Professional Pilot (Opinions of a non-pilot)

[DouglasBader]

The only other people I know of employed in private enterprise wearing a uniform do so working in the fast food industry.

Other than mechanics, nurses, doctors, etc?

Try flying into a foreign country without a uniform as a pilot. Many foreign countries won't even acknowledge you without a white shirt and shoulder boards.

 

[LearDriver]

I was military but have been out since 2006. I have had multiple aviation jobs and just took another job for a charter company. There are jobs out there, it's all about who you know.

And quite frankly, the job losses, displacements and all that other drama is largely associated with regionals and major airlines. It's not as bad in the 135 world. That's not to say I have been fortunate because I have. But in the corporate world you really don't experience the pains that the 121 passenger industry experiences.

As for commuting, the majority of aviation jobs' schedules allow for commuting. Every 121 operator, the majority of 135 charter jobs have schedules that allow it. Whether or not those companies have reciprocal agreements is another story.

You are way off on your understanding of the industry and commuting as applies to the majority of us employed as full time pilots. You have had better than average results.

121 you can commute.
135 maybe you can commute
91 highly doubtful you can commute

I have had worked for 5 different employers in the last 20 years.

1) 135 - had to live within 30 minutes of the airport - No Commuting
- I quit to go to job #2

2) 91 - had to live within 2 hours driving distance from the airport -- No Commuting - I was let go at the end of a trip due to the aircraft being sold. No notice by the employer other than your done here is your check after 10 years of service.

3) 91 - had to live within 2 hours driving distance from the airport - No Commuting - I was let go at the end of a delivery flight due to the aircraft being sold. No notice by the employer other than your done here is your check after 4 years of service.

4) 121 - They don't care as long as you show up when scheduled - The commute was so bad along with the schedule that I was home for no more than 36 hours at a time once a week, maybe.

5) 91/135 - had to live within 2 hours commuting distance from the airport. This one keeps it pretty loose. Some folks fly in some drive in. But its two hours from phone call to standing in operations. Thats the best policy yet for a non 121 job.

There are plenty of people from that non drama segment of aviation that you speak of that have been out of work for two or more years. So you may want to keep that in mind.

You are dead on correct on the aspect of who you know. Add to that having a really good personal reputation in the industry.

 

[Everskyward]

Regarding uniforms, when I got my present job, which is the only one where I have had to wear a uniform, I at first felt like I was dressing up for Halloween. Twelve years later I am more or less used to it. I found out that the uniform can come in handy. We've flown for customers who requested that we fly in business casual. I quickly found out that the FBO personnel and even some of the passengers had a hard time figuring out I was a pilot and not another passenger when I was in street clothes.

Regarding commuting, I have never had a job where I could commute, but then I haven't had a large selection of jobs.

 

[Ghery]

Ok, you got a BS in physics, I'm sure it was tough and you did a good job, great! that has jack to do with the point I was TRYING to make.

There is only one way to go through that program, you have a syllabus that is drawn out for your class time, you follow, you do well, you graduate.

I call BS on that claim. Now, my BS is in electrical engineering, but there were plenty of options for getting through that program. Not "one size fits all". And you don't just walk into my job by virtue of having that degree. And, no, seniority doesn't cut it, either.

 

[denverpilot]

I call BS on that claim. Now, my BS is in electrical engineering, but there were plenty of options for getting through that program. Not "one size fits all". And you don't just walk into my job by virtue of having that degree. And, no, seniority doesn't cut it, either.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I have a friend that drives a truck for a living. On his days off, he gets in his 66 Mustang, and drives around for fun.

Not sure why aviation wouldn't be the same. If you got a fun GA aircraft, do you think it would be less fun to fly because you fly for a living?

Well, I used to really like road trips before the days when I was a professional driver... In fact, the first 3 years I had my present car, it left the county exactly ONCE because I flew everywhere else I ever went. After driving all week and some weekends, it really wasn't fun to drive when I wasn't being paid for it.

Of course, I was driving on the same roads most of the time - I can see it being different if your job is to drive a jet around the flight levels but your fun flights are low and slow in a J-3 or throwing a Pitts around the sky... But despite my love for aviation, I avoid it as my primary occupation for fear of it losing its appeal as my escape from real life.

 

[DouglasBader]

Most of those I know who fly professionally who don't like to fly for fun or to fly when on time off are those who fly for an airline.

Personally, I fly whenever I get a chance, professionally or otherwise. To this day, I still feel fortunate every time I get to go fly, regardless of whether it's an employer telling me where to fly and how to fly there, or me sneaking a trip around the traffic pattern.

Flying for a living, however, does become a job; it's not a lark. I used to get comments from airline pilots about my firefighting; they'd say it looked like something fun they could do after they retired, as if it were a hobby. No; it's a profession. It's a lifestyle, too, but it's a very serious, no-foolin' professional occupation, and doing that job should be approached accordingly.

Doesn't mean one can't enjoy it, though.

It's perfectly acceptable to enjoy an emergency, as long as one didn't create it.

The State of California CDF aviation fire program adopted a statement I made years ago, on their posters; "It's not an emergency. It's our job."

We did fourteen loads on a very explosive fire a few days ago, which threatened structures, exhibited extreme fire behavior, and was spotting downrange and making it's own weather. Some of the drops were technically demanding, and a couple of the runs into the fire were breathtaking, literally. Last flight of the day, very close to dark, I had just punched off the load when the air attack called to ask if I had any left; a hotshot crew was in trouble and calling for a drop. Nothing I could do. Return and hold, he said. I finished the day exhausted, but without regrets. Do what you can, do your best, and do it again the next day. As long as you're able to do it again the next day and you can do it with a clear conscience and to the best of your ability, and your ability is good enough, then one ought to be able to remain in the job as long as one can look forward to that next day as much as the last.