Would you leave?

[Captain Morgan]

The problem I have with Silverhawk's statement is that this profession is not a part-time job!

 

[pilotyip]

depends upon how you define part-time, if you are talking about day to day week to week, it is not a part time job. If you are talking about decades it is a part time job, we have all spent time between jobs, I guess that is kinda part time.

 

[snap145]

you hafta ask yourself one simple question....even though the schedules and pay suck gigantic ass in the airlines, especially the regionals....if your paying the bills and your happy and when you put all the bs to the side, you still love hand flying the airplane....I think you might miss that feeling sooner than you think....regardless of how good the paycheck is....money isnt everything friends.....I realize we are over worked and underpaid, and it catches up to all of us from time to time....but MOST of us got into this gig for one reason...we absolutley LOVE to fly airplanes...i know i still do. If the big paycheck will make your QOL that much better and you can still get your rocks off flying GA on the side then go for it....but when you put all the crap aside we all know landing a jet is much more fulfilling than trolling around in a 152...good luck...hope everything works out for you

 

[CopilotDoug]

I am on track to make over $500 billion this quarter ALONE as a male prostitute! My lifestyle thrives on the jealousy I impart on others and I hope it makes you that much more self conscious about how much more I make than you. Just figured I'd toss that out there.

I liked the TV commercial which said something to the effects of "No kid wants to grow up to be money man..."

 

[CopilotDoug]

The problem I have with Silverhawk's statement is that this profession is not a part-time job!

I agree, unfortunately I think there are way too many people who don't regard flying as "work" (Not to sidetrack the main issue)

 

[ReverseSensing]

The stress and BS with this job is way above the average job.

As a career-changer who DID NOT get into flying for the love of it, I have to disagree with you on that. Flying for a regional is about the least stressful job I've ever had (and I've had a lot of jobs, including instructing, bush flying and freight-doggin'). Remember, I don't LOOOOOVE flying, and I still think this is the best job I've ever had (at 40+ with several careers and dozens of jobs behind me). But I'm still an FO, so maybe it'll be different once I upgrade.

Having said that, if something else came along that I really wanted to do, I'd probably walk away from flying. But I'd leave because of the attractiveness of the other job, not the drawbacks of the flying job. Every job has drawbacks -- that's why it's called 'work.'

As I tell people who ask me if I like flying for a living: "This is the worst job in the world...except for all the others.

 

[landlover]

i dont know about the rest of you, but i'd never be able to just shuffle paper all day, sit at a desk and punch a clock! i'd go stir crazy in 15 minutes. i agree with what some said, about flying being a addiction. theres the phone, hope its dispatch with my next fix!

 

[rhino3040]

Dude, at this perspective job, are you going to be able to look out at a sweet-ass sunset and pick your nose with the yoke in one hand, and the newspaper or porn in the other? I think not, we may not make a whole lot, or have the QOL that others may have sitting behind the desk banging their wifes everyday, but we have a passion that will always be my drive to stay in aviation regardless of money....my two cents, I guess

 

[CoolSidePillow]

If you dont mind another pocket full of change I will add my .02 cents. I have known different types of jobs. I have seen corporate jobs, manual labor trade jobs, and currently a flying career. If you have to work to exist you are going to have problems, bad days, drawbacks, regrets, etc...
You can have a job that pays well
You can have a job that you love to do
You can have both but you can't have neither for that is a quick way to early grave. Every person is different and we all have different aspects of life that must be addressed and considered most important. I am single and honestly I do not know how guys that are married and especially have small children do flying as a career. Well maybe if the wife is ugly and kids are rotten I can. When I was in the 9-5 world I enjoyed knowing what time I was leaving, going to the gym, running errands after work, being home, every weekend off etc... At the same time I felt like I was at Shawshank prison minus the violent man sex. I get that in aviation from management. There are no guarantees but there are more stable areas to earn your living and aviation isnt one of them regardless of a hiring turn around or whatever is happening. Aviation will forever be a crapshoot. I am fortunate, as I have been in the business less than 10 years and never was I furloughed, moved backwards or even sideways. I am not in debt from aviation and I only really struggled financially for a year. The 9-5 life has nothing that I really want and I can say I love what I do. A few final words. There are many professions that allow you to be home every night but the amount of work, pressure, and time that the job demands means you can only be home to sleep and shower every night. Are you really home then? I have known people that spend better than 12 hours a day for work and commute and often have work to do at home. They live the profession 24/7. Success often demands a lot. Lastly, in response to "flying that bonanza". I recently flew GA and did a favor for local flight school. That was more terrifying than flying in thunderstorms, ice, and LGA to minimums with a new FO. No TCAS, planes all over, uncontrolled field with people not following a single rule of flying. I wish you the best in your endeavors and you will know if you make the right decision.

 

[flyer172r]

if your paying the bills and your happy and when you put all the bs to the side, you still love hand flying the airplane....I think you might miss that feeling sooner than you think

That's part of the problem I have with flying for the airlines. Out of a two hour flight I might spend ten minutes actually flying the airplane. A few months ago I went flying in a 172 with a friend who was still flight instructing, and it was the most fun I've had in months.

The airline career is ok for now because I'm single and have pretty much no life. Once that changes, I'd consider giving it up. But I'd have to find something that I found at least a little challenging, preferably something where I could feel like I was making a difference to someone.

