Any pilots that love their job?

Posted by schneidebs30@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 272 comments

Most posts on here are about checkride failures, DUIs, or CFI’s that cant find work. It’s pretty damn depressing, especially for those building time. Is there anyone out there that truly loves their flying job? Doesn’t need to be airlines or anything. It would just be nice to hear that all the hours/hardwork/studying/sacrificing will be worth it in the end! Thanks and fly safe

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EnvironmentCrafty710@reddit

Yup. Been flying since I was a kid and still love it. Changed careers many times before I dove into aviation as a job. Airlines never interested me as I was already a very successful computer programmer and decided that I personally wanted something more out of life and flying than what sitting in jets provides. It's a great career for many, but held no interest for me. So I've been slumming around in the lower paying end of the swimming pool for a few decades now and loving it. As I'm sure you've worked out, the "fun" work is lower paying and the higher paying stuff tends to be more on the boring end of the spectrum. I call the business "Choose your own adventure" though and I suspect the complainers are more the ones that chased the airline money and then reality set in. You hear more from them cuz they need to vent that energy... cuz once you go 121, it's hard to go "backwards" as you've made your priorities clear to everyone (so other jobs are very reluctant to look at you) and that money is very difficult to give up. And I fly in paradise (NZ). Pay in NZ is garbage (in general), but it's the price of living here. I decided long ago on the life I wanted and then found a way to pay for it, not the other way around.

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MobileAndMonitoring@reddit

What type of flying or airframe are you flying in NZ? I fly tailwheel turbines in Alaska and would love to fly in NZ in during our winter.

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EnvironmentCrafty710@reddit

Caravans. Know that NZ is exceptionally difficult to get into from the outside though. It's technically possible but exceptionally rare. If you're under 30, you can get a working holiday visa which can get you past the biggest hurdle, the right to work. Cuz otherwise you have to show that there are no kiwis for the job, and brother, we do not have a pilot shortage here. Even on a working holiday visa, you're competing with a zillion hungry young pilots. Having turbine and solid mountain flying experience is a big plus for you, but being an American is a big minus... cuz as big as airline suck here is, it's 10x as strong in the USA. So a company here is going to prefer a kiwi pilot that they know they're going to get some years out of over an American that's more than likely going to succumb to the siren song of the shiney jets. I'm not saying don't try, cuz this place is amazing, but just know that it's not easy.

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MobileAndMonitoring@reddit

Really appreciate the detailed response. I am over 30. My brother (US citizen) has permanent residency and should really pick his brain. Either way it sounds like I would need to start with a job offer anyways which like you said why hire a USA citizen when there are plenty of Kiwis. I do have competitive hours at 3000 TT, 1500 tailwheel, 900 float and 850 turbine. Would be curious if any float plane operator might need pilots or maybe a turbine tail wheel job like AG spraying. No intention of airlines or jets but would need to be NZ summer seasonal. I'll start some research thanks!

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EnvironmentCrafty710@reddit

Yup. You're very right about the float and turbine cuz then you start getting maybe into the realm of rarity. So like if you found a place that does floats, they don't have to show immigration that there aren't any pilots, but that there aren't any float pilots. That's a much easier bar to make. They still have to sponsor you, and might not be willing, but at least you have a shot. Turbine is harder, but not too much harder, cuz although you can train someone up on turbines, immigration has requirements on how fast someone can be trained in order to meet that requirement. Good luck.

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Sudden-Yoghurt3501@reddit

Seriously, doing my Aus to NZ conversion with ZZC in AP. The guy is a legend who kept telling me "I'm semi-retired" but he was flying four flights a day in his 172 with a cub and very shiney 185 just sitting there. Who wouldn't be happy when you roll out of the canyon for mountain time and there is Tongariro just sitting there. Sounds like a perfect way to be semi-retired to me!

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Disastrous_Garage709@reddit

I worked in manufacturing for about 10 years before I started my flying career. Now I’ve been a helicopter pilot for 21 years and also Sic in a G450 the past 3 years. I absolutely love my job. The jet life is great, and pays double what helicopters pay. I wish I would have jumped to jet’s earlier to ride that airline money train, but I’m still 10x happier than I ever was in a machine shop. It’s a hard road sometimes, but it’s worth it. I’ve done some really cool things over the past 21 years.

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snafu0390@reddit

I do. I fly for an A320/1 for a major. Two legs per week. Home at least every Fri-Sun. Flew 390 hours in the last 12 months. I truly do enjoy the job itself… it’s mentally engaging (most) of the time, and fulfilling. However, what I truly love about it is the lifestyle it affords my family. I work 3 days a week for $200k+/yr.

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Lanky-Rip501@reddit

Is Jetblue a major?....

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swakid8@reddit

Yes…. 1 billion dollars of revenue annually….

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Total_Midwit_Death@reddit

Now do profits.

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swakid8@reddit

Profits or losses do not determine Major airline status in the eyes of the DOT…

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HoldinTheBag@reddit

Profits are kinda necessary to keep that job long term though… 🤔

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theoriginalturk@reddit

Pilots don’t give a shit as long as they’re getting paid

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BaconContestXBL@reddit

I do, to the extent that I want the company to continue to exist and keep paying me. But despite the semantic debate I got into upthread regarding “major/not major” my 17% direct contribution and $202 an hour straight pay rate keeps me from caring too much how other people define my airline.

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Lanky-Rip501@reddit

Hey, if JetBlue keeps losing money and closes their doors you can always go to another major like Skywest

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BaconContestXBL@reddit

Dude I don’t know wtf you have against Bluejet but give it up already. This is unhinged.

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Lanky-Rip501@reddit

Tell me you're insecure without telling me you're insecure.... literally and figuratively.

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BaconContestXBL@reddit

Major ≠ legacy

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Lanky-Rip501@reddit

Low cost carrier ≠ major

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Shark-Force@reddit

JetBlue has first class that rivals any other airline in America. It’s not a low cost carrier, and that’s partially why they’re not profitable.

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Lanky-Rip501@reddit

I have flown in mint a few times on transcons.... not a bad product at all! Still - i dont consider JetBlue a "major" the same way I dont consider Skywest or envoy a "major" although technically they all are *by definition*.... throwaway account - hit me with the downvotes B6'ers

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Shark-Force@reddit

Ill let jetblue know that lanky rip501 doesn't consider them a major. I don't think they'll take it well, they've been given a lot of Ls recently. I hope this isn't the straw that breaks the CH11 back.

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BaconContestXBL@reddit

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_airlines_of_the_United_States I can also link you to the direct source if you want but it’s the citation at the end of the first sentence.

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Lanky-Rip501@reddit

Oh lord... now the Republic and PSA plebiscite are going to start saying they are at a major.... *by definition🤣

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tomtom5858@reddit

A plebiscite is a (more official sounding) poll. The word you're looking for is *plebeian*.

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Shark-Force@reddit

Major airline in the context of pilots means a non regional. An airline that flies the same name on your paycheck as the side of the plane.

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cincocerodos@reddit

Kinda curious how you’re able to swing two legs a week at a major. Even doing CONUS-Hawaii or East Coast-Europe I feel like you’d still end up working more to meet min credit anywhere.

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snafu0390@reddit

I bid LCR mon-thurs. I’m dedicated exclusively to our transatlantic flying. Our trips are three days long. They can either assign me Mon-Wed, Tues-Thurs, or nothing at all. By 8am Tuesday morning I know if I’m going to be called at all for the week. There’s a slim chance they can call me for a domestic trip but that’s only when I can no longer be called for a transatlantic trip and after all domestic long and short call reserves have been exhausted. It’s only happened once that they called me for a domestic trip. I’m relatively senior in seat and can easily hold a line but it would only net me an extra 5 hours per month at the max and I’d likely end up having to work two trips back to back. I value my QOL much more than a little extra pay.

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confusedguy1212@reddit

Would have been nice to include all those tiny details in your original comment. I swear my entire career has been hearing comments similar to the original one omitting these tiny but important details which oh by the way are as transient as our business cycles are. No offence but this paints a very different image in people’s mind in a situation that is very very unique and fleeting for you only.

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cincocerodos@reddit

Ahh, gotcha, I kind of figured reserve was involved somehow but it seemed odd you were doing the same trips at the same time.

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snafu0390@reddit

Yep. Reserve is a beautiful thing under the right circumstances. If I was doing our non-transatlantic flying it would be an entirely different story.

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headphase@reddit

Trips with long layovers or back/front-end deadheads (which can be deviated from) would make it possible

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snafu0390@reddit

This. Our trips are 3 days with 24 hour layovers. Evening report with a midday release on the last day. Commutable on both ends for me. We have a couple 5 day trips with deadheads on either end… so it’s really a 3 day worth 25 hours since we can self deadhead into position. Those go super senior though.

