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Day Job?

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The article reveals a growing trend where many airline pilots are treating their profession as a "side job," actively pursuing or establishing other businesses for primary income.
  • This shift is primarily driven by factors such as declining pay, erosion of benefits, increased workload, and dissatisfaction with airline management's policies and rewards.
  • Pilots are seeking alternative income streams due to financial necessity and a desire for more fulfilling or lucrative opportunities outside of aviation.
  • The author expresses concern that this widespread diversification of careers could lead to a loss of focus and proficiency in their core flying duties, potentially impacting flight safety.
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My copilot walked over to the counter top in JFK Operations where I had scattered various segments of the flight plan paperwork. His pace was quick. He introduced himself and apologized for his slight tardiness. He had commuted in from South Carolina to La Guardia and had taken a taxi ride through rush hour traffic over to JFK. We were departing to Zurich, a destination I had never been.

Almost nine months had passed since my last trip across The Pond. I felt a little rusty with the procedures. A proficient copilot would keep me out of trouble. My biggest challenge was to shake off the lethargy of almost a month’s vacation. The next challenge, about nine hours away, would be flying the arrival idiosyncrasies into Zurich.

Les Abend

Les Abend is a retired, 34-year veteran of American Airlines, attempting to readjust his passion for flying airplanes in the lower flight levels—without the assistance of a copilot.

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