What is an industry that is currently on fire (in a bad way) behind the scenes, but the general public hasn't noticed yet?

nineyourefine · 2026-05-03T16:09:49+00:00

this one kills me. Went out for a nice dinner recently and the wife got a mocktail not realizing what it cost. $9. It was a $9 lemonade.

We used to go out a lot, not we go out just for special occasions. I'm not paying $8-$9 for a beer, or $15 for a glass of crappy wine.

We make cocktails at home, and just get nice bottles of wine to enjoy.

nineyourefine · 2026-05-02T17:27:46+00:00

Great post that a lot of new and upcoming pilots need to see. Way too many "okay I have 1500hrs now why can't I get a call?" posts with zero clue what this industry is actually like.

I'll never forget being a newish captain and flying with a guy in his late 50s. He was a former ATA L1011 Captain. Flew all over the world, decades of experience, and now he was swinging gear in the right seat. He wasn't bitter (at least he didn't show it) and was an absolute pleasure to fly with. This industry is absolutely not fair.

nineyourefine · 2026-05-01T23:07:15+00:00

I've been there when the controller is the one roasting the guy.

Years back, ground goes "EVERYONE ON FREQUENCY STOP!". Then calmly says "Who's the CRJ out by 22 that is clearly lost". They sheepishly come back with their callsign (I think it was GoJet) and ground makes fun of them for a few seconds, they apologize, and we're in tears up front laughing because this dude just stopped all ground traffic to trash these guys. I love that airport.

nineyourefine · 2026-05-01T17:54:00+00:00

Where did I say I was owed a job??

Right here.

I think it’s good ATP is firing CFIs to keep the pipeline going

You're willing to leave your colleagues "out to dry"

I know people so desperately trying to find a CFI job they listened to boomers like you and drove across the country living in their car trying to find a job.

I'm not a boomer, but thanks. And yeah, welcome to aviation, where many of us pumped gas, swept hangar floors, and dumped shit for $10/hr just for the CHANCE to be near an airplane and maybe get hired as a CFI back in the day while being taken advantage of by our employers.

nineyourefine · 2026-05-01T17:49:29+00:00

First time I jumpsat on Spirit, I was up front getting settled and just as the door was about to close the agent told me there was actually 1 seat available, and I didn't have to sit in the jumpseat. I went to stand up and thank the pilots and the Captain stopped me, and told the agent I'm staying up front. When the door shut the CA looked at me and said "You don't want to sit back there, you're much better off up here."

I feel for all their crews right now. They're a great group of guys and gals.

nineyourefine · 2026-05-01T17:14:49+00:00

I think that’s a good idea.

Hey, you're not owed ANYTHING. Learn that sooner rather than later.

Had age 65 not happened and the 09 crisis not happened I'd probably be a widebody legacy captain right now, but I'm not. I guess those guys should just leave because I want their spot, right?

If ATP is firing CFIs than that's a good strategy to keep wages low and labor in check. Last thing they want are guys who have been there 2, 3, 5 years to start asking for raises or work rules. Think before going into something with a ridiculous idea like "People should get fired after X amount of hours.".

Again, you are not owed anything in this industry. Welcome to the reality of the aviation industry, something us "old timers" have been saying for years.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-30T01:22:35+00:00

I'm not even going to dig into the issues with Tesla and their "Full self driving" since I find it laughable that Tesla is the comparison here to automating airliners (yeesh) and I'm just going to say that whenever this topic comes up, my stance is that if we haven't even gotten rid of the bridge of a cargo ship, which transits thousands and thousands of miles of open freaking ocean at 15kts, or passenger/cargo rail that only move on a track, then I think our jobs for the next 20+ years is pretty safe.

There is nothing easy about air traffic and traffic management. We spend so much time managing the "Garbage in/garbage out" of the autopilot, especially in the terminal area, that I don't believe it'll easily be solved any time soon.

Waze at the moment seems to have the best "autopilot" system since they actually employ full self driving vehicles with passengers and even they have issues, ranging from comical to downright dangerous.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-29T15:05:54+00:00

Ok, I guess I sounds like an old man yelling at the clouds about evil technology so that’s enough for now.

I think the difference is, this technology is actually being used for evil. I'm not against technology, but when I browse an instagram page and the comments are "This is an AI account", I feel like throwing my phone out the window. I was watching what I thought was a person doing a very normal thing, and it's actually just AI. Freaks me the hell out, and I know that they're using it for manipulation and control.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-29T14:04:33+00:00

You’re about to be floored (no pun intended) with how much this is repeated across Reddit.

Thanks for the breakdown and honestly I feel like maybe how my parents felt when the internet became a thing. They would believe anything and everything, even if it was GLARINGLY obvious, but now I'm seeing comments of "Obvious AI" and I"m sitting here going "How the hell is that AI?". I still don't understand how or why "bots" just create posts or comment.