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CarminSanDiego@reddit

Are you super senior? How are you getting weekends off

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snafu0390@reddit

I’m roughly 45% seniority in seat (4 years with the company). I bid long call reserve and am consistently the most senior person on reserve. I get awarded whatever I ask for as far as schedule is concerned. I bid Mon-Thurs. The flying I do is to Europe and back and they’re all 3 day trips. I’ll either get assigned a trip for Mon-Wed or Tues-Thurs or nothing at all.

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Tayssti@reddit

Goals man. One day I’m going to be where you are

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Magoo6541@reddit

I love mine. I’m a corporate pilot for a family that owns a sports team. It’s the slow season for us. In the last 3 months, I’ve flown 12 legs over 8 working days, 3 overnights. The other pilots have flown more but the way the schedule fell, I’ve had the least amount of flying. I shoot competitively, I work part time at the range as a range officer, I get to bring my guns on trips and I find places to shoot when we’re out on the road.

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blakejake117@reddit

Spent 6 years spending every dollar I had learning to fly for the market to go to shit. I’m now sitting right seat in a Cessna just begging to fly. I’d literally fly for free. I don’t even care anymore I just want to fly is all. Everyone complaining can pass me the stick at least you’re working towards something. I’m in limbo.

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Mercury4stroke@reddit

I got offered a job operating the sensors in a 414 with the possibility of it turning into flying a 172, 11 months later. This company originally hired me as a pilot, then laid me off and offered me the sensor job to keep me in the company. I guess they didn’t want me running off since I had a geography degree. I turned it down and spent 5 months searching and driving a big rig to make some money. I hated life. I finally just landed a skydiving gig on a 182. Don’t feel bad about leaving your current job if something that gets you hours comes up. I’d say keep searching and jump ship if you find something.

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blakejake117@reddit

The first person that lets me hold the stick I’m bailing. I’d be more willing if they gave me a date, but they won’t tell me/don’t know.

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Mercury4stroke@reddit

Sounds like they’re taking you for a ride dude. They’d at least have an idea of when you’ll be allowed to fly if they were planning on transitioning you. Just keep blasting resumes out, also pick up the phone and call people. I bothered the owner of the skydiving place for like 3 weeks and he finally called me back saying he wanted to hire me. He claimed I was the only one who kept following up. Squeaky wheel gets the grease lol

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blakejake117@reddit

Yeah I’m constantly on the phone. Just seems like everything requires 500 minimum and I’m not getting to log any landings. Just sketchy to have 250 hours with no landings

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Mercury4stroke@reddit

Ya same here. Everything requires 500 until something doesn’t. Why haven’t you been logging landings? Regardless, nobody cares anyway. I don’t think anyone actually checks that.

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blakejake117@reddit

I’m just afraid of getting to the next step and not being able to land the T206 (what we use) if it was a 172 I wouldn’t give a shit. My plan is it to keep applying and if I don’t find anything, around winter time I’m going to do a crop dusting program and hopefully find something in that industry. I’ve loaded before and I didn’t mind the long days. It’s just dangerous and that’s my biggest concern

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Mercury4stroke@reddit

That sounds like a solid plan. I don’t think the 206 will pose any huge issues with landing tbh. A few laps in the circuit and you’ll be fine, after all it’s just a big 172 lol. Keep at it brother you’ll find something

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Rude_West_8967@reddit

You’re lucky bro believe me. I can’t even get a job working the sensor. Nobody is hiring. Just remember, there’s always people worse off than you lol. Someone would slit their wrists to even get a crack at doing your job!

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blakejake117@reddit

If you’re good with computers message me.

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Headoutdaplane@reddit

I fly beavers on floats in the summer and twin otters in the winter. I love what I do.....it is never 'just a job". While I truly respect airline pilots, I wouldn't last a year in that job, flight levels and auto-pilots would bore me to death. I won't ever make the money that the airline pilots make, but I am home at night and make enough to raise three kids with a SAHW.

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AnUnnervingGoat@reddit

Regional guy here. No seaplane rating, just a couple sightseeing flights in terms of AK time. What would it take to switch over and do what you do? I.e. how much float time/AK time do employers up there look for?

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Headoutdaplane@reddit

At least 100 hrs float, it is a huge barrier to entry for the industry maintained by the insurance companies. It is impossible to rent a float plane, basically you need to buy one,.or work as a fishing guide at a lodge and pick up dead head legs with the pilot, although I have heard of one or two operations on Kodiak, or in Southeast Alaska that will start you in wheel planes and move you over if you hang out

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AnUnnervingGoat@reddit

Why do you say it's impossible to rent a float plane? I obviously don't have any insight here, but obviously places that offer float plane ratings rent it out for that reason ... I'd assume they also offer them other times? Am I mistaken or is it just that those places are few and far between?

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Headoutdaplane@reddit

I don't know of any place you can rent a float plane. I have heard of a club that has one to rent for members but never confirmed. When I tried to get insurance to rent my airplane to my students, the insurance company said "no". I said "that is not the right answer, the right answer is yes but it will cost you x" and I will decide if it is worth it or not. The Insurance company replied the answer is "no", the underwriters do not insure float planes for rental.

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AnUnnervingGoat@reddit

That's wild

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Headoutdaplane@reddit

It sucks, and is hurting the industry

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NolanonoSC@reddit

Where do you fly out of? My goal is to fly floats in the summer and fly something else in the winter but I figure it's hard to find a gig that lets you leave for the summer

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Headoutdaplane@reddit

Alaska

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fremdo@reddit

This is awesome to hear. Never would’ve thought a beaver/twotter pilot could support a family of 4 but it’s great to hear that’s still an option if need be.

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Akbagger@reddit

There’s good money to be made in Alaska. It’s hard work but you can certainly make enough to support a family. I (like a lot of folks) never could make the jump to a regional, I was making so much more at the time flying 135 with a better QOL. Eventually I hopped over to an ACMI which was still a big pay cut, but regionals hadn’t started paying $100+ first year yet.

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Aviator126@reddit

Floatplanes and Twotters are my dream. I’m doing my seaplane rating next year and I cannot wait!

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Colonelbrickarms@reddit

Certainly a kick in the dick at times- but I can’t see myself doing anything else. Being paid to do this job? Absolutely.

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LIDARcowboy@reddit

I've been flying jets 135 for 10 years, I love it. Very high quality of life, typically higher wages than airlines for the first 5 years, all meals paid for, plus non-taxed per diem, hotel and airline points so I can book vacations on confirmed flights for free. And the work environment is challenging and dynamic. I went to 200 unique airports last year, many of which I'd never heard of until the night before. I know I won't be making $800k per year when I'm 65 like the airlines...but I will be retired long before then. There's quite a few people like me who choose this side of the industry for a career, we just don't usually post about it because the airline bros tend to dominate the conversation on reddit. There are some sketchy 135's but there's some good ones, too.

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SadSupport4999@reddit

You a NetJets guy?

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PureRiffery900@reddit

I lost my instructing job due to covid and was then out of the cockpit for 3 years (aside from spending lots of money to keep current) then this year got an aeromedical job and I’m loving it! Rewarding work, flying an awesome machine and the schedule is pretty decent. Get a lot more time with the family than when I was a dispatcher for a regional airline. That being said the hours come along a bit slow (we’re reserved for special cases) but I love my job so I’m not too stressed on it.

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CaptainsPrerogative@reddit

If you love flying and seeing the Earth from above and different skies every hour and traveling the world and mastering a giant complex machine, you will love this job like I do.

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Shendin@reddit

I have bee flying as a private pilot for over 50 years and have loved it. In my day it would have been impossible to become a commercial pilot do to vision problems. Now days, I don’t think it would be a problem. I just retired from a wonderful career as a senior RN at a world renowned Hospital. However, I often wonder what my life would have been like if I had attended Auburn’s Aviation program. I was accepted there ( at the time, not easy for an out of state person). As much as I loved my medical career, I think I should have pursued an aviation career. Flying came pretty much easy to me, I think largely due to being so young, and loving aviation. I still own a nice private aircraft, which I love despite the high fixed costs.

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That-Yak-9220@reddit

I'm an instructor and I often say that if the pay was better I'd consider career instruction. I love helping and meeting people. Signing students off for flight tests and watching first solos never really gets old to me. As a senior instructor at my company I do get to choose a bit more re: my QOL which is nice considering the hiring slowdown at the airlines in Canada. But finances are honestly my main motivation to move on from instruction right now. And as much bitching, griping and complaining myself and many instructors do - this beats every summer job I did growing up, the odd jobs I had to do during COVID limbo and truthfully, any day I get to fly an airplane beats sitting at home doing nothing. I think it's all relative, every job has frustrations but with this one I can hop in a plane and ignore them for awhile.

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FlySlowAndLow@reddit

I'm at my dream airline and love every second of it. I go to work with a smile and come back home happy. I sometimes fly into the airport where I used to fuel airliners while I was in flight school. Sometimes I get to talk to some of my former coworkers and it reminds me how much work it took me to get here. Really makes me appreciate it even more.

