Am I nuts??

[WyoHerkdriver]

In general, one would be making a huge mistake to enter the airline pilot profession (at least at this time). The only exception might be for those that are younger and single and do not mind being constantly displaced and abused (not to mention making very little money).
I thought I had it made when I made it to a major airline and started making the "big bucks". Six months after 9/11 I found myself unemployed and looking at having to start over. I made the terrible mistake of going to work for a regional airline about a year after being furloughed. I quickly realized that this was NOT the job I had envisioned. Being a family man, I discovered that the job was simply not going to work out. Also, at my age (35) I realized that I needed to start thinking about saving for my kid's college tuition as well as saving money for retirement. This was simply not going to happen with what I was making at the regional airline ($ 20/hr). I recently resigned and am not looking back. I have no intention of going back to work as a pilot and I am now in another line of work.
I guess you really need to think long and hard about your decision. I would advise you to stay away and I am going to do my best to make sure that my kid does not get involved with this line of work. In any event, best of luck to whatever you wind up doing.

 

[crashpad]

Wyoherk;
WOW! That's the spirit, keep your kids sheltered from dreams of flying as a career! If more people thought like this we'd have a pilot shortage and salaries would go back up. This 'career' is really a vocation in which the best and most successful pilots were the ones who had one calling in life...TO FLY!
Happy Thanksgiving and also 'thankyou' for your service to our country.

 

[sluminginpit]

Slumming and General,

I guess I also work in a field that many want to get into. I too have seen the dark side of what I do and don't like it. I guess every occupation is like that to some degree. For both of you...I would gladly give a recommendation if you wanted to deal with drunks, morons and idots on a daily basis. Yes, the grass is always greener. I do appreciate your insights though. Thanks!!

Welcome to the airlines, my brother, you have alot to learn!

GO watch "Catch me if you can". When you see the segment where he is an airline pilot, take note, your new carrer will be the excact opposite.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but the airlines are not glamorous. Its hard work, no respect, dealing with all of the above in your post as well as making no money for the first several years.

Whatever you do don't burn your bridge at your current job, then if you don't like it you'll have something to go back to

 

[capt. megadeth]

No, I don't think you are nuts. Go to the regional, you will be "happy" for a while and then you will be complaining just like all of us. Good luck!

P.S. I think things will turn around eventually as well.

I am a late career changer (just turned 36 last week). I have been working a stable government job for the past 12 years and making +$60k and have been offered a class date with a stable regional. I have pretty much decided to take the plunge as I am not happy with my current job. Just seems there is such negative feelings about the current state of the industry on this board that I wonder if I am making the right decision. I guess I am an optimist and think things will turn around eventually and great opportunities do, in fact, lie ahead. By the way, I am single with no kids so the lifestyle thing doesn't really effect me at this point. Just wondering if you would do the same if you were in my shoes.

 

[Flechas]

Take the job

Go for it, don't make your decisions based on what you read on this board. With the exemption of a few, almost everybody here has a negative attitude towards flying and their job. If you stay away from here for a while you'll get a better feedback. I know the industry is unstable and generally not good, but that's the nature of it and we are here to ride along, I would not change my job for anything in the world. Good luck in class!



Flechas



PS. What airline are you going to?

 

[scotts]

Single?...Go For It!

See If I Know,

I'm 44. I wanted to be an airline pilot since I was a kid. I ended up in the military for 20 years and retired with a monthly retirement check. Now I fly for a large regional. Unlike some who post here, I always wanted to fly for a living. After a 20 year detour in the military, I'm now doing what I always wanted to do.

I am married with two kids. If I had to start a career as an airline pilot in my current circumstances, it would be financial suicide. Since you are single with no kids, you have the ultimate freedom to pursue your dreams. If I were you, I would suffer through the low-paying years to make it to the left seat where you can at least make a decent living and save for retirement. Of course, it all depends on how bad you want to fly. I can tell you that the job is everything I hoped it would be and I don't regret these years I'm suffering with the low pay. I expect to upgrade next year and life will be sweet. My situation is not typical but I can tell you that there were times many years ago that I wished to be in your shoes.

FWIW.

 

[snowman]

Hey ,

I am 39 just finishing my twin multi commercial rating... It has been a life-long dream. LIFE IS TO SHORT NOT TO DO WHAT YOU WANT.
Rock and Roll
adios
snowman

 

[Propsync]

As long as you have money in the bank or the wife? makes money, go for it. Otherwise, yes, you are nuts. Oh, and good luck.

 

[Nalo Boy]

Go for it! If its something you want to do, even a little. You can decide later to get out of aviation. Most of the negative guys on here have been flying so lon that they forgot how it was to WORK for a living. The truth is, aviation goes differently for everyone, everyone I know that has had a good attitude and stuck with it has a good job. You hear all these guys whining about how bad their life is, but theyre still flying for a living. If you dont try it, you might live to regret it.

2 cents

 

[Vik]

Remember .. people rarely write when they are happy. They only write when they are UNhappy.

Think the BBB has files on good stories? Nope.
Think the FTC has files on businesses that do well? Nope.

