Majors guys still like the job

[check six]

I have been doing engineering for awhile. Made a good living and could continue doing that. I have 2500 hours and some Lear jet time and still like going out and flying anything. If I go back and fly it will take awhile to get pay back up there.

Do you Majors guys get bored with job and stay there for the money? Or do you still like flying regardless of the money?

Thanks,

Check Six

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

Having worked in Tech for a long time before getting my chance to fly for a living let me tell you this; it Effing rocks. It was worth it; with three caveats:
1) Don't give up.
2) Don't stop at the regionals.
3) Start right now. Make your move, and run with it; don't let anyone talk you out of it.

Tailwinds.

 

[HAL]

Having worked in Tech for a long time before getting my chance to fly for a living let me tell you this; it Effing rocks. It was worth it; with three caveats:
1) Don't give up.
2) Don't stop at the regionals.
3) Start right now. Make your move, and run with it; don't let anyone talk you out of it.

Tailwinds.

Grog, best summary I've read here. Yes, there is some luck involved in where you end up. Sometimes, despite your best efforts and crystal-ball-gazing, you end up at an airline that folds, or get stuck at one that shrinks as fast as people retire, and you stagnate. But for the majority, the overall result is a career that we love and enjoy. I think there's a larger number of complainers on web boards in general, so being here can give you a skewed view of what the career is really like. So if you want the career, go for it, with an eye on the reality that it may have problems. But chances are, it's going to be fun.

HAL

 

[DeucesWild]

Yes, I still love the job. I have been flying at the airlines for 10 years. I still love to fly, and still look forward to going to work. I was late to the game, because this was not my first career either. I left good jobs to pursue this dream, and my only regret is not pursuing it sooner.

I was lucky. I made it to the major of my choice. For many, stagnation, poor work rules, and low pay at the regional level has been a way of life for too long.

I would advise you to go for it. There may be some hurdles, but at least you will know, and not wonder 'what if'. If it doesn't work out, there will always be a job for you as an engineer.

 

[GogglesPisano]

I was hired by a legacy later than average after working for a regional then a supplemental.

Boredom, or the lack thereof, is entirely up to you. If you can bid international and energetically get out and see the sights, I'd hardly call it a boring job. You can find plenty of reading to occupy your time up at cruise (company-related of course)

It's still one of the best jobs in the world.

 

[Boxboy]

It's all about time off and $ for me. I'd rather not work but since I have to, there's nothing else I'd rather be doing (maybe a rockstar perhaps). Been there done that - working in an office blows! Once the parking brake is set and the door pops open, you are done; the best part....no work to bring home!

 

[waveflyer]

The timing may be lining up- you won't have 9/11 or 65 stagnation to deal w/-
But yes- agree with the above, how much you enjoy it depends on how you're wired and how much you tend to take things for granted-
For me, I love every second as long as I'm not kept away from home too long- I'm really lucky to have that job-

 

[Whine Lover]

All the above is great advice.

Definitely don't play the regional game if you can in any way avoid it.

Also, be careful what you ask for.....If home is where you need to be, there are not many days that you will actually be there. If you have them, the wife and kids may disappear.

However, you can get lucky too...I lived in base and did nothing but turns and/or short trips with 16-20 days off every month for almost 10 years.

It's all a big Krap Shoot...and like the Lottery, you have to be in it to win it.

BUT, as someone already pointed out, if it all goes south, YOU have the option of going back to a decent paying career that keeps you at home.

Go for it and good luck!

YKW

 

[fam62c]

Depending on you age maybe wait another year or two and see what happens. If the retirements get moving and things break loose you might get to the same place just as quickly but save yourself a couple years of low seniority/low pay regional FO time. It's always better to get hired when things are moving than when things are stuck like they are now. When things get moving and the regionals start losing pilots quickly look for the quickest upgrade, get 1000 airline PIC and make the next step as fast as you can.

As somebody pointed out, if you leave a stable, good paying job to be at the bottom of the heap at a regional with low pay, terrible schedules and a possible commute it will be very tough on you and your family. It's a very good job if you have some seniority at a good company and can live in base or have an "easy" commute (if there is such a thing) but getting to that point can be very difficult. The flying itself is fun but much of what goes with it in terms of lifestyle can be very difficult if you have low seniority and low pay. Good luck, be sure it's what you want.

There's nothing wrong with having a job outside of aviation and flying for fun. Sometimes when you make your hobby your job some of the fun goes out of the activity because now you have to do it instead of doing it on your own terms.

 

[dirkdigler]

It's refreshing to see some positive comments about what we do for living here on FI. If flying for living is where your passion is, don't let any of the ney-sayers talk you out of it. (You'd work with many many many of them. After all, what else is there to do on 5hr legs...? ) Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying it's not a long road. It's a question of how badly you want it, I guess it boils down to...