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andrewrbat@reddit

i love flying at my airline and so does basically everyone i fly with. the challenges of flight training and building time are part of the barrier to entry in this career, but its awesome once you get a good flying job. i even enjoyed flight instructing most of the time , it just paid like shit and i worked too hard. now i make about as much money in a month and a half as i made in a year as a cfi. maybe more.

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changgerz@reddit

We work so little that we complain to kill time. I work half the month and it’s almost always 1 or 2 legs a day. Realistically on most days you do like an hour or two of actual “work” then once you’re above 10,000’ kick back and pull out a book. Go to the hotel, have a beer, sleep (maybe with a flight attendant if you’re lucky), gym, repeat. Does it suck sometimes? yeah, doing a red eye or a few legs through bad weather, max duty days, etc can be very tiring. It’s still a job. Is it still the best job ever? No question. I probably would have killed myself by now if I was still working a 9 to 5

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BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit

Yes I’m a career changer and I should have done it long ago. I laugh at all the complainer pilots

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SkyMaster1984@reddit

Same! I wonder if most of the complainer pilots are the ones who never had to sit in an office for 5 days a week looking at walls and hearing the hum of fluorescent lighting.

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Dbeaves@reddit

Most pilots have never had other jobs. Certainly not ones where they were dependant on the income.

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DubiousSandwhich@reddit

It goes both ways though. Many also don't know how good other jobs are outside of aviation. They compare themselves to 9-5 cubicle jobs and think that's the only other alternative. I have many friends outside of aviation that make more than I do, work less than I do, have more vacation, can work when they want (and where they want), and are actually treated well/ like a valued human being...

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AeroLog@reddit

People who think airline jobs are the best job lifestyle wise have no idea what they are talking about or can only compare it to some cubicle job they had. But there are other ways of living that are much better but it’s all about perspective. There are people out there who would see airline life as brutal laborious work with little freedom.

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BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit

Look! we found him! We found the complainer

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Ok_Bar4002@reddit

You can absolutely tell the ones who never worked a job other than the airlines. I’ve listened to hours on hours of complaints from captains making over half a million a year because they moved the seat belt sign from the first officer to the captain’s duties before we first push back. The ones who know how good we have it just made a joke and moved on.

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dopexile@reddit

The internet is just full of chronically online complainers. People living a fulfilling life don't waste their time or bother to engage.

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vigil_mundi@reddit

No, no. All of those happy and fulfilled people are posting on Instagram.

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mystykracer@reddit

This is a spot observation. When you don't have much to complain about you're typically not actively searching for an outlet or a community of likeminded people.

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Number1atp@reddit

It’s so much better than actually working.

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BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit

Yes, it is!

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kiwi_love777@reddit

Same I had a whole other life in the corporate world as a bookeeper for most of my 20’s- the complainers have no idea how bad it is out there…

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BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit

I shot Movies and TV shows BIG shows, for four years straight I was going back and forth between the Number 1 show on showtime and the number 1 show on HBO. those four years I did 3600+union hours PER YEAR on the film sets. Those shows beat the crap out of me to the point that a few years ago I had two 3D printed titanium Disc, 9 screws and a fixing rod implanted in my back. Now I get paid to fly a G550 long haul sitting in a seat looking out a window, and go to amazing places. It is such a better life than doing “the big shows”

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SirSaif@reddit

Same. 14 years in, 11 qualified Union years. 1 herniated disc and back surgery. Covid came and I changed plans. Got all my ratings including ATP, now an active MEI trying to get a job. And I don’teven have Hollywood to fall back on. I wish I went all in during Covid to get all my ratings instead of work shows simultaneously. I would’ve caught the hiring wave. Oh well. It’ll happen at some point I guess.

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BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit

I retired with the "Full Pull." Gotta say I'm happy to be out of the biz. There are quite a few of us who left 600 to fly, and I get texts from guys wanting out all the time

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SirSaif@reddit

Good for you man. I try to count my blessings a little. By the time these latest strikes were in full swing, I was a full time CFI so it didn’t hurt as much. Thats all I do now. I get the occasional call here and there but it’s mainly become the side hustle, go figure. Now I’m just trying to build multi time and network. I’m 695.

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BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit

Ahhh the mortal enemy of camera! My second to last show was coming out of Covid and by that time my back was so fucked I couldn’t walk or stand more than 10 mins at a time which sucks when you’re a steadicam op but that show got me that last qualifying year I needed and I arranged “in the interest of distancing” to do the entire season on a crane and remote head so I could sit in a chair all day! Problem solving!

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SirSaif@reddit

Yea, that was going to be my guess. Only Stedicam Ops would have such messed up backs. For me it wasn't so much the booming, it was the bag rigging, early in my career. Being a one man band sound guy had me carry all that weight and it really did a number on my lower lumber throughout my 20s. Then one chiropractor visit broke the camels back. Now I kind of hate being on set. When I'm used to having my own schedule and being home at a reasonable time, being a set all day and night seems like such a slog and I'm kind of over dealing with actors. Covid really made everything not fun any more. I'm glad to know there are others out there like me. Sometimes I get discouraged when in interviews because so much of my career is in a field not really many people understand and it's challenging trying to explain how so many skills are transferable, especially the social skill aspect. When I'm asked "can you deal with this person for a 4 day trip?" I'm always reminded of those experiences on set where you have to deal with all kinds of people for 12 hours a day for 6-9 months. It's like..."yea, I can handle any weirdo next to me for 4 days." It's tough right now, but I haven't given up. I'm building more multi hours and I got my ATP. I'm slowly noticing a little more traction. I'm currently working on the networking part. I feel like thats what's gonna get me the job.

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Nerftrolly@reddit

Hey! Fellow Union film and tv worker here! I’d love to pick your brain a little if you’re open to a DM.

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BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit

sure

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ewerdna@reddit

How'd you get into the 550?

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BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit

Well coming out of high school I turned down an appointment to the airforce academy. (I had my private pilot at this point). Then in 2008 I turned down a walk in to an airline. After my back surgery a friend brought me into a 135 where I flew an Excel. After about 14 months of that I moved on to another 135 that specializes in long haul Gulfstreams and Bombardiers

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smack300@reddit

What’s your schedule like in the 550?

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BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit

Well, I WANT to fly, so I make sure that dispatch flies me a lot. But it's a very reasonable schedule

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kiwi_love777@reddit

How marvelous!!!

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Full_Wind_1966@reddit

Honestly, I'm starting to realize that the ones that have it the best are usually the ones complaining the most. Those who have had some not so great times and those who have had to work for it a lot seem to be much happier.

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kiwi_love777@reddit

Yeah, when your dads a line check airmen at the airline and he pulled strings to get you the job they seem a lot more ungrateful- Yeah bro, you were 23 and had zero life experience. Then 25 years later they’re on their 3rd marriage and cheating on her with a flight attendant… And the boat needs a new engine, and his 300k pay feels more like 100k because he has to pay alimony…. (Or so I’ve been told- you’d be surprised how much men open up to women in the flight deck) But us second career kids- or first pilot in the family kids are a bit different. We had to navigate through the industry entirely on our own with no help or prior knowledge. *Not saying that you can’t be grateful if your dad or uncle was a line check airmen or captain or anything- but the sourpuss attitude seems to stem OVERWHELMINGLY from a lot of those guys.*

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thattogoguy@reddit

I don't know the world of ATP or commercial, but mil-wise, you can sort of always tell who grew up around aviation, and who didn't. Those who grew up around it either literally do not know a single person outside of aviation; their parents and grandparents and siblings and spouses or SO's and friends are all pilots (or in aviation), they went to Embry-Riddle or Purdue or USAFA or some school with a big AFROTC detachment, and literally cannot fathom any career not related to an airplane. Some don't want to, and some are absolutely miserable, but simply can't for whatever reason, see anything but flying an airplane. It's become their entire personality and identity, for both people. Others came from something else, and either become a much more healthy version of the above person, or bitter that they threw away the best years of their lives or their families to fly (because a lot of them go through a lot of shit with family that ends up hating them for being gone so much). Or they just feel like they're missing out, seeing friends travel and doing stuff that they are too busy to enjoy (right now.) On the other hand, the grass isn't always greener.

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rkba260@reddit

This is my third career... and it is by far the easiest and best paying. People who complain have nothing to compare it to, they have no reference for what *work* really is.

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kiwi_love777@reddit

Amen Brother

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mystykracer@reddit

I'll bet they complain a lot about "DEI hires and the country is going to hell in a hand-basket" too?!

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kiwi_love777@reddit

Not really no. The country thing yes- but the airlines do a good job at weeding out poor pilots. Part 91 I’d argue has more DEI and “just get him through because he’s the owners son” kind of hires. (I flew part 91, my partner was a male, he red screened the sim, but his brother was a pilot at the outfit we worked at- he passed, meanwhile on my V1 cut I strayed 3 degrees- the max was 5 and I was the one who had the debrief, not my partner who CRASHED THE SIM) If you red screen (crash the sim) in the airlines you’re out.

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mystykracer@reddit

Wow! So nepotism reaches even where DEI doesn't ( not that it ever did frankly ).