 

[buxflyr]

P2J,

Is there a chance you could be a ground instructor at your airline? I know there are some airlines out there that allow you to instruct and also do some flying. You could be home most every night and still get the aviation fix. Usually they pay fairly good as well...depending on what year you are at your airline. If you live in the base where instructing is done, that could be an option.

 

[Spinplate]

I left a regional airline gig to take care of a family member for the past year and I have been working in the finance field (previous experience and great pay). There is way more stress in a 9-5 job than there ever was flying for a living. Being at home every night was a blessing for the first few months, but that can get old as well. I cringe when Im at work now. I am submitting apps/resumes to a FEW regionals to get back into it now. I'll be taking a pay cut AGAIN, but I cant wait to get back into flying. Do whats best for you and you only. If you have a wife, she has to support you...if you have kids then ....well? I dont know about that one. Dont make anyone else happy, but yourself. Aviation is and will always be a volatile industry, but definitely recommend that you do what will put a smile on your face. I told my wife hey, cop or pilot? You can guess which one she chose. Hope this helps man! Do a lot of thinking about this before you make your decision.....last thing you want to do is lose your seniority if you have any and then want to go back to flying because you made a mistake. Good Luck! hard decision!

 

[taylor01]

Ok, I know I am a goof in most of my posts but this time I am serious.

If an opportunity, outside of flying, presented itself to you and offered a 40 hour work week, retirement and great benefits would you consider leaving this 121 job.

The long-term pay would be around 100K in a few years. But outside of the money what motivations would you consider to weigh against staying in flying as career.

Thanks for your inputs!

P2J

Absolutely, I left TSA in May of 2006 to go to graduate school.

Haven since obtained a position at an I Bank doing aerospace research.

I made 15 k at TSA and now make a great deal more, i am home every night, have plenty of time to spend with friend and family, and can afford to buy a airplane ticket that is positive space and never have to worry about being bumped


I love flying but the life style of an airline pilot sucks

 

[Prop2Jet]

I should turn these responses into a small book. "What color is your airplane" hehehehh

Thanks again guys and gals for your responses. I have decided to stay on course and forgo the allure of a 9-5 with the other company. Money will come, schedules will too. Life is too short to sit 8 hours a day waiting for the last second to tick bye so I can go home. I am having the time of my life and enjoy it very much, why would I change!

Again, thank you all.

P2J

Now back to my smart azz none serious comments for entertainment purposes only!!!

 

[FlyingGuy]

After 20 years flying in USAF I took a desk job making high pay for little work. After a couple months I felt my brain rotting and decided to go fly for a regional (best I can do after not flying for awhile). Huge paycut but that's only one aspect. I told my family what it meant in terms of holidays etc. I don't love flying to the point its all I want to do but if I have to work for a living that beats any other option I can think of. I don't care for flying bug smashers so buying a little recip to buzz around in has no appeal. If I can find a great job that pays enough that I cound buy a Honda Jet that would be different.... If I was a millionare would I still want a flying job? No, but I probably wouldn't work anyway other than volunteer work. Its nice to try other things if you have that luxury like I did but you have to decide if its something you want to do day in day out even with good pay.

 

[CopilotDoug]

Here's a nickel, keep the change...

After a couple months I felt my brain rotting and decided to go fly for a regional (best I can do after not flying for awhile)

I know the feeling 100% ! Seriously, where you need a calculator to add 100 and 1520.

I agree with CoolSide as well...much like flying...the desk job can sound very attractive for being home every night. A couple things you won't see on the brochure:
-Working late at the office
-Lovely Traffic during commute (For Chicago, add 1 hour for rain delay, 2 hours for snow)
-I did have a Boss who suggested the group put in some time during an occasional weekend or two...he only suggested it once.
-And 9 times outta 10, you're so wiped out, you don't wanna do $hit over the weekend anyway

 

[Sawmill]

Take the normal job and buy a Bonanza.

AMEN!

 

[Sawmill]

After 20 years flying in USAF I took a desk job making high pay for little work. After a couple months I felt my brain rotting and decided to go fly for a regional (best I can do after not flying for awhile). Huge paycut but that's only one aspect. I told my family what it meant in terms of holidays etc. I don't love flying to the point its all I want to do but if I have to work for a living that beats any other option I can think of. I don't care for flying bug smashers so buying a little recip to buzz around in has no appeal. If I can find a great job that pays enough that I cound buy a Honda Jet that would be different.... If I was a millionare would I still want a flying job? No, but I probably wouldn't work anyway other than volunteer work. Its nice to try other things if you have that luxury like I did but you have to decide if its something you want to do day in day out even with good pay.

Excuse me while I go throw up.

 

[FlyingGuy]

Excuse me while I go throw up.

Go fly a Bonanza if that's what floats your boat. I'll stay with jets. Believe me if I find that flying in a regional sucks I'll go do something else not just bytch about it online. My point is that life is about choices so figure out your priorities and get a job that meets them.

 

[Fly4PayNoMore]

I've been working a pretty good sales job since I left flying. The money is great, there are some great fringe benefits...but I work way harder than I did flying. I'm usually out the door by 7 in the am...and rush back home by 6:30. After a quick dinner (or dinner waits on many nights), I sit back down at my computer and take an hour and a half or two to reply to voicemails and e-mails. Whatever the job is, if the more they pay you, the more they expect of you.

At first I thought it was great having every holiday off, but then I discovered that I found myself on my laptop for much of Easter Sunday, so I could start off the week in a smaller hole. The grass is always greener on the other side. I've thought of going back...but at the same time...it's a scary thought.