Originally Posted by FDNYOldGuy

I didn't read through each post, so my apologies if I'm missing something already covered. Your post had me think of a couple things. First, to address the job dissatisfaction: have you ever had any interest in the Fire side of things? I know each city is different and I don't know Dallas, but your TIS usually carries right over. I know salary can sometimes take a hit (NYPD stopped allowing people to come over to FDNY with current salary about 15 years ago to dissuade people from doing it), but it usually comes back up within 5 years. My firehouse had 65 people assigned to it and I'd say at least 15 were former cops. On the flip side, I don't think I could list on 1 hand the amount of folks I know that went from FD to PD. Not trying to whip up a blue vs. red debate, but the FD is way better in one HUGE aspect that you mentioned: dealing with the worst of things. Sure, FD has PLENTY of down days, tough situations, and different personalities (it's a job like any other), but it's just a very different mindset and relation to those you're working with and those you're called to help.

The schedule is more flexible, the work very rarely comes home with you, and the camaraderie is (or at least seems, from my perch) MUCH greater. I'm 100% biased, but I love being a fireman and, even being fortunate enough to have the chance to chase another one of my childhood dreams of being a military pilot, I still can't think of much else I'd rather do than climb on the big red truck.

If you're not considering that option, at least look into what others have said about going over to PD aviation. I'm sure competition might be tough, as there are likely a lot of previous mil helo pilots that are now cops (it was that way with NYPD Aviation) lining up for the job, but it's certainly an option.

Lastly, speaking of mil aviation, that's always a potential option, too. You're coming up on the 33 age limit and would probably need a waiver, but it's certainly possible if it was a route you wanted to take. They gave my old ass a chance. You could join a Guard or Reserves unit relatively nearby and get your wings, while still running the clock toward your Dallas retirement. You'll have to spend a couple years going through military training to spit out at the other end, which is certainly not an easy endeavor with an established family, but it's completely doable. You'll have clicked off years to retirement, gotten a break from the stress of your job, met a lot of great people in a similar boat to you, had the positive camaraderie aspects you have (or at least wanted) in your PD job with fellow mil pilots, and you'll be priming yourself for a potential second career as an airline pilot, should you be interested in that route. Oh, and most importantly, you'll have gotten paid to learn how to fly something that (likely) you'd never have the opportunity to otherwise. Not a bad deal.

Anyway, bro, feel free to hit me up if you have any questions about anything. Again, not trying to stir up FD vs PD battles, but just voicing my observations of a decade+ of being in this world. A lot of my PD friends are burned out and in a similar boat to you; where I don't hear the same complaints out of my brothers and sisters on the big red trucks.

Best of luck to whatever you decide!

Originally Posted by Fixnem2Flyinem

When I had my discovery flight/ first lesson, as exciting as it all was, all I could think about was how underpaid pilots were. There seemed to be a lot of stuff to know and do to make 20k a year. Most of my intro to aviation class mates thought the same and they bailed through training. Jokes on them though, it has become a lot easier with time and the pay has gotten better