Airline Pilot Central Forums

Airline Pilot Central Forums (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/)
-   Career Questions (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/career-questions/)
-   -   leaving ATC career to go back to piloting? (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/career-questions/87629-leaving-atc-career-go-back-piloting.html)

GSXR 04-26-2015 04:27 AM

he training program at the facility will quite possibly be the most difficult thing you have ever done. That crap you did at the academy where you show up and pass is over! I'm guessing you are realizing that now after 6 whole months and that may be part of your unhappiness. I'm also sure you have noticed the that folks at ATC are not really the touchy feely types so the whiny "woe is me" attitude will not serve you well. The people around you are putting their careers on the line to train you. They are responsible for your F-ups until you achieve the coveted title of CPC. If you are unsure of and not totally committed to that career choice then you can not possibly ever be a good controller. If you are not a good controller the people on this site can not afford for you to be a controller. If you are not all in then do yourself, the people around you, the taxpayers, and the flying public a favor and get the hell out! They are wasting resources on you that could be used for someone who want's the job and will the do the job well.

ToastAir 04-26-2015 09:02 AM

6 months? Training stinks. Depending on where you are, the schedule and people you work with can too. You can transfer. Life takes twists and turns and you end up places you never thought. Usually for the better. I was in your shoes 30 years ago. Only difference was not a lot of flying jobs to be had. I flew 2000+ hours in that time mostly on my own terms. I recently retired and life is great. I still have about 10 years to do 121 flying and more than that part 91. If you really are miserable get out, but I would wait until you are sure it's really as bad as you think.

flynavyj 04-29-2015 02:16 PM

If you're making $80k, and the pilot job would pay you $50k...I'd say, take $30k (pre-tax obviously) and see how far that will let you travel for a year. :) Might find out you can go to the destinations that YOU want to, hit up the local clubs, bars, night life, and not worry about someone wanting to leave early the next day.

As other posters said, a job doesn't define happiness. You may find a sudden quick rush of euphoria, but the reasons you left will still be there in the end...No job is perfect, it's a means to an end.

scubaash 05-01-2015 03:41 PM


Originally Posted by ToastAir (Post 1869020)
6 months? Training stinks. Depending on where you are, the schedule and people you work with can too. You can transfer. Life takes twists and turns and you end up places you never thought. Usually for the better. I was in your shoes 30 years ago. Only difference was not a lot of flying jobs to be had. I flew 2000+ hours in that time mostly on my own terms. I recently retired and life is great. I still have about 10 years to do 121 flying and more than that part 91. If you really are miserable get out, but I would wait until you are sure it's really as bad as you think.

So you left flying for ATC? Were you satisfied with your career choices and enjoyed life as a controller? Assuming you're retired now, what are your plans with aviation and retirement?

scubaash 05-01-2015 04:09 PM

I guess the question arises for me because I have an offer back in South Florida as a f/o making 50k (plus per diem), upgrade to captain in 18 months making 75k with 8 days on, 6 off... pretty nice schedule. Current ATC trainee pay is 43k, and I'm looking at another 2 years before CPC pay at 80k... meanwhile at let's just say a very undesirable living location.

Understandably, there are no certainties in flying and ATC is much more stable as a career.. sure can't beat the time off flying though. I've actually excelled at training so far, ahead of most others, doesn't mean I won't make a good controller.

Rotator 07-31-2015 08:01 AM

In a way, you are in an enviable position. You are young, single and have two good skill sets you can use to make a living. I used to be a regional F/O who made the jump to a federal career (non-aviation related). I am approaching retirement eligibility in five years and will be financially independent. Family life crept up on me (married in mid-30's with kids soon thereafter), and I have been home 99% of the time to be with them. That time is very precious. I have a fantastic job, with mostly good days at work, with a few bad ones here and there, and yes, I miss the hell out of flying too. With the age 50 retirement option, I can still go back into flying and have decades worth of slipping the surly bonds before I really turn old. That is a source of comfort for me, and it's a possibility for you too as a controller.

I'd suggest looking at your life OUTSIDE of work. If you are a pilot and controller, you are clearly a smart and capable person. Use your energy and smarts to take a hard look at your personal life. Do you have hobbies or activities that you enjoy? Creative things maybe? Friends and relationships that enrich your life? A happy and fulfilling life depends on a lot of things, not just your job. You seem young enough to switch one way or the other in terms of career, but make sure you are putting a high priority on having a life outside of work. Spending your days off alone and in front of the TV will quickly drain your soul, no matter what you do for a living. Best of luck to you. It's not easy to make those big choices in life!

A330Pilot 08-02-2015 09:22 PM

In 2007 I was a Regional FO with a class date with the FAA in Oklahoma City and an offer from my present employer a Major International Airline...Although I am happy flying all over the World, I always wonder the what if's had I accepted the ATC job which was for a level 12 Center Facility in my hometown(ARTCC)...If I were you, I would stick with ATC, fly for fun on the side, retire at age 50 with your 20 plus years of service with the FAA, enjoy the pension and then go back and fly professionally if you still have the itch...If I had the option today, that's exactly what I would do minus the part about flying professionally after retiring from the FAA..Its extremely difficult to get hired in the FAA as an ATC, much harder than landing a Major Airline Pilot job so you should feel good about that...Once you are a CPC, you can switch facilities and train for the facility of your choice, there are many options as you already know so I personally would never give that up for a flying job...The retirement and benefits are unmatched and you will retire fairly young to enjoy many decades of those benefits assuming you live to the average age of death...Now, if you absolutely hate it then go for flying because that's just not your cup of tea...I would really think hard about not leaving ATC...Good luck!

scubaash 08-25-2016 04:04 PM

Any thoughts given the status of mass retirements and flow to the majors seeming to be good?

PerfInit 08-25-2016 05:08 PM

Right now things are great, low ticket prices, low oil prices, lots of retirements. However be advised, Aviation is a cyclical industry. Talk to those that have been through an economic downturn, oil prices through the roof, multiple furloughs, dissolved pensions and terrorist activity that occurred in the last airline "bubble" to get their honest opinion... Then decide if the risk is worth the "potential" golden ring of the majors. We Should also mention the possibility of unexpected medical issues that could ground an otherwise healthy pilot. Is a bird in the hand more valuable than one (or two) in the bush? Only you can make that decision.

ToastAir 08-25-2016 05:42 PM


Originally Posted by scubaash (Post 2188499)
Any thoughts given the status of mass retirements and flow to the majors seeming to be good?

I'm guessing you stuck with ATC for now. Sorry I didn't see your post from a while ago. I retired almost 2 years ago. Ended up at a part 121 commuting. Had family issues and needed to resign. Having the retirement income and benefits made that decision much easier. Things are resolved and I will be starting back next month with a different regional based where I live. Stress level during training, etc was much less because I already have an income. You are young and if the urge to fly is really strong I'd say do it now before you are too vested at ATC. Just remember what others said about the cyclical nature of this business. Only a few years ago there were a lot of people on furlough. I did plenty of flying during my ATC carreer as a CFI, banner tow, etc. I think I have been very blessed to get the best of both. PM me if you want more input.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:18 PM.


User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Website Copyright ©2000 - 2017 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands