Originally Posted by
mattey22
Looking for feedback from anyone who has made the switch. I have my instrument rating that I got 3-4 years ago and haven’t flown since and have since become a controller. Staffing and management is pretty bad right now at my facility and most others, and was considering trying to make the switch back. Things to consider:
•grossed $150k this year (will probably be $175k next year with same OT) not including benefits, etc.
•over 400 hours of OT this year(most of it mandatory)
•20ish years away from pension
•Relatively Stagnant pay and QOL, with our union extending our contract without a vote.
Anyone know if the grass really is greener.
It's greener.
Historically I would have told you what dashaviator said, keep your day job, build time, avoid debt.
But at this moment in time the retirements are unprecedented and the opportunity is frankly insane. If you're going to do it, decide asap and then go all in, to the degree that family/finances permit.
You can still catch some of the wave, and you'll be thanking yourself for decades to come.
Disclaimer: There's always the risk of Black Swans (asteroid impact, nuclear war, pandemic, etc).