Originally Posted by
rickair7777
How easy is it to make captain? Once you get there, how long until retirement? The pension helps, but I don't think many firemen can work to age 65 (and get another fire-fighting gig after mandatory retirement).
Also pay is commensurate with COL, which is why it's higher in big metro areas in CA. My friend's husband is a firefighter in NC... she *****es all the time that he only makes like $30K, and that she can't do airlines because of his work schedule.
Airlines you commute if you want big QOL in a low COL area (if the tradeoff is worth it to you).
Fire/police has aviation beat hands down for stability though.
I agree completely I only moved out to California because I saw what some cities pay their firefighters. It’s a very physical job and there is no way I could do it till 60 nonetheless 65. After spending eight years of the lost decade at a regional I was ready for a change. Hopefully I can retire from this with a pension in a few years and return to the airline gig.