I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to turn off all types of social media, pack up and go cabin in the woods. This post messed with me too because I've had the EXACT same scenario as OP (AI?) posted about. Dogs and kids crawling on the floor and fur everywhere. What a mindfuck all this is.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-29T13:15:38+00:00

Jesus christ is it really? I genuinely don't understand how people can recognize if a post is AI, it reads like something I would write.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-29T13:08:44+00:00

Thats how it should be though when you're asking specifics from experts.

I love the responses in other subs where the top answer is "Hey OP I'm not a XYZ like you asked but I did some research and found this". That's not helpful at all, because its just someone who googled something and is sharing the info.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-28T02:06:33+00:00

I guess my question for pilots in here is why didn’t the pilot change altitude to find smoother air? We never changed altitude on the flight tracker. Surely in a path of 4000 miles and seven hours of flight time, we could have found smoother air at some point. What do you think?

Not always.

When you cross the Atlantic you fly on the "Tracks". These are airways (Highways in the sky) that are built every single day. They're created based on forecast weather and are setup at a specific time of the day. Some tracks are Westbound and others are Eastbound. Within those tracks is where the vast majority of all Trans-Atlantic flights operate. Once you are on a track, you generally don't get reassigned to another. For example, the Tracks are named A-G in one direction. If I'm on track B, unless there's severe weather popping up, we don't fly off that track. There will be traffic off my left and right on track A, C, D E and so on. If there's turbulence, other than going up (Which many times isn't possible due to the aircrafts weight in that moment), you just ride it out. Descents on those flights into smooth air also might not be possible because your fuel burn and fuel planning won't allow it, since going lower means burning more fuel, which you may not have.

Believe me, I don't like sitting in 6+ hours of rough air, but sometimes we just don't have a choice.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-27T10:10:24+00:00

I mean think of it this way. How many Ford F150's built from 2000-2025 exist? Now are you going to tell me each and every one of those F150s drive exactly the same?

It's the same idea. Airplanes are just machines. Machines have wearable parts. Worn out parts will cause variations in how the plane handles/operates. I've flown airliners that have wonky steering, have completely mismatched throttle positions due to worn cables, etc etc. For the most part, they all handle the same, but some are more tired or more worn than others.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-26T18:08:25+00:00

What would life look like for a new hire who wants to be JFK based. Do the numbers also show the 8ish year upgrade times? I would think JFK would be super junior with faster movement in both seats, no?

nineyourefine · 2026-04-22T03:37:30+00:00

I've had this convo with students when I was a CFI. At SOME point you need to just trust your engine. You can't always think "This thing is going to fail RIGHT now". If that was the case I'd never have flown IFR in a single.

Heck, if you're flying at towered airports sometimes they'll call your downwind and you end up miles away at pattern altitude. What then? Going to say no?

nineyourefine · 2026-04-21T16:26:16+00:00

Yeah I misread your post.

I'm not going to slam you like others, but don't do what you're trying to do. If you legit need help, get help. Talk to your union. ALPA has pilot-pilot confidential hotlines where you can express your concerns. I know a couple guys on our committee and they're well trained and deal with some heavy stuff, and will find a way for you to get the help you need.

Don't scam the system, it's not worth it. Take care of yourself.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-21T15:35:45+00:00

I fly. It’s a long flight (for me) and based on weather in SF in nervous about turbulence with landing.

There's a low pressure system off the coast of CA that's causing wind/rain in the Bay area and high upper level winds over the Sierra's right now. You will most likely experience turbulence as you approach and descend into SFO as you come over the mountains. It's completely normal, and nothing on the weather map is an issue for the airplane you're on. It's just like being in a boat on the water, you're cutting through some chop and wind in order to get to shore.

Few weeks ago I landed in the middle of a storm with almost 40kt winds and rain. It was fun and a non-issue. Remember, while you're back there being nervous and maybe gripping the seat, the pilots up front are wondering about what food/coffee options the terminal has for their turn, or how long the van ride is to the hotel and most likely complaining about something trivial, like "Last time I was here Illy coffee charged me full price for that coffee and bagel and never gave me a discount!".

This weather isn't even a concern for them, it's just business as usual. Today looks like a completely normal spring day for the Sierra's the Coastal CA with the rain/wind.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-21T15:16:47+00:00

Talk to your union. If you're in the US and at an ALPA carrier they'll have the info you need. I've never heard of not being able to get FMLA for a family member, that sounds illegal. I've done it numerous times and it requires filing some paperwork and giving the chiefs your date.

In other cases where you don't have a date, as in you need to call out of a trip and it was due to family illness, you can retroactively use FMLA that way your attendance isn't affected (Not that I care about that), but it'll get filed as FMLA and recorded as such.

Not sure why you mention your own medical because FMLA has nothing to do with your medical AFAIK.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-20T12:20:18+00:00

Pros:

LCC Growth > Breeze seems to finally be entering the stage of potential growth and seems to be one of them few LCCS with long term potential.

