Is it worth it in the end??

[flyguy_022]

Im just a student in college debating if I want to become a professional pilot. I will be married in a few years and will have kids in the future. How much time is spent away from family? Is there any time with family? Is it worth it for the love of flying? I love flying so much but i want to keep a happy family. Should i go for it or is it too hard on the family? Is it practible and enjoyable to be a pilot and have a family? Any feedback is great, Thanks.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Im just a student in college debating if I want to become a professional pilot. I will be married in a few years and will have kids in the future. How much time is spent away from family? Is there any time with family? Is it worth it for the love of flying? I love flying so much but i want to keep a happy family. Should i go for it or is it too hard on the family? Is it practible and enjoyable to be a pilot and have a family? Any feedback is great, Thanks.

I would say you will spend at least half of the month away from home on average.

Yes, there is a lot of time with family. 24 hours a day on the 15 days of the month you are home.

YES....IMO it is definitely worth it for the love of flying.

If you want to keep a happy family, marry someone who will support you following your dreams. If you marry someone who doesn't understand the industry and isn't supportive, you will not have a happy family. My solution to that.....don't marry someone like that. If there is any hint that your signigicant other isn't understanding of the lifestyle before you are married, it definitely won't get better after you get married.

You should go for it because you only live once and if you don't "go for it" you will always wonder what could have been.

Yes, it is practicable and enjoyable to be a pilot and have a family....I know many happy families with one or both spouses being a pilot.

Don't get me wrong.....I am sure there are times it is hard but don't let the naysayers on here discourage you. It is hard to get a really good job flying, have it work out and have a great home life to boot but if you don't try, you will never know. It is so worth it to go for your aspirations because you only get one life to live. Good luck.

 

[capt. megadeth]

One more thing.....if you don't go into flying, what are your plans?

 

[avbug]

Post thread once...good web mannes.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?p=1136692#post1136692

 

[Papps]

Im just a student in college debating if I want to become a professional pilot. I will be married in a few years and will have kids in the future. How much time is spent away from family? Is there any time with family? Is it worth it for the love of flying? I love flying so much but i want to keep a happy family. Should i go for it or is it too hard on the family? Is it practible and enjoyable to be a pilot and have a family? Any feedback is great, Thanks.

No its not. Don't do it. Any job will become a job. Go for financial/job security and family, they are the only things that will make you happy in the long run. The complainers are very visible (I complain on this board to vent a little, but i never complain at work) but their is a huge portion of pilots that are quietly miserable with their career path. good luck

 

[gringo]

Good god, kid, not only no, but hell no! Your "love of flying" has a greater than 75% chance of turning into abject hatred.

Flying as a profession is wonderful if you're single, but once you're married, it becomes extremely difficult to maintain a healthy home life. Can it be done? Sure, I know one or 2 happily married pilots. But that's it. 1, or maybe 2. Possibly even a third, but it's unlikely.

Struggle to show me one happily married airline pilot (there are a few, but very very rare) and I'll easily show you 15 guys who are divorced 2,3,4 times and miserable.

This career is going down the toilet like the blue juice (no matter what PilotYIP keeps blowing out of his @$$)- find something else that keeps you with your loved ones, gives you job satisfaction and gives you enough money to fly your Cessna. Flying an RJ or 747 gets reeeeeeeeeealy booooooooring after the first few hundred hours.

Your spouse can be the most "understanding" person in the world, but they still hate the fact that you're off galavanting wherever with whomever. They want you home, with them. Dosen't matter if they tell you differently; they're just saying it to make you happy, but deep down inside they're hoping you lose your medical so you can stay home with them. When I told my wife I was quitting the airlines, she cried out of happiness.

And life's just been getting better and better since.

 

[Papps]

Yeah its a great career. Im not ready for the paycut, but i would love to get out. When i go get my medical done, I'm half hoping that something is wrong with my blood pressure so the decision makes itself. I'm kinda bummed when i leave the office with that little white slip.

 

[Vacationman]

absolutely worth it..lots of time gone but lots of quality time at home as well.

 

[Flyingdutchman]

as long as u keep plenty of girlfriends on the side... worth it!

