Originally Posted by
Fixnem2Flyinem
I honestly don’t see what the big deal is, if someone is happy to stay at a regional then that is okay. Just 7 years ago it was taking the better part of a decade for people to even upgrade at a regional. They let life happen in the meantime, and not everyone wants to take a financial hit even for a year or two to go to a major. Chances are those folks now have kids in high school, saving for college or maybe a mortgage that doesn’t allow a pay cut from 120k down to 50-80k.
We have to remember that in almost every other industry, a top out pay of 130-140k is pretty damn good money, we as airline pilots .0002% of the population seem to lose sight of that. I agree if one can financially absorb the initial blow of moving on, it will mean they will have a much better financial long term career. But for some the rat race is over, the lost decade made some comfortable and that is okay. I fly with many guys that have a degree, have volunteering and other accolades and no DUI’s. They just don’t want to commute to SFO for reserve in their late 40’s early 50’s missing Timmy’s baseball games. There is more to life than money, those that already have a good financial life, drive to work and see their families 15-18 days a month see that as well.
I'll say I should have tried a lot harder at moving on. It'll probably be one of my life's biggest regrets that I didn't. I've got three degrees, two of them in aviation, 3.6 gpa, never failed a check ride, etc.. Haven't applied anywhere in a decade... but I've used my overnight bag for only one night in the last four months, been home every single day, usually get the days off I want, and should do over $140 -150K this year. I'm already at $37k ytd for the first three months.
The wife works and it should push our income near $200k. We get by OK. I live in a state with a cheap cost of living and my family doesn't want to leave. My hobbies involve the outdoors and that's 10 minutes from my house. I can't do them living in California or the east coast without a lot more hassle and swore off commuting years ago. I'm old and hopefully looking at an early retirement in 10 years barring a big market crash.
And I'm not even all that senior in my domicile.