Two more interviews and I'm calling it Quits For Aviation?

[dueguard1]

I'm exactly two interviews away from giving aviation the Finger......Don't get me wrong I still have somewhat of a passion deep inside of me for flying, but with what I see happening in this industry I have to admit that things like a respectable pension (whch is non-existent for the most part in the airlines) does matter to me, I have a degree in Criminal Justice and there's alot of great hiring going on in Law Enforcement throughout the country w/ some pretty great sign-on bonuses, and not to mention at least somewhat of a respectable Starting salary......I went all through college doing flying at first as a hobby and then deciding to get the full enchilada(CFI's etc).

Been instructing full time almost two years, and for right now I'm making more cash as a freelance CFI than I probably will at any regional for my first two years....Any hoot anyyone here leave law enfocement and comeback, or Vice versa????
By the way are there any airlines who still even offer pension???

 

[SXMp2c]

Stop bitching whiner

 

[capt. megadeth]

Stop bitching whiner

Nice.

Anyways, what do you call a decent starting salary in law enforcement? I am just curious. How much are the bonuses?

 

[svcta]

Stop bitching whiner

Get a life. Can't there be one thread that doesn't drift off to worthlessness? This one didn't make it one post.

SXM, you sound like one more regional lifer that can't stand someone who has the stones to consider leaving that crap job for something that treats him better. Get over yourself, or grow a pair and do the same for yourself.

 

[Gr82Aviate]

Nice.

Anyways, what do you call a decent starting salary in law enforcement? I am just curious. How much are the bonuses?

Thinking of switching careers?

 

[bailout]

FWIW, i fly with ALOT of guys who used to be cops or in some sort of law enforcement, and they all say they are glad they made the change.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Thinking of switching careers?

No, I couldn't hack being a cop. Too many idiots out there getting away with too much stuff. I was just curious.

 

[willNOTfly4free]

Hey, you know a regional airline isn't your only option for a career. There are a lot of aviation jobs other than just 'flying the line.' I was talking with a buddy of mine the other day who flies for a regional airline. Even though we both fly airplanes, it's like we have two, totally different jobs. An aviation career is what you make out of it. I still love my job, regardless of much people whine and complain about aviation.

Do what is right for *YOU* and don't plan on having a pension when/if you retire from aviation.

 

[ponder]

What do they call Customs now, I.C.E.?
That would pay good, you could fly, earn
a pension plus actually see combat!

 

[Metro A-Team]

There are a few flying jobs that still have pension. However, they are hard to get with only flight instructor experience. So that means a few more years of "paying your dues" if you want one of those jobs. And the reality is that even if you pay your dues and want the job you may never get it...

I have a good friend that was in law enforcement for many years, got out to follow his dream of flying, left to make more money as a cop again and now wishes he had staying in flying. It's only one story but its true.

My advice...if you don't have the "heart" to stay in flying because you love it...GET OUT! Guys (and gals) with stories like yours are the worst to work with because they are pi$$ed off their whole career because "this isn't the job they were promised when they started flight school". Go dig a ditch for 8 hours a day or sit in a cubical moving paper for 40 hrs/week...or go be a road cop.

The bottom line is that people spend 10-20 years getting the "good" flying jobs that are out there. So, get out...or keep flying and keep appling. Either way, good luck.

 

[SXMp2c]

sorry that i didnt have time to craft a more detailed response.

The tone of your post indicates that you are upset with the regional industry and that aviation somehow OWES you something.

This job is great and this job sucks. One universal truth that i have uncovered is the fact that airline pilots will bitch about EVERYTHING. You give them a xmas bonus and they will complain that it was mailed and not direct deposit... lots of other examples come to mind.

So it looks like your "giving aviation the finger" fits in nicely.

Dont come complaining to Flight Info and expect everyone on here to give you a pat on the back and say "hang in there fella"

Stop whining and make the move. or stop whining and dont make the move. your choice

 

[rogerwilcoout]

I'm exactly two interviews away from giving aviation the Finger......Don't get me wrong I still have somewhat of a passion deep inside of me for flying, but with what I see happening in this industry I have to admit that things like a respectable pension (whch is non-existent for the most part in the airlines) does matter to me, I have a degree in Criminal Justice and there's alot of great hiring going on in Law Enforcement throughout the country w/ some pretty great sign-on bonuses, and not to mention at least somewhat of a respectable Starting salary......I went all through college doing flying at first as a hobby and then deciding to get the full enchilada(CFI's etc).

Been instructing full time almost two years, and for right now I'm making more cash as a freelance CFI than I probably will at any regional for my first two years....Any hoot anyyone here leave law enfocement and comeback, or Vice versa????
By the way are there any airlines who still even offer pension???