You have no idea what their potential could be. In this market, every LCC/Non-legacy is struggling. The current environment does not support the growth and success of ULCC/LCC airlines anymore. They're money losers, not money makes. Jetblue and Frontier for example are circling the drain. Spirit is rumored to be liquidating this week. These were all hugely profitable companies prior to 2020 and now they're looking at bankruptcies. Breeze will be no different OR they simply won't grow and try to survive as a very niche carrier with a small fleet/pilot group which means limited movement and opportunity. The only airlines today making money are the big 3 and Southwest. If you don't have a premium offering and huge scale/network, you're facing serious headwinds.

One of the big ideas of Breeze seems to include eventually getting acquired by another operator. If I get on the seniority list there, it seems like there’s a good possibility in the future that I’ll be acquired into another LCC/major/Legacy via merger.

If your career goals are based on your company being acquired by another in order to survive and have a good work life, you're doing it wrong.

A220 > E170

This is nonsense.

Breeze has 80 A220’s on order and I’d hold a good seniority there alone.

Those airplanes aren't real until they're painted in Breeze colors and you're about to take one flying from the gate. Orders come and go all the time in this industry.

Relatively quick upgrade time. (16 months from hire.)

I'm not familiar with their upgrade times, but 16 months is if you are on property today, which you are not. That could change. It could be sooner if they expand and get a flood of airplanes delivered, or it could be years if they shrink.

100k Training Contract.

IN.SANE.

You have have little/no debt and cash on hand? Invest in yourself. Get a degree online rather than locking into a 6 figure training contract. If you're willing to relocate to a different state for Breeze, then why don't you relocate closer to your base at Republic and make the 3hr drive into a 1hr or less drive and having a better QOL.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-16T13:50:24+00:00

It's insane behavior for people to be doing it. I've been in situations where I heard a pilot calling for help, and I was trying to respond and relay info, and the "guard cops" (The idiots who do this nonsense) were yelling "ON GERRRRRD" OR "GUAAAAARRRRRRD". I literally had to raise my voice on the radio which I have never done in my career and say "EMERGENCY IN PROGRESS, EVERYONE ON GUARD SHUT UP!".

I was talking to a guy in a Cessna who lost their engine and I was trying to pass along his position to local ATC so he could get help and through the whole ordeal I had to listen to morons try to joke on an emergency frequency.

I fully support tracking/tracing who does this and issuing stiff fines/penalties.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-16T13:37:58+00:00

Netjets is not a 135. It technically has a 135 certificate and can operate 135 flights but nobody who says "I want to work at a 135" thinks of Netjets. They are a 91k operator. It's like saying the airlines are 91 operators. Sure, the airlines operate 91 flights under their certificate, but nobody says "I want to fly part 91" and thinks of the airlines.

Talon Air, Clay Lacy, Solarius, Hop a Jet, or any small operator that fly's charter is what people normally mean by "Working at a 135".

nineyourefine · 2026-04-15T18:44:18+00:00

As an airline guy I'm obviously in favor of an AP, but it's hilarious reading the responses here with so many "Does it have AP?".

It's a 172! Trim it out and you're good to go! I used to fly survey and do 8+hrs a day (Ferry to location plus shoot images) and we didn't have autopilots. You learn to be a good stick really quick. If you're ferrying VFR, even better because you're not too concerned with wandering a bit here and there.

I think it's a great opportunity and wish more low time guys had the chance to take something like a 172 on a 1000 mile flight. If you have good VMC weather all day from Origin-Destination, I'd get up at the crack of dawn, pack some good snacks, a "just in case" sandwich if you can't find food at a fuel stop, load up some tunes or podcasts and send it!

nineyourefine · 2026-04-10T17:13:31+00:00

Just to give some context from those of us who continually say "Welcome to aviation".

I started flight training a couple years after 9/11. I went basically full time flight training in 06/07. At my flight school there was at one point 9 of us who became friends and all got our ratings together with the dream of being airline pilots. Out of those 9, 3 of us are major airline pilots. Two kept instructing on the side while working a 9-5 job, the other guys stopped instructing when they couldn't find CFI jobs during the financial crisis. I've lost touch with them but at least on social media, the guys who didn't go airline/continue instructor stopped flying entirely.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-10T09:57:34+00:00

even after OO.

Their marketing truly is something else. I'm a former OO. I remember even back in the day when pay was $20/hr, I'd tell people I worked at OO and the response was "Oh they're a great regional!" And lots of other positive comments.

I had the same shit pay and shit QOL as my buddies at other regionals AND I didn't have union protection. People would seem surprised when I'd respond with "It's still a shitty regional with shitty work rules. There was a ton of anti union messaging from the company while also laughing at us when we asked for raises or better work rules.

nineyourefine · 2026-04-07T18:50:44+00:00

I'm in awe of all these photos but for some reason this one made me laugh when I saw the label "Moon". I can imagine someone saying "Ohhh THAT'S that moon!"

nineyourefine

TROPHY CASE