I can tell you from experience that some of those are the absolute WORST!!!... like someone that worked GA and then ends up doing ramp checks on the big boys......
I can tell you from experience that some of those are the absolute WORST!!!... like someone that worked GA and then ends up doing ramp checks on the big boys......
The main reason I would not want to fly for a living is because I see what the life is like.... people that are not in aviation tend to think it is a glamorous life and you get to see all this coll stuff and in reality it is mostly airports and crash pads....... I figure the long haul wide body crews have it better but I don't know.
Very nicely put my friendIt is what you make it. If you dwell on the negative aspects, it will wear on you and you get a chip on your shoulder. If you keep the right attitude, like most anything, it is a very rewarding career in many ways. As far as long haul crews having it better... what is better? I dont feel much different than I did my first day on the job. The life is what you make it. I had just as much fun flying to IAH or EWR as I do flying to London or Paris. The city doesn't matter to me, the union doesn't matter to me, and none of the company drama matters to me. I became a pilot to fly, and I love every minute of it. I refuse to allow other pilots to project their poor me whiny personalities on me.
I tell everyone the same thing. If you want to become an airline pilot, then do it. But always remember why you became a pilot. If it is for money and glamor, you will be miserable as soon as the luster of the uniform wears off. Keep the love for flying alive and you wont become one of the jaded old men.
ATP MEL, CSEL Airplanes, CMEL Airplanes, CFII MEI (Expired years ago) SES (which I havent flown since I got it)
Type rated in E135/145 Airbus A319/320 Boeing 757/767 I miss the Airbus
Current position is 767 FO. Been on the 767 for 2 years now. Hope to see an upgrade to left seat by the end of next year.
I want to get a balloon license out in California next year. Looks fun
You may almost have as many designations as I have hours.
being a Commercial Pilot is still a great way to earn a living. Fly safe!
Zenith CH 750, built mostly by me.
200 or so hours.
I have a paragliding wing and have powered paralided with some other peoples powered units. Was a lot of fun. But the wing has been setting up in my closet for some years now and I just recently talked to an instructor up in monticello and he is most likely gonna buy it when he comes down to look at it and kite it middle of the month. I have flown with some private pilots once in a single engine 2 seater and once in a twin engine 7 seater. It looks like a lot of fun, maybe someday when I have some more time and money, I can fly some real planes.
Money seems to be the major limiting factor for most people in aviation. I have not rented in years. I called around a few days ago to find out about getting current in single engine aircraft again because I am buying an airplane and have not flown a single engine in probably 10 years. I could not believe some places were charging more than $200 a hour! And that was just for the airplane, the instructor was another $40 an hour. It would be cheaper to find a CFI at Indiana State or Purdue and pay them cash for their time. They make more and I pay less.
And all these airplane have that Garmin G-1000 in them. Im fine with it but think it is a waste. I fly glass at work but really prefer analog gauges. And these planes have GPS and some limited version of TCAS... what happened to knowing how to fly and navigate your aircraft. I had never used a GPS until I became an instructor and never used it. Its rare that the flight schools even keep them current to be used to flying approaches. Heck.. I can count on my hands the amount of times I have actually flown a GPS approach. And the equipment is expensive and that cost gets passed on to the student. The truth is, the airlines could care less what you learned to fly in. But they expect you to know about what you have flown.
Note to all you future airline guys. The airlines DO NOT CARE if you went to some RJ familiarization course at the big training mills. It scores you no points. In fact, it can hinder you if the sim instructor does not teach things properly. You learn wrong and carry that into a job. Don't waste your money on that crap. Just build time and know your aircraft. That is what will land you a job! If you only have money to train in a 172 or an apache, then do it! Just know all about those airplanes when you interview. I have seen guys who came away from a big well known flight school that spent (or borrowed) $80k to learn to fly and utterly blow the interview, technical questions, ATP written, or a combination of the above. And I have seen guys that took 4 years to train part time in a small flight school that no one has heard of walk in an interview well, ace the ATP written sample, and know every detail of the aircraft they flew.
Don't listen to an instructor, they are salesmen. Talk to airline pilots who are working.
That's great advice, coming from someone who makes their living as a commercial pilot! I have also heard of guys spending a lot of money on flight schooling, and not getting anything out of it. I never realized that the airlines just look more for how much you concern yourself with knowing the planes you are flying and understanding all their operations, than just going to some expensive flight school.
I think an E6B is faster than punching buttons on a GPS. I have a handheld Garmin 196, and it is neat and handy and all that. But it's always backed up by the E6B. Batteries just don't die on it, or the charts.
You are correct. If you learn to use the E6B, it is really quick to do calculations. Much quicker, in my opinion, than using an electronic toy from Sportys. It is something every pilot should be required to maintain proficiency with. I have never had to use it as a backup yet, but I can if I need to.