I've been functionally out of the aviation business for 5 years. I'm looking into the state of the industry and just wanted to get some quick takes on where to look if I were to get back in.

The facts:
30 yrs old, Comm/Multi 2300TT, 700 Multi, 500 Turbine SIC most as 135 Charter time, 1200 Dual Given, 4 Year Degree + Master's Degree, clean records, Still an active CFI-II with my own plane - <100 hours a year.

I have a job outside aviation that I do like, pays decent, about 90k, potential for 120k eventually. home every night, great schedule, great benefits. Great wife, great kid.

I was a young 1200 hour pilot back in 2008 when everything went to hell and got laid off from 135 work, no airlines hiring so I decided to stay out and get the masters. Ended up back in 135, and left that to come make some money at the job I'm currently at.

I'm beginning to look into flying for a living again. From what I can see, I'm stuck in a middle ground between "can't afford to work for a regional" and can't get hired somewhere with good pay.

Is anyone able to provide some perspective on how I fit into the 121 world and where I might want to direct efforts? What would you do if you were in my shoes and wanted to get back into flying? I don't think 135 is the life for me anymore. I'd also be open to any management possibilities. I appreciate any help.

 

It sounds like you have it pretty good now.

1. Great(not just decent) salary for your age.
2. Good home life
3. Still flying with your own plane.

The combo of these 3 things would be the determining factor for me. If maybe you didn't have just one of those things going for you, it might be different- no family, low salary, not flying at all. Now, if I were you and could find a management gig in the industry that afforded the same pay and lifestyle, then sure I would go for it.

Where I'm coming from:
I don't fly 121 for a living. I work in aviation insurance, don't make as much as you, I'm older than you, I fly our little Cessna for work(strictly business, no pleasure), and have a young family. So your situation sounds great to me, but the airline guys will give you a more specific opinion.

 

If you want to fly badly enough, you could go to a regional with quick upgrades (most of them these days). With your 135 time, you would eligible for upgrade before the CFI's (within one year if you fly a fair amount), and would then be on the CA pay scale.

After 2-4 years of that, and you would be likely hired by a major. This assumes you have a clean background, and few or no training glitches (and can keep it that way).

The latest round of contracts is going to have the legacies paying $80-90 first year, and then over $100 second year. Top CA pay will be well over $300 (12 year scale).

 

You seem to be in a good place in your life right now and you probably worked hard for it.
There are plenty people that would take your shoes in a heartbeat.
Is it the money or the job that you are after ?
If it is money I would stay put, earning potential as an airline pilot is just that, potential. Some will make it to the top, the vast majority won't.
If it is the job go for it

 

Thanks to the above and the other answers. Its honestly 70% money and the rest a personal desire to see things through. But yes, the earning potential is gnawing at me, especially knowing that I have the age to have a long career. The front-end sacrifice is the part that seems impossible. Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.

I worked very hard to get my flight experience and establish myself in the career, but my timing was horrendous. I had 2 class dates cancelled with 2 companies in 2008, and finally finished off with a furlough. So there's the thought of just a lot of wasted experience and effort that's never been tested. Otherwise, the job doesn't excite me. Charter jets were ok, but the tasks are still rote movements, and I never made PIC. I still instruct because I've always enjoyed it-stays exciting, and it's always a new challenge.

Staying out has become a conscious choice, for sure. After stumbling close to home and getting established, uprooting the family to chase a regional job for 30k just felt selfish.

 

Thanks. The pay is encouraging. 5 years to a major, assuming that's a reasonable timeline, gives me some perspective on what's possible.