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thattogoguy@reddit

I drifted in my 20's and was pretty aimless as a whole. School was a mediocre experience for me. I did an overseas volunteer development job through the US government (Peace Corps), and lived in West Africa for two years until Rona killed it. I came back, and was like "I always dreamed of being a military pilot". So I applied myself, really tried, earned a PPL, and got hired... To be a navigator. It works out a lot, I love what I do. I'm not sure how much I'd love to be a professional pilot though. As a nav, for all intents and purposes, I do flight planning, mission planning, comms, and a host of other stuff. On the opposite end of this, I've learned I just don't have the self-discipline to make this something I really want to excel at. I joined for military aviation, and though I love flying GA, I probably won't ever take it very far professionally (especially since all of my qualifications don't amount to anything past my PPL, since it's all as a Nav.)

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bae125@reddit

There’s a difference between enjoying your job and “loving” your job. Regardless how much passion you have for something, once you start doing it for a living it’s a job. Be it race car driver to accountant, when it’s a job it changes the equation.

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Cyber__dude@reddit

Yep a lot of guys don’t know what it’s like to work 9-5 in an office cubicle. This is way better

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Salt_Pay_3821@reddit

Ya imagine if instead your cubicle is in the sky and you work strange hours and finish your shift in a different country

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earthgreen10@reddit

but you cant walk out of the office whenever you want when you are in the sky

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Cyber__dude@reddit

Sure but at least it’s an office with a view!

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DubiousSandwhich@reddit

I have friends with their own offices in buildings with gorgeous views...honestly nicer to look out at than what we see most of the time since you're closer and can see detail.

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StonkDreamer@reddit

I had one of those offices. It is not the same at all, we have it so much better. I get paid far more than I ever did in the corporate world to sit and watch the world fly by at mach .76, I get 2 decent meals per work day for free and I get to meet fantastic people day in day out and see parts of the world I never would have in the corporate world, yes it's only for 40 minutes at a time but my old office never went anywhere. Flying is hard, no one is denying that, but my worst days flying are still a million times better than my best days in the corporate world and no one can convince me otherwise.

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DubiousSandwhich@reddit

You know that's not the only alternative right..?

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Unlucky_Geologist@reddit

I’m at a legacy earning half to one quarter of what I used to. Would never go back to my old line of work.

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Diver_Driver@reddit

Same. I have the greatest job in the world and absolutely love it. The perks, flexibility, and time off are incredible and unlike any other career. Pay can be amazing as well depending on where your career takes you.

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Abject-Access-7739@reddit

This is also me. I should have started when I was 17 when I wanted to not start when I was 34/35. But as I get closer to writing my CPAER im looking forward to getting any flying job cuz I just being in the air.

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TransitionLess7228@reddit

I genuinely love going to work every single day that I have to. The ones who don’t are divorced, that’s the biggest determining factor I’ve come to realize. ALL of the super cool captans I fly with are on their first wife. Almost all of the dbags happen to have at least one divorce

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flyingchick28@reddit

I complain. All the time. I love complaining, it gives us something to talk about and a connection you wouldn’t otherwise have, in a world when I might fly with 4 other pilots a day. But it can get a lot, because at the end of the day, yes. I ADORE my job. I’m a captain at a regional and in the USAF, flying jets. I genuinely can’t imagine doing anything else. Every day I get to see something new, even when I’m flying the same route 3x in a row. I’ve been to the same places a hundred times but one of those times maybe I got to see something really cool. I still get excited when I see other airplanes I love, like an A380 taking off right by my nose, or a U2 landing underneath me in a foreign county. So yeah, I complain, just like everyone else. But try not to take it to heart, even though it’s hard. It’s just easy to focus on and talk about the negative, but I promise the positive outweighs it by a million miles

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PositiveRate_Gear_Up@reddit

Love my job. Little background. Started my flying career in 2006 with a small (now defunct) regional airline. Flew for 3 years and commuted to base. I didn’t hate the job, but I sure hated day 1 (drive to the airport, hop a flight to base, and start flying) and the flying felt like the entirety of my identity. I had a ton of fun, but I didn’t really enjoy it, just pieces of it. The flying was great, the camaraderie was top notch. Got downgraded during the recession, decided to change careers and work in an office to be home every night…didn’t touch an airplane (of any sort, for 3 years). After four years I was part time instructing again, after five I had a small lease back with a plane. And at six years I quit the office job (that I absolutely HATED) to go back and fly full time. Flew charter for 3 years, and despite any drama associated with charter flying…and the paycut I took to leave the office job. I was pretty happy. Upgraded to captain on a Learjet and hawker, never hated driving to work (for the most part) and loved my time on the road (multi day overnights in the same city, rental cars, time to sightsee). Was lucky enough to be hired into a corporate department, worked there till Covid…then back to charter, then a different corporate…ALMOST went back to the airlines, but my old company was trying to get me back…and I left my good corporate job for another good corporate job. Been great, good people, well maintained equipment, fantastic pay, and an amazing work life balance. I’m home with my kids and wife more than any dad I know and earn a paycheck (that isn’t airline good) but absolutely solid to support most of the life I love. All that to say, I love it.

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Lemon_hawk@reddit

Yes! Regional airline captain here and I generally love the job. Feel really lucky and grateful to be where I am in the industry making good money and working fewer days per month than most people I know. And it’ll only get better from here, especially once I’m able to move up out of the regionals. I also loved being a CFI though unlike many people! Found the job really fun and rewarding.

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JJNorbie@reddit

As much as we complain, which we LOVE to do, it’s a pretty damn good job and I can’t think about trading it for anything else

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lavionverte@reddit

Do I love working 11 days a month on average, having 9-15 week vacations? Not really, to be completely honest. Do I love it more than anyboryer job that pays 6 figures? Absolutely-fucking-lutely! Considering it's basically a part time job that pays full time salary and benefits, I love it even more.

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lavionverte@reddit

Just kidding... I absolutely love it

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coldcarb@reddit

Thanks for asking this. As someone who’s about to get their PPL this sub was indeed getting depressing.

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theblowmaster@reddit

There is so much for yall to look forward to. Just work hard you’ll get there, don’t give the complainers too much of your time and take it with a huge grain of salt. I seriously can’t think of a better entry level job than being a CFI and you guys have a lot to look forward to. It is a lot of work but the real reward is that you really make a difference in your students lives and you really see your work pay off and that is awesome!

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coldcarb@reddit

That was really touching. My flight school told me I have a job there as soon as I can get my CPL/CFI/etc… but I didn’t think it was an exciting job. However, the way you put it — making a difference in your students lives — makes me want to do it.

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theblowmaster@reddit

That’s awesome! I do have to say having a good flight school has a major impact on what your experience will be like and if your coworkers actually are fun to be around that helps as well. There are some really underrated perks of being a CFI like largely being able to make your own schedule and manage your students yourself (at least that’s how it was at my school). It is a hard job but I’ve found it to be very rewarding not only in seeing your students grow but you grow as well. I don’t think I would be half the aviator I am today if I didn’t have to think about how to explain the most basic concepts over and over, I think my students have taught me about aviation about as much as I have taught them. If you like your school then that’s an awesome opportunity. From my experience any low time pilot job will have pretty much equally shitty pay and quality of life and those other jobs may look really good but the reality is they are usually worse paying and worse quality of life compared to CFI. Even if you are able to get one chances are they will pay you terribly and quality of life will be horrible, because they are inundated constantly with applicants that are trying to avoid CFI.

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Odd_Minimum2136@reddit

Because they are telling you the truth. The best parts of flying was when you’re brand new and trying to reach the majors. At the Majors 1/2 time I feel like I’m pulling teeth to talk to guy next to me. Flying is very easy once you’re at your destination airline. The hardest part is actually getting fully rested so you don’t go dosing off on a 5hr transcon during cruise. If you think staring out the window for 5 hours while occasionally talking to ATC is fulfilling, I envy you.

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theblowmaster@reddit

I’m not shitting rainbows either at my job most of the time. At the end of the day like you say it is work and work gets boring and monotonous after a time but I would say coming to work was generally a net positive for me in happiness terms and i feel like that is pretty much the best you can expect from a job. Generally at least through my CFI experience I have for the most part have been excited to come to work and at the very least not dreaded it. Not to say that it isn’t hard work but out of all the potential career fields I could be in I’m not sure how I can complain about it.

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Jayjayhighroller@reddit

I’m in the same boat. Just a little closer to shore. Currently waiting on my medical to start classes but this post is definitely keeping the fire lit while I wait

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Wavebuilder14UDC@reddit

There are a lot of negative people on the internet. The ratings and licenses are worth it. Flying is awesome. Even on a “bad day” im still super happy i got to fly. Take what you see on here with a solar system sized grain of salt.

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Inevitable-Smile-121@reddit

Newsflash: don’t believe strangers on the internet

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MDT230@reddit

Checkride fails happen. Just move on. Thats what I learned and try your best to learn from it and not repeat it. You can’t change it. But I am really excited for my first CFI job. Teaching what I love to do, is never a bad day at work. Now only if I can get hired.

