Mid Life Career Question
05-29-2018, 02:02 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Posts: 120
Can I have your job?
Originally Posted by Antney
When at a major can you pull in 400K a year with out working on your days off? Just curious, assume that would be when your a captain.
My dilemma is I know that as a captain you can pull 400K but the question is when? If I left my current financial situation to the time to be there is a long time, I do have over 1,000 hours 121 time but that's from 12 years ago, then theirs the chance of not getting on at a major.
Right now I make 200K, have a company car for myself and my wife, all gas and food (going out) is paid through the year, easily another 10K each for those items. I have a private golf club membership paid for as well. This doesn't include bonuses which I cant count on or factor in to yearly pay.
Yes I am tied to my phone 7 days a week with emails, I do have a staff that will handle most of my issues but need to make sure those issues are handled so need to be in the loop at all times, never a break from it. I however have total flexibility with my schedule, can come and go as I please as long as I perform. Able to drive and pick up my kids from school, attend plays and coach all their sporting teams.
Its tempting to come back, just don't know if the sacrifice is worth it for my family, hate this position but I feel this way every year.
My dilemma is I know that as a captain you can pull 400K but the question is when? If I left my current financial situation to the time to be there is a long time, I do have over 1,000 hours 121 time but that's from 12 years ago, then theirs the chance of not getting on at a major.
Right now I make 200K, have a company car for myself and my wife, all gas and food (going out) is paid through the year, easily another 10K each for those items. I have a private golf club membership paid for as well. This doesn't include bonuses which I cant count on or factor in to yearly pay.
Yes I am tied to my phone 7 days a week with emails, I do have a staff that will handle most of my issues but need to make sure those issues are handled so need to be in the loop at all times, never a break from it. I however have total flexibility with my schedule, can come and go as I please as long as I perform. Able to drive and pick up my kids from school, attend plays and coach all their sporting teams.
Its tempting to come back, just don't know if the sacrifice is worth it for my family, hate this position but I feel this way every year.
Would you ask a law firm partner if you should go to law school, or would you take a look at the average salary of ALL lawyers, not just partners? Same goes for legacy wide body captains, they are the top echelon of earners, not indicative of the median.
Get a job flying a few days a month as a contract pilot or something easy. It’ll feed your flying addiction and you can still keep your cushy office job.
05-29-2018, 02:03 PM
#12
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Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 35
Appreciate all the feedback, sometimes I wish my current job didn't pay well and had horrible work rules to make the decision easier.
I just feel if I leave, I would have to go to the regionals for a minum of 2-3 years before getting on at a major, and if I do get hired at a major would take another 3/4 years to make what I make now, so the soonest it would be 6 years were I am making 250K a year at a minimum. I have to weigh all the holidays missed, family events missed (my kids are 12-6). Yes in 6 years I could be making what I make now considering no wage increase or bonus but I would probably be giving up 125K per year for the next 6 years. 750K is a lot, ugghhh!!!!! Thats if everything goes well. My wife tells me to just wait to I am mid 50 and go back, by that time she doesnt want me anyways around since the kids will be gone, lol!
I remember being at the regionals, it sucked, was there for two years but that was when it truly was a regional and flew only to midwest destinations not across the country like it is now.
I just feel if I leave, I would have to go to the regionals for a minum of 2-3 years before getting on at a major, and if I do get hired at a major would take another 3/4 years to make what I make now, so the soonest it would be 6 years were I am making 250K a year at a minimum. I have to weigh all the holidays missed, family events missed (my kids are 12-6). Yes in 6 years I could be making what I make now considering no wage increase or bonus but I would probably be giving up 125K per year for the next 6 years. 750K is a lot, ugghhh!!!!! Thats if everything goes well. My wife tells me to just wait to I am mid 50 and go back, by that time she doesnt want me anyways around since the kids will be gone, lol!
I remember being at the regionals, it sucked, was there for two years but that was when it truly was a regional and flew only to midwest destinations not across the country like it is now.
05-29-2018, 02:21 PM
#13
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,213
Originally Posted by flybub
Interesting. Did not realize that was possible. Thanks for clearing up a misconception I had.
