Virtual Airlines?

[kmullin211984]

Hi Everyone,
  I hope this is the right forum to post to, but I was just wondering if anyone here is a member of any virtual airlines, and if so, which ones, and why? I would like to find one to join, thinking about joining Delta Virtual Airlines as I have always loved flying with them and I really enjoy the experience. The reason I ask these questions is because I stumbled across virtual airlines last night and they really interest me. Any feedback would  be appreciated. Thanks!

Kyle

[SeanTK]

The following is based on my own experiences, observations, and opinion. The following views and opinions are mine alone and do not represent the beliefs of any organization or other individual:

I consider my FS time my free time, where I don't have to fulfill a commitment for someone else.
I can fly what I want, where I want, and when I want. I feel that with a virtual airline, I would lose that, or at least have a reduced opportunity to indulge in that. When you're with a virtual airline, especially a sizable one, you are pretty much an unpayed employee practicing a trade for a make believe organization that simply wants to be recognized and popular. Beyond the fact that these skills are arguably nontransferable into the real world, you're basically committing yourself to some else's fantasy world, where they can rule over you and act like they are a bigshot executive, and you're their pawn.

I don't know how old you are and if you have real world job experience, but if you don't, you'll get plenty of time to deal with bosses and job requirements in the real world in the future. If you do have job experience, I really don't know what to tell you if you want to subject yourself to an organization that structures your flight simulator game usage and time.

I tried a VA once, and found out a few things:
1. Many VA's simply don't last.
2. Flying some flights under a VA banner is cool at first, but after a while, it becomes a chore to maintain an "active" status with an online organization.
3. Having to remind myself, "Hey, I need to do a flight tomorrow/next week/etc" to stay in good standing for an online hobby community seemed ridiculous.
4. Didn't really care for the "you need this many registered flight hours (often in the hundreds) to fly the following aircraft".
5. Even the ones I looked at that stated "fly whatever you want, wherever you want" seemed strange to me. I can just do that on my own without having to be part of an organization and prove to someone that I am using FS.


Again, just my opinion. If you really think that level of organization and especially commitment for a game is for you, go for it, but I just thought I'd let you hear my take on it.

-Sean

[Rocket_Bird]

I've been part of a few virtual airlines in the past, though lately, because of my busy schedules, I would be unable to keep up. 

I agree with what SeanTK said about commitment.  In many cases, flying for a virtual airline is a commitment.  It's a pretty modest commitment; sometimes they only ask for maybe a flight every month or every three months or so, but you still have to put the time for it.

The benefits of flying for a VA is that you immerse yourself into the virtual flying world.  Sometimes you get to participate in group events where you can keep certain airports busy, and its a great way to meet other enthusiasts out there.  You also build a certain connection to virtual ATC controllers if you participate in online flying: places like VATSIM.  Most VA's also keep track of your flying hours for you, and can give you virtual ranks like "First officer!" or "Captain!" 

The drawbacks are of course, the time commitment.  Often, VAs will ask you to record your flights, so there is also some needless paperwork chores that you have to do.  Sometimes VAs limit the aircraft you can fly under the banner also.  You also do not gain a whole lot for flying for a VA; it is like a club, pretty much, with some organization to simulate an airline. 

Still, if this is your thing, it doesn't hurt to try flying under a VA for a while.  It has it's excitements.  Delta Virtual I hear is always a good one; I know a few guys who used to fly for them.  I used to fly for Virtual WestJet a lot, few years back, since I worked for the real WestJet and it only seemed appropriate.  Was a blast, and they were pretty laid back.

Have fun.

[Fozzer]

The following is based on my own experiences, observations, and opinion. The following views and opinions are mine alone and do not represent the beliefs of any organization or other individual:

I consider my FS time my free time, where I don't have to fulfill a commitment for someone else.
I can fly what I want, where I want, and when I want. I feel that with a virtual airline, I would lose that, or at least have a reduced opportunity to indulge in that. When you're with a virtual airline, especially a sizable one, you are pretty much an unpayed employee practicing a trade for a make believe organization that simply wants to be recognized and popular. Beyond the fact that these skills are arguably nontransferable into the real world, you're basically committing yourself to some else's fantasy world, where they can rule over you and act like they are a bigshot executive, and you're their pawn.......

-Sean

..... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

Same here... ...!

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...FS Navigator...and the scourge of ATC!... [smiley=evil.gif]...!