Originally Posted by scubaash

Sorry in advance for the long post, but worth explaining for a life changing decision... I posted here 2-3 years ago after leaving 135 flying in a Lear to be a controller with the FAA, for reasons every professional pilot is aware of. The transition out of the cockpit was tough for me, and while very grateful for the stability and benefits of an FAA career, I was missing flying.

Today I'm 3 years in the FAA as a certified TRACON controller, and while it's a great career that I'm good at in a place I call home, I once again find myself strongly considering leaving to go back to the professional cockpit. It seems things are much better at the airlines these days and for many foreseeable years in the future, at least compared to 5 years ago, and that the opportunity to make it to the majors is much more realistic.

I left 135 flying in 2014 with ATP and Lear 45 type rating, and have been maintaining currency with weekly flight instructing in 172 and PA44, about 350 hours each year. Total time over 3000, of which about 700-800 is turbine in the Lear and King Air, 150 TPIC although no turbine currency in the past 3 years.

Given the state of the industry, it seems like a great time to shoe into a 121 operator and get to a major or national for an enjoyable long career. I have been struggling with the decision for quite some time and advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

My brain tells me to stay with the stable government career, yet my heart tells me to fly and that the rest (financial stability and independence in the golden years, quality of life) will fall in place. It seems I could easily exceed my present FAA salary in 4 or so years, and in 20+ years double the FAA salary. More time off with a 121 schedule and get to travel and see the world and its people. I am not married but with a serious girlfriend and own a home, age 29, no kids. My biggest concerns are leaving my pension, getting stuck at a regional for a career, getting furloughed down the road, going back to reserve life (although temporary), and taking a 30-40k pay cut for the first couple years (greater income potential after). I hear 121 life is WAY better than 135...I couldn't stand charter anymore without a schedule. I'd have a hard time stomaching employment at a regional with all the fresh guys from the flight school, but maybe a necessary career step? Maybe I could bypass them and get straight in to somewhere like JetBlue or Atlas, stay for a career?

Do you think it would be foolish to leave a stable government job, quality home life, with benefits and retirement pension mid-50s? What do you think would be the best 121 to apply to and work for? Maybe the grass is always greener?

Thanks all.