I dont know what to say other than we all feel like quitting and going to something else, but in the end, the love of the flying keeps us here. But we can all make a difference. Let's try and turn the tide. There is a shortage of pilots and there will continue to be one for awhile. But turning the tide will not happen until the pilots of all airlines belong as a brotherhood. We still have the "us" versus them" mentality. We should consolidate our unions into one and make it a unified effort to shove this mismanagement of our industry right up management's a$$. Can you imagine the power we would have as a one union group? Wow ! Alright, I know it is coming, flame away !

 

[JungleJett]

No, I couldn't hack being a cop. Too many idiots out there getting away with too much stuff. I was just curious.

I agree, there are too many idiot cops getting away with too much stuff.

 

[BoilerUP]

Hey, you know a regional airline isn't your only option for a career. There are a lot of aviation jobs other than just 'flying the line.' I was talking with a buddy of mine the other day who flies for a regional airline. Even though we both fly airplanes, it's like we have two, totally different jobs.

Yeah, what he said.

 

[U-I pilot]

UPS and Fedex Still have pensions....and great ones at that!

Keep your head up. Lots of jobs at regionals to be had.... pick a good one, suck up the first year pay, and enjoy the ride. Almost all regionals are now linked to the ATP academy because they are short on qualified people....Jobs are becoming more plentiful and the Legacy carriers are hiring again....

CAL, DAL and soon UAL all hiring along with the LCCs, UPS, FDX and alike....

It IS turning around. Get out there and find what suits you. If its not worth a few years of poor pay and schedules to enjoy what you love, then you are better off doing something else. I'll take my "crappy" pay and reserve schedule any day over an office job.... To each their own.

If you want a regional job, it sounds like you have the time for it....Put out your stuff and calls will come. Be careful what you wish for because you just may get it....When it rains it pours....

Good luck.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

No, I couldn't hack being a cop. Too many idiots out there getting away with too much stuff. I was just curious.

The thought of being handcuffed and pistol whipped by Capt. Megadeth sounds rather arousing. :nuts:

 

[JediNein]

Why not be a 'flying pig'?

A buddy was on the CHP for 7 years, upgraded a few times, then stepped into the flying side. He had a PPSEL, but as they are flying public use aircraft, it doesn't matter. I did a ride along with their department, "Flying PIGS", 'cause they love to dump on speeding motorists, and the department check airman had 400 hours total time.

There are plenty of law enforcement flying positions. Take a look around DHS and local departments. Jump in the plane, fly somewhere, land, cuff 'n stuff someone, then rinse and repeat.

BTW, one doesn't need to be a cop to have fun pistol-whipping.

 

[acaTerry]

It's too early to quit...just hang in there. Many of us FT CFI'ed for 5 years before getting to fly that 19 seat prop at $17 an hour on a 70 hour pay-month.
Also don't let the lack of a career in aviation ruin how you feel about flying in general. Just keep swinging...sooner or later you'll hit one.

 

[capt. megadeth]

I agree, there are too many idiot cops getting away with too much stuff.

That's true too.

 

[crashpad]

The thought of being handcuffed and pistol whipped by Capt. Megadeth sounds rather arousing. :nuts:

....until she administers the ol' baton judiciously to the outflow valve...ouch!!!

2 years as a CFI? Gimme a break buddy, some of us did it three times longer!
Just think of yourself as the buddist monk of the aviation industry and you'll get there.

 

[Bringupthebird]

Two more interviews? Heck, why waste your time. Get started on what you want NOW! If you saw a stock that had a five year decline in price with nothing to indicate a change was imminent, would you invest in that stock? Then why invest something far more precious than money: your life, in something with so little chance of a decent return.

Warren Buffett would tell you that he took the hit on his failed investments and then moved on. You can't dwell on failure and expect to succeed. And this industry does not reward sacrifice. It consumes sacrifice and your years and expells misery and a few bucks out the tailpipe in order to move your career along a path that you will find you have little say in.

Sorry. I guess you should have fast forwarded to the end of the John and Martha King video, where they go through all this.

 

[n32jk]

Here are your options... shot at or sh*t at.... you decide.......

 

[avbug]

You're way too early in the game to even contemplate that you've given it half a chance. You have no experience and you're applying to entry level jobs...giving aviation the "finger" at this point is roughly akin to walking in revolving door and heading back out in the same pass. You're giving up based on what? What you haven't seen or done yet? What sort of criteria is that?

If you're not happy, then get out...you can figure that much out. Yet you didn't make your statement or ask your questions because you're convinced of it, else you'd already be gone. You're looking for resons to stay in the industry, because that's what you want to do. You're just trying to find a way to justify it.

The best I can tell you is that if you have to justify it, you probably won't make it. Aviation isn't the easiest row to hoe. You need self-motivation to push through what can be long, lean years with little coming in, the cyclic downturns in the industry that will becoming up again in a few short years, and the changes that often take place unexpectedly in this business.