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Panda_Budget@reddit

I’m flying part 91 Learjet 60 and got hired at 550 hours, i absolutely love my job. Good overnights and good amount of time off and pretty much everything paid for when on the road. Very blessed

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Plus-Worry-1847@reddit

I’m just going with the flow…. Got based in Detroit recently. Just moved there (why not). Flying jets kicking back in my off time. 12/10 life

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WolverineStriking730@reddit

No, it’s all negative.

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always_gone@reddit

Yeah. I’m a people person, so I loved CFI and love freight dawgin even more.

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MangledX@reddit

If you're in it for the lifestyle and money, you'll always hate it. If you're in it because you're passionate about flying and have always wanted to be a pilot, then there's not really a bad day at the office. Those who love it are out there flying, not here on Reddit complaining about it. Hence why it seems like the doom and gloom is attracted to this sub. To be fair, flying is a competitive business. Always has been. The grind is what turns most people off. They want the result without having to do the work, and while I don't want to sound biased here - the vast majority if this are the 20-25 crowd who haven't really worked (or lived) long enough to understand that we all gotta pay those dues. In time, folks will look back and realize that everything was just a learning process. I didn't start flying until 42 but worked in aviation since I was 19 in military and civilian capacity. Chase it for the right reasons, and you'll always find the silver lining.

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branda22@reddit

I’ve been lurking aviation forums since 2003. Pilots will always complain but I must say we are actually at a pretty low levels of complaining. During the period of bankruptcies, loss of pensions, wage reductions, age 65, furloughs every pilot complained! It was very depressing.

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Imperial_Citizen_00@reddit

Funny that you have that impression, I’m a new student pilot that just started in January but I have the opposite observation…sure there are of course those types of posts, but I see way more posts from students or people looking for the wisdom and advice of senior pilots…every single check ride failure has a hundred positive replies telling the person that it’s okay, that they too had failures and could get past it. I see 99% positivity with the occasional asshole giving their 2 cents, but I found this sub super helpful and supportive 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

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diningroomchaircover@reddit

I don’t mind it however I’m definitely not as passionate about aviation as when I started flying. I like the time off, pay, and travel benefits.

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indiearmor@reddit

I flew for the airlines for 16 years & loved it. I stopped to be the primary caregiver for both parents. I am trying to get back into the industry. I miss it & the people SO. There will always be folks that bitch & moan. But, it's a great job. Of course there are ups & downs (pun intended).

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AlpacaCavalry@reddit

The worst days I have to go through at my current job is ten times better than the slog I put myself through in my early years. And I make a comfortable while living in one of the highest CoL areas in the nation. I can afford to get myself, my spouse and my parents nice things occasionally. And the job is, overall, very enjoyable. Sure, I get tired sometimes, but I generally have the time and energy to spend on my hobbies and other passions. And I like the big aluminum tube going brr. Would not trade it for anything else. Life is great, and I am thankful that I am here now.

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PullDoNotRotate@reddit

Yeah, I do.

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indianmcflyer@reddit

I love the fuck out of my job

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Doogerama@reddit

I fly 135 cargo and LOVE it. I had a 14 year corporate America career and you couldn't pay me enough to go back. I get to fly every day and somebody else pays the bill - what could be better? If you're in it for the enjoyment, aviation can be a heck of a career.

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Perfect_Big_5907@reddit

I had a 25 year career as a corporate pilot. Did not want to go the airline route. Best job for me . Loved the variety of flying and freedom to fly how i wanted to.

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Darkness572@reddit

I would assume most of the happy pilots are too busy enjoying life and can't be bothered browsing reddit and bitching.

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Careless_Inspector88@reddit

Many love their job but hate toll it takes on them. I have spoken to plenty of retired airlines pilots who have told me they loved flying but would have avoided being a pilot if they could do it all over again. Fairly common story- wife long gone due to a divorce and kids saw them growing up as the cool guy who would visit them every two weeks and not their father. Now the adult children call them for few minutes every other week. Not to mention that being a commercial pilot is a speed run to alcoholism.

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PilotBurner44@reddit

Best job ever! I get paid lots of money to do very little work, and I have a great view (usually) while doing said little amount of work.

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PM_ME_YOUR_FOQA@reddit

Loved every flying job I had. Started with cruising VFR and rocking wings to the music in the Cessna coming back from a work site, then it was the grit from shooting RVR 1800 approach in 40 year old turbo prop, to slinging RJs in and out of DCA on the river vis to now using the heavy call sign and chugging along the Atlantic tracks. Excited for the next step which hopefully will be Asia flying when I'm senior enough to hold it in a few years. I absolutely love my job.

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rotardy@reddit

Yeah. Guys that like to complain figure out quickly there is not an echo chamber when they fly with me. Been doing this for almost thirty years. No regerts.

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SirRexberger@reddit

I’d say most pilots love their jobs. But as with most things, complainers are often the loudest people in a group.

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avalanchez71@reddit

I absolutely love my job. So happy I changed careers when I did.

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Canikfan434@reddit

I worked with a guy in the ER years ago in FL who was interested in flying. I would pass on my flying magazines to him, answer questions, etc. Eventually he quit, immersed himself in flight training, and eventually was flying Avantis for Avantair out of PIE. I lost track of him a a couple years, then found him on facebook-he was a FO with JetBlue! He’s since made captain, and it’s safe to say he’s much happier than he was in the ER!

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LigerSixOne@reddit

I get paid pretty well to do some fantastic sightseeing.

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anactualspacecadet@reddit

Yeah!

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hohojesus@reddit

I love it as well. Only (real) job I have ever had. My biggest issue is what the hell I would do if I lost the ability to fly. I can’t think of anything that would be this rewarding to me personally and professionally. And thank God I was born in the age of aviation because I think any other job would be a real drag.

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Wabdering-Fly@reddit

Absolutely! I flew eight years as a flight instructor (part of it as chief flight instructor), loved every moment of it and now flying medevacs and love it as well. When I was a student I used to tell my instructors that I'd be happy with any job as long as they're paying me to fly an airplane. They all said my opinion would change after a few years in the field. Now it's my 11th year after getting my commercial and I absolutely still stand by what I said. Don't need an airline to be happy flying.

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d4rkha1f@reddit

I work in the corporate world during the week and flight instruct on the weekends. I love every second of the flight instruction.

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theblowmaster@reddit

I think this is the best thread this sub has had in a while.

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averageuserman@reddit

Here. Love my job and very greatful for it. I used to be a sales executive in a big firm at my country. Fuck the meetings, fuck the two-faced corporate bullshit, fuck the clients. Of course being an airline pilot is not all positive, but it is miles and miles better than any job I had or any job I could have dreamt of. Honestly anything better than this is just not working while getting paid a shit ton.

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theblowmaster@reddit

I loved being a CFI making the jump to the regionals in a couple of weeks and super excited. I don’t know why so many people hate on being a CFI. Yeah it’s a grind at not amazing pay but there is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone go from not knowing what an elevator does to being a great aviator. I still find a lot of joy when my former students share with me the different flying adventures they’ve gone on after they got their tickets and the lessons they learn along the way. Just being a part of that process is just so rewarding. I’m super excited to start my next step but to all the students out there being a CFI is what you make of it and it can be super exciting and rewarding but people for some reason make it seem like the worst thing ever. I think I’ve learned more from teaching my students than they did from me and seeing yourself grow as a pilot and a teacher is just as cool as seeing them grow.

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Cessna71@reddit

I love this job more than anything in the world. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I fly the A321neo for a legacy and fly one leg per trip. I do commute, but I fly trips to my home so I spend my layovers at home. There are some days when it feels like a job, that’s inevitable. But I genuinely feel as though I haven’t “worked” in years. Best job in the world. Truly.

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Ludicrous_speed77@reddit

Most of us love this job, and that’s why we put up with some of the stuff we deal with. You just don’t typically hear about it on these boards, I mean who gets off an easy trip and post about it?

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DrDarnocMD@reddit

I love my job right now. Military aviation was the best decision I could have made for my career. Granted, I could change my mind about that in the next few years, but right now, I'm having a blast.

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Facelessroids@reddit

Yep, it’s wild to me that someone pays me to do this.

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Vihurah@reddit

Flying gets boring, it gets sweaty, sometimes it's terrifying in a way no one else every has to deal with, but i wouldn't trade it for the world

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studpilot69@reddit

I get to fly jets for a living. What’s not to love.

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Serious_Barnacle5193@reddit

I absolutely love flying. It is still a job and like any job there are things I don’t like and some days it just feels like work. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

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Specific-Literature6@reddit

Reddit is like restaurant reviews, most people come here to bitch and moan, only a few come to praise and laud

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spitfire5181@reddit

Best job I ever had

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IndomitableOn3@reddit

Superior reference.

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DatSexyDude@reddit

It’s pretty strange. I enjoy my job when the guy or gal I’m flying with is cool, but I still spend an inordinate amount of energy on not flying. I guess I like the game of avoiding CS and seeing what ratio of $/block hour I can get (which over the last six months is north of $600 per hour and increasing).

