t do it for the $$$$, as you have read from above!

Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
It's one of the reasons that it's so hard for an older guy or gal to get started in this industry, not that they can't be a good pilot, its that they often aren't willing to put up with all the crap to get get started.

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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
This forum really amazes me sometimes. This thread less than others, but there appears to be so many bitter pilots, dissatisfied with their current or previous situations, or indeed their entire career, that they turn around and say they wouldn't do it again. Whether or not this means they've essentially wasted ~20-40+ years of their life is down to them to decide. I'm very young in my flying career, so I haven't had that, but throughout my training the more I learned about the larger commercial jets the less I wanted to do it.
Most posts have got it right - do it because you enjoy it, rather than for the money, and you're likely to have an easier time. So far the people I've met in Aviation over the last couple years have generally been awesome. Float flying has been the single best choice I've made in my life, honestly (I'm 25 now) and I wouldn't change it short of being an astronaut.
What I'd like to know is to the people that said they wouldn't do it over - what would you do instead?
As I said before, this forum staggers me. My experience talking to people from all sorts of parts of Canada and different levels of jobs have given me a completely different impression of aviation than five minutes browsing this forum on any one day. People really need to pull their head out of their ass and realise that what we get to do its a privilege, not a right, and for all the hoops and bullshit we deal with, we are a minority that on any one day should stop, look around and say "Hey, this is epic." To me, the flying is never an issue, more the standard of life around it. It's about finding that balance and if you don't like something, change it.
As for the OP - only you know how much you want to fly. Deciding what you want to do in life has to be one of the hardest things. Look at different types of flying - flying in the Majors is all well and good for $$$ after the first few years, but it really isn't my thing so I can't talk about that, but look at flying skis/floats/tundra tyres, look at smaller charter operations, or corporate jets, or whatever. There is more than one way to skin the proverbial cat. Asking a bunch of bitter vets their opinion on flying is going to net a bunch of varied responses exactly like we have here. Their opinions - and mine - do not matter at all, when it comes down to passion and career choice. It's your life, you decide, but if you don't enjoy something, change it if you have the power to.
Most posts have got it right - do it because you enjoy it, rather than for the money, and you're likely to have an easier time. So far the people I've met in Aviation over the last couple years have generally been awesome. Float flying has been the single best choice I've made in my life, honestly (I'm 25 now) and I wouldn't change it short of being an astronaut.
What I'd like to know is to the people that said they wouldn't do it over - what would you do instead?
As I said before, this forum staggers me. My experience talking to people from all sorts of parts of Canada and different levels of jobs have given me a completely different impression of aviation than five minutes browsing this forum on any one day. People really need to pull their head out of their ass and realise that what we get to do its a privilege, not a right, and for all the hoops and bullshit we deal with, we are a minority that on any one day should stop, look around and say "Hey, this is epic." To me, the flying is never an issue, more the standard of life around it. It's about finding that balance and if you don't like something, change it.
As for the OP - only you know how much you want to fly. Deciding what you want to do in life has to be one of the hardest things. Look at different types of flying - flying in the Majors is all well and good for $$$ after the first few years, but it really isn't my thing so I can't talk about that, but look at flying skis/floats/tundra tyres, look at smaller charter operations, or corporate jets, or whatever. There is more than one way to skin the proverbial cat. Asking a bunch of bitter vets their opinion on flying is going to net a bunch of varied responses exactly like we have here. Their opinions - and mine - do not matter at all, when it comes down to passion and career choice. It's your life, you decide, but if you don't enjoy something, change it if you have the power to.
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
One of the difficulties of this career, once you get past the high cost of entry and the years of crap, if you do decide to bail you will soon discover that virtually nothing you have done in aviation will translate into another career. Stop flying and you are, well, useless. Considering the way that this job changes, regulatory, pay, companies going to the wall, losing your medical, losing families, losing your liver, losing your life, you really are living a very precarious existence. Despite the fact you might be delayed in your career progression (
) you really need to be trained to do something else too, if you have become used to eating regularly.
It took me about 2 years of line flying before I realized the intrinsic rewards of flight were largely illusory if you are forced to do it every day all day at someone else' pleasure. Try skiing 6 days a week for 14 hours at a time, then getting called out in the middle of the night to ski out an injured skier. All year long, in the rain and ice - you get he picture.
Your love of flight doesn't have to translate into a career.
I began to chase the lifestyle and funnily enough, the lifestyle brought relative prosperity. I learned to say no, learned that a day off to see your kid's school play was way more important than that flight to (anywhere). I got a useful degree when the season was over, which eventually got me a civilized flying job where I got a regularl schedule, 4 weeks holiday plus 10 days at Christmas and good benefits.
Try and remember what's important in life. You might be better off as a plumber.

