High School Career Day

[luvn737s]

I make it a point to try and participate in high school career days by coming into the class in uniform and explaining what a lousy career choice being a pilot is. I show them a list of the careers that pay substantially more than the entry-level commuter pilot wage (which is all I can promise them at this point since wages are falling so fast) for the same investment in college education.

The pilots that will replace the current generation are still in school making the decision to pursue this job or not. Their expectations must be accurately managed to allow them to make an informed decision. I would hope that all responsible pilots both in and out of the cockpit go in and explain this to our young people.

A kid who could grow up to be a neurosurgeon shouldn't be living in a crashpad with 15 guys in New York when he's 40. If he is he won't be doing it because I said so.

 

[fatherabraham]

Totally agree.

My wife has those MD letters after her name and she has a similar story to tell.

FA

 

[PITbull]

I have expressed this same thing when I am asked to participate in "Career day".

I tell them there is no need to go to a special school and pay to go into a flight attendant career. And then I go on to tell them how the glamour is not in THIS job.

Better young folks seize the opportunity to maximise their time better spent in a higher education that will keep them off the "poverty line" and not living with 8-10 in a comune scrapping change to share a pizza.

 

[GeezLouis]

Airline mechanics are in the same boat. I have several friends who work for Car dealerships and make around $70,000 a year plus benefits. Something else to consider is that they don't have to worry about losing everything they have because of a mistake they made that causes a plane crash. If they leave a bolt off of an automobile engine, etc, the driver just pulls over and calls a tow truck!

There's no draw to this field anymore in my opinion! :down:

 

[DalMD88]

Another note is those car mechanics are working normal hours. Meanwhile after 14 years with my A&P I'm still stuck on midnights. Ah the exciting world of aviation.

 

[GeezLouis]

Another note is those car mechanics are working normal hours. Meanwhile after 14 years with my A&P I'm still stuck on midnights. Ah the exciting world of aviation.

[post="246194"][/post]​

With weekends off, I might add. 😉

 

[Baja4U]

With weekends off, I might add. 😉

[post="246196"][/post]​

Not weekends off with USAir as an A&P mech!!! :down:

 

[mrfish3726]

One of my sons wanted to got to the ATA A&P school, I told him to go get screwed that there was NO WAY I would support him finacialy for that. He now makes more than I do working for a concrete contractor as a forman because he is billingual (AMAZING). I also vistited my oldest sons aircraft carrier (CVN-74) who took up being a professional fire fiighter. Having his buddies who were mechanics and avionics types asking what it was like to work in the civilian field. I told them that they better take up fire fighting, PERIOD.

 

[mwereplanes]

I tell the kids that those who have no ethics or morals to look into becoming CEO's and upper level executives.

For those who cannot get past the moral and ethics issues I tell them to start their own businesses and maintain dignity and respect for their customers and employees.

mr

 

[usairways_vote_NO]

I make it a point to try and participate in high school career days by coming into the class in uniform and explaining what a lousy career choice being a pilot is. I show them a list of the careers that pay substantially more than the entry-level commuter pilot wage (which is all I can promise them at this point since wages are falling so fast) for the same investment in college education.

A kid who could grow up to be a neurosurgeon shouldn't be living in a crashpad with 15 guys in New York when he's 40. If he is he won't be doing it because I said so.

[post="246167"][/post]​

You make it sound like to be a pilot you have to be of exceptional intelligence or something. I hold 320 up as example that isn't true.

So you think if someone just might enjoy being a pilot it isn't enough that it is still a lousy career? You making that decision for them?

Since when does someone have to solely use pay to pick a career shouldn't happiness come into play?

 

[usairways_vote_NO]

Another note is those car mechanics are working normal hours. Meanwhile after 14 years with my A&P I'm still stuck on midnights. Ah the exciting world of aviation.

[post="246194"][/post]​

Another note they actually have to work their .. off. They get paid for 40 hours of work quite a difference?

 

[jimcfs]

I tell the kids that those who have no ethics or morals to look into becoming CEO's and upper level executives.

[post="246205"][/post]​

Or college administrators. They have the same requirements as CEO's/UL management. Only difference is a college president has a PhD (which we all know stands for Piled Higher and Deeper! 😉 ).

Very good thread here. As a college professor, I encourage my majors to get all the education they can get, as it is the key to getting jobs. The job market these days is so "weird" that you don't ever know exactly what an employer is looking for. Living in a county (Mercer county WV where BLF is located) where about 3/4 of the people receive a "check" (either retirement/pension, SS, welfare or disability), the kids growing up don't know any better.

As an example, we are the only school for hundreds of miles that still teaches a computer language called COBOL. Sad thing is COBOL is still the most often used language because it is so old, even though it really sucks. 😉 Our past majors have been able to get good jobs because they have experience to this skill. Yet, some hear how "horrible" it is and won't take the class. One class could land you a very good job... I think that decision SHOULD be easy?

Growing up, a pilot was a profession that was looked up to, respected, if you wish. It's now become a job that's a step up from being a bus or truck driver. I'm very sorry it has become this, because I always thought you guys had the coolest jobs flying around the country/world.

Anyway, kudos to those of you who are going to these career days and giving the kids the straight scoop... and more kudos if you are encouraging them to get as much education as they can get!!

 

[sentrido]

COBOL=
CRAPY
OBSOLETE
BAD
OLD
LANGUAGE
😀

 

[Fly]

One of my sons wanted to got to the ATA A&P school, I told him to go get screwed that there was NO WAY I would support him finacialy for that. He now makes more than I do working for a concrete contractor as a forman because he is billingual (AMAZING). I also vistited my oldest sons aircraft carrier (CVN-74) who took up being a professional fire fiighter. Having his buddies who were mechanics and avionics types asking what it was like to work in the civilian field. I told them that they better take up fire fighting, PERIOD.

[post="246203"][/post]​

You didn't really encourage them to study as youngsters, did you? Firefighter?!? :blink: (honorable, yes.....but......oh never mind) That was the highest you can expect them to achieve? Firefighter? :unsure:

 

[luvn737s]

You make it sound like to be a pilot you have to be of exceptional intelligence or something. I hold 320 up as example that isn't true.

So you think if someone just might enjoy being a pilot it isn't enough that it is still a lousy career? You making that decision for them?

Since when does someone have to solely use pay to pick a career shouldn't happiness come into play?

[post="246216"][/post]​

The airlines at this point are expecting potential applicants to have a college degree, if for no other reason than to hedge their bet against the guy getting through class successfully. But this too can be managed as the supply of suitable applicants dwindles.

If they like to fly, that's great. If they think about Uncle Bill who flew 747's for Pan Am and think that that type of glamorous career is still available, or that the cost of training and preparation will be offset by a lucrative and secure career, then they should be told the truth.

If they like to fly there are plenty of jobs towing banners and spraying crops that let you fly as much as you want.