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Opening-String-8386@reddit

Put me in the “I love my job” camp. As others have touched on, many of the complainers have simply never worked another job. The Boomers and Gen X’ers who all had it great love to complain. The “COVID boom@ pilots late 2020-2023 ish or so are another subset that has no idea the pot of gold they fell into love to complain. I’m a late in the game career changer myself in my late 30s. Worked in Corrections for 10 years which was horrible and no doubt took many years off my life . Think locked up with the worst society has to offer , often no breaks , often forced to stay for 16 hours sometimes back to back to back days forced overtime . Terrible treatment from management , they treated the criminals better!!! Food? Entertainment while at work ? Mandatory “crew” rest ??? Forget it , you’re forced and you are back at it in 8 hrs!!! Not allowed a cellphone , a book or phones that will even dial out! Same depressing miserable building for a 32 year career if you don’t have the drive or ability to get out !!! Work as a Part Time Police Officer when im not flying these days . It’s infinitely better than corrections and I do it more to get out of the house . Like all my flight certs and ratings , that ability was something I had to earn while I was working around the corrections hell hole. All on my own dime as well! Once I had everything through MEI , I spent a fair amount of time threading the needle instructing and flying small 135 part time as well. So it was a grind and a half. I actually love listening to pilots complain so i can laugh in their faces and explain what it’s like for work to actually suck!!! I love to travel, love to fly and love to see new places and meet new people . I have a great job , one that some people would still look down on but I make more than the top dog at my jail makes before OT and any other perks . I keep all my hotel and airline points and use them to go on multiple vacations my old co workers could either only dream of or have to work about 6 months of OT in a hell hole to afford even one!!! I could go on forever . I won’t even bore you with some of my medical issues I’ve had to work through. If you are flying airplanes professionally , consider yourself lucky , it’s a great job ! People like me and many many others truly don’t want to hear you complain and we are thinking “what a spoiled baby” when you do. Have some gratitude!

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retardhood@reddit

Best job I ever had. I had to sit at the airport for 5 hours because of a delay after I got in from my 2 hour drive. Still way better than sitting in an office and I'll make over 2x as much as I did next year as I did at my office job in IT. That being said, these jobs are not easy to get either.

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Ok-Door-4991@reddit

If I could sit reserve and never fly again twice a year I would be peachy =]

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554TangoAlpha@reddit

I fuck in love my job, even at 3am dog tired over the pacific. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.

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Expensive_Plant_4738@reddit

I thought flying would be a good career until I had my third failed checkride right after getting a DUI so I gave up on the airlines to become a CFI and now after the hiring craze is over I can’t seem to find anything other this crappy 141 school where Ill spend the rest of my miserable life.

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AY4L@reddit

I love what it gives me: $$$, a lot of hard days off, and no drama from the workplace

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VolubleWanderer@reddit

My wife got pregnant so I left the airlines for a local job. I miss flying. As much as the dealing with passengers and beat up planes sucked I loved it so much. I’ve always wanted to be a dad. Since before I knew I wanted to fly I’ve wanted to be a dad. I don’t wanna miss any of the moments watching them grow. Hopefully I’ll be able to find my way back to the flight levels eventually but right now it’s dad time.

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McDrummerSLR@reddit

I absolutely love the job. There is nothing I’d rather do. I found a way to enjoy the flight instructing when I was doing that, I realized that I was getting to do something that so many people would only ever dream about. I also worked with many struggling students and it was supremely fulfilling to see them succeed after having trouble. And now being at my (hopefully) last airline, all there is to do is enjoy the job and fly and keep learning and it’s the greatest feeling ever. Aside from commuting which I shouldn’t have to do for much longer, I have pretty much zero stress day to day. I’m getting to do something I dreamt about since I knew what a plane was. The toil is worth it for sure but don’t forget to find a way to enjoy the journey along the way.

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HaikuKnives@reddit

If they are here on reddit they're not up there enjoying their job.

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redditburner_5000@reddit

Oh, yeah. The *right* flying job cannot be beat. What's right will vary from person to person, of course.

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poser765@reddit

I love my job. But it’s still my JOB. What does it mean to me to love a job? It means I don’t dread going to work and hate my life because of it. Some say, and I agree that my worst day of flying is better than my best day at any other job. However, my best day of flying is still less than my worst day at home doing what I truly love.

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Necessary_Topic_1656@reddit

the best job I’ve ever had was when I was flying sightseeing glider flights. up down 1-2 pax 15-30 minutes a flight - $20-50 in tips per flight. it didn’t pay anything, but it made getting to 250hrs much easier.

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NoDistribution9217@reddit

I didn’t necessarily love the grind, the hot bumpy smelly GA flying. There were days I did NOT want to do another lesson. But the end goal I knew I’d love. I’m one of the odd few that don’t have a desire to fly small planes (unless it’s like grass strip camping, or flying me and my wife somewhere cool for a vacation) but I absolutely love flying the Airbus and the lifestyle it provides!

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Simplisticjackie@reddit

You have to remember that most people who are out enjoying life, don’t spend as much time on Reddit. Definitely less time posting about stuff and looking for engagement. So we get(and are) the people that are less satisfied as a bias.

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8kcab@reddit

Fire aviation is the most fun you can legally have in a plane.

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MinuteCautious511@reddit

Why go through all this if you dont love it? I TBH havent got my license yet but when I was doing my training the first time I was unbelievably excited. A couple of the instructors shared that but many were arrogant and miserable.

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Full_Wind_1966@reddit

Well it's a grind. A lot of people loved it at the start and get disenchanted by it as they keep piling up the efforts without necessarily getting the results

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MinuteCautious511@reddit

You are teaching people to fly a plane. If you ask me its your duty to make it an exciting experience. A student has to do alot of work to learn to fly, if you come with your jackass attitude you are putting them off.

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Full_Wind_1966@reddit

Oh I 100% agree and I also usually have a huge grin while flying a plane. That being said, a lot of the people I come across seem really disenchanted with flying and don't seem to like it anymore.

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MinuteCautious511@reddit

The vibe I got from these guys was that they thought they were above doing PPL training. I trained with a school that had multiple branches. At this particular one the refueling was self serve and he looked down on it like it was below him to get out and refuel the damn plane. I think maybe these guys don't like the world of flying much, they just want to be pilots

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Corgeo@reddit

Coming from a post 1500 hour CFI (I’m suffering) I think anyone who goes through the financial and mental stress of flight school and time building loves flying. I personally find myself grinning from ear to ear anytime I see the sunset hit the water or greasing a landing or hitting a perfect steep turn. I love flying with all my heart and I always will. The things we don’t love are all the things surrounding the job. I’m working an 11 hour day today with no breaks. Yesterday I spent a 12 hour day baking in 96 degree heat. I’m behind on just about every bill imaginable and with the current job market there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight. The flying itself is amazing and I don’t think I’d rather be doing any other job but sadly the extra circumstances of the job can really put a damper on that love

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dabflies@reddit

The most important skill you must develop as a professional pilot is to complain about EVERYTHING. I have my dream job. I usually love going to work. I still bitch every day.

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dopexile@reddit

So, what do you think of the new contract?

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swaggymaggy92@reddit

Amen. This is the truth

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3Green1974@reddit

Honestly, if we’re not complaining about something then we’re not truly happy. 😁

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keenly_disinterested@reddit

Social media strikes again...

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Ok-Helicopter690@reddit

I changed careers at 38. Wish I could go back and do this from the start.

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KW1908@reddit

These comments are restoring my hope in life after years of the doomposting here, making an effort to be here less and less...

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Akbagger@reddit

I’ve loved every aviation job I’ve had, it’s been tough at times but it beats construction by a mile. Waking up at 1am to fly to the middle of nowhere in a clapped out turbo props was some of the most fun I never need again. Every job is different and has its highlights that I’m grateful for. I make a point to still appreciate what I have every-time I get in the cockpit. Doesn’t matter if it’s a caravan, a cub or a 777. (Except the guppy, fuck that)

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Icy-Bar-9712@reddit

Cabinet maker/remodeler turned pilot. All the kids I work with have absolutely no perspective how amazingly awesome this job is, even at the CFI level. Because they have zero perspective of how bad it can actually be.

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fly_guy1@reddit

I couldn't agree more. I've had aviation jobs I didn’t care for at the time, but each one I can look back on with fond memories. Even the grungiest jobs gave me a wealth of experience I can still use.

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Joshua528@reddit

Working on a new type right now, so it’s a bit grueling at the moment, but yeah I love my job. Opportunities I’d never thought I’d have.

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_BaldChewbacca_@reddit

Despite how much I complain, I truly love the job. I'm an airline captain at a Canadian regional (so the pay is garbage), but I still absolutely love it

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Novel-Leg8534@reddit

29m career change instructor here. Flying is cool :)

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Mach_Point@reddit

I flya da airplane : )

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RaidenMonster@reddit

Best job I’ve ever had. Made the switch in my mid thirties. Refer to my former life as having a “real job.” Not that it’s without its faults, but, it pays twice as much or more as working overnight running a warehouse.

