Originally Posted by JetJock16

I agree with Juice. This is my second career and my first required me to work 70-80 hours a week and I didn’t have a day off in over 3 years. Yes it was my choice to work that hard but if I wanted to succeed and gain some sort of job security as a solid rep then that was what it required. Those who didn’t put in the time were quickly replaced. I’d go on vacation just to spend the first few hours of every morning working. I was home every night but was I? I usually had to use that time to work on planners, reports, budgets, etc because there just wasn’t time during the day. I made more than I make now but money’s not everything. If I medical out or something else unthinkable happens then I have a solid second field to fall back on but that’s all it is to me right now…………..a backup.

Every job has its pitfalls. The question is, are these pitfalls right or wrong for you? Some can barely handle them so they spend all their time talking and thinking about the doom and gloom. This isn’t healthy and they really need to start working towards another career. For others who can handle the pitfalls, enjoy its benefits and love the job itself then flying can be extremely rewarding. My father who was a 32 year Braniff CA used to say: “There are two main parts of one’s life, Private and Personal, if you are not happen on one it will bleed over and affect the other.” Now I’m not a complainer and the main reason is that I feel the ONLY pilots who should be allow to complain and have the RIGHT to complain are Ex-Braniff pilots. NOONE has or will never BE (probably) “F’d” more than those poor men and women. ALPA, Eastern, Braniff Mgmnt, the banks, Federal government and State government all negatively played their parts in their fall from grace………………..but that’s another story.

Currently when I’m off I’m off, I fly my a/c and when I walk away I’m done. I have a long commute and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone but it won’t last forever and my goal is to be living in domicile before my girl turns 5. When I work as an FO in domicile I was home every day, only worked 12-13 days per month and only spent around 4-6 nights per month away from home. Now I commute for my Captaincy and I still average 14 days off, 12-14 nights away from home and I haven’t worked a holiday, birthday or anniversary in over 4 years. I know it won’t last and when I get to a Major/Legacy things will change but it will still be leagues better then my last career.

Take it work what its worth and your experience will not be the same as mine. I was lucky and hit the last hiring boom at the right time and with the right airline. Just remember that you can plan and educate yourself as much as humanly possible but as a labor group that has very very little control over our company’s future, it’s all just dumb luck in the end.

And I wish you and everyone the best of luck in whatever you choose to do.

ps. sorry for any errors, I pounded this out rather quickly.