hey airline types. you're driving to the airport, you've been in the aviation game for 10-40 years, are you still happy? are you excited to be going to work? or do the constant ups and downs in the industry and going to yyz, yvr, yow, etc, for the 50th time this year get you down?

somewhere in between, fluctuating closer to one side or the other depending on the day.

Yes
27 years after soloing.

I hate leaving home, but there's nothing I'd rather do.

When I got my first flying job, I used to say" hope this never gets old". Well, it still hasn't. I certainly enjoy going to work, but I like to come home as well. I suppose that's been my secret all along is to maintain a happy balance between work and home life.

Sometimes compromises need to be made, but it is worth it.

With the exception of a single lengthy period of unemployment I have been lucky enough to make a pretty good living doing what I love doing. A discussion about our eroding working conditions, pay, and percieved value for the professional attributes we provide is better left to another thread perhaps. But yes, I still look forward to going to work. Maybe that's because not having a job to go to is still fresh in my memory.

33 years flying for a living - do I look forward to going to work? Most days I wish I could stay home. But, there are still a few unbelievable moments that seem to make the next trip a little easier - skirting thunderstorms that light up like Armageddon on a black night, sunrise on a cold winter morning, long caribbean layovers, rollerblading on the Strand, a CAT II in Torbay followed by a night on George Street, a greaser now and then, but they're few and far between unfortunately. Mostly I grind it out, pine for the days of old, and wish I could hang it up forever. I'm truly glad I'm near the end of my career and not at the beginning, this business just ain't what it used to be.

14 years with some time off due to 911. There's good and bad days but I sure do love the job. Having said that, when it's my turn to retire, I'll have no problem making room for the younger ones. Maybe find myself a hammock under a palm tree somewhere.

atpilot wrote:Having said that, when it's my turn to retire, I'll have no problem making room for the younger ones. Maybe find myself a hammock under a palm tree somewhere.

With luck you may be able to say the same thing when it actually is your turn. Until then I wouldn't commit myself if I were you.

Got my private 20 yrs ago this summer... and still love it as much as I did the first time.

My first choice as a 'Male Performer' ended up 'short'. So I'm left with this... and it's a great second gig.

Rockie wrote:

atpilot wrote:Having said that, when it's my turn to retire, I'll have no problem making room for the younger ones. Maybe find myself a hammock under a palm tree somewhere.

With luck you may be able to say the same thing when it actually is your turn. Until then I wouldn't commit myself if I were you.

My turn's in about 10 years (second career for me). So I may be lucky enough.

I'd say "YES" in a jiffy, if things were still like pre 9/11...

But all the bulls**t is starting to take its toll, even after 8 years of trying to getting used to the "new" aviation reality...

All in all, still a great job!

after 32 years working and 37 flying I still look forward to it most of the time. Great job.

MOB wrc. (money over bi&^ches) OT hound.

Having said that, when it's my turn to retire, I'll have no problem making room for the younger ones. Maybe find myself a hammock under a palm tree somewhere.

When I get back from my hammock, I'll take you someplace exciting, like Sheep Creek, and you'll forget all about that ucky airline flying.

It's a great 'job', but a lousy 'career'. Take away all the security BS, constant covering of the ass (ie. legalization of every frikin' thing we do), and greedy executives/management, and it would be great.

It's a different game altogether than it was 15 or 20 years ago.

I'm surprised this thread hasn't gone 4 pages!

The flying is still fun.

Everything else that comes with the job seems designed to destroy what little enjoyment you have left.

Still - it beats working for a living!

Jastapilot wrote:I'm surprised this thread hasn't gone 4 pages!

It's a slow week.

The bullshit is there but once you get L1 closed and the park brake is released it's a great job. My second career and hopefully my last!