https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJyFVD33jI8

...we all know it, but .gov, as well as the financial media, and the mainstream media, are maintaining the facade that all is well.  Most sheeple are buying it.

This will hit the airlines soon, and the "pilot shortage" will reverse itself in due time.  And then we'll be right back where we've always been.

always been

Helicopter pilots getting their financial info from cargo plane pilots. 

Timing is just fine, even if it's a furlough , you just run back to a crappy rotor job to pay the bills. Wait a bit and get called back and still make more money than a lifetime of HEMS. 

every flight is full. I probably wouldn't put too much stock in a youtube video, either.

Yes, that's the life!

From the rotor heads trying to make themselves feel better about the $hty box they keep themselves in. Fedex/UPS downturn is old news to those of us in the industry. Will this gravy train last forever - absolutely not - but please, rotor heads, stop acting like everyone making the jump is a dumba88 to try to make yourself feel better. 

Until that downturn happens, I'll keep cashing my 25-30k/month and 17% company 401k contribution and saving for the rainier day that is surely to come some day.

For those that are in the industry and really know, these posts are hilarious. 

I want to happen, so it is definitely going to happen

And, this is way better!

I've been here over 20 years, and I don't have to leave just because I'm not one of "us". I'm glad you like where you are - it's truly a blessing. I'm guessing you didn't leave a legacy wide-body seat to go back to a helicopter. 

i get a weekly email from JH and peruse the discussion topics that are highlighted in the email. I only respond to assanine ones such as this where the poster obviously is ignorant as to what's truly going on in the industry - clearly a case of schadenfreude...

I said the POSTER is uninformed - and he is. I know exactly who the guy in the video is. As I stated, the cargo downturn isn't new info if you're in the industry. My buddies at FEDEX have been grumbling about over-staffed/no hiring/potential furloughs for quite some time. It happens, and it WILL happen at my airline at some point. The current geo-political events have cut some of my routes, it ebbs and flows. You got caught in bad timing, I get it; and I'm very happy it works for you. I have no argument against individual, personal experiences - good or bad.

What I take issue with is someone spouting off - "look I told you so" from a YT video - honestly, to make himself feel better... about what I don't know. You can speak from experience - a bad one. I can also speak from experience - a great one! I talk to a lot of helo guys thinking about the jump (mostly military) and I always caveat my road as one example and one that they may not be able to replicate for no other reason than timing and pure luck. I always say that their current job is likely safer (more consistent) and more comfortable. If that's what you want stay put and be happy. Just like those that get scared and jump out of the stock market after a huge downturn. I get it, but a horrible move. You had a bad experience and went back to the sure thing. Many people did it several times over the previous several decades. 

No one can read the future, but to act like now is a bad time to get in the industry is just untrue. Hiring opportunities, seniority, retirements and contracts haven't been this good in decades. The fact that it could all stop tomorrow doesn't change that fact.

you admit is is a guess at best.   Grass isn't always greener!   And, with a new global terrorist WAR unfolding, and prices skyrocketing, demand will drop quickly.  And, like before, all that brighter future is only rose colored glasses.   And, helicopters will be the first back in the air when that happens.  

Never did any such thing. Said glad it worked out for you, etc. You have your safe, secure place. I have my annual paycheck that is triple an average rotor one. We both made decision. You'll be flying a helicopter when I'm on the street, panhandling. You win.

I get it - you made the best choice, you're living large. I already said you win. Maybe it's not 3x - I'm not sure what an "average" rotor salary is these days, but I have a general idea. And you're right, I'm not home every night (duh). Here's what I do know. 

Next month I will: - fly 1 3-day trip and 2 4-day trips

                           - have 20 days off, of which 12 will be in a row 21 NOV - 2 DEC

                           - fly 6 legs for the month

                           - be gone from home 196 hours 

                           - make $19,173, $509 per diem, and company 401k contribution of $3,259

                           - this is for a slow, winter month schedule. If I wanted to pick up a 3-day during my string of 

                              12 off, I could add around $5,500 to that 19k and the 401k would go to about 4k. Per diem 

                              would also jump up slightly.

So... $22,941 with 20 days off and away just a bit more than a M-F 40-hour cubicle monkey (with a string of 12 days off in a row) or $29,4 ish with only 17 days off. That's from the right seat of a WB. If I jumped to left seat of a NB, that pay would jump 4-5k, but I'd work more days and be gone more.

So maybe not 3 times your average rotor-head, but I'd be willing to bet not too far off.

.... making the "jump" landing me your pillowed life anytime soon.   But, nice of you to try and scare the helicopter pilot industry managers into thinking all their pilots are leaving for "better" things

Yes, my posting on this board is influen hiring managers. Yes, please stay in the rotor industry. We couldn't handle your brain power on this side of the fence.

we ain't gonna hire you when you try crawling back to this sh*thole you're so fond of calling a sh*thole. 

fig a way out of that, einstein. 

The money is off the hook for most dumb helo pilots.  They read right thru your comments and can't even register what you are saying.

That's real money he's talking about.  It's there if you want to get off your dead arse and go get it.

 Why would I leave? I love the kind of helicoptering I do. Being a regular airline passenger I'd never be able to put up with the passengers! Cargo would probably be worth it but I'd guess those jobs don't come easy.

 Nope, I'll probably never make $300K a year but ill take an enjoyable work life over a bus load of passengers

Exactly - every segment fits someone like a glove. And helicopters will always be more fun/engaging to me. As an airline pilot, however, dealing with passengers is about the last thing that I do in a day - really hardly ever - other than saying hi at the gate, on the way down the jet bridge, or thanks as they are deplaning. 

you would know pilots don't deal with passengers, flight attendants do

4 years ago I flew a helicopter for the last time. Almost 4 years later to the day I'm at a legacy mainline carrier. It's just comical to see the lack of confidence in one's abilities on here. " I doubt I'd have your pillowed life" or too many others doing it to so it's too competitive, not worth the trouble. Bunch of Betas!! 

if it's furlough time in 5 years, he won't have 4 years seniority anymore. lol

I'm the guy who's post was refered to as "pillowed" ha, ha. You're right . The comments are so negative, so uninspiring, etc. Just look how quickly someone posted about furloughs after your comment. It's the classic "the man keeps me down BS". It's almost comical. 

Im not far ahead of you - 6 years, at my legacy just about 2.5. Guys don't realize the amount of hiring going on right now and the incredible opportunitie. But it takes some balls to leave your comfort zone. Havent checked lately, but there's probably 5000 below me already, which is incredible. Never furlough proof, but with the movement now, you are safer way earlier than in the past.

In all truth, I'd rather have this experience and this career, get furloughed, and eventually come back than never take the risk. The responses are SO funny and predictable.

It's honestly sad to see how scared of everything they are. Never met a rich man who didn't take a risk . They are the same ones who said you're crazy leaving the Army and your career behind to start over flying jets for the Air Force. Those 4 years were a lot of fun and got paid well to do it. Sure slept nice in those hotels instead of tents. Any airline pilot will tell you always have a plan B , stay in the air guard to suck up orders when on furlough or be dual rated! 

you and all the poor people you hang out with are dumb as bricks

you could get furloughed 10 times in an airline pilot career and still make twice as much money as 90% of the helicopter pilots and have a way better life.

ever wonder where you'd be if you went back. having a hard time believing you're a pilot for some reason. lol

tell me what year you got "furloughed" so I can laugh at you some more

aren't helicopter pilots also pilots. are you really this stupid. those are not questions. lol

all these facts out of yourass because it's weak bro