Another airline pilot and I used to laugh - we were the dads at the games despite “always being gone.” It meant working most, or every weekend, but I made more games than most dads.
05-29-2018, 02:25 PM
#14
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,281
Originally Posted by Sliceback
Atlas’s work schedule, as an ACMI carrier, might be completely different than a major airline schedule.
Another airline pilot and I used to laugh - we were the dads at the games despite “always being gone.” It meant working most, or every weekend, but I made more games than most dads.
Another airline pilot and I used to laugh - we were the dads at the games despite “always being gone.” It meant working most, or every weekend, but I made more games than most dads.
Only three dads ever volunteer in my kid's class... me, another pilot, and an FA.
05-29-2018, 02:27 PM
#15
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,213
Originally Posted by rickair7777
Your position is different than ours. We're already there.
.
.
05-30-2018, 02:51 AM
#16
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Joined APC: May 2015
Posts: 36
I gave up on the career too. That was 7 years ago. I graduated school with my ratings and then never pursued anything with it because supposedly flying didn't pay well, so many pilots were furloughed that I'd never get a job and family life is terrible.
I went into airport management instead. I was making 60k, max 401k, insanely good health benefits. My friends who were CFI's and eventually regional pilots were making half that and living their life out of a bag while I never stressed about missing bachelor parties, concerts and anything else. My 20s were a blast.
Times have changed. Now my twenties are almost over and my expenses are forecast to increase way quicker than my income. I've moved on to busier airports and sometimes I'm there 60+ hours a week. I'm still making around 60K while my friends, now 7 years later are captains at regionals or FO's at majors and making much more than I am already. Yes, they're paying their dues but still manage to have 10 days off in a row sometimes and fly for free all over the world.
Needless to say, I'm actively working on picking up where I left off! I'm hoping to catch this wave before things get as bad as they used to be
I went into airport management instead. I was making 60k, max 401k, insanely good health benefits. My friends who were CFI's and eventually regional pilots were making half that and living their life out of a bag while I never stressed about missing bachelor parties, concerts and anything else. My 20s were a blast.
Times have changed. Now my twenties are almost over and my expenses are forecast to increase way quicker than my income. I've moved on to busier airports and sometimes I'm there 60+ hours a week. I'm still making around 60K while my friends, now 7 years later are captains at regionals or FO's at majors and making much more than I am already. Yes, they're paying their dues but still manage to have 10 days off in a row sometimes and fly for free all over the world.
Needless to say, I'm actively working on picking up where I left off! I'm hoping to catch this wave before things get as bad as they used to be
05-30-2018, 03:27 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2014
Posts: 222
Originally Posted by Kstoves
I gave up on the career too. That was 7 years ago. I graduated school with my ratings and then never pursued anything with it because supposedly flying didn't pay well, so many pilots were furloughed that I'd never get a job and family life is terrible.
I went into airport management instead. I was making 60k, max 401k, insanely good health benefits. My friends who were CFI's and eventually regional pilots were making half that and living their life out of a bag while I never stressed about missing bachelor parties, concerts and anything else. My 20s were a blast.
Times have changed. Now my twenties are almost over and my expenses are forecast to increase way quicker than my income. I've moved on to busier airports and sometimes I'm there 60+ hours a week. I'm still making around 60K while my friends, now 7 years later are captains at regionals or FO's at majors and making much more than I am already. Yes, they're paying their dues but still manage to have 10 days off in a row sometimes and fly for free all over the world.
Needless to say, I'm actively working on picking up where I left off! I'm hoping to catch this wave before things get as bad as they used to be
I went into airport management instead. I was making 60k, max 401k, insanely good health benefits. My friends who were CFI's and eventually regional pilots were making half that and living their life out of a bag while I never stressed about missing bachelor parties, concerts and anything else. My 20s were a blast.
Times have changed. Now my twenties are almost over and my expenses are forecast to increase way quicker than my income. I've moved on to busier airports and sometimes I'm there 60+ hours a week. I'm still making around 60K while my friends, now 7 years later are captains at regionals or FO's at majors and making much more than I am already. Yes, they're paying their dues but still manage to have 10 days off in a row sometimes and fly for free all over the world.