It took me about 2 years of line flying before I realized the intrinsic rewards of flight were largely illusory if you are forced to do it every day all day at someone else' pleasure. Try skiing 6 days a week for 14 hours at a time, then getting called out in the middle of the night to ski out an injured skier. All year long, in the rain and ice - you get he picture.
Your love of flight doesn't have to translate into a career.
I began to chase the lifestyle and funnily enough, the lifestyle brought relative prosperity. I learned to say no, learned that a day off to see your kid's school play was way more important than that flight to (anywhere). I got a useful degree when the season was over, which eventually got me a civilized flying job where I got a regularl schedule, 4 weeks holiday plus 10 days at Christmas and good benefits.
Try and remember what's important in life. You might be better off as a plumber.
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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
The phases of a pilots career
Phase 1: You chase the tin
Phase 2: You chase the money
Phase 3: You chase the lifestyle
Everybody will eventually prioritize lifestyle over everything else. My observation is that the guys who figured that out earlier rather than later seemed to be the happiest.
Phase 1: You chase the tin
Phase 2: You chase the money
Phase 3: You chase the lifestyle
Everybody will eventually prioritize lifestyle over everything else. My observation is that the guys who figured that out earlier rather than later seemed to be the happiest.
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
You have to chase tin and salary at the begging of your career, once you have valuable experience then you can chase lifestyle.
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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
Two of the most satisfying days of my life were the first flight I took starting my career.
The second most satisfying was fifty two years later when I did my last flight as a working pilot and got on KLM and went back home forever.
The second most satisfying was fifty two years later when I did my last flight as a working pilot and got on KLM and went back home forever.
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
You're 25..no offence but you got a long way to go in this career. I too started float flying and loved it..but, working 6 months out of the year with no pension or benefits does not a career make. You can say do it because you enjoy it, not for the money, and that's all very nice but it doesn't pay for after school activities for your kids, pay the mortgage and put food on the table while saving for retirement. The bush flying is fun while you're young but unless you want to spend lots of time on rotation away from your family or remain single your whole life, it isn't an attractive career for most. Passion will get you into the career and hopefully keep you in it long enough to get a good job, but eventually you want a job that gets you a decent lifestyle and a place your family can comfortably live.FloatinAround wrote:This forum really amazes me sometimes. This thread less than others, but there appears to be so many bitter pilots, dissatisfied with their current or previous situations, or indeed their entire career, that they turn around and say they wouldn't do it again. Whether or not this means they've essentially wasted ~20-40+ years of their life is down to them to decide. I'm very young in my flying career, so I haven't had that, but throughout my training the more I learned about the larger commercial jets the less I wanted to do it.
Most posts have got it right - do it because you enjoy it, rather than for the money, and you're likely to have an easier time. So far the people I've met in Aviation over the last couple years have generally been awesome. Float flying has been the single best choice I've made in my life, honestly (I'm 25 now) and I wouldn't change it short of being an astronaut.
What I'd like to know is to the people that said they wouldn't do it over - what would you do instead?
As I said before, this forum staggers me. My experience talking to people from all sorts of parts of Canada and different levels of jobs have given me a completely different impression of aviation than five minutes browsing this forum on any one day. People really need to pull their head out of their ass and realise that what we get to do its a privilege, not a right, and for all the hoops and bullshit we deal with, we are a minority that on any one day should stop, look around and say "Hey, this is epic." To me, the flying is never an issue, more the standard of life around it. It's about finding that balance and if you don't like something, change it.
As for the OP - only you know how much you want to fly. Deciding what you want to do in life has to be one of the hardest things. Look at different types of flying - flying in the Majors is all well and good for $$$ after the first few years, but it really isn't my thing so I can't talk about that, but look at flying skis/floats/tundra tyres, look at smaller charter operations, or corporate jets, or whatever. There is more than one way to skin the proverbial cat. Asking a bunch of bitter vets their opinion on flying is going to net a bunch of varied responses exactly like we have here. Their opinions - and mine - do not matter at all, when it comes down to passion and career choice. It's your life, you decide, but if you don't enjoy something, change it if you have the power to.
I'm not disatisfied or I would do something else, but between a seniority system that ignores experience (fine if your airline doesn't go bankrupt or lay you off) and the lack of good career jobs in this country i'll forgive the slightly bitter guys here and give em some slack.
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
I'd stay in the trades.
When I left the trades as a sheet metal apprentice the guy I was working for offered me 14$/hr to stay (in 1988). It took me three years AFTER I was licenced as an AME to get back to that rate.
I think generally I was more respected and generally better treated with fairness in the trades than this industry.
How many tradespeople do you know that spend 7 months away from their families for 22000$ a year? Not very many I suspect. They get paid for that sacrifice. We seem to be willing to sacrifice for that pay.
I notice many comments about passion and love for flying. I think this is part of the problem. We are willing to do this job for way less because of the weakness created by passion and love. How many stupid decisions have you made over the opposite sex because of passion and love?
I'm doing everything I can to keep my kids out of this business. That pretty much sums up my position.
Oh, any my youngest said one day that he wanted to be a pilot but he wouldn't have a family because a pilot is never home.....
ETTW
When I left the trades as a sheet metal apprentice the guy I was working for offered me 14$/hr to stay (in 1988). It took me three years AFTER I was licenced as an AME to get back to that rate.
I think generally I was more respected and generally better treated with fairness in the trades than this industry.
How many tradespeople do you know that spend 7 months away from their families for 22000$ a year? Not very many I suspect. They get paid for that sacrifice. We seem to be willing to sacrifice for that pay.

