Originally Posted by SkyHigh

In order...

The lifestyle imbalances are the first thing to hit pilot radar that something isn't right in the happy town of an airline career. You will watch as your friends and college buddies begin to rapidly leave you behind in regards of enjoying toys, buying homes and having a real life.

The next realization to hit is: It is little benefit to having a string weekdays off when everyone else is working. Your friends will be on the boat and having a good time on Saturday while you are sitting in a terminal someplace.

The third thing a pilot discovers is that even as a regional captain they really do not make as much as the investment and sacrifices would demand. Other simple pedestrian sounding professions offer a better overall life and compensation. These jobs include; plumber, cop, UPS delivery man and many others.

A fourth one is when they realize that even with a well hung resume most will not make it to a major. The fact is that there isn't room for everyone. Things like industry cycles, airline shutdowns, mergers, upgrade times and many other factors that determine career success are totally out of your control. The odds are something will come along and knock you down and there will be nothing you can do about it.

And the last realization that pilots make. The majors are not all that great anymore anyway. Why make all the sacrifices, take all the risk and huge investment in time and money, move away from where all your friends and family are, and face a crumbling future to hopefully make a bit more than a plumber anyway?

SkyHigh