Given the chance would you bail?

[Sparkfarmer]

Maintenance guys out there, would you get into aviation again if you could do it over, and if you could would you bail out? I cant be the only one wondering this... All things considered including, but not limited to:

1: Pay
2: Hours
3: Training (or lack there of)
4: Accidents (Here's to the ones who left before their time....)
5: Attitudes (Finance vs. safety, mtc vs flight crew, etc.)
6: Job stability

[bombardierfixer]

I talk a big game, but I would do aviation if I had another choice, I'm a sucker for big loud shiny things.

[chowda]

After almost 11 years, I'd bail in a heartbeat.

I'm a sucker for a better pay check, no night shift, no weekends, not working outside in +30/-30 temps with snow or rain, paying all my own relocation expenses, not dealing with shitty compnies and owners, etc, etc. The list is long for the "pro bail" side, and the only regret I think I would have is not having left sooner.

I want my 11 years back.

[MZUNGO]

I want my 11 years back.

shit i wish it was only 11 years. i want my 20 years back

[black hole]

You guys must think I'm STUPID????!!!! I want 35 years back. But I love Airplanes! is this a sickness. Can I get some compensation?????

BH

[chowda]

I want 35 years back. But I love Airplanes

It would be nice to want to go to an airshow again, but I have'nt had any interest in going to one since I was an apprentice. I guess Im really sick of airplanes and the BS this business is famous for.

Compensation, yeah, that would be good. I remember there was a post on here a while back to do with Googling "night shift studies", and there were lots of conditions and diseases linked to people who do them. Might be a case for compo there.

[Bell]

I love airplanes and I really miss them but, I also like to eat and pay my bills/rent. I just left this industry for another - hard to say no to 50K a year to start. To those of you remaining, hang in there and all the best.

[b1ngnx33]

Yes. I would.

If Jepessen even talked about the "real world" of aviation, good-bye aviation.

I also have the "I love plane" disease. Damn it. I still have it.

Makes me happy just to see those aluminum tubes fly. They really are tubes.

Right now I just need to eat, sleep, etc, etc. Gotta have money to do that in a good way.

Maybe the real question is the following :

Would you bail out of aviation for 1 million dollars? Oh, hell, how about just half a million?

heh heh.

[Pat Richard]

Would you bail out of aviation for 1 million dollars? Oh, hell, how about just half a million?

Does a deer shit in the woods??

I come pretty cheap though. I'd do it for 65ish a year, day shift, no weekends, REAL benefit/pension plan, 5 weeks off a year paid(to start, without serving a year), personal days, sick days.........hmmm, Is Transport looking??

+1 for BAIL, and I definitely am not in love with airplanes.

They don't love back.

[Human Factor]

Maybe the real question is the following :

Would you bail out of aviation for 1 million dollars? Oh, hell, how about just half a million?

heh heh.

I'd bail from working anywhere for a cool million dollars. I could easily retire today on that kind of money.

[bombardierfixer]

We just have to convince the flying public, that they need to start flying at night.

Its not the A/C that don't love back its the DOM's, PRM's, dispatch guys, owners, and who ever else has a vested interest that don't love back.

And google chrome rocks, spell check in the browser...awesome!

[really green]

I most defiantly would. But what do I do? I can't leave work and loose wages to go back to school.(christ, i'm still paying for school 6 yrs later) And around here, an auto mech makes even less than me. it's sort of a catch 22. Very frustrating

[billy ray valintine]

I talk a big game, but I would do aviation if I had another choice, I'm a sucker for big loud shiny things.

count me out ......and the above quote is why!
first half was fun,second half has been SHIT!!!!!
for the airplane lovers,......just wait until the ceo's of this wonderful industry jamb you hard in the ass and owe you money they will never pay.
you will be singing a different tune then.
until then?.........I'll be watching.
it's time for the newbe-know-it -all's to tell me how it's gonna be.
take aim......... and ...........wait..........aim.......I SAID WAIT,YOU ASS...........o.k. fire

''every cop is a criminal...and all the sinners are saints '' r.s.

[chowda]

.

for the airplane lovers,......just wait until the ceo's of this wonderful industry jamb you hard in the ass and owe you money they will never pay.
you will be singing a different tune then.
until then?.........I'll be watching

Amen.

[roncoldlake]

I probably would say yes at this time. I got into the industry and was warned by others. I have been lied to, stabbed in the back by younger fellas trying to make there mark in the company, overtime pay held back and oh ya expected to work overtime and if I refuse my loyalty is questioned. I have also go the statement "I have 20 resumes on my desk for people who want your job". Another lie. If you are smart get into a trade that can give you something back in the way of compensation either monetary or benefits(pension). I am speaking instrumentation or electrical. And if you hear the statement "industry standard" stand your ground and insist they define industry standard and where they get their info. Every position is unique. with that being said I enjoy my job and the freedom it give me in the work place. I work at my pace and enjoy the atmosphere. But given the chance to do it over again I would have stayed in Electrical school.

[bombardierfixer]

Billy, why the hate? You seem hell bent on pointing out everything I say and then telling me I'm full of crap. I feel bad for you if this is your only means of venting your frustration with aviation is by jaming on someone who isn't as miserable as you.

If you need someone to kick around to make yourself feel better go ahead, I have thick skin. Then someday you can get me a large dbl dbl.

[tiny]

Its not all perfect but I really enjoy my job. Been in this business 10 years. The pay is good, I never work night shift and i like airplanes.

