Originally Posted by
For my son
My question is, what would it take to cause you to seek employment elsewhere; in a different profession; other than as an airline pilot at a regional airline? I would like to know; at what point would it become possible no longer? I would also be interested in hearing your ideas on how far is too far to go in seeking to remain employed as a regional airline pilot. I would also like to know if you would be willing to work for an alter-ego carrier and what you think the ramifications of doing so will be for your career expectations. I would also like to know if you would recommend being an airline pilot to your son; assuming you have one; or your daughter. Please be truthful and explain your position to the best of your ability; I believe we all need to hear it.
This was a second career for me also. I took a 2/3 pay cut to come to an airline from driving tractor-trailer. Yes, I made way more driving than flying....sad. People thought I was crazy for quitting and coming to a regional for low pay, but I guess it's that love of flying thing. Well, two years later, here I am, out on the street, unemployed. I have set a date of July 19 as the date that I will not go back to my airline if recalled. That is 6 months of being furloughed. If I do get called back, I will most likely be on the bottom of the list and on reserve forever. It's not really worth the hassle for the pay they give. I really do not see any recalls in the near future, so I guess July 19 will be the day.
In the mean time I am out there submitting resumes for flying jobs and driving jobs, and whatever else pays ok. Flying for any carrier would be fine with me. Money, that's all it is really about. It is a job, just like any other job. And you get a job....to make money. Pay me enough and I'll fly anything. I'm not one of those pilots with Shiny Jet Syndrome or dreams of flying the A380. If you gave me enough to live comfortably, I would fly a Cessna 152, ultra-light, or powered parachute. Who cares what you fly, your flying, and getting paid for it.
As a former Marine, I was always pro military and thought that my son could one day be a Marine. Times changed (read: GWB's private war), and now I tell him to stay away from the military (he is 19). I don't want him to die for a useless purpose.
As a, now, former airline pilot, I would steer him away from this profession too. He makes more as a manager of a Pizza Hut than I did as a first year FO, and almost what I made as a second year FO. Now, if recalled and in third year pay, I may be making more than him, but I'm 40 and he is 19.