Time to get out

[PunchTheClown]

Alright, I've given this a lot of thought. Its time for me to leave this industry. This career has turned into the equivlent of a dead end job and its not worth it for me anymore.

I know many of you do other things instead or in addition to flying. All I have done ever is fly, my whole career path has been based on it. So I'm asking for some ideas of what some of you have done. I've got a baby on the way and there is no way to support a child on FO wages at a regional, especially when you work for a company where isnt and never will be an upgrade.

Thanks!

Punch

 

[Jeff775621]

Become an aircraft broker. My dad had about the same time as you back in the day and one day woke up and realized he hated flying but still loved airplanes and has never been in an aircraft sense then and still loves his job.

 

[Jeff775621]

Thats also where all the money is in aviation..

 

[immelman79]

good for you, lots of people are in your shoe and are hanging on hoping for something that will never come. Or people will give you that fly for fun crap. Your not giving up flying just cause you leave this industry.

 

[Rerouted]

I left the industry this Spring and am glad I did. Just like anything else, over time you forget the bad stuff and remember the good times, that's just about the hardest part of leaving. I got involved in my family business which has it's own challenges, but overall it's nice to think that there is a future worth working for out there again. Aircraft brokerage sound like it would be fun and rewarding. Whatever you do...best of luck...and never look back (except to flightinfo....it's a constant reminder of why we leave).
RR

 

[9rj9]

The TOY STORE in ft lauderdale

...was looking for broker/salesmen about six months ago. Look them up.

 

[Papps]

Punch best of luck.

 

[Simon Says]

Here is what I did....

www.leaguepokerchallenge.com

 

[John Pennekamp]

Become a TSA. Looks like a bunch are going to be needed, and starting pay is more than most regional FOs top out at.

 

[79%N1]

I'm with you. Replace my income with a job going places, better benefits and nights at home, weekends and holidays off and I AM THERE!!!

And MELIT can kiss my a$$

 

[ceo_of_the_sofa]

You'll be back, they always come back. Kind of like Jeeps and some women.

 

[Gofish]

Hey Punch...Dont do it...you'll regret it and I'll get junior manned to cover your flying :0) LOL

 

[PunchTheClown]

LOL, sorry fish, gotta be done I think. As much as I hate to, I just dont see it being a worthwhile career for the next few years and not just about me anymore. Maybe I can come back someday but for right now, I cant even see an upgrade at a regional in my future.

 

[belchfire]

I keep trying to think of something that I could at least do on the side to supplement my income. Much of what little security was to be had in this industry is gone and the payscales have taken a real hit. The high-end jobs are getting fewer and farther between and too many are willing to do too much for too little.

I think that you may very well be doing a good thing for yourself and family and I wish you the best of luck!

 

[AMANSWORLD]

Alright, I've given this a lot of thought. Its time for me to leave this industry. This career has turned into the equivlent of a dead end job and its not worth it for me anymore.

I know many of you do other things instead or in addition to flying. All I have done ever is fly, my whole career path has been based on it. So I'm asking for some ideas of what some of you have done. I've got a baby on the way and there is no way to support a child on FO wages at a regional, especially when you work for a company where isnt and never will be an upgrade.

Thanks!

Punch

Congrats,
For what it is worth I am in the same situation. However , I am a captain at a worthless company full of good people. I have a trip set to start on tuesday and I am not sure I am going to show up at all. Just remember whatever you choose to do it is the journey not the destination and your family will one day appreciate and respect your committment to them. And as far as the worthless company goes it will always remain a revolving door to many.

Best of luck - p.m. me maybe we can help each other out.

 

[satpak77]

good luck to you. There is more to life than copying the ATIS and sleeping in hotel rooms away from your wife and kids for half the month.

Not the mention the lack of pensions and poor job security.

Hopefully you can find something that lets you fly your OWN airplane for fun.

 

[LR25]

I left flying after Sept 11th, I went back to a major freight airline I was working at as a part time A&P. The funny thing was, I kept seeing the very airplanes that I had just been flying rolling past me while I was on the ramp slaving on an airplane, feeling kind of homesick for it, but I knew it was for the better that I had left.

Long story short, Im back flying again which now I think was the wrong move. I am thinking of leaving it again to go back to the wrenches. When you leave, it will be a feeling of a love/hate relationship. I love flying more than anything, but not in the capacity I find myself in, especially with the pay. I never thought that I would have some of the feeling that I have had in the last few months, but I think the time is coming for a change. I used to fly Beech 18's a few years back, making not too bad money, I find myself thinking of those days when all i had to do was load some boxes fly a couple of hours with not much other care, an I actually made pretty good money at, more than I ever did at a regional.

 

[L.Skywalker]

So, after five regional interviews, and still no job offer, should I feel better?

 

[Jeff775621]

im learning that the regionals are a dead end career, i want a nice corporate gig that doesnt exist.

 

[AWACO]

im learning that the regionals are a dead end career, i want a nice corporate gig that doesnt exist.

Well ya its a dead end! But its an OK start to a career if you can find one that you can stand to work at long enough to get some PIC time.