Xclozano From United States, joined Aug 2007, 17 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 3375 times:
I was watching the movie, "Catch me if you can", and in the movie the main character goes around impersonating a pan am pilot (as its set some time in the 1960s), and when he is walking down the street, everyone is looking at him, and kids run up to him asking for his autograph.
This got me thinking: Is being a commercial airline pilot as prestigious as it once used to be?
Personally, I don't thinks so,with the way the (American) economy is and how well the airlines are doing.
Of course- I'd like to hear your point of view about this.
DUALRATED From United States, joined May 2008, 303 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (3 months 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 3326 times:
Have you seen how most pilots look these days, they complain about wearing the uniform, the uniform is wrinkled. again it's by far not all of them, but it is alot of them.
You bring up the movie Catch Me If You Can, walk through MIA and look at some of the south American carriers, and their crews. They "look" impeccable.
FlyMIA From United States, joined Jun 2001, 3433 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (3 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 3201 times:
Quoting Xclozano (Thread starter): Is being a commercial airline pilot as prestigious as it once used to be?
This has been the case for a while, even before 9/11. But you can just look at the passengers too, especially on WN. They wear shorts, and sleeveless T-shirts. When I fly unless its on a short commuter flight to the Bahamas I would never wear shorts or even a t-shirt. I dont think people should wear nice clothes but at least something that would be acceptable at a decent restaurant. Its just not as special as it used to be. Flying is cheaper (in terms of inflation) and its every where. Back in the 1960s flying was something that not everyone did. Now its harder in developed nations to fine someone who has never flown than it is to find someone was has. But even with this said flying is amazing and being a pilot of a $200,000,000 jet with 280 people on board cruising at 41,000 feet at Mach .84 sounds like an awesome job to me!
Quoting DUALRATED (Reply 1): You bring up the movie Catch Me If You Can, walk through MIA and look at some of the south American carriers, and their crews. They "look" impeccable.
Very true. I feel that foreign crews present them selves much better than most American airlines. When I flew Swiss from MIA-ZRH the whole crew came in walking together in their uniforms and all with the three pilots walking in front etc.. It looked like a scene from Catch Me if You Can.
To sum it all up being a pilot is not has prestigious as it was once because its a very common thing to do and there are alot more airlines and alot more pilots. Take for example the Hummer. Before they came out with the Hummer H2 the driving a Hummer was something special, than the H2 came out and it was still nice but more common. Now with the H3 lots of people can own and drive a hummer but it is nothing like driving a hummer in the 1990s.
It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
PGNCS From United States, joined Apr 2007, 821 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (3 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 3191 times:
Quoting Xclozano (Thread starter): This got me thinking: Is being a commercial airline pilot as prestigious as it once used to be?
I actually laughed out loud that this question even came up, no offense meant...
No, there is no prestige at all to this job, at least in the US. Some other countries still treat us with a modicum of respect, but mostly you get treated the same as anyone else, which is fine with me. You should only do it if you like to fly, not for any glory, glamor, or prestige.
Deltaflyertoo From United States, joined Nov 2000, 1251 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (3 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3128 times:
yeah in the US definetly not. I'd say the prestige wore off in the late 90s. PRIOR to that however most airlines were of a legacy sort. Most pilots hired were guaranteed there for life, to hopefully retire flying captain on that companies biggest ship to exotic locations in South America or Europe and Asia.
NOw its 2008, and the airlines have SO MANY flights and SO MANY frequencies to places everywhere. As we know RJS are a dime a dozen, there are a lot fewer airlines, AND, ALL the airlines constrict and expand on a whim like an accordian (well constriciting these days) making it seem almost impossible for anyone hired in the last 10 years to REALLY make it up the ranks of the seniority list.
In addition ALL the airlines are hoping for bigger labor output, which has the pilots flying more and working harder.
TK787 From United States, joined Jan 2006, 1612 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (3 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3056 times:
Here is my 2 cents:
Anyone here walked through AMS and came across some of the KLM crews?
I think they still look pretty young/attractive/confident, just plane old cool.
KAUSpilot From United States, joined Jan 2002, 1667 posts, RR: 34 Reply 7, posted (3 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3038 times:
Airline pilot is no longer a prestigious job in the US.
