Originally Posted by
Lowlevel
Because the "higher pay" isn't really that "high" anyway (even at $42 an hour and 75 hours a month is only $37,800 a year, plus the per diem that you spend on the road anyway). If you're going to look for a career outside aviation, why not look now and take a job that will certainly pay more than 3rd or 4th year pay...and have a better QOL?
Here's the really sad part. I spent the better part of my adult life saving money to pay for flight school. I finally do it, make it to Comair and get furloughed. Now I'm working as an armed security guard and firearms instructor, making 60k a year. Well, it is on an unnamed govt site and required an associated military background and PT test, but w/e. Next month I'm moving on to do antipiracy work and will be over 6 figures working just over half the year. I doubt I'll be back to an airline and I'll just buy my own plane if I feel the need to fly.