Jet Jocks: How professional pilots can shun recreational aviation
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Ok, many of you may not be familiar with this curious phenomenon. Jet Jock is my pet name for professional pilots that not only don’t fly outside of their day job, they are actually repulsed by the idea.
I first encountered this species of aviator in my youth. The local airport was home base for a large corporate flight department. Their facilities were up on the North end of the field and never in all my years flying did I see any of those pilots. They must have jumped out of their corporate rocket ships and blazed a trail for the lake or the golf course.
I remember wondering why they wouldn’t come down and check out all the neat stuff we had going on at the FBO.
Later in my career I ran into this again and found that it is pretty common. Common enough that those of us in my company that still fly GA actually stick together.
That’s not to say that just because a pro pilot isn’t actively flying for pleasure doesn’t mean they don’t want too. Many can’t afford the extravagance, but would love to do it at the first opportunity.
In my opinion the majority are not interested though. I have heard phrases like “bug smasher” and “props are for boats” more than a few times among the Jet Jock crowd.
Some of this is tongue n’ cheek, but often it is real disenfranchisement, disgruntled that aviation has taken them away from their loved ones or hobbies and left them burnt-out.
I believe some never had the passion for small airplanes, even when they flew them in training, rather they always had their eye on the big iron. Nothing wrong with that I suppose.
It may also be their current phase of life. Family, finances, and other interests can strip aviators from their roots, but the itch will often come back around. Frankly, I think is the biggest cause for this phenomenon. I found myself in this category, taking a 6 year break after starting a family. Luckily I found my way back again.
No matter the cause, it’s probably all human nature. There is a phrase that is sometimes referenced, “a great way to ruin a good hobby is to make it your business.” Although, I don’t believe this is entirely true for this vocation.
If you are thinking about flying for a living, remember these words and don’t let yourself fall into the trap. If you are an accountant, you aren’t likely to do taxes for fun on the weekend, but this ain’t bean-counting folks! Flying for a living is a privilege, not a curse.
If you are a pro pilot, but not a Jet Jock, I encourage you to reach out to your fellow GA-flying-peers and enjoy that esprit de corps that comes with knowing that you guys have your cake and are eating it too!
Eat responsibly!
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Great topic that I have not seen in print before Brent. I too have always been curious about this phenomenon. I have two good friends who are prime examples of each. One is a Captain with Southwest Airlines and you will seldom find him out of the cockpit. If not on duty he and his Dad, a retired Captain, will be in their C-206 flying up to the back-country wilderness on hunting trips, or he will be in his Pitts practicing aerobatics. He owns his own private grass strip with a beautiful hangar containing an apartment within that is his “weekend getaway”. The other friend is a Delta pilot. A International Jet-Jock, who will not go anywhere near an airport when off duty. I can’t even get him to join me at the local airport restaurant for a “Baron Burger” and a good round of hangar flying. Stark contrast between the two. An even bigger travesty is the fact that he is Captain qualified on 3 different aircraft but prefers to bid the right seat as FO on International flights because he does not want the added “responsibility” that goes with being the Captain. WOW… go figure.
Gary,
Thanks for sharing your personal experience with this. You’re right, it’s not a conventional topic. It would be fun if someone would post this article in one of the airline forums to see what a stir that would create!
Regards,
Brent
Virgin Atlantic Sir Richard Branson has a unique way of showing he has not lost his enthusiasm for aviation.
The founder of the airline that offers swanky new cabins and onboard bars for its first class passengers just got a little cooler — literally.
Virgin Atlantic will introduce specialty ice cubes shaped like Sir Richard Branson on select flights this month in the airline’s first class section known as “Upper Class.”
http://www.weather.com/travel/business/virgin-atlantic-branson-on-ice-20120529
Very cool!
I have a slightly different look at this. I retired from the USAF a couple of years ago having flown T-37, T-38, B-52G/H & B-2. I’ve flown supersonic, low level (300′) at night using NVGs, seen combat in the B-2. I have flown general aviation a bit since retirement (current goal is getting a single engine add-on) and maybe my problem is maybe being jaded. I am having a hard time justifying the cost of flying airplanes that are such a step down from what I had access to for most of my adult life. The C-172 or cirrus just don’t provide the rush and the aircraft I have an eye for are several times more expensive than my house. It floors me how expensive a new -172 costs. Most of my friends that are still in do not fly recreationally.