Corporate America has reduced the profession to "bus driver" in terms of compensation, benefits, and lifestlye. Most participants of the airliners.net forum seem to agree, that's all that pilots deserve.
Catdaddy63 From United States, joined Apr 2007, 128 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2856 times:
When I was a kid in the 60's and 70's being a pilot was right up there with being an astronaut. Just about every kid, myself included, wanted to be a pilot. The fact that flying was really still a luxury back then probably enhanced that image. With the deregulation of the industry and the growth of the 90's it is no longer the exclusive, prestigious occupation it once was. And with the economic issues the airlines are facing lately, there is very little job security as a pilot. And flying is as much a necessity now as it was a luxury 25 years ago.
PGNCS From United States, joined Apr 2007, 821 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (3 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2832 times:
Quoting KAUSpilot (Reply 7): Airline pilot is no longer a prestigious job in the US.
Corporate America has reduced the profession to "bus driver" in terms of compensation, benefits, and lifestlye. Most participants of the airliners.net forum seem to agree, that's all that pilots deserve.
The solution? Get out of the US.
Better yet, just find another line of work.
Quoting Catdaddy63 (Reply 8): And with the economic issues the airlines are facing lately, there is very little job security as a pilot.
Silentbob From Vatican City State (Holy See), joined Aug 2006, 734 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (3 months 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 2763 times:
Most people still have a lot of respect for pilots, especially captains at large carriers. I see it every day. The problem is when said captains open their mouth to complain about their income or work rules when said rules and income are far superior to those who are paying their salaries. When you make six figures and you're complaining about your income and the company you work, the guy who had to put his kids first trip to Disneyland on his credit card doesn't want to hear it.
Is it the best job in the world, probably not but if you don't enjoy it you should find something else to do. As for regional airline pilots, they get far less respect despite often working much harder than their mainline compatriots.
The people hurting the image of the professional pilot are largely pilots themselves and their inability to see how much better off they are than the average American.
TwinOtter From United States, joined Oct 2004, 84 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (3 months 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 2751 times:
Quoting Xclozano (Thread starter): was watching the movie, "Catch me if you can", and in the movie the main character goes around impersonating a pan am pilot (as its set some time in the 1960s), and when he is walking down the street, everyone is looking at him, and kids run up to him asking for his autograph.
A couple of thoughts. First, this was a scene in a movie. I would be amazed if actual New Yorkers on the sidewalk in the 60s fawned over a pilot in uniform. That strikes me as pure artistic exaggeration.
That said, I think the public has always held pilots in some esteem, and still does. Pilots may hate their jobs and be jaded, but passengers view them differently, as if controlling an airplane is something mystical. Luckily, everybody here knows better  .
PilotNTrng From United States, joined Dec 2003, 821 posts, RR: 5 Reply 14, posted (3 months 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 2129 times:
I am on the verge of being one, it has been my dream since I was a kid. I can tell you this even if I make ( $15,000 - 17,000) my uniform won't be wrinkled and I will be the professional that the job requires. I won't whine and complain about little things, because I want to be there, I want to be up there. Before I get flamed from some, I have been at the bottom of the barrel of the industry as a ramp rat, so I am not a shmuck. This post is a two way street. Is it as glamorous as it once was, no, but is it a job that oozes respect, you bet it does. If anyone asks you what you do, and you respond pilot, 99 percent will give some sort or respectful response. The job, the stripes on your shoulder boards, and the walk through the airport should be good enough to command respect. This is just my opinion, flame away.
FreakyDeaky From United States, joined Nov 2005, 103 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (3 months 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 1991 times:
You people are amazing - you bitch about how your pilot looks but refuse to pay more than $39 for your ticket. Okay $139 a ticket when oil is $145 a barrel and the CEO's are taking all your money and putting it in their personal bank accounts. Maybe start complaining about them first before you take it out on pilots who are trying to make a living in this here today gone tomorrow job. Pilots may make 6 figures for a couple years after years of "paying dues" at 2 figures but it's back to nothing at the first sign of a bad economy. Sheesh had to vent for a second.
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could."
Cumulus From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2006, 1178 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (3 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 1835 times:
I fly a King Air for a pharmacutical company. It involves a lot of hanging around and more often than not being spoken to like something you would find on the sole of your shoe when delays occur which are well above and beyond my control, such as Met, ATC etc.