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redcurrantevents@reddit

Career changer and I love my airline job. 100% worth the work and sacrifice to get here.

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NewFirefighter7051@reddit

I don’t have a job as a pilot YET. However I’m pretty close to finishing instrument and while this shit is hard I do feel incredibly lucky to get to able to literally fly a plane and hopefully get to do it for a living.

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m4a785m@reddit

Add me to the list. Don’t let Reddit skew your perspective. I love this job and would never trade it for any other career. Most of the pilots I have met that complain about it have never worked another type of job so they have nothing to compare it to.

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themeatspin@reddit

Been flying for going on 22 years and have loved every single minute.

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Fight_Or_Flight_FL@reddit

I do CFI part time and love the teaching. I think it would be harder to love it if it was my sole source of income.

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Willing_Stop_7534@reddit

C130 pilot here, needless to say this job is the best in the world and I’d never trade it for anything

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SoDakSooner@reddit

While I am not a pilot....yet (waiting on my kid to finish his CFI), I have had numerous conversations with my dad, long retired, but flew for over 40 years and had well over 30K hours. He told me he never worked a day in his life. He did the normal stuff pilots do early in his career, CFI, charters, airlines etc, but the vast majority of his career was in Cubs and Huskys doing predator control, bush pilot type stuff, and he actually did love it. He still flies occasionally at 84, but I think he misses it for sure.

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pvsmith2@reddit

I love my job, major widebody FO currently. but i also loved it as a 73 guy, as a regional capt, as a regional FO, and as a CFI. I wouldn't want to do anything else. I had three checkride failures early on (Instrument flight, commercial ground and CFII flight). After my CFII failure i was prob the most unsure of myself ive ever been. CFI was prob my hardest rating/test, everything after has been easier. yes it was absolutely worth it

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AjaxBU@reddit

Pilots will complain about anything. I am not excited to go to work, but when I’m there I know there are a lot worse things to do. It has provided my family with a great life, despite me being gone for half of it.

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Merican1973@reddit

Pilots like to bitch. You will also notice that most don’t change to other careers. They know being a pilot is the best job out there.

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PaperCity1850@reddit

Best job in the world! The views out the window are always changing and you get to see things that most people will never see.

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fallstreak_24@reddit

Yeah! I’m definitely in the “love my job” camp. I’ve had a great career so far and I have enjoyed the journey at each career milestone. I think a lot of the people I work with generally enjoy their job but there is a bit of “survivorship bias” no doubt.

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paradigm_shifted2@reddit

I love my job - over the 20+ years I’ve been flying I’ve lived in 3 different countries, flown in Africa, Europe, Americas and Middle East, met some of the most interesting people in the cockpit you could imagine, met many famous people as passengers, flown helicopters, pistons, turbo props and jets, and wake up most work days excited about what I’m going to do. Definitely times where fatigue can be a drag but overall making a career change in my late 20s was the best decision I ever made.

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Zeewulfeh@reddit

In this thread: Employed ATPs roasting the "complainers" (CFIs who can't find work and build time).

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ZOB_oo_land@reddit

God forbid we actually enjoy our jobs. Some of us had to wait and grind too.

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Zeewulfeh@reddit

Gotta have a job to enjoy the job. Or grind for that matter.

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Dependent-Place-4795@reddit

Major airline pilots have it easy, everyone else it sucks

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kvark27@reddit

What lol I’ve been sitting in Europe for a week and my wife joined me over here, all expenses paid by the owner. This is my only trip all month. Last month, I worked 3 days. There are different jobs for everyone. Don’t act like the majors are the only options. I have multiple friends at the airlines that always tell me they’d come to this unicorn gig if a seat opened.

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Dependent-Place-4795@reddit

1% of non major jobs

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Cascadeflyer61@reddit

Really? I loved flying 135! Flying the San Juan islands in Washington state, then moving to and flying in the Caribbean. When I got hired at Horizon I was flying Montana and the Pacific Northwest in a Metro! Yes the pay wasn’t great, but such cool flying jobs! I have had some great flying at the Major’s, but flying a 12 hour day in an Airbus, or a 737 is not always “easy”!

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Dependent-Place-4795@reddit

Let me guess you waltz into a major during 2022 with barely any flight time, you have it rough flying that 737!

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ItalianFlyer@reddit

I still love it and have enjoyed every flying job so far. Some might wear you out at times or keep you on the road more than you want, but eventually you'll find what's best for you. Airlines from this point of view are amazing because you're in charge of your own destiny, choosing to fly as much or as little as you like. Now I fly enough to have fun but have enough time home that I look forward to my next trip, and this is coming from someone that has never been senior. Some days you're beat and don't want to see an airplane for a few days but with enough time away I get the itch again. Don't get me wrong I can complain with the best of them. This industry can be brutal due to the personalities it attracts on both the management and pilot side, but I've never not been happy when the door is closed and the engines are running. Flying is just cool, and I love the idea that it's a craft you can spend your entire career trying to perfect

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Aviator126@reddit

I’m a UK based FI, new to the job but I cannot think of anything I’d rather be doing. Even when on a trial flight on the same route I’ve flown a hundred times or teaching the basics over and over again, sometimes I remember my old jobs, working in a call centre to help pay for it, or remember how I’d save every penny for an hour of flying and think about how I felt doing those, that always puts it into perspective. Always take a second to actually enjoy this amazing job we get to do.

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IAMZEUSALMIGHTY@reddit

I just got my dream job. Wanted to do it for 20 years. Pay isn't great and the hours are average but I can't wait. I start on Monday.

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duaIinput@reddit

I absolutely love flying and I’ve never had a “real” job to compare it to. This kicks ass. Especially in the big leagues it’s incredible how you are taken care of. A lot of my family and pretty much all of my friends have real jobs. I don’t think I could last a year except for one very niche field. The amount of BS dealt with is incredible. With this, once they slam the flight deck door and you drop the brake it’s just you and the other pilot in your own little world with an awesome view and all the candy and soda you can drink.

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undercoveraviator@reddit

Most that I know do. They complain from time to time… but that’s like every job. We all have something to complain about. But overall, I think most of them do.

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Euryheli@reddit

Sure, it’s a great job. Best job in the world. Still a job.

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JPAV8R@reddit

When I first started working in line service and at a 135 as an office worker I felt a similar thing… wow a lot of these guys who are doing my dream job are miserable; they complain about everything. It’s a strange profession. As we’re sitting in the van lamenting the hour or the destination or the contract or the union I’ll often say “If we’re not complaining are we even pilots? But we wouldn’t trade these minor gripes for an office job. If anything, the gripes would just grow if we were tethered to a desk. Make no mistake about it, a flying job is still a job; there are no free passes. There will be times when you’re studying for your next training event and you’d rather be doing something else. Or when the equipment breaks and your whole day’s plan gets shot. There are also the sunsets, seeing the northern lights, the satisfaction of knowing that you can hand fly something the size of a school gymnasium smoothly onto the pavement. We’re here because we love it. We trade a few nights in our bed at home for the satisfaction of doing a complex job well and all the trappings that come with it. Don’t give up hope just continue to grind and the finish line will find you and before you know it you’ll be sitting in the van… complaining about the job with the rest of us. 😉

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kvark27@reddit

Love it. Currently sitting in Europe for a week on a trip and the owner paid for my wife to join us, all expenses paid for her, just like it always is for the crew. Worked 3 days last month and this Europe trip is our only trip this month.

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Wingnut150@reddit

A few days ago I was at 700 feet (ATC instructed) over a very narrow corridor with a view you simply can't buy in a place where a plane has zero business yet we do it on a regular basis. Some days it's hard to wipe the idiotic grin off...

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humboldtreign@reddit

Yep! Part 91. I’m gone about 10 days/month, and when I’m home it allows me to afford a little Cessna 140. Fly for work, fly for fun, I love airplanes!

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FlyingDawggg@reddit

Best job ever

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Which_Material_3100@reddit

Been flying at my airline for decades. And still love it. Also fly for fun when I’m not at work.

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7layeredAIDS@reddit

Keep in mind, especially the younger pilots, many of them have only flown. High school>college (where they start flight training) > flight instruction > regional > major, is a very typical path. As someone that quit an office gig, took a pay cut to commit to this career full time, I do kind of roll my eyes at some of the complainers on here. Like have you guys ever worked a manual labor job where you were outside 90% of the day and the weather has to be perfect or else your day is miserable? Too hot, you’re soaked with sweat, too cold your hands crack and hurt. Have you ever worked in the service industry dealing with the actual general public? Like actual ‘Karens’ in restaurants or retail and you have to smile and wave? Have you ever worked a cubicle corporate structure job? I know some out there have, but MANY have not ever had any of these other types of jobs. Yes I too got a little tired of going up for the 6th hr on a warm summer day bouncing around doing turns around a point. But every time I had negative thoughts I could always go back to “at least I’m no longer doing ______”

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WearyMatter@reddit

I'm a 121 Captain at a major airline. 42 years old. Member of the "lost generation". I wouldn't change a damn thing.