 

[capt. megadeth]

Yeah its a great career. Im not ready for the paycut, but i would love to get out. When i go get my medical done, I'm half hoping that something is wrong with my blood pressure so the decision makes itself. I'm kinda bummed when i leave the office with that little white slip.

If you are not getting out on your own, then you must like it. If it's that bad, then just quit. I did that with my nursing career.

 

[G21Agoose]

Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wives and children are a hugely expensive option- sure there is some fun and you can occasionally pick up women with the line "yeah, I'm married with kids"
but the downside is sacrificing so much for so little.
On the plus side if you become a pro pilot you have joy, happiness and a real sense of fulfillment. There is no diaper changing (unless you fly regional), no having to buy expensive jewellry (unless you fly a Gulfstreams- the Captains like nice earrings) and a real sense of accomplishment as you sit in a motel room in a crappy town on Christmas day and realize you can watch all the porn you like...................sweet. It's the only life for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gofish]

I like the job. It definately isn't for everyone and can take a toll on a family. The reality is that some families and marriages fail but the same can be said for any profession..

 

[CHQFA00]

Im just a student in college debating if I want to become a professional pilot. I will be married in a few years and will have kids in the future. How much time is spent away from family? Is there any time with family? Is it worth it for the love of flying? I love flying so much but i want to keep a happy family. Should i go for it or is it too hard on the family? Is it practible and enjoyable to be a pilot and have a family? Any feedback is great, Thanks.

Okay, maybe I'm not the "norm" but I actually don't mind when my husband leaves for a trip. Granted, we have no rug rats running around... YET... however, going from seeing each other 3 days a week to 7 days a week when he went into the military, it's no wonder he's alive and walking on two legs at the moment. Although, the woodchipper is oiled up and ready to go if I need it

Point saying, you need to find a strong woman. If she can't handle you being gone for more than a day and your already stuck with her, don't go into the aviation industry. Become a doctor. If she's a strong woman, she will be able to handle it and you will work it all out...

 

[Flydaplane]

First off, I love my job....., but just when you think things will start to go well...boom, you're furloughed, reassigned to a new domicile or giving back up to 40% of your wages. Then your retirement will disappear, days off will disappear (just ask the 90 hr a month NWA pilots), the upgrade in 4 years plan will extend to only about 15 years...but wait, if they change the age 60 rule then it will be 20 years, plus when you get recalled from furlough you'll sit reserve for a year and then once you get a line you'll have no weekends off for about 5 years. Still more than a decade away from making 6 figures and I'm flying a pretty good sized jet.
Go get your MBA and get a career with skills you can more broadly market.

 

[HA25]

Im just a student in college debating if I want to become a professional pilot.

No! Stop before it's too late! Save your money, marriage, and years of pre-mature aging and become anything else!

Also, we could use a few less guys (or especially girls) to compete with, it's getting a bit crowded in the AirInc seminars!



-------

Ok serious, it's not the job that it used to be, and the life style that made it the best job in the world is long gone.. now a days you spend an extra ordinary amount of time away from home (living out of a suitcase), and you get paid (adjusting for inflation) about 1/3 what you got paid in the 60's 70's and early 80's..

 

[g4800xp]

I had some crap jobs, but life is good now. It was a struggle but my wife to be, knew fairly well that it would be a long hard road, ahead of time.I will average 10 days a month of work, this year maybe 11, and each year average about 80 overnights. About the time she is ready to choke me I leave on a trip for a day or two. It has a lot to do with your expectations well in advance. I know I have been blessed, but to me it is the greatest job on the planet. I fly part 91, fortune 500, been to 49 states, 33 countries and circled the globe. We adjust a birthday a few days one way or the other, the anniversary the same to try to compensate for schedule. It is a toss up, I am home so much, but it never fails that fly days and our schedule will conflict. Just make sure that your wife to be understands the tradeoffs. If she melts down over missing a birthday, find a 9 to 5 and enjoy the cubicle, but believe me, the view from my office beats the cubicle's view.