You might find a pension, but chances are that you'll go through multiple employers, an won't have one anyway. There is no job security in this business. Many who have been furloughed over the pastt few years have been living with their heads under the sand, and amazingly were surprised to learn this. Retirements were raided, pensions went away, and what many took for granted finally became a wakeup call. If you're not prepared for this reality, you're not prepared to be in aviation.

Again, you wouldn't be asking if you didn't want to find a reason to stay. The best advice I can give is that if you want to be here, then be here, and don't look back. Much like crossing a high, narrow bridge...don't look down. Concentrate on where you're going, avoid making comparisons between your position in this business and others, and enjoy what you want to be doing. If you're not happy, then you're right, it's time to get out.

Don't delude yourself. You haven't given the industry enough of a chance, and you haven't the experience yet to be seeking a significant job...a little patience goes a long way, and you will need it in this business. Do this; open a fortun cookie and follow whatevr advice you get. It's nearly as accurate as the science of predicting what will happen in this industry, and at least you'll have some guidance. Good luck.

 

[JediNein]

Then there is always the fact that a unhappy person won't be happy no matter where they are. They're too busy practicing being unhappy.

Too busy practicing "I'm going to fail" and "I'll be rejected" to even bother thinking about what would happen if they were accepted. Walk into the interview, looking down, dressed poorly, hunched, a sigh of despair in their voice, weakly 'give me a job damnit' slips out. McDonald's tries not to hire folks like this.

If you're so worried about retirement, get an IRA started. It's not too late to put away 4-5,000 for 2006, and get another 4-5000 going for 2007. Why wait for some cutthroat company to pretend they offer a pension, then when you need it, they get rid of it in bankruptcy court? Eff you is the mantra of today's employers, be they airlines or law enforcement positions. Unless you work for the Federal or a Triabal Government, you're going to change jobs multiple times through your career, and 401(k) rollovers are a PITA.

If you don't look out for number one, you're going to get the short end of the stick every time. Welcome to reality. You have to help yourself, the rest of us are too busy looking out for ourselves than to worry about you.

You could try faking it for your next interview. If you're going to fail anyways, might as well have some fun doing it. If you get the job, highly unlikely if you don't fake it during the interview, try faking it through the training too. Pretend you are happy there: "Jeeze, I'm on call 24/7 for 4 days on and 3 days off. Wow! They aren't putting red hot pokers up my nose, this is really cool!" or "Wow! I'm only the target for live firing exercises every other day, cool!"

Remember to read the fortune cookie fortune and add the words 'in bed' to the end of whatever it says. Batons optional.

 

[airspeedsalive]

Good call -get out now. There are way to many pilots now that thought it would be cooler, and easier, to be a pilot than do somthing else. This profession demands passion and heart. Good luck with what ever you do.

 

[Scrapdog]

I'm exactly two interviews away from giving aviation the Finger......Don't get me wrong I still have somewhat of a passion deep inside of me for flying, but with what I see happening in this industry I have to admit that things like a respectable pension (whch is non-existent for the most part in the airlines) does matter to me, I have a degree in Criminal Justice and there's alot of great hiring going on in Law Enforcement throughout the country w/ some pretty great sign-on bonuses, and not to mention at least somewhat of a respectable Starting salary......I went all through college doing flying at first as a hobby and then deciding to get the full enchilada(CFI's etc).

Been instructing full time almost two years, and for right now I'm making more cash as a freelance CFI than I probably will at any regional for my first two years....Any hoot anyyone here leave law enfocement and comeback, or Vice versa????
By the way are there any airlines who still even offer pension???

This is easily answered - fly for the military. The pay is very good, there is a guarunteed pension...and you get to fly fast and blow sh!t up. Need I say more?

 

[BoilerUP]

This is easily answered - fly for the military. The pay is very good, there is a guarunteed pension...and you get to fly fast and blow sh!t up. Need I say more?

If only it were that easy.

Signed,

One of the 'lucky' 1% at MFS (nah I'm not bitter)

 

[Scrapdog]

If only it were that easy.

Signed,

One of the 'lucky' 1% at MFS (nah I'm not bitter)

It's not "easy," however the end result is easily achievable thru hard work, dedication, and attitude. Everytime a young kid runs up to me at an airshow, I tell them they'll have no problem flying in the military with some elbow grease and determination. And yes, luck does have a small part as well - but the major determining factors are far from luck.

 

[BoilerUP]

Hard work, dedication and attitude won't get you sh!t in military aviation if the fluid pressure in your eyes is a couple points above the FC1 spec...even if the rest of your vision tests perfect.

 

[Scrapdog]

Hard work, dedication and attitude won't get you sh!t in military aviation if the fluid pressure in your eyes is a couple points above the FC1 spec...even if the rest of your vision tests perfect.

Yeah, sorry bud - that is a true statement...the medical stuff is a black/white issue except for a few waiverable items. And I take it you did your exam from hell at Brooks?