I got into the industry in 2001 as I always loved to fly having got my PPL at 17 in 1988 but now I'm starting to think about moving on. It's a lot of stress for not that much money in relative terms.
I know many Pilots, all good people who fly for a assortment of airlines such as BA, FR etc and all short haul and they all seem to say the same, i.e it's not what it used to be.
However, it's still one of the best chat up lines!!
What Goes Up Must Come Down, Hopefully In One Piece!
Enginebird From United States, joined May 2007, 168 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (3 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1456 times:
Quoting KAUSpilot (Reply 7): Corporate America has reduced the profession to "bus driver" in terms of compensation, benefits, and lifestlye. Most participants of the airliners.net forum seem to agree, that's all that pilots deserve.
The solution? Get out of the US.
Well, the situation in Europe seems to be changing as well. With the arrival of airlines like Ryanair, who are advertising flights at below bus/train ticket prices, people have started to view flying as on par with bus/train rides and pilots as on par with bus/train drivers. At least for captains, however, the financial compensation is still very good. A LH captain, even on a small plane, makes at least double the income of a university professor (which used to one of the better paid and most respected jobs and is not anymore).
Henkybaby From Netherlands, joined May 2008, 331 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (3 months 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 1118 times:
When flying becomes as normal as taking a train was 20 years ago, what do you expect? Let me rephrase the question:
"Is being an airline pilot something that deserves a special status and very high pay?"
If yes, please elaborate.
If no, please elaborate too.
I say 'no'. Yes, it takes 4 year of studies, but so do a lot of other professions. It is not as rare as it used to be and it becomes (in essence) more like driving a bus. (I mean in status)
However, since my safety is involved I do not like the extra pressure that is put on pilots to work ridiculous hours. It used to be you worked maybe 500 hrs a year (behind the controls), which is 1/3 of what a normal person works. I guess this is much more nowadays.
As a very frequent traveller I know what crossing time zones does to your system. I guess that argument is less string for the regional pilots.
So, I would like to have pilots that are as strictly controlled on working hours as bus drivers are (at least in NL). I do not think they should be additionally rewarded because they drive a plane. You are already doing what you love. Isn't that enough?
FutureUALpilot From United States, joined May 2000, 2168 posts, RR: 6 Reply 19, posted (3 months 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 879 times:
Quoting Henkybaby (Reply 18): "Is being an airline pilot something that deserves a special status and very high pay?"
If yes, please elaborate.
Yes.
Quoting Henkybaby (Reply 18): However, since my safety is involved I do not like the extra pressure that is put on pilots to work ridiculous hours. It used to be you worked maybe 500 hrs a year (behind the controls), which is 1/3 of what a normal person works. I guess this is much more nowadays.
Pilots arent paid for the days when things go right, they get paid for when the sh*t hits the fan and they get you and your family back safely. Pilots may work fewer hours than "normal" people, but they are also away from home quite frequently. The only time they are being paid is when they are up front, usually from push back to block in. When you see them in the terminal, they are still working. They just arent being paid. (Ok, I think some make per deim but it isnt much). A pilot gets paid his/her flight pay for the hours they fly per month, which is usually what the public sees. What they dont see are the hours outside of the airplane, in terminals, on crew shuttles and in hotels where they arent making their flight pay.
Quoting Henkybaby (Reply 18): As a very frequent traveller I know what crossing time zones does to your system. I guess that argument is less string for the regional pilots.
I doubt you travel like a pilot does, pilots do this day in and day out for decades. Regional pilots now days go through it too. Look at some of the routes they fly, and how many time zones they cross. Being a "regional" pilot isnt what it used to be.
Quoting Henkybaby (Reply 18): So, I would like to have pilots that are as strictly controlled on working hours as bus drivers are (at least in NL). I do not think they should be additionally rewarded because they drive a plane. You are already doing what you love. Isn't that enough? Â
Why? A bus driver drives a bus on the ground. A pilot has gone through years of training, is in control of millions of dollars worth of equipment and often hundreds of lives. If things go wrong on a bus, the driver pulls over. Where can a pilot pull his airplane over at 35,000ft? YGBSM with that last part. Are we to believe that anyone who does what they love does not deserve to be well paid if the job warrants it? Are you gonna do your job for free? Loving what you do isn't gonna put food on the table for your family or pay the bills.
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