Originally Posted by
Nightsky
Certainly each person has different goals and expectations when it comes to work. What might be a great experience for one person might be hell for another. So - you never know until you try, and it's a crap shoot. You may love the move, you may hate it.
I'm a career changer (didn't do this until my late twenties). My degree is in aviation, but I actually worked for 9+ years out of the industry until I decided to pursue professional flying. I like it for a while. Then I began to realize how complicated things had become. Moved myself and family across the country to get in base. Base closed. Decided to move back home and commute. Huge stress. Huge hit in pay that I'm not even close to making up after 4+ years in the regionals. With the commute factored in, I was home about 11 days a month for crappy pay. Before, in my old non-flying job, I worked 4 10 hour shifts, and got 12 days off am month, plus holidays, plus benefits that blew away what airlines offer (besides the 'free' travel). As time went, I realized I had made a huge mistake. The pay and benefits cut was an insult, but more than anything, I realized it was the lifestyle I detested. It's just not for me. Some people thrive on it, but the 'on the road' lifestyle burned me out real quick. So, I'm currently on my way out of the industry for good.
I don't fault people for loving the job; that's great you found something you love. Not many can say that. As for me, I tried it and learned a lesson. Albeit an expensive one in more than one way for myself and family. But, you live and learn, chalk it up to experience, and move on.
Being an airline pilot is a different kind of lifestyle, than the typical 9-5 job. It works for some people, and it doesn't for others. At least you can say you gave it a shot. Are you an FO, or CA, and if not a CA, how much longer would you have to go, before upgrading? Does the typical salary earned by the captains you fly with, at your company, compare at all to what you made outside of aviation? The only reason I ask, is, it does seem like each person has a different experience, wheras someone like yourself may have spent 4+ years as an FO, while others may have upgraded more quickly, and are making a bigger salary, and more happy.
Originally Posted by
Theoden
I've just completed my first year as a regional airline pilot. I love it. I get 11 days each month where I'm totally off, and the others I'm usually on reserve. If they don't call me in, its like an extra day off, if they do call, then I go to work. I don't make very much money, but its enough to get by and the raises come with time. The job itself is fun and I like the crews I fly with. I think what makes it work for me is that I don't have to commute and I don't have a lot of student loan payments since I worked through college. Having come from other jobs also increases my happiness since getting paid to fly airplanes is so much better than the other work I have done.
Glad that you like it. If you've just completed your first year, I'm sure the 2nd year jump in pay will be nice to have. Again, a perfect example of how each person's perspective, and feelings about a job will differ, no matter what job you look at.