 

[climbhappy]

this is a typical week

been laid off, started flying a baron. just made five hundred on a trip....
my daughter needed meds costing 145.00 she lost her retainer ...another two hundred. the flying was fun. the wife is out of money.. cannot keep the Dave Ramsey approach (he's a syndicated radio finaince guru who preahces restraint) my daughter needs fifty today for a field trip.
I just ran out of high life....good news...it's only $5.99 for a twelve pack

 

[HA25]

been laid off, started flying a baron. just made five hundred on a trip....
my daughter needed meds costing 145.00 she lost her retainer ...another two hundred. the flying was fun. the wife is out of money.. cannot keep the Dave Ramsey approach (he's a syndicated radio finaince guru who preahces restraint) my daughter needs fifty today for a field trip.
I just ran out of high life....good news...it's only $5.99 for a twelve pack

Damn dude.. accept my best wishes.

 

[SSDD]

Notice that all these people telling you its a crappy carreer have not themselves gotten out. Its not without its challenges, but what carreer is? As the first reply said, make sure the future wife understands and supports what you're trying to do. If there is any hint to the contrary, then things will get worse after marriage.

 

[gringo]

I got out- and I couldn't be happier. Life is getting better and better every day, and my relationship with my wife is unlike anything it's ever been before. Best decision I ever made was to get out early!

 

[SSDD]

I got out- and I couldn't be happier. Life is getting better and better every day, and my relationship with my wife is unlike anything it's ever been before. Best decision I ever made was to get out early!

And yet you still hang around an aviation board...

 

[gringo]

Wow Sparky, that response is so full of ignorant I don't even know where to begin.

2 reasons, I would guess, why I still hang around here; the first, being that I still enjoy flying for fun. Last time I checked, this was an aviation board, not an airline pilot only board.

And secondly (and more importantly),

I get endless amusement watching chuckleheads like you convincing yourself and each others on this board that the $hit sandwich you're choking down is actually filet mignon, or at the very least a prime rib sandwich. And as we all know, prime rib is the king of all the meats!

However, your attempt at sarcasm has been noted, and you will be receiving a gold star soon. Check your mail; it'll be arriving right after the great hiring boon of 2007.

 

[climbhappy]

quote" and yet you still hang out on an avaition board"


i do that too, i feel like i have one foot out the door, but yet i just joined airline apps and sent 10 resumes thinking throw enough crap against the wall and something may stick. flying is kind of like crack!
i may get called back, but the longer one goes and the life adjustment is made, the harder it is. you have to be committed sure, but maybe i should be committed for even thiking i am committed.
i found last week, collecting decent money for the time i had spent "one day" was a good return as far as flying goes. if it keeps up i may be next.

for sure this busienss keeps you in suspense. if you don't like last minute football games like the cowboys v giants last week, then yeah this business isn't (as far as 121 goes assuming the big job hasn't come yet, sticking it out for hope thereof) worth it.

 

[capt. megadeth]

I get endless amusement watching chuckleheads like you convincing yourself and each others on this board that the $hit sandwich you're choking down is actually filet mignon, or at the very least a prime rib sandwich. And as we all know, prime rib is the king of all the meats!

.

That's not fair. There are many pilots that have had great careers. Ok, I admit, the chances are slim but it's there. Every capt. I have flown with has multiple properties, toys, etc. They are not complaining about any $hit sandwich.

 

[152SIC]

I wish I had chose a different career path. Now at 33 years old it is difficult to just jump into another job. I have been flying since i was 21 and now have a mortgage, bills etc...
I have often thought about other career paths I could pursue at this point, but I suppose my current level of pay keeps me where I am at (for the time being.)
On the plus side, I have seen alot of the country I would have never seen with any other job. I am currently flying a Citation X which WAS interesting (the first 15 hours or so.) I am also making a comfortable living at present (it won't last though.)
For someone starting out, however; chose a career path which allows you to fly on the side. There is not a good future in professional flying.

 

[gringo]

That's not fair. There are many pilots that have had great careers. Ok, I admit, the chances are slim but it's there. Every capt. I have flown with has multiple properties, toys, etc. They are not complaining about any $hit sandwich.

