Originally Posted by
EYELS
When you leave the industry you'll probably second guess yourself for a while. But once you get a couple of years down the road you'll look back at your flying as work that, at one stage in your life, was quite enjoyable. But things never stay the same and life changes. So, be smart and adjust.
Think about how you won't miss, month after month, using an airport restroom every other time you go to the bathroom; sleeping regularly on beat-up mattresses; eating poorly, regardless of how hard you try not to; never having a consistent exercise routine; delays, wasted time, sitting on your butt, it never ends; being around hundreds and hundreds of people every day with all of the germs that go with it; not getting paid for the talent and responsibility that you have, etc, etc.
You'll come full circle back into flying someday -- maybe you'll own a new Skycatcher -- and at a level that's a rung or two higher than you are now.
You'll see. Good luck.
Some truth to that. I lost my passion for flying back 4 years ago. I never made it to an airline even with over 1,300 tt.
When I left aviation I was confident that it was "over". Funny thing is that I never got rid of my flight bag, books, etc. Every time I go into my crawl space I see all of them collecting dust, but I have never had the nerve to toss them out. It felt like a mission that was never finished, I guess.
I now find myself wanting back in, but haven't figured out the best angle to do that given my current situation. Maybe I will someday- who knows. I would love to complete that full-circle.
Two thoughts:
1. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
2. Aviation does not leave you even if you choose to leave it. Regardless of what you do for money you will always be a pilot.