Time to get 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.

 

[Palerider957]

I left ASA almost a year ago to enter the family business (commercial real estate development) and I have NEVER looked back. I am MUCH happier away from that sh1t hole of an airlne.

There are greener pastures, and jobs that will allow you to fly for FUN (remember when flying was fun??)

At least you've made the commitment to leave, this by itself will be a relief. You won't be so worried about calling off sick, or telling scheduling to shove it!

Good luck, you've made the right choice.

 

[pilotyip]

You have to get the PIC time, we had two regional Turbo prop PICs come to work for us last year. They leave us after getting some jet time in 6 months, one to Altas 747 F/O and one to ATI DC-8 F/O. You have to bite the bullet and go to a T-prop regional where you will make Captain quickly, get some PIC and open up some other jobs. The right seat at a regional is a time building time where you build your resume for the next move.

 

[LR25]

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.

That was a good idea a few years ago. There has been a paradighm shift, however you spell it, but thats what has happened.

 

[PunchTheClown]

You have to get the PIC time, we had two regional Turbo prop PICs come to work for us last year. They leave us after getting some jet time in 6 months, one to Altas 747 F/O and one to ATI DC-8 F/O. You have to bite the bullet and go to a T-prop regional where you will make Captain quickly, get some PIC and open up some other jobs. The right seat at a regional is a time building time where you build your resume for the next move.

Perhaps you didnt read my post. I have a baby on the way. I cant possibly take a pay cut now for what MIGHT be an upgrade in the future. I chased the upgrade once and look at me now. I'm at a regional where I will NEVER upgrade. I wont do it. Its not fair to my child.

 

[mydesk]

Nice idea Punch! I was in your boat. It took a lot of time for me to give up the dream. I had it lucky though, (my timing was impeccable) because my airline was offering voluntary furlough/leaves and I jumped on the offer. Got really lucky when I posted my non-flying resume, and got a job offer after 3 weeks of search. Now, I'm working a 6x6 ft cubicle doing contract work for the FAA (yeah, I jumped the fence and work with a lot of Inspectors) as a Safety/Operations Analyst making way more then twice my RJ FO pay. Like you, I knew no other job beside flying. However, if you're smart, got some sort of common sense, and know how to interact with real professionals, then life in corporate America is possible. I had it made, because I was working the Fed job while still holding on to my airline senority. It gave me a chance to try a normal boring job to see if I would like it. However, after 4 months of the stint, I had to officially send in my resignation letter to the airline. It was a really though choice, but it had to be done for my own sanity. My friends/family were all able to see how much more happier my life is since I'm home, stable, and paying the BILLZ with some left over. Now, my company offers tuition reimbursment if I want to get my master's or take whatever courses to advance my career path; I work a flex schedule so long as the job is done. There are tons of opportunitys out there. 90% of the folks in my office are ex-airline, furloughees, early retirement, ex-military, whatever. I'm still in the flying arena, just not physically flying. It is still a love/hate relationship at work. Some days I really MISS it, but no problems, because when the flying buzz arrives, I can afford to go rent a piston for the afternoon. I've always got the time to go back to 121 ops, but not until the industry does a 180. Now, I check out flightinfo from time to time to see what I'm not missing. Good luck on your quest....

 

[taloft]

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

So does anyone actually have a payscale or job posting for TSA agents or are we just guessing?

 

[urpi]

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

drive limos, it pays a lot better about 1200 to1500 a week

 

[av8er2]

Good luck. I agree with you, your family needs to come first. The regional airlines are not the place to support a family.

Looking at what mgt. wants to give us is going to make my descision to stay a little longer or get out now very easy. I will not put my family through this regional airline race to the bottom.

I am with the rest. There are options out there if you look. Flying is not the most important thing as you gain responsibilities.

 

[Griswold]

Hey Punch, go to NetJets or Flex. NetJets 1st choice. It's a solid career. You put in 15% for 401k and they match 50%. 1st yr pay with all the perks is around 50,000. You'll top out around 180,000. Go to www.airlinepilotcentral.com and look at there pay scales. Just add about 5,000 to what there pay is stated on there for overtime and all the extra perks you get.

 

[XJohXJ]

Good luck Punch, I'm thinking the same, and the furlough just makes it easier. Family is WAAAYYYY better than slavin' at some sh!tbag regional, where the only goal is to increase corporate bonus payouts.