wizepilot

Yeah, I did that at 54 at RAH. I realized that I would probably starve before I made any decent money. So, I resigned before IOE. I could not even get the base assignment I put in for, seeing I was the oldest in my class, and had seniority over everyone else in the class. NONE of my classmates have yet to upgrade, and it's been 4 1/2 years. They're all stuck at fourth year (top tier) pay for FO's. My opinion, don't do it.

SkyHigh

I agree the job blows, but some people still have to try. Better to do it when it can not do all that much damage after the money is in the bank. This career is better as a retirement job. The bills are paid. Retirement taken care of. Kids grown.

Skyhigh

fjetter

I can't believe I'm going to say this...I agree with Sky on this one. In this circumstance it seems foolish to head out to the regionals given your situation. Odds are the regional airline culture of today is worse than what it was for a major when you were an A&P.
I'd say keep on flying the way you are and maybe try to find some type of per diem/part-time gig at a 135 outfit. Sounds like your current self-employment allows you to dictate your own schedule. A 135 outfit may need a part-time guy for right seat work (granted not always loggable) which may fulfill your professional pilot flying desires without having to take a massive pay cut and QOL hit that you would in the regional game.

Grumble

Sorry, but if I'm making $150/year on a business I own, my time is much better spent reinvesting all that cash flow into more assets that are going to generate even more cash. Do you reall want to be in your 40's or 50's sitting to the right of a 27 y/o captain averaging $6/hour? I'd rather be hanging out at my own hangar with my own airplane, on my own time.

navigator

Lot's of great feedback. I really understand everyone's position and value your input. I am fortunate that after I was furloughed as an A&P I was able to build a successful non-aviation related business. But I can't say that it has made me content. I am not positive that a flying job at a regional will help that either. Thus the reason why I started the thread. I understand how the turmoil in the airlines has frustrated many. As I indicated I spent 12 years as an A&P with one. Still, can you imagine contentment doing anything else? As goofy as things were at the airlines, I still find myself drawn to it. Maybe as a "moth to a flame" or a "dog to it's vomit", I don't know. My other option is to go back to work as a full time flight instructor. Most of you know that can be a real burn out as well. Ideally, I'd like to do the 135 deal that one poster mentioned. Unfortunately, I find myself stuck at the <100ME mark and it's hard to get your foot in the door without quality turbine ME time.

My son has a year left of high school. Once he's gone, my wife and I can't see staying here in WI any longer. Good $$ or not, we have no long term plans here. I have waited as long as I have to start applying as the cost to my family was just too great. It seems like if I am going to take the plunge, now is the time.

As much as I like my plane, I don't find hanging around my hangar that fulfilling. Having spent 15 years working in hangars, I just as soon stay away.

I realize this all pilot career might be a "pie in the sky". On the other hand, if I can make it work with the commute, it could be a good way to spend the next 23 years of my life.

Rama

No simple answer here. I also spent years as an A&P and eventually got on with a long haul freight operator as a mechanic, then became a pfe after a few years. Eventually got into the right set of a jet and moved to a legacy pax carrier now. It took a lot of time, some luck and good friends to get where I am today. Spent a lot of time commuting and also away from home, now live in base, home every night with the family and could not be happier. Its a crapshoot no matter what you do. I've always had the bug and finally got lucky. It was a long road, but no regrets here. 14-18 days off a month making 100k. 5 years from now it could be different, you never know until its all over, good luck.

sinkrate3278

Some people drop $300k for law school only to aspire to become a baker after they graduate. Life is a funny thing. I think you may be experiencing a sort of self development crisis here, irrespective of whether it's for flying or something else. I think we can all relate to that. You only got one life to live and it's important that you're happy. If you think being an airline pilot is going to make you happy then aim for the moon and see where you end Up. But you also have a family too and its inportant that they understand what THEY are Getting into as well. Be honest with them and dont neglect the facts while you follow your heart.

E.g. I once expressed my airline pilot aspirations to a retired airline captain. After he told me that I can expect to live in a hotel room for 200 days a year, I think that just about did it for me, and my girlfriend lol.

Best of luck!

Dpilot

I agree with love2av8. You owe it to yourself to at least try it out, otherwise you'll be doing the "what if" the rest of your life. You said the timing to do it is now, and you have a business that can support the low regional wages. I say go for it!

I myself have been through 2 layoffs, but yet still love the aviation career. Crazy, absolutely, but I too was bitten by the aviation bug, and can find no other worthy "street" job to take its place. Good luck!