Pay to fly - is it a problem?

Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe

Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe

Touchdown! Greaser!
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I have read on other threads that it is a bad thing to "Pay to Fly". This has me concerned because currently I am paying quite a bit to fly.

I paid for the airplane, I pay for the hangar, insurance, and inspection (fixed costs), and I also pay the direct costs of flying (fuel, oil) along with the cost of any parts and supplies needed for maintenance.

Is it really a bad thing? How do I get out of this and stop having to pay? I considered writing to Cecil Adams, but I thought I would ask here first.
 
Really? Are you trying to start a fight?

I think the threads on the subject are self-explanatory and clearly involve commercial operations.
 
I'm pretty sure it was joke...

Can you find a Sugar Mama? That might get you flying for free...
 
Fearless Tower said:
You are probably right, but unfortunately it seems that even attempted joke threads turn into pi$$ing matches around here these days.
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confusion-my-job-here-is-done-funny-t-shirt-3.gif
 
I've paid for all of my own flying with the exception of a few pro rata flights with friends. Wish I could get someone else to pay for it all. I would certainly fly more.

I have never understood how some people get their little girl panties in a twist over what someone else does with their own money and time in regards to paying for the building of flight time or just to fly in general. The ones bemoaning the glider club tow offer are among the worst.

I do somewhat understand why some might find the idea of paying to fly in the right seat of a commercial operation personally reprehensible and I do not think that I would do it but then I have not been faced with that decision. But those are personal decisions. Just because you don't think it is a good idea or that it somehow cheapens the profession is a personal opinion and we all know what they say about opinions. Make your decision not to do it if that is your choice and then shut your pie hole about the choices of others. If someone else has the desire and the cash to build their hours that way, why should anyone else really care unless it is just jealousy that you can't afford it and must instead spend time in a 172 in the pattern with students.

As long as one is not breaking the law, I have no issue in how they choose to build time for their next rating to get their coveted job or how they pay to fly for fun. No one else should either.

There you go! Have at it!!
 
SkyDog58 said:
I do somewhat understand why some might find the idea of paying to fly in the right seat of a commercial operation personally reprehensible and I do not think that I would do it but then I have not been faced with that decision. But those are personal decisions. Just because you don't think it is a good idea or that it somehow cheapens the profession is a personal opinion and we all know what they say about opinions. Make your decision not to do it if that is your choice and then shut your pie hole about the choices of others. If someone else has the desire and the cash to build their hours that way, why should anyone else really care unless it is just jealousy that you can't afford it and must instead spend time in a 172 in the pattern with students.
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Because it cheapens the market. Those paid for time right seat positions mean fewer paid jobs for pilots.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Because it cheapens the market. Those paid for time right seat positions mean fewer paid jobs for pilots.
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Not if the alternative is just running the plane single pilot...


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Fearless Tower said:
Because it cheapens the market. Those paid for time right seat positions mean fewer paid jobs for pilots.
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What about internships in other markets? No one complains about those.

Maybe right seaters should fly for no pay.
 
dans2992 said:
Not if the alternative is just running the plane single pilot...
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I'm not involved with pilot hiring, but I suspect that if a large chunk of your time is logged in an airplane that didn't need you, you probably aren't going to have the edge on the competition you think...
 
It's a nuanced argument that is kinda hard to translate to the real world if you have ever passed an economics course. Basically, if you're paying to fly, you're taking a seat from some who won't pay, but feels they deserve to be paid.....or something. I think it's some kind of fairness argument. It's the same as interns, but I think the argument is it's not and if you don't understand you're just an idiot. I think.

I also "pay to fly" my Comanche.
 
Why do you all think first year pay is significantly less than second year pay at most airlines?
 
Try to find a charter operation,and work for cheap money ,but at least you'll be flying.
 
It's just supply and demand.

So many people WANT to fly that they'll pay for the privilege.


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EdFred said:
What about internships in other markets? No one complains about those.

Maybe right seaters should fly for no pay.
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Most internships I know of last for 3-4 months(college summer) not 3-4 years(time as a co-pilot). Most internships I know didn't spend $30,000 to train for that job along with an undergraduate degree. Maybe doctors, but oh wait. They get paid during their residency.

SkyDog58 said:
I do somewhat understand why some might find the idea of paying to fly in the right seat of a commercial operation personally reprehensible and I do not think that I would do it but then I have not been faced with that decision. But those are personal decisions. Just because you don't think it is a good idea or that it somehow cheapens the profession is a personal opinion and we all know what they say about opinions. Make your decision not to do it if that is your choice and then shut your pie hole about the choices of others. If someone else has the desire and the cash to build their hours that way, why should anyone else really care unless it is just jealousy that you can't afford it and must instead spend time in a 172 in the pattern with students.
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I find it shocking that someone who worked in airline maintenance would have this stance on it. I really have been dreaming of being an aircraft maintenance manager. I'll call up your boss tomorrow and tell him I will pay him $20/hr to do your job because I love it so much! :D I tease, I tease.

If you don't want to pay me to fly a nice jet, fine, I'll still fly it. But if my buddy who works at TGI Fridays with me calls me up last minute to work his shift for him because he wants to get stoned that night, you can bet I will tell the captain and the passengers to F-off to make $100 pouring crappy margaritas and opening Bud Lights.:rofl: Guy has to make a living somehow. Probably a horrible example but I think you can understand what I'm getting at.
 
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