Originally Posted by FlyJSH

Okay, so let's look at pay. My first year I took home about 1000 per month after taxes, insurance, and uniform allotment. Yes, I had insurance, but I paid a good chunk for it. Admittedly, we do have a new TA, and I am sure it is a HUGE improvement for me, but it isn't like hitting the lottery.

I did flight instructing, hauled boxes, air ambulance work, corporate, and some contract work, but the first two years at my regional were by far the worst.... and I KNEW what I was getting into.

Sick of pistons? geez. In years to come you will judge the planes you flew by things like the quality of the seat, how quickly it heated up in the winter or cooled in the summer, and if it had decent cup holders. Other than that all that counts is the pay and schedule. Give me the same QOL, good job security, and the same pay, and I will fly a 150. I would say I'd miss air conditioning, but since the Saab's is so bad, being able to open the windows sounds pretty good.

Probably the job I enjoyed most was moving boxes in a Caravan, and I got it right after instructing. I worked at an outstation, did two legs a day, only saw my boss twice each year, got to wear shorts and a polo shirt, had every holiday off, and paid the bills. No long trips and every Saturday night I was out getting slapped by a few women. A similar job now starts around 35k with benefits. That's a whole lot better than 20k flying 90 hours per month.

Look, this isn't a hobby, it is a job. Yeah, I still like to fly, but my ideal schedule is two legs per night, three nights per week. Any more than that is just labor. It isn't about what you fly, where your hotel is located, or having people in airports ask you where baggage claim is located. It is about pay and QOL.