So what is flying for the Airlines really like?
Thread Starter
So what is flying for the Airlines really like?
I would like to get a realistic perspective from pilots actually working in the airlines (eg Qantaslink, VB, QF international etc) on what is it really like working in the airlines.
I am hoping to land my first job once I have completed my training in the next few weeks but have started to get itchy feet lately. I am not entirely sure if it's just nerves for the first job or whether it is as a result of hearing/reading that the hard road doesn't end at getting your first GA job. I absolutely love flying but would also like to know what I should be aware of so that I go in with my eyes open.
So I am very interested in hearing the following:
1) Realistically approximately how long would one need to spend in GA if wanting to advance into the Big Boys game? I have heard that there are some still in GA????
2) How does working in the airlines affect your personal relationships?
3) How difficult is it to pass the enterance tests (psychometric, sim etc)
4) Are you happy or bored out of your brains as the FMC is doing alot of the in cruise work for you?
and finally overall impression.....ie. would you do it all over again if given the chance.
Many Thanks
I am hoping to land my first job once I have completed my training in the next few weeks but have started to get itchy feet lately. I am not entirely sure if it's just nerves for the first job or whether it is as a result of hearing/reading that the hard road doesn't end at getting your first GA job. I absolutely love flying but would also like to know what I should be aware of so that I go in with my eyes open.
So I am very interested in hearing the following:
1) Realistically approximately how long would one need to spend in GA if wanting to advance into the Big Boys game? I have heard that there are some still in GA????
2) How does working in the airlines affect your personal relationships?
3) How difficult is it to pass the enterance tests (psychometric, sim etc)
4) Are you happy or bored out of your brains as the FMC is doing alot of the in cruise work for you?
and finally overall impression.....ie. would you do it all over again if given the chance.
Many Thanks
Join Date: Oct 2005
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HB, very valid points and also very expected of someone in your shoes.
In this industry you have
- People who get lucky, and
- People who don't
When I was in your position (a long time ago!), I made the bold and courageous move of going north on the quest to find work.
If you take the G.A route, sometimes your career flourishes as you go - and the road starts to look less and less blurred and your career begins to make sense. This happens when you work for 'good' operators. For some guys it gets worse as they go along.
When I did G.A, it was back when airlines paid for your endorsements. This meant that a poor pilot who was already 40-50grand in the red could get in and get trained without parting with any more cash - and this worked well (for how long full-service carriers were around).
Now, my friend, there are guys who are thinking along the same lines as you (and this is what is creating the 'pilot shortage'). Why? Because it is a 'Dangle Carrot' industry. Some guys make it, some guys don't. There is to much 'chance' and 'luck' in this industry.
From my viewpoint, the industry is changing. If the industry stayed the way it has done for the last 5 - 10 years, would I recommend it to anyone? No. Too much money (to part with), too little return, bad working conditions.
My advice to you? If there's any way you can make money, have a life and fly enough to keep you happy (all at the same time), then do that until airlines value their staff and start paying for training once again.
WWA
In this industry you have
- People who get lucky, and
- People who don't
When I was in your position (a long time ago!), I made the bold and courageous move of going north on the quest to find work.
If you take the G.A route, sometimes your career flourishes as you go - and the road starts to look less and less blurred and your career begins to make sense. This happens when you work for 'good' operators. For some guys it gets worse as they go along.
When I did G.A, it was back when airlines paid for your endorsements. This meant that a poor pilot who was already 40-50grand in the red could get in and get trained without parting with any more cash - and this worked well (for how long full-service carriers were around).
Now, my friend, there are guys who are thinking along the same lines as you (and this is what is creating the 'pilot shortage'). Why? Because it is a 'Dangle Carrot' industry. Some guys make it, some guys don't. There is to much 'chance' and 'luck' in this industry.
From my viewpoint, the industry is changing. If the industry stayed the way it has done for the last 5 - 10 years, would I recommend it to anyone? No. Too much money (to part with), too little return, bad working conditions.
My advice to you? If there's any way you can make money, have a life and fly enough to keep you happy (all at the same time), then do that until airlines value their staff and start paying for training once again.
WWA
Bottums Up
Originally Posted by "HappyBandit
So I am very interested in hearing the following:
1) Realistically approximately how long would one need to spend in GA if wanting to advance into the Big Boys game? I have heard that there are some still in GA????
2) How does working in the airlines affect your personal relationships?
3) How difficult is it to pass the enterance tests (psychometric, sim etc)
4) Are you happy or bored out of your brains as the FMC is doing alot of the in cruise work for you?
and finally overall impression.....ie. would you do it all over again if given the chance.
1) Realistically approximately how long would one need to spend in GA if wanting to advance into the Big Boys game? I have heard that there are some still in GA????
2) How does working in the airlines affect your personal relationships?
3) How difficult is it to pass the enterance tests (psychometric, sim etc)
4) Are you happy or bored out of your brains as the FMC is doing alot of the in cruise work for you?
and finally overall impression.....ie. would you do it all over again if given the chance.
- Hard to answer as it varies from person to person, and being johnny-on-the-spot counts for so much. Starting in '86, I spent 3 years instructing, 3 years GA CHTR (multi & turbine) before making it into a regional. Then retrenched 3 times in 3 years before commencing with current employer, where I've spent 12 years. It took 9 years to get a multi crew turbine command and another 5 years to get a jet command. I know some who had a worse road to travel, and some who had it easier.
- Frequent overnights and unstable rosters seen to be the norm. Your partner's level of understanding, and your behaviour whilst away will have a great bearing on this.
- Don't know, too old and didn't have to do the phsyc test when I started 12 years ago. No sim check then, just a chat with the boss man.
- No, not bored out of my brains. The FMC does a lot as does the autopilot but within reason one can still hand fly, or fly a manual approach to keep one's hand in.
- Without a doubt. Ask me again after a few more years of WorkChoices and DOTARs interference though.