Its all b!tching and moaning.

This site is exactly the same. People p!ss and moan about their job, but tell them you'll give'em $5k more to set behind a desk 9-5 and they'll probably take $5k less to STAY flying.

The fact that you've applied, interviewed and passed, and now have a class date, shows that you want to fly. No one gets to the point where you are at for the money.

You've got nothing to lose really. You've been at your present job for 12 years. In a year if you don't like the regionals, you could probably get a job again and get your $60k/yr back.

I say DO IT!

I am a late career changer (just turned 36 last week). I have been working a stable government job for the past 12 years and making +$60k and have been offered a class date with a stable regional. I have pretty much decided to take the plunge as I am not happy with my current job. Just seems there is such negative feelings about the current state of the industry on this board that I wonder if I am making the right decision. I guess I am an optimist and think things will turn around eventually and great opportunities do, in fact, lie ahead. By the way, I am single with no kids so the lifestyle thing doesn't really effect me at this point. Just wondering if you would do the same if you were in my shoes.

 

[sluminginpit]

Its interesting the majority of the posts stating pilots here are just negative and misrable, come from what it seems very short careers, usually with no airline time.

This board does have a lot of negativity. Learn and analyzie what people say, whatch for the trend. I disagree that if you have a positive attitude you will have a good career,with the union, your attitude doesn't matter, as a matter of fact really nothing you do matters in the direction of your career, it' s all luck once you get to an airline.

The airline's are like the movie Scarface.

In the begininning Tony Montana was broke, poor and wiling to do anything to advance, this is the Flight Instructor stage.

Once he was noticed he slowly worked his way up to the grunt for the head drug dealer, this is the Charter stage, building multi time.

After time he was a small time drug dealer in his own operation trying to expand into his original bosses operation, this is the regional pilot stage.

Finally he made it to the big time, big money, chicks, cars, houses you name it, he hit the MAJORS - BUT !

Then his greed got the best of him. He forgot where he came from and stepped on the wrong toes. That would be the status of the indusrty and the pilots now.

The only problem is, if you remember the end, he got killed, dead, gone!

Never even relized how well he had it at any stage, just looked for the end result and once their still wasn't satisfied!

Just food for thought!

 

[climbhappy]

quote by flechas

" Go for it! don't base your decision by what you read on this board"

WHY NOT? He asked advise and we freely give it. he hears "Yeas" and "Nays"

and like a judge he renders a decision. Nobody knows this guy. Nor anything about his personal situation. financial status.

As far as a calling to be a pilot as one mentioned, having a family and loving to fly doesn't mean the two can't coincide. but in today's world, clearly the cost of chasing domiciles and low pay don't equal the time away from base.

 

[CF34-3B1]

Just a few more thoughts to add from someone who's worked "real" jobs" for many years before getting into 121.

office job:
Sitting in rush hour traffic twice a day, 5 days a week.
Tacking pictures of airplanes to the wall of your cube.
Looking up and watching contrails
Working all week so you can rent a 172 for 0.8hrs

regional job:
living like a college student for the first year (or 3 or 4)
scheduling abuse if you're on reserve.
working weekends, holidays etc until you have some seniority

Now looking at it from strictly a financial point of view, you'd have to crunch the numbers and see where your break even point is. After 12 years, $60k is a decent salary, but it wouldn't take you anywhere near that long to surpass it at any of the decent regionals. I've been at my regional job 7yrs and will gross mid $80s this year. Certainly not getting rich, but a decent living. Do the math and see where you'll be after factoring in the loss of say $40k the first year, maybe $25k the 2nd etc.

Then factor in the government pension vs. probably only a 401k at your regional or whatever retirement plan your regional may have.

Add up the numbers and then weigh it against the "enjoyment factor"

That's a different number for each individual.

For me, it's certainly been the right decision to go for it and fly. I have yet to equal my salary the last year I was in my other business, but I certainly wouldn't leave my current job for anything else except a major airline job.

Some things are more important than $.

You just have to decide if flying is one of them.

Good luck where ever you wind up.

 

[DesertFalcon]

I am a late career changer (just turned 36 last week). I have been working a stable government job for the past 12 years and making +$60k and have been offered a class date with a stable regional. I have pretty much decided to take the plunge as I am not happy with my current job. Just seems there is such negative feelings about the current state of the industry on this board that I wonder if I am making the right decision. I guess I am an optimist and think things will turn around eventually and great opportunities do, in fact, lie ahead. By the way, I am single with no kids so the lifestyle thing doesn't really effect me at this point. Just wondering if you would do the same if you were in my shoes.

Do what you love to do and wash car windows, at busy intersections, for extra money!

Actually, I think you are nuts!

 

[SenorSpielbergo]

"Then his greed got the best of him. He forgot where he came from and stepped on the wrong toes. That would be the status of the indusrty and the pilots now.

The only problem is, if you remember the end, he got killed, dead, gone!"



Yes, but he got to go out guns ablaze. I can see all the greedy United senior captains now: "Say hello to my lil' friend!"