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Why be an airline pilot when one can do this instead.
I love aviation. There is nothing like flying for a living and being a commercial pilot. However, not all flying is equal. There is the kind where one merely sits there, watches the instruments, and let's the plane fly itself. This is the job of the airline pilot. Then there is the kind where one really flies and is in full control of the plane and becomes one with it. That's the kind of flying I love. To understand what I'm talking about just watch with the video. (vimeo.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
As a 30 year airline pilot, I am blessed enough to be able to do both. Yes, the career is not the same as it was when my Dad did it, but it pays the bills and gives me the resources and the time off to do GA flying from my home - on an airport community. I have a lot of respect for those professionals who choose to fly in the bush, or in Alaska (my son has done that at 22 years old with 600 hours), so I know how challenging that can be. Airline pilots make their job look easy, but so do race car drivers and major league sports players - because we are all professionals with years of experience. That does not mean the job is easy. Enjoy your job - I will enjoy mine for a few more years, then plan to tour North America in an RV-10 I am building - another perk of the major airline career.
You go guy. Sounds like you're living the dream.
This is what I plan on doing to gain hours, there is no 1500 hour rule where this place is, it's just 200 hours and a work visa. The downside is there is no "pilot shortage" there, so there is going to be much more competition.
If you don't like your job, find one that you love to do. A job isn't a job if you love what you do. Commercial flying today is an endless day of procedures over and over. Everybody is watching to see if you are following the book. Same thing day after day. When I hit the magic 60, I walked out of the airport and never looked back. Still, I don't know any other profession than an airline pilot. It was a life for me and a good one. Where are we going to dinner tonite? What's that hotel like? Is there any place to walk or run? What can we see in 24 hours? Show time is 0630 tomorrow. Let's do it again.
This is what it's all about. It is not about making the big money or even supporting troops on the ground, though the last has a fond place in my heart :)
John L.
John L.
I loved my job at Eastern Airlines; 7 different airliners, prop, turbo prop, & jets. But I had to walk away early when 100% of my airline salary was going to the IRS for taxes. I had invested in commercial real estate and it paid so much that my airline Captain's salary was solely to pay taxes.
Looking at today's airline pilot, I wouldn't waste my time in the airliners that are designed to remove the Captain out of the decision making process in how the flight is conducted. Am I wrong? Ask the unwilling passenger Sullenberger who landed in the Hudson River.
Looking at today's airline pilot, I wouldn't waste my time in the airliners that are designed to remove the Captain out of the decision making process in how the flight is conducted. Am I wrong? Ask the unwilling passenger Sullenberger who landed in the Hudson River.