And there's the issue right there: have had. 30 years ago, 20 years ago, maybe even as recently as 10 years ago, this was a great career. Nowadays, with all the turmoil, the low pay (adjusted for inflation, you're making 1/2 of what they were making 30 years ago), the stress, long times from the family, high divorce rates, stoopid TSA, jakc@ss schedulers, the list goes on and on and on...

I don't believe that one can have a great career anymore. Maybe a good one, certainly, but not great. But even then, the odds of one finishing 30 years from now, looking back and saying "yeah, I'm glad I did that" is so slim, why even bother? The writing's on the walls, fellas, and luckily for us, it's written in English.

There are literally millions of things you can do with your time that would lead to a more satisfying, more productive and ultimateley, more rewarding life.

And so yes, I stand by my "$hit sandwitch" statement. It was once filet mignon. But it sat out in the sun too long and became rancid. This career is going down the tubes; it's great while you're young and single, but once you get married and start a family, you should find other things to do. If the airlines didn't fcuk you today, they're likely to do it tomorrow, or the next day. It's just a question of time; ask any United pilot on September 10th; they were kings of the world. The next day, they were out of a job.

 

[capt. megadeth]

And there's the issue right there: have had. 30 years ago, 20 years ago, maybe even as recently as 10 years ago, this was a great career. Nowadays, with all the turmoil, the low pay (adjusted for inflation, you're making 1/2 of what they were making 30 years ago), the stress, long times from the family, high divorce rates, stoopid TSA, jakc@ss schedulers, the list goes on and on and on...

I don't believe that one can have a great career anymore. Maybe a good one, certainly, but not great. But even then, the odds of one finishing 30 years from now, looking back and saying "yeah, I'm glad I did that" is so slim, why even bother? The writing's on the walls, fellas, and luckily for us, it's written in English.

There are literally millions of things you can do with your time that would lead to a more satisfying, more productive and ultimateley, more rewarding life.

And so yes, I stand by my "$hit sandwitch" statement. It was once filet mignon. But it sat out in the sun too long and became rancid. This career is going down the tubes; it's great while you're young and single, but once you get married and start a family, you should find other things to do. If the airlines didn't fcuk you today, they're likely to do it tomorrow, or the next day. It's just a question of time; ask any United pilot on September 10th; they were kings of the world. The next day, they were out of a job.

Well, ya know....it's good that there are people like you out there because there is less competition for people that really want to make a lifelong career out of it. I am sorry things didn't work out for you but don't rain on everyone's parade.

 

[capt. megadeth]

There are literally millions of things you can do with your time that would lead to a more satisfying, more productive and ultimateley, more rewarding life.

.

Please do tell. Like what? Give me a few examples.

 

[Contract]

Im not going to waist my time reading all the responses to this question. Im sorry to tell you if your for real but this career field is becoming more and more like a Bus Drivers Schedule all the while requiring Pilots to maintain professionial proficciency doing what is not natural. Yes, thats it....we fly..

We move people through the air as fast as we can. All the while maintaining safety. Most pilots today dont really understand that idea. So they will tell you that its worth it and the lifestyle while different is GREAT. Bottom line, these are the same guys that you or any one else looking to embark on a career in this profession would gladdly heed. Funny thing is, this profession is not what many of us expected it to be at this point in our lives. We are actually going through the largest downturn this profession has ever seen.

The future; well it does not hold any great promises. We have alot of consolidating to do and beyond that will be anyones guess. If I were a young man once again, I would be looking for something that would keep me happy and make me money just as I did when I started my journey for the Airline Industry as a Professional Pilot.

The "Very Bottom Line" is this. If you love to fly thats great but if you want to have any resemblance of a normal life with wife and kids (which I consider to be normal progression but others may not) then find another profession that pays well and buy yourself an airplane.....Good Luck I have not even begun to speak of the testing to replace pilots with DRONES....WOW

 

[Contract]

Capt Mega Death......Rock on Bro Head.......but at least tell the guy why you are late on some of those BILLS your playin. Just kidding Brother,,,but you know damn well what I mean....Its not what we were expecting.......Gone are the $300k per yr.......EXPECTATIONS. The only way they come back is with a shortage, so STFU and let the shortage begin......Drones are at minimum 50 to 70 years out. Luv ya Man. Rock on but play Smart if your even a real /Rocker.