Originally Posted by
mooneymite
As one of those guys who went from the top of the 121 pyramid to 91K, it wasn't about money at all. I have plenty. It wasn't about not having interests/activities to fill my day, it is all about the flying.
My background was military and major 121 flying with a few hours of general aviation at the beginning. NetJets provides me a great opportunity to fly and travel on the company dime. Do I work harder than at the airline? Yes! Much harder. Do I make less pay? Yes, much less pay. Do I love my job and look forward to it? Yes.
With all the scheduling and financial pressures gone since the kids are all raised, this is almost pure fun. I fly around an a beautiful jet, stay in (mostly) great places in (mostly) nice hotels with (mostly) great captains for 7 days, then go home and practice retirement for 7 days.
I recognize this is not for everyone, but if you love to fly/travel, feel too young to quit and flying co-pilot doesn'tbother your ego, NetJets is a terrific gig for post-121 pilots.
My sentiments exactly. I've got three years to go in Boeing world, but find myself looking forward to flying business jets in retirement. My situation is probably too good to walk away from until age 65, but I'll admit I don't get enough hand flying and takeoffs and landings doing 12 to 17 hour legs in the 777. I got in this business for the fun of flying, not for the money or to push buttons. To be honest, flying floats or tundra tires in Alaska sounds pretty good right now (but probably not a realistic retirement job). Yes, I can (and will) buy my own airplane and fly for fun, but there is just a limit to how much fun it is to fly without a purpose. MUCH of the joy of this job for me is that it IS a job. I have an important task to perform that requires me to be on my game and produce for my employer. That element gives the flying life meaning and purpose. Boring holes in the sky in a SE airplane just for fun can get old in a hurry.