drinksonme

Right up until you are forced out of your home/base.....ask me how I know. This is why I love the live in base theory. Yeah, except you might lose your base for a multitude of different reasons. One reason I like this job, I’ll live where I want not some major city in a “nice” area, that I only chose cause of my seniority. You can either move for the job, or live where you want. I don’t live in a base and at least I know, I don’t ever have to worry about my “home” base displacement/closure.

cactusmike

I agree with you 100%. This business, as others said, is always cyclical.

Is it worth it? Ask the TWA guys. They have had the worst of it for the last 17 years. Yet most of them have stayed with this, and with great attitudes. True professionals.

at6d

Majors are way better, no debate.

There are also no guarantees in the industry except for now that 121 stops at age 65.

The lost decade taught many of us some hard lessons. Many became warriors of the suck and have found success, many walked away, and many are about to be furloughed (again for some).

Is it a calling to fly or is it just the money?

irrelevant

To the OP...welcome to the "dark side" of airline flying. I think everyone new to the business looks at the longevity/salary scales, and builds an expectation of what life will be like in the future. Like many, I have been furloughed, worked under concessionary agreements, seen career stagnation, experienced bankruptcy, and had an airline I worked for shut down. I just missed being part of a strike, and I haven't gotten divorced (yet). I'm currently staring at the very real possibility of another furlough in a few months.

I believe a key to navigating turbulence in this industry is to be realistic with expectations, and willing to adjust those expectations when things change. The last five years has been an aberration in the industry...particularly at the regional level. You've had a big tailwind pushing you, and now that has shifted to a headwind. It will change again, in time. You'll have to assess whether you can be more productive outside the industry over the long run. The calculus is tough to solve on that question.

I think it helps to find something worthwhile to do outside aviation, and better yet if that thing produces additional income. It's a lot easier to weather the down cycles in this industry if you have an income-producing side hustle. I left the industry for several years after airline #1 shut down, and I wasn't even looking for a flying job when I reluctantly stumbled into a job with airline #2.

I don't get paid to fly airplanes. I get paid to deal with unstable Flight Attendants, hotel vans that aren't timely, endless revisions created by people sitting in cubicles who need to justify their jobs, fellow hotel guest partying and slamming doors at 2 a.m., sub-optimal food, "death by powerpoint" training sessions, and career uncertainty. The flying I do for free.

The regionals suck...all of them. The whole point of their existence is to be cheap on everything. I spent 13 years at regional airlines...almost ten of those as a First Officer, due to the state of the industry. I enjoyed being a Captain at a regional...mostly because I was able to mentor First Officers who were relatively inexperienced. The quality of life is night and day different at American, vs. the regionals.

You've gotten a lot of good feedback in this thread. Best wishes with your decision and your future, regardless which career path you follow.

Thedude

Yes and no.
I prefer being senior and commuting than being junior and not commuting.
I passed on upgrade for that very reason.
Its great to make money but what is the point if you can't get the time off you want or do the things you want to do. QOL.

watch

I didn't recall seeing very many end of year salaries for AA pilots in the annual thread.

What is a middle of the road total comp (with or without the direct contribution) for a widebody FO at 6-7 years, living in base, versus a NB captain at the same time period?

Also, what does the "best schedule" look like for someone who wants to take it easy for a couple months? Thanks.

13pro

my bad. I guess it’s just habit. (And so no one else has to look it up, 9E is Endeavor)

206321

Widebody FO at 6 years is making $213/hr on reserve at 76 hrs/month = $16,188 monthly or $194k annually, which is $31k from company into 401k yearly.

Narrowbody CA at 6 years is $266x76= $20,213 or $242k and $38k into retirement.
Narrowbody CA at 6 years holding a line and picking up a trip or two crediting 95 hrs/month is making $303k with $48,500 into retirement.
Narrowbody CA at 6 years who agressivly plays the open time game, or OG (over guarantee) can sometimes see credit up to 130hrs/month. For example you have vacation in a reserve month which credits 89 hours, plus picking up 20-30 hours of premium, now you are making $35-40k/month.

Surprise

Narrowbody FO at six years is making $250k+ if you know how to do it right...

RhinoBallAuto

With 2+ months off, with full pay.... available every day for PM as a senior bidder in your seat