Originally Posted by
robthree
You would make roughly the same at SAI as a 737 CA or a 777 FO as you do now. A lot less as a 737 FO. You would be gone about 1/2 the time as a 737 guy and 2/3rds of the time as a 777 guy. You would spend much of that road time in interesting places like Nottingham, Leipzig, Los Angeles, Bahrain, and Hong Kong. On the 737 the only current long stay is Edmonton, Alberta. The 777 is a great plane to fly. It does everything but make your bed for you. The 737 is the world's most popular airliner. The hours are very difficult. All overnight flying on the 737. Mostly 16+ hour duty days with 24 hours off (which is exactly the worst amount of break to have) on the 777.
You have a fixed amount of time on the planet. Do you prefer to spend it with your family, or with a bunch of freight dogs? Some of the dogs are great. Really great. Some not so much. Some really not so much.
SAI would take you in a heartbeat.
Would you take SAI is the real question.
Wow! All really good things to think about for sure. Thanks! I guess my motivation would be this: if I stay and retire from the state, I will be 56 (11 more years). I will still be around the $66k mark, most likely, as I do not see many raises coming down the pike. At that age, I will most likely not be very marketable to many in the industry. So, I see my time to make a switch being right now, if I am going to make one. The one thing about my turbine time is it is old, about 12 years ago being the last I had. It will certainly be a major adjustment for my family. My wife is amazing and knows what aviation can/could be. And, my 6 year old son? Well, not sure how he would do with it. Anyway, thank for spending your time with me! This is certainly something to think about. Safe flying!