Left the Army in 97 at ten years flying H-64's. Worked a mid level management job pushing parts for a year and a half before I got tired of banging my head against the wall in a cubicle, during which time I joined the CO Guard flying UH-1's. In the fall of 99 I decided with the wife to change careers to be a F/W commercial pilot (check the pay scales from then and it was still a decent career). I did add on ratings for my F/W multi-comm and built 100 hours of multi time on my dime, I sold my retirement property at an airpark, and pretty much liquidated myself over the next several years to subsidise the expenses and lost wages.

Worked a year at Great Lakes building multi time, I knew they sucked when I went there and what I was getting into so no regrets. It let me stay in Denver with no commuting and was better for my family QOL wise.

Hired by AWAC in 2001 and was there until early 2008. Went through a concessionary contract, two domicile moves, loss of United flying and miscillaneous other BS. Overall I did enjoy much of my time at AWAC and I am dissapointed that they have changed so much over the years. Retired from the guard in 04 and moved east to improve quality of life at AWAC hoping that things would improve after the loss of UAL flying and starting the USAir flying.

Hired at United in 2008 during the brief window that was open. Some said I was stupid to leave AWAC at that point in time, but I got into 121 flying to fly at a major not stay at a regional so I moved on with no regrets. Shortly after being hired age 65 passed and oil went to $145, then Glen decided to park all the 737's and outsource much of that flying. So in late 08 I was on the street wondering what just happend to the past eight years.

Since then I flew some 135 in light twins for a year. I came to the conclusion that flying single pilot IFR in a light twin in the North East during the winter wasn't worth what I was being paid so I worked on rejoining the guard. I left my 135 employer shortly after getting back in the guard, I was too expensive for him and he just didn't have the flying to justify keeping me on so it was kind of a mutual decision with no hard feelings.

I am currently flying H-64's and enjoying being a guard bum even though the pay is somewhat irregular the wife and I have adjusted to it. I am no longer current fixed wing so until a recall happens I will be out of the fixed wing game and focusing on opportunities in the guard as they come up.

As I said earlier, Living the dream.

If you are just thinking of starting remember; it's all timing, luck, and who you know helps. Both my AWAC and UAL interviews had internal reccomendations from company check airmen who also happened to be in my guard unit in CO.

It's been quite a ride the past eleven years and I now have a lot of time to reflect on where I'm at in life, I also watch a lot of netflix. Work about ten days a month with the guard and pick up extra training with them when I can.

Hope this answers your question.