simscott

I got my private back in 1999 and was going to school at a local JR college for all the ratings then a flow thru to Continental Express. Prior to finishing up my instrument 9/11 happened and the rest is history. Being a dumb 22 year old it seemed like the death of a career so instead of pumping money into something I wasn't going to get a job in, I took a different path.

After working as an employee of a local government I've grown tired of the job as my flying passion has never left over the years. I'm looking to just pull the trigger and finish my ratings, CFI and enter a new career path that's dear to my heart. I have to tell you though, after following a couple regional forums here that are based in Houston, it seems nobody is happy flying as a professional pilot. I'm used to management problems and union squabbles but aside from that does anyone regret their decision to become a profession pilot? APC has a way to crush people's dreams lol, but youtube videos will make it seem like the greatest job on earth.

Anyway, any honest feedback on the lifestyle of being a regional pilot? I'm just gonna assume management sucks at every regional as an argument. I would be 41 or 42 at the time entering and understand I may or may not make a mainline...and I'm ok with that. QOL is most important since I have a wife and 2 kids.

Thanks

Otterbox

Go to an AA Wholly Owned regional... start there in your early 40s and you’ll be a mainline pilot within 10years if you don’t get on anywhere else. QOL gets better with seniority.

4V14T0R

Real life is somewhere in the middle.



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rickair7777

Better plan on going to a major, you're young enough.

The regional industry is likely to change dramatically due to pilot shortage over the next 5-10 years, so I wouldn't hang my hat on that as a stable option. Silver lining... most regional pilots will have the opportunity to get hired at a major, or possibly acquired by a major.

But on the off chance you stay at a regional long-term, avoid bottom feeders (which are their own special circle of hell), and pick one where you can live in, or drive to, domicile.

Stimpy the Kat

"... my flying passion has never left over the years.."

You have answered your own question.

"Is It Worth It ? "

Q: Is it worth never knowing?

A: Should'a, Could'a, Would'a are all words that suck when viewed in retrospect.



There has NEVER been a better time in the history of aviation to attempt to enter the Industry.

Do It.

STK

dbflyer

How old are your kids? I've made my living flying for the last 25yrs and I'm 48yrs old. Came to my current corporate job 10yrs ago so that I could be home most nights with my kids (we're mostly a local operation home every night). I moved to a city I didn't like just for the family time and it was well worth it. My last two kids are now a Jr and Sr in high school and even though I'm tempted by the airlines, I wont be making any changes until the last one graduates. Since I have a couple kids out of the house already, I'm keenly aware of how fast the last few years go and then all of a sudden you only get to see your kids every few months, or even less if they move away to chase their own dreams. I happily trade potential future pay and seniority for time with the family now.

If you can finish your ratings and keep your current job do that while you make your decision. If finishing up your ratings means not having enough finances to take family vacations and do fun stuff together, I'd stick to the current job and enjoy seeing your family almost every night. Once the kids are gone, it is much easier for you and your wife to make whatever adjustments are necessary and chase your dream. There's a good chance your kids will scatter and then decisions to move if needed to progress your flying career will be much easier.

Aviation has been good to me but make no mistake, like you, I also get bored and tired of my job. Since I have to have a job, it is a good job to have. However, when the alarm goes off at 0430 most mornings or I'm sitting bored all day in an FBO, it seems a lot more like a job than a passion.

Tough choices. Since you are always looking over the next horizon wondering what you should do with your life, you'd fit in with virtually every other pilot I know. Even if we're not looking for greener pastures, we're wondering how the grass in the other pasture tastes