Originally Posted by
Dan64456
And yes, I totally agree. If I stayed in IT up to the point where I'd barely even come CLOSE to 6 figures, i'd be working 6 or 7 days a week, 10 per day average (Not counting hour each way commute)... And the phone doesn't stop ringing at night when you're at the bar or in bed either. Hell, I had this kind of job for 12 dollars an hour just 3 years ago. Our network engineer at my current place works an avg of 6.5 days per week, and IMO, just not worth it. He can't even go on vacation without something breaking or someone calling him. Responsibility (as in availability, not safety) is a huge annoyance when you are off the clock. Enough to drive you crazy. I don't know of a single person making more than 60 grand a year that isn't practically married to their job...
Everybody I know that is making a larger salary, is working VERY long days, and often times during the weekends, as well. They do seem married to their job, and it hardly seems worth it, for that sixth figure, although the vast majority, despite how much they work, aren't making that sixth figure. A friend of mine is also in the IT field. His first job, even though he has a degree in computer information systems, was making about $10-12/hr. He has been with his current company about 3 years, and he makes around $40K. I have called him often, at 7-8pm, and he is still at work. That is a 12-hour day, being as though he goes in around 8am. I have personally done much research on other career fields I'd be interested in, other than flying, including IT, and reality is, most jobs will not pay a sixth figure, and most will find you making the same salary you'd make, if you spent your career with a regional. In fact, I know guys making as much, or more, as a 4-5 year RJ CA than many careers will top out at, 10+ years down the road. While it may take years, you can make a sixth figure flying for a regional airline.
Originally Posted by
Dan64456
Even if it takes a few years, can't you get to a point where you are high enough on the seniority list that you can be home every night of the week? Or just do 1 on, 1 off types of schedules? Sticking it out seems worth it if this becomes a possibility later down the road... It can't be worse than stairing at gray walls all day with gray carpets and bright white flourescent lights with whining people that are too dumb to understand microsoft word... lol
At some point, you would have enough seniority to hold day trips, but I don't know exactly how long it would take to reach that point. I would imagine it would take more than a few years, as it seems those trips usually go very senior. I'd say the typical schedule of a regional pilot is 4 on 3 off.
Personally, I say if you are interested in becoming a pilot, do it. At least give it a shot, and see how you like it. You always have IT to fall back on, if it doesn't work out. Remember that there are complaints in no matter what field you look into, and people who will hate the job. I don't let that deter me, and you shouldn't either, if it is what you want to do.
As I said .. I had a conversation with a 6th year RJ Captain not long ago. He said he makes around $80K, gets over 15 days off per month, and loves his job. It seems, at least in person, I come across more people like that, than I do negative people. I've been told by many pilots to stay away from message boards, because they tend to attract much of the negative. I try, at times to stay away, but I am just too addicted. Just take some of what you hear with a grain of salt. Starting out, it will be hard, especially on first year FO pay. You have to start somewhere, and that is the case with any career. But, after that, it does get better. Keep in mind, as well, that the airline industry is very instable. It goes through ups and downs ... but then again, it seems everyday another company, non airline, is laying thousands off, with this economy, so while pilots may complain, it isn't any better out there in non aviation land, either, as far as job security, or job prospects.