
I was thinking of this article yesterday during the crazy high winds we had in Ontario. Apparently the wind gauge here at YOW broke.
Also had a nice flight into YVR on the A321 today. Whoever was doing the landing greased it pretty good.
Still pondering a career in aviation, I just don't know what I want to do exactly. Not sure if I can handle the pilot life.
- Craig M
Craig don’t let my last post scare you. And I hope it didn’t! Even though we are labelled to have the most stressed profession we are also deemed one of the mot revered, respected, trusted professionals out there. Just the other day I went to get papers translated by a little old Italian lady (my executor work is still on going) and I asked about pre-payment. She said, “oh you are an airline pilot, I trust you. “
Wanting to be a pilot is more than a passion, it’s a disease! Actually, it should be listed in the medical journals as a known mental disorder. LOL
What other profession would people be lined up to fly an airplane for next to nothing and thank the owner for the opportunity?
Starting off is fun. Sure most of us rack up a huge debt, but you are hanging around types doing and loving the same thing. Then you get your first job flying for poverty to build up time, but you are working with cronies doing the same thing. The camaraderie is second to none. You share stories, dreams, and all of you look to an airliner passing overhead and think, “one day!”
You start moving up through the ranks, you get promoted, and your logbook gets thicker. By golly you almost have some respect. Many of your “buddies for life” will move on. All the moving and starting from scratch with yet another new “rinky-dink” company will get you closer to that ultimate airline job.
But then reality sets in. That girlfriend wants to get married. She is putting the claws in you. You are now chief pilot for some corporate operation making about $120,000. You have status, good pay and you are engaged.
Then...the call comes. Here in Canada, that would mean Air Canada. (Okay I fly for them so I’m biased). They want you to start next week, move to Toronto and pay you one third the salary. What do you do? And believe me I’ve flown with many that went through the same thing.
Now comes the stress. You are on line, you are married with one infant and the baby was up all night. Crew sked calls at 5:00 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. check in. You’ll be gone for four days. Your new bride looks at you with jealousy and resentment as you will be escaping sleepless nights, staying in a nice hotel and perhaps going out for a nice meal and maybe having fun...maybe. The unpaid bill pile is stacking up, your wife does not know anyone and you are leaving her Christmas Eve.
But if I had a dollar for every grown up that took me aside and said, “Doug, I wish I pursued aviation” I would have a very big bank account which would even make my “boss” happy. LOL
Choices! You can’t live with them and you can’t live without them. :))))