I notice many comments about passion and love for flying. I think this is part of the problem. We are willing to do this job for way less because of the weakness created by passion and love. How many stupid decisions have you made over the opposite sex because of passion and love?
I'm doing everything I can to keep my kids out of this business. That pretty much sums up my position.
Oh, any my youngest said one day that he wanted to be a pilot but he wouldn't have a family because a pilot is never home.....
ETTW
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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
Actually, I know more of those than AMEs.How many tradespeople do you know that spend 7 months away from their families for 22000$ a year? Not very many I suspect. They get paid for that sacrifice. We seem to be willing to sacrifice for that pay.
In 2007 during the construction boom here, there were trades people from all over working for big bucks. A couple of developers went under, and they got a big fat goose egg as compensation for a whole summer of work. Nobody thought to invoice monthly and quit work until paid previous balances owing.
What AME job pays that little for being away from home? I was making nearly double that as an apprentice ten years ago in the Okanagan working Monday to Friday swing shift (no graveyards). Nobody forces anybody to work for low wages in crappy conditions.
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
I'd bake lemon meringue pies. Then hire iflyforpie to fly my GIV!
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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
I'm touched that you remember my favourite pie Doc.
I'd be all over that GIV... but it would certainly take more than lemon meringue to get me into a seat....

I'd be all over that GIV... but it would certainly take more than lemon meringue to get me into a seat....

Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
Very interesting discussion here. Been reading the board for awhile... This thread had me finally post.
30, with 115TT about to dive head first into a 50 hour bush + complete CPL out near YVR. All I'd ever want to do for work is fly floats VFR (at this point.) No kids, girlfriend. Will be putting successful carpentry/contractor/reno business in SW Ont on hiatus for now, and will come out of training debt free. Do I LOVE flying? I really really enjoy it. But some of the stories here having me wondering how much I "love" it.
Crazy? Crisis of confidence right now. Starting to think that if I can keep the business, continue the hobby and expand upon it (start flying floats,) this may be a better option... I could always finish the training and go back to what I had as well. Tough call. Especially for someone used to running the show... Yikes, you're all scaring me! But perhaps its a well needed reality check.
Cheers
30, with 115TT about to dive head first into a 50 hour bush + complete CPL out near YVR. All I'd ever want to do for work is fly floats VFR (at this point.) No kids, girlfriend. Will be putting successful carpentry/contractor/reno business in SW Ont on hiatus for now, and will come out of training debt free. Do I LOVE flying? I really really enjoy it. But some of the stories here having me wondering how much I "love" it.
Crazy? Crisis of confidence right now. Starting to think that if I can keep the business, continue the hobby and expand upon it (start flying floats,) this may be a better option... I could always finish the training and go back to what I had as well. Tough call. Especially for someone used to running the show... Yikes, you're all scaring me! But perhaps its a well needed reality check.
Cheers
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
I should of listened to my mom and became a doctor.
Or listened to my uncle...he told me to become a Quality Control Manager in a whore house
Or listened to my uncle...he told me to become a Quality Control Manager in a whore house

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Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
I've often thought that I should have gone into carpentry, bought a hopped up 170 or early model 180 and fly to my cabin. That way you still get to enjoy flying and enjoy the freedom of float flying, but none of the bullshit.dogger7 wrote:Will be putting successful carpentry/contractor/reno business in SW Ont on hiatus for now, and will come out of training debt free. Do I LOVE flying? I really really enjoy it. But some of the stories here having me wondering how much I "love" it.
Flying is a great job, but really hard to make it into a great career.
Re: Would you do it if you could start over?
I'm starting to draw these conclusions as well. I believe I'll still get my CPL and do a float course (maybe only 15 hr for now.) This will make me a safer, better pilot. And I do believe I'd get a discount on insurance as a private owner with a CPL. Is this true?