[SeptRepair]

Been in this game going on 22 yrs, Its a thankless industry run by thankless Ceo's. Loyalty is a one way street.

[bombardierfixer]

I'm pretty sure it dosn't matter what industry you're in, there are the people that like it and the people who don't. Hell there are people who bitch about being porn stars.

I'm not defending the shitty CEO's by any stretch, I've worked for some of the more notorious people out there, they take a good situation and totally take it apart and make lemons out of lemonade. I've been screwed in the ass by people who I thought were friends and seen some of the stupidest things ever.

Its going to happen anywhere but I would rather have tangible results and watch it fly away as opposed to going from my "in box" to my "out box".

[billy ray valintine]

Billy, why the hate? You seem hell bent on pointing out everything I say and then telling me I'm full of crap. I feel bad for you if this is your only means of venting your frustration with aviation is by jaming on someone who isn't as miserable as you.

If you need someone to kick around to make yourself feel better go ahead, I have thick skin. Then someday you can get me a large dbl dbl.

i don't hate you bomfixer, and don't blow this out of proportion.
we have obviously traveled two different roads in this industry and i was merely pointing out the reality of my situation. a comparison to the ''enthusiast '' type was made ,and my experience with the ceo's who screwed me for money in the past was made as well.
how much crap are we suppose to take!
seems everyone here is of the same opinion except the ''Prozac squadron'' types.
if you love it ,great I'm glad for you.
just relax a bit!{....or maybe your one of the ceo's who owe me money!!!!}
my vote still stands....
brv

[bombardierfixer]

Nah I only owe Visa, rogers, the city of calgary, my parents, my kids RESP. Hmmmm maybe you're right. No worries Billy. Do you have a collection of props in you're garage with invoices on them? I guess when people start screwing with you're money it definatly changes things, I've been lucky everyone has paid on time. I have a buddy who has had to go to offices and basically hand-cuff himself to the desks to get money, its handy having people like him around to sniff out the crap for you

[iflyforpie]

I love working on aircraft. But I'm going to qualify my statement before I get flamed.

-I don't like the meddling middle management and keener micro management that seems to go on in the bigger companies like Kelowna Flightcraft, Cascade, and I am sure many others. Where I work now, it is objective based only. I keep the planes airworthy using as much or little time as I like, when I want, how I want.

-I don't like the attitude of managers and CEOs thinking that they are doing you a favor and creating the illusion that there are a ton of people waiting to get your job. The old 'sunshine' tax in the Okanagan or the perpetual carrot dangling at Cascade where 'we all have to make sacrifices while we wait for better times'. BS.

-I don't like keeners who will brown nose and BS their way through the industry, making life miserable for the rest of us. I love planes, but I also want to make a comfortable living. I am not in love with aviation so much I will go hungry. If it comes to that point, I will change careers and do aviation for a hobby for my personal gain and enjoyment.

-But I hate lazy slobs who think the world owes them. Do a good job. Do an honest days work. Then decide if you are getting the short end of the stick. There is nothing worse than having to work your ass off doing the work of others because they don't care.

I don't get paid a ton where I am here, but I don't work a ton either (maybe 500 hours a year actually twisting wrenches and doing maintenance paperwork). Adding up our revenue (pretty easy), I know the owner isn't making a ton of money relative to his investment and risk. But he treats me with respect, never orders me around, lets me work my own way, gives me regular raises, and always pays me on time.

[billy ray valintine]

I love working on aircraft. But I'm going to qualify my statement before I get flamed.

-I don't like the meddling middle management and keener micro management that seems to go on in the bigger companies like Kelowna Flightcraft, Cascade, and I am sure many others. Where I work now, it is objective based only. I keep the planes airworthy using as much or little time as I like, when I want, how I want.

-I don't like the attitude of managers and CEOs thinking that they are doing you a favor and creating the illusion that there are a ton of people waiting to get your job. The old 'sunshine' tax in the Okanagan or the perpetual carrot dangling at Cascade where 'we all have to make sacrifices while we wait for better times'. BS.

-I don't like keeners who will brown nose and BS their way through the industry, making life miserable for the rest of us. I love planes, but I also want to make a comfortable living. I am not in love with aviation so much I will go hungry. If it comes to that point, I will change careers and do aviation for a hobby for my personal gain and enjoyment.

-But I hate lazy slobs who think the world owes them. Do a good job. Do an honest days work. Then decide if you are getting the short end of the stick. There is nothing worse than having to work your ass off doing the work of others because they don't care.

I don't get paid a ton where I am here, but I don't work a ton either (maybe 500 hours a year actually twisting wrenches and doing maintenance paperwork). Adding up our revenue (pretty easy), I know the owner isn't making a ton of money relative to his investment and risk. But he treats me with respect, never orders me around, lets me work my own way, gives me regular raises, and always pays me on time.

iflyforpie

i don't think anyone will disagree with you and if you found a great place to work,hang on to it.
i think that is what everyone wants in this business.
unfortunately,we all might not be in that place at the present time.
i have worked for really great places in past,but those companies are defunct now.
some of the places you mentioned are very much like the company i work for now and
it makes going to work not much fun!

maybe one day I'll find the ''promise land'' again.
and when i do,look out keeners and pimple faced supervisors because you won't be where
i am!....I'll make shure of it
cheers
brv

[chowda]

ha ha, "enthusiast", thats a good one!


Still

BTW, Binder sucks balls

[bombardierfixer]

Ah Binder...If it wasn't for them though you wouldn't know how resourceful you can be. Avmax is a good place to "temper your metal" as it were.