I have lived in many places all over the west coast and Alaska. From LA to the Alaskan bush. Twelve moves in 16 years. At some point it was time to go home. At 36 and with my career in the dumpster I didn't have another decade to waste on yet another roll of the dice. My family and I were tired of moving every few years. We needed to go home, dig in and earn some real money.

I reached a point where the risk wasn't worth the sacrifice anymore. The prospective gain wasn't worth it either. Flying is great but is simply wasn't worth wasting anymore days on reserve in a strange town, facing another furlough or spending another 8 years in the right seat. By my age (36) I should have been established with a career destination airline.

I knew that by being laid off prior to upgrade that my career was over. I did not have enough years left to waste and by the time the industry started hiring again I would be too old to care anymore. It is one of my deepest held beliefs that one must invest themselves in a community in order to reap the benefits of home ownership and life advancement.

Moving every few years costs a huge amount money and robs you of gaining ground on paying off your home, cars and reaching the point where you can start to finally save money and afford your wife and kids. What good is it to reach the left seat of a 737 at 55? On reserve, on the move and in the right seat for most of your career. No thanks, not interested.

Skyhigh