Am I Crazy

[lifeguard]

or...you may end up being very happy. I left corp. America after 11 years with a "great" company and couldn't be happier at my regional.

Tha'ts right! Fly, FLy away!!!

 

[VABB]

When push comes to shove, chances are you will be working for 30+ years. You have to decide....do I want to work at a job that sucks and I hate for 30+ years or do I want to remotely enjoy going to work for 30+ years? I agree that a job decision is a business decision but not to the extent that I would pick a better paying job that I hate over a lower paying job that I like. If you do that you are just setting yourself up to be miserable your entire life.

Mega,

Agreed that it is important to have a job you enjoy, but overall I would rather have the paycheck over the job satisfaction. With today's present environment in the airline industry, the risks far outweigh the rewards. It's great to have a career you love, but a love for the career doesen't pay the bills.

 

[VABB]

Here's an idea. The two of you swap jobs for six months and decide what to do. I spent enough time doing everything my head told me to do when my soul said to do something else. I'm a much happier person and my family lives better today than it did in the past with me making way more money. I've wanted to fly since I was four years old. The grades in school might have been better if I didn't kill all that time reading the aviation rags in the library. Eventually you realize one day that your either dead or too old to change your path. Now instead of blowing $180 on a big dinner and wine every two weeks we might do Thai once once a month for $30. Two people with a plan can make it work. Just make sure to take turns to make your dreams come true.

I honestly wish that he could. While flying the big jets is a good job (depending on the carrier), it is still just a job. It's all relative to what you are comparing it to. I think AZ would realize that although there is grass over on this side of the fence, it's still green and dogs still crap over here too. But it's all relative. It's great to have a passion for your job, but passion doesen't pay the mortgage.

 

[Northern Lights]

AZFlyer-

I think that a lot of us feel your pain. I'm currently furloughed and working a desk job, so I've had a lot of time to contemplate these same things. One thing that I notice is that even though the career of flying can be a major pain, there is still that "brotherhood" of folks that have a passion for what they do. It is satisfying to use your passion and skill to do a job. When I look around my office, I see people that are good at their jobs, but I keep thinking to myself, "did anyone here actually aspire to work at a receivables management company?"

That balance between family, career, finances and personal satisfaction is tough, so I do wish you the best.

What I can say about flying is that living in base made life a lot easier compared to those that had to commute. I did a lot of time on reserve, or doing CDOs and day trips, so despite working 20 days a month, I often found myself home.

 

[scangadah]

So my wife and I had a discussion about this last night. It started out well enough. I told her my dreams and goals and that I am really unhappy right now. I think she missed the point. Turned into a huge argument which lasted a few hours and got us no where. So I am still at square one. Tempted to apply but scared that I will actually get a call and be hired. Then what. She does not want me being gone for a few days at a time and so forth. Thanks everyone for the encouraging words and opinions.

AZFLYER

Eh....why go to bed mad when you can stay up and fight!

 

[svcta]

Go to the regionals, you have to build time to get the next job, it is part of paying your dues. It is always easier to find a flying job when you have flying job.

This is the poisonous attitude that has kept the "regionals" a carreer landing with stepping-stone pay.