I've come from a similar career background as yours. I was a software engineer in my previous career and I started flying at a local FBO like many of us have. (Actually I had never even dreamed then that I'd be flying as an airline pilot.) I spent nearly 10 years at a regional before I finally landed at a major. (9/11 really did a number on my career plan.) But It really took a long furlough to finally realize just how much I loved my job.

So, to be or not to be...? That a question only you can answer as it is a very personal one.

 

[Whine Lover]

Another consideration....

IF you are "unattached"...No Wife/Kids etc. YOU are prime for an overseas spot.

I only wish that was an option when I was 30 years younger.

Skip the charter/regional/bullkrap ( which I was able to do even years ago...Thank You Lord. ) and experience the World at a relatively GREAT pay rate while building invaluable experience in jet/international Ops.

Wow.

What great opportunities are available for guys like you in this day and age.

2-4 years overseas, mucho pay, mucho experience...while avoiding the Regional crap-trap and becoming perfectly marketable to what will be the "New Majors" in the U.S. aviation system.

The World of Aviation....just may be YOUR oyster.



YKW

 

[scoreboardII]

But, if you have a home life, keep your day job and you'll keep your life together.

 

[b747dogg]

Do it! It beats working for a living. You only live once.

 

[Patriot328]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wMhuKrkNRg


"It couldn't get any better than this..."

 

[Secret Squirrel]

You might want to ask this question on the regional section also if that is your career path. You could be there for years. Many guys over there waiting for there shot but having to make it work. Some will never leave the regionals for a major. Esppecially if older and want any QOL. Unfortunately lots of people get into this business and all they look at is the pay for a major airline pilot captain flying a 747 and not the pay scales for the 25 years leading up to that point. I was a career changer and had good luck, good timing. You fly wit some guys who have been in this business for 15 years and never broke 50k or gotten off reserve.

 

[HA25]

You might want to ask this question on the regional section also if that is your career path. You could be there for years. Many guys over there waiting for there shot but having to make it work. Some will never leave the regionals for a major. Esppecially if older and want any QOL. Unfortunately lots of people get into this business and all they look at is the pay for a major airline pilot captain flying a 747 and not the pay scales for the 25 years leading up to that point. I was a career changer and had good luck, good timing. You fly wit some guys who have been in this business for 15 years and never broke 50k or gotten off reserve.

I agree, due to the 9/11 downturns, I spent a total of 14 years wondering the "low pay, and instability" wilderness of pilot jobs before I got on with a reputable "legacy" airline.... and even as good as the pay is here relative to the others, it's still on par with many of my friends who graduated in Engineering 15 years ago are making now... I know a guy that has his Masters in EE and makes $175,000 at Intel working M-F 9-5... Pilot pay isn't what it used to be... maybe one day it will return, but not in the short term.

Take a job because you like it, and let the money come with it...

 

[HA25]

The timing may be lining up- you won't have 9/11 or 65 stagnation to deal w/-
But yes- agree with the above, how much you enjoy it depends on how you're wired and how much you tend to take things for granted-
For me, I love every second as long as I'm not kept away from home too long- I'm really lucky to have that job-

this may well be true, and from what I can see, retirements are due to spike in the next 7-10 years.... should time well for him.

 

[xjhawk]

Having worked in Tech for a long time before getting my chance to fly for a living let me tell you this; it Effing rocks. It was worth it; with three caveats:
1) Don't give up.
2) Don't stop at the regionals.
3) Start right now. Make your move, and run with it; don't let anyone talk you out of it.

Tailwinds.

I think he is planning on going right to the majors given that he has so many hours..........

 

[General Lee]

There is no doubt this has been a rough decade or more thanks to 9-11, BKs, and then age 65. But, those old guys that have been hanging on will eventually go, in floods too. Consolidation will create a few mega carriers that will keep fares higher, allowing more stability due to more consistent profits. There will still be ups and downs, but not as many BKs and huge pay cuts.

The question is, will senior RJ Capts who now have families and are used to their current pay, be willing to take a 1 or 2 year paycut and head over to a Major when the time comes? First year pay may be a bit lower, and reserve away from your kids may not be on their wish list. But, if they get on in the beginning of a hiring wave, life could be great within a year or two, with quick advancement and equal pay or better within 2-3 years, and then getting better after that. If that doesn't happen, RJ FOs will probably be next on the hiring list. Good luck.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[C-150ETOPS]

Flying for most majors is like meeting 3 really hot looking super model chicks in a bar who want to take you back to their super yacht.

After more than a few drinks you stagger onboard, and have another drink just high on life. Slowly but surely as they slowly remove their designer dresses, you make the horrifying discovery that they really are drag queens.

Too late, you're handcuffed face down on the bed. Enjoy your career.

(not from experience, but my airline career has been similar)