Now that I sound like a colossal d@uchebag, I will say that I have many friends in the GA community, one of my B-2 buddys runs a University aviation department, I listen to GA-focused podcasts and do want to get that SE add-on. I would love to build a Lancair or a Seawind, but those are not exactly affordable options either. It’s just the excitement I crave is not financially sensible, at least until my oldest heads to college next year.
I realize I was incredibly fortunate to get to fly the equipment that I have on the taxpayer dime, but it has left me unexcited over the $300 hamburger.
Cliff,
You raise a great point that I didn’t tackle in the article. Sort of the psychology of stepping backward in a particular discipline, which is really apropos for a military flyer. A good comparison might be an athlete or competitor that was at the top of their game, they probably don’t sign up for amateur level competitions after retirement. They are much more likely to stop altogether.
I think all of this is natural, just not intuitive – if that makes sense.
Thanks for your comment.
Brent
Exactly. I was a competitive swimmer for 10 years and to this day I don’t choose swimming pools to recreate in. I wind up swimming laps during “adult swim”.
Brent,
I too can identify with your post, in more ways than one. While I don’t think I’ve ever lost the “bug” to fly, it’s just the last thing I want to do (in general) for the few days I’m off each week–go back to the airport!
That said, I have pilot buddies who own their own airplanes, and I’ll jump at the chance for a ride in them, whether to go skiing, do aerobatics, etc. I’ll never turn down a $300 hamburger! Several from my airline belong to the Confederate Airforce, and/or fly and restore historic warbirds. So that passionate side still exists.
I also DO have in the back of my mind serious plans for a return to hang gliding or ultralights, and my retirement dream is to live in a cabin on a lake…with a float plane parked in the backyard!
Some grissled ol’ airline pilots never die, they just….retire! 😉
Eric
PS—That’s what I do with my blogs n vids—reach out to the aviation masses.
I always count my blessings to be where I am, and know it can change at a moment’s notice. To get to the Left Seat, I have been “more lucky than good,” as they say.
My blog is all about the passion of flying, and I want to help keep that dream alive for them. No matter how intimidating, and fraught with obstacles, the road to the Left Seat may be.
Eric
capnaux.blogspot.com
Well said Eric! Thanks for chiming in. I know folks love hearing from people that are living it.
By the way, I’m loving your book. I hope to pass along my thoughts on it on the blog in the near future.
Brent
Cliff, why build a Lancair when you can buy a completed 320 for about $50k?
Airplanes may look expensive to you because you weren’t paying the bills for the hardware you flew in the military. Instead of $1 billion for a B-2, you can get a plane for $50k. And instead of being told when and where to fly, you are now the master of your schedule and route! The best part about GA is exploring the country and meeting all the amazing people that are out there.
Just my opinion, of course, but i think it’s well worth it!
As for the Jet Jocks, I’ve met a few. I feel for them, because they’re missing out on the best stuff in aviation.
Thanks Ron! As a pro yourself, it’s great to have your perspective!
I flew airline(Big D) for 30 years, starting at age 20 and retiring at 50 and I kept flying “Bug Smashers” as you and some others call them the whole time. Learned to fly in an old Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser, got my instrument rating in a 1955 Tri-Pacer. Have had several J-3’s, one on floats, 3 Super Cubs, 2 Aeroncas, a Super Cruiser and a Pacer and built an amphibious flying boat from scratch and presently own a Cessna 180. I am a life member of EAA and have been for many years, so all of us professional pilots aren’t the way your examples in the article are. I always felt so lucky to be getting paid for doing something I love when, I probably would have paid to fly some of the planes I flew, from the DC-3 & Convair 340/440 to the DC-8, DC-9, and 727 if I could have afforded to. Guys that say they can’t afford to fly are in my opinion, just using that as an excuse. One Interesting fact though was that my airliine’s insurance wouldn’t cover me if I were killed or hurt in a light plane accident, but would cover me if the same thing happened on a motorcycle. I never could figure that one out, but may be a reason some guys choose not to get involved with light planes.
Richard,
Thank you for sharing your excellent story. Sounds to me like got the right idea.
Brent
Great post Brent. While reading could not help but think of the movie “Catch Me if You can”. In it is a scene in which “the captain” is strutting down the terminal, money falling out of his pocket and a dozen hot flight attendants arm in arm with him. Airplane? YEAH I can fly an airplane! People choose career paths for many different reasons. I would say from WWII through the 1970’s an airline pilot was at the top of the pyramid in image. To the public they were just one step away from being an astronaut.
Mike,
Very true.