Alright, i don't know how many people are currently out of the cockpit (by their own choice, or by unfortunate circumstances) but who's missing the fun layovers, hanging out with the crew, the joy of pulling back on the yoke @ VR, and watching the ground slip away from you, while you crank it over into a 30 degree banked turn at 400' AGL?
My last flight was only a couple days ago, turned in my books, ID, and brass today, have had the last two days off, and have the weekend off, but start the new job on Monday. As of now, i haven't had time to really "miss it". I had to drive by the airport to drop off my stuff, and was watching planes go flying into a low overcast sky, thought of how it would have been more fun to have had that as my last landing, etc. But besides that, I dunno, think the only other thing that made me think was turning in my badge today. Made me think that I was now "confined" in some way, as in i wouldn't bump to the front of the security line anymore at the airport, i'd be taking off my shoes, pulling out my liquids and gels, and wouldn't hop in the jumpseat to go anywhere....Honestly not a very enjoyable feeling, I didn't really use my travel passes much (wife and I did go to Paris about a month ago) but i think knowing that i "could" was some type of comfort to me. So basically, just seeing how my feeling align with others who've gave it up, and wondering if worse is to come for me. lol.
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-Let's Toast the Rich...With the Cocktail of Our Choice!
Of course you will miss some aspects of the job and consider yourself well rid of others. You'll probably build a fine career elsewhere, and won't kick yourself and think "if only I had given it a shot..." every time you look up at a contrail.
Good luck!
I've been out of the cockpit since mid last year. Everytime you see a plane you'll look up and think, "I know what they're doing right now" and you'll miss it. A second later, I remember that they are probably wondering if the van is going to show on time, that they are probably far away from friends/family, and maybe even wondering if they'll have a job next month let alone next year. And then that warm fuzzy I miss professional flying feeling goes away real quick. Flying on the weekends is a good way to keep the joy of flying without the other junk thrown in...
Keep in touch with your friends who continue to fly the line and they'll remind you about "liv'n the dream" every chance they get. I love to hear their stories, reminds me of what I'm not missing
Like Tom is saying. Once you've worked the gear handle, you can mark it off your to do list and find some other challenges to conquer in this lifetime.
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Cheers, RNAV
Last edited by Rnav : 04-11-2009 at 06:48 AM.
Reason: additional comments
Its been 4 months since my last 121 flight. I do miss the flying, but do not miss anything else about it. It is addicted to fly all the time, log hours hand over fist, etc. I do miss that aspect of it. But all the other stuff - not a bit!
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Thanks for the input, I had the same thoughts Tom, least i know I did it. I did leave before the company put me out to pasture, I was hired with the federal government as an aerospace analyst (essentially the guys who make approach charts for the Military). The agency has hired several of our pilots (all prior to getting a furlough notice) and has interviews setup for at least several more that i know of, and probably more that i don't.
__________________
-Let's Toast the Rich...With the Cocktail of Our Choice!
I don't miss:
TSA
Airport parking
Crew Sked
7 AM start of rest for 3 PM show, after starting at 3 AM 3 days previous
Captain "America"
1001 "girls can fly?" jokes
EWR
CLE
CVG
DCA
5 hour sits in RDU
TSA
the squalling brat kicking my seat on the red-eye commute
TSA
the "pay" check (ain't that supposed to be a positive number?)
the constant us vs. them mentality about everything
and did I mention, TSA?
I do miss:
Twin Rolls-Royces
23 flight hours in 3 days
EWR-IAH instead of WHP-BUR-WHP
Sunset at 36,000'
Sunrise at 37,000'
multiple redundant systems
being able to jumpseat practically anywhere
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