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Flashy_Load_520@reddit

You couldn’t convince me there is a better job than working in the airlines. I took a month off just because I could. My wife is a doctor and makes way more money than I do but she absolutely works 10x’s harder every single day, easily working double the amount I do.

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pearsonace@reddit

I’m flying helicopters for charter work now while still instructing and it’s been a solid career choice. After 6,000 hours, I still can’t imagine doing anything else. The days are long, summers are busy as hell, and winters can be miserable. I’d rather be doing this than sitting behind a desk though. I’m constantly learning. I still run into situations that are new and the challenges don’t stop coming. Tricky weather, complicated charters, and students. I like being kept on my toes a little haha I am beyond fortunate to have found work that I actually look forward to. The schedule can be brutal and the conditions aren’t always ideal, but I can’t imagine doing anything else. All I hope is that I can make it another 6,000 hours doing this. Not everyone is lucky enough to make a living doing what they love, I find myself beyond fortunate.

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Sea-Delivery-4067@reddit

100%! I started out towing banners in Super Cubs, then hauled checks and freight in Cherokees and C-402’s. After that, I got my first job flying a Dornier Jet. Over the next 15 years I flew 5 Corporate jets. In 2020, I lost my medical and in 2021 I became flight instructor. To this day, I can look back at all my experiences, all the ups and downs(literally and figuratively) and say how much I have loved my career. It definitely came with challenges, but I am so fortunate to have gotten to live my childhood dream.

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collinpilot@reddit

Great that you had a nice career, what was the reason for losing your medical?

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Rilex1@reddit

10 years ago I was looking out my window at night after a day of studying and dreaming of being accepted into the cadet pilot program. Last month I upgraded to left seat. I love the job. I love the challenges. It’s definitely worth the struggle.

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WoundedAce@reddit

Other than the shit planners we have. It’s a pretty damn awesome job

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fremdo@reddit

For the sake of breaking the mold, I’m a recent CPL, quit my 6 fig tech job and year ago, working at a restaurant now hating my life while I finish my CFI. Not glorious at all but I do not miss my desk job and I know I’ll be in a good career within a few years.

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EfficientPatient4912@reddit

I ADORE my job. Can't take holidays for more than a week at a time because I miss it too much.

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mellowburrito@reddit

Most definitely!! I’ve been loving every second of it. I changed career paths from applying to med school to joining flight school. And it’s the best decision I have ever made hands down. After instructing I went to the regionals. Even as a new first officer I was having an absolute blast making great money, pretty awesome schedule, and exploring all kinds of cool places on layovers I never would have otherwise gone to on my own. I’ve only been in the industry about 6.5 years but it’s all about perspective. I got paid poverty wages to instruct 6 days a week 12 hour days. So even the worst regional schedule I ever had was light years better than my instructing schedule. Upgraded to captain at said regional and have had even more fun being in the left seat flying with some cool dudes and gals making even more money to where it’s super comfortable and finally feel like I’ve made it. Also I recently got extremely blessed and landed my dream job with a legacy and will start training in the fall. It’s definitely worth it my dude. WAYY too many negative people out there making the atmosphere super toxic. Yes the industry is volatile and has some crazy ups and downs, but if you play the long game it will all come back to normal and then cycle again at some point. Just have to be patient, I know it’s easier said than done but it’s life changing once you make it. Flying 121 is cake and I still can’t believe I get paid to do this job on the daily.

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Apprehensive_Cost937@reddit

Yes. I've been flying for more than 15 years, and still love flying - so much, I then do some flying for fun on my off days as well. Even airline flying is still fun for me - either everything goes to plan, and I get to do a bit of manual flying, or it's a bit more challenging day, where I need to engage my brain more and solve problems. Fun either way.

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Professional_Low_646@reddit

I love flying. I have never had the feeling „I‘d much rather be somewhere else“ when I sit down in a cockpit, doesn’t matter if it‘s for my job or for instructing a little on the side.

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KJ3040@reddit

I’m bummed every time I have to wake up go to work a redeye or get called on reserve. But once I get there I always pinch myself about how great this job is.

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Sharp-Beyond2077@reddit

Started flying at 15, got my PPL at 17 and built my hours across Australia and South Africa. Stopped flying as I got an eye watering offer in finance then asset management but realised that although I was making a good income, I was dying a little more inside every single day. Back to building hours and finishing my ATPL, broke AF, but happier than I ever was sitting at a desk or in endless meetings.

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Seattleballooning@reddit

I fly hot air balloons every day. It’s pretty awesome

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blizzue@reddit

Not only do I love my job and going to work, I’m currently in business class traveling on a full revenue ticket for super cheap. I’ve been all over the world with friends and family and usually in business or first. Oh and I make 500+. And I’m home 15 days a month. And I can’t work from home. And. And. And.

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junebug172@reddit

All I’ve know is flying right out of college to 30 years later. Still not bored.

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Budfox_92@reddit

I'm in the airlines on my second job and I love the job but now I see it as nothing more than a way to earn a living and trying to maximise my quality of life and earnings. I started off in low-cost and it sucked a lot of the initial enjoyment out of the job for me.

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3Green1974@reddit

I absolutely love my job. I’ve been flying professionally for 25 years. Even the shitty year I spent at the regionals was still pretty good. Currently flying a G550 all over the world for an owner that likes to go nice places. I wouldn’t trade it.

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flyingkea@reddit

I’m pretty happy right now. I fly for an airline, am home every night, and everyone I’ve flown with so far has been really good. Some Captains it gets to the point where it’s like “I’m enjoying this conversation with you, but we’re only a couple of minutes from the top of the glide slope, and we should’ve been sterile cockpit for since transition.” Yes, the company has its flaws, and the airspace is challenging - we fly to incredibly busy uncontrolled airspace, where there’s airfields that infringe each others approaches, but that also keeps it interesting. For example, after a challenging descent where as PM I’m trying to contact company, get the airfield lights on, (and why won’t the bloody things just work?) manage multiple pieces of traffic, monitor both CTAF and centre, as well as normal procedures/support calls, I live for the “thanks for the support, you did a good job” comments.

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Independent-Reveal86@reddit

Yep I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. It's not perfect but it's the best "not perfect" I can think of.

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LadyBusines@reddit

Of course! I feel like I have the best job in the world. I fly B777s for a US major airline and only work on average 8 days a month because of reserve. And when I am working it’s to fly to Europe or Asia and have amazing layovers. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s all worth it!

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MrAflac9916@reddit

Yep I like it. Even as a CFI, I spend less hours working than the average person my age, and many of those hours I do work, I get to fly. I get great time off and a very flexible schedule. Students wanna fly on weekends? Extra hours for me. Bad weather day on that Monday? I’m laying in bed since I worked Sunday. The pay could be better but I’d take my life over >80% of other people my age

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Scoot814@reddit

Yea its worth it. Best job ever.

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Silly-Ad5211@reddit

As much as people crap on the regional lifestyle. I absolutely it. It brings new challenges new places everyday and different opportunities to learn and do something else. I also don’t find it too terribly tiring with how long some days can be but I definitely attribute that to my schedule freight doggin before was much more rough than what I’m doing at the regionals so in a way it’s still improving my quality of life. But yes absolutely love what I do and flying is still my absolute passion.

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isniffjetfuel@reddit

Hey, not an airline guy but doing “bush” work in the north (remote gravel/dirt strips in the mountains). Yes, love my job. There are definitely many (many) days where it’s just a job, and some days where it sucks a bit. With where we’re going and what we’re flying, sometimes things go wrong and you just have to figure it out. Sometimes those days are super rewarding, and sometimes you get home wondering if maybe you’ve got more luck than skill. Many days, as I said, it’s just a job. Frustrating pax, challenging cargo/loads, and shitty strips or conditions can add stress or frustration like any other job, but at the end of the day I’m doing what I love and go to bed tired. It’s definitely worth it. Doing something you can enjoy for work is a blessing, and even on the bad days where you might be thinking “yeah, wish I was on the ground right now” typically end in fulfillment.

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podrick215@reddit

Of course. I have a work life balance I never thought possible, while making a lot of money. More importantly I still enjoy flying and think the planes I fly are cool.

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity: --- Most posts on here are about checkride failures, DUIs, or CFI’s that cant find work. It’s pretty damn depressing, especially for those building time. Is there anyone out there that truly loves their flying job? Doesn’t need to be airlines or anything. It would just be nice to hear that all the hours/hardwork/studying/sacrificing will be worth it in the end! Thanks and fly safe --- Please downvote this comment until it collapses. Questions about this comment? [Please see this wiki post before contacting the mods](https://www.reddit.com/r/flying/wiki/index/rflyingtower/). --- I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. If you have any questions, please [contact the mods of this subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/flying).

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