Needless to say, I'm actively working on picking up where I left off! I'm hoping to catch this wave before things get as bad as they used to be
Do I think it would be worth it in the long run? I do. I'm 37 with a wife and 3 kids, 245 hrs, 55ME, IR Comm. SEL/MEL. I left FlightSafety after I finished my Commercial in 2002. I think somewhere along the line we get comfortable where we are and are less than willing to take on new challenges, especially life changing ones. I believe that's where I am right now.
Again, good luck to you!
05-30-2018, 03:44 AM
#18
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Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 35
If I was making sub 100k I think it would be a no brainer with the current future potential earnings to come back. I’m stuck at point with my compensation that it would take 10+ years to break even right at the time my kids will be through college or just starting and that’s if everything goes perfect ( 3 years at regional and 3 years at major to finally see 200k again per year).
It’s tough choice and I wrestle with this daily which sucks. At my old regional, Chicago Express, i remember how stagnant the attrition got and how bad it was. It was probably my young poor attitude that wants everything now when I was 22 to get out of aviation. Funny how when you get older you can put things in perspective. Wish I had that when I was 22!
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It’s tough choice and I wrestle with this daily which sucks. At my old regional, Chicago Express, i remember how stagnant the attrition got and how bad it was. It was probably my young poor attitude that wants everything now when I was 22 to get out of aviation. Funny how when you get older you can put things in perspective. Wish I had that when I was 22!
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05-30-2018, 04:15 AM
#19
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Joined APC: Nov 2016
Position: 6th place
Posts: 1,826
Originally Posted by Antney
If I was making sub 100k I think it would be a no brainer with the current future potential earnings to come back. I’m stuck at point with my compensation that it would take 10+ years to break even right at the time my kids will be through college or just starting and that’s if everything goes perfect ( 3 years at regional and 3 years at major to finally see 200k again per year).
It’s tough choice and I wrestle with this daily which sucks. At my old regional, Chicago Express, i remember how stagnant the attrition got and how bad it was. It was probably my young poor attitude that wants everything now when I was 22 to get out of aviation. Funny how when you get older you can put things in perspective. Wish I had that when I was 22!
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It’s tough choice and I wrestle with this daily which sucks. At my old regional, Chicago Express, i remember how stagnant the attrition got and how bad it was. It was probably my young poor attitude that wants everything now when I was 22 to get out of aviation. Funny how when you get older you can put things in perspective. Wish I had that when I was 22!
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It’s more a financial question. The only way it would make sense to switch is if your wife has a high-paying job or you have a lot of money saved up. Otherwise, living on a 50-80k the next 5 years is going to suck massively. Especially since you’re making good money now.
05-30-2018, 04:54 AM
#20
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by Antney
If I was making sub 100k I think it would be a no brainer with the current future potential earnings to come back. I’m stuck at point with my compensation that it would take 10+ years to break even right at the time my kids will be through college or just starting and that’s if everything goes perfect ( 3 years at regional and 3 years at major to finally see 200k again per year).
It’s tough choice and I wrestle with this daily which sucks. At my old regional, Chicago Express, i remember how stagnant the attrition got and how bad it was. It was probably my young poor attitude that wants everything now when I was 22 to get out of aviation. Funny how when you get older you can put things in perspective. Wish I had that when I was 22!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It’s tough choice and I wrestle with this daily which sucks. At my old regional, Chicago Express, i remember how stagnant the attrition got and how bad it was. It was probably my young poor attitude that wants everything now when I was 22 to get out of aviation. Funny how when you get older you can put things in perspective. Wish I had that when I was 22!
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Even with prior (12 years in the past wasn't it?) experience, you are basically starting off new in the career all over again. There is a great hiring wave no doubt (I still balk at calling it a shortage - especially across the board), but there are plenty of pilots who have CURRENTLY been at a regional or some other full time flying job and aren't getting the call to the majors.
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