Antney

I posted this earlier this year and had some really good post and PM. I am still so torn in making a come back to the industry. My last 121 flight was in 2004 on Saab 340 for Chicago Express (first officer). I left back then since the industry or at least my airline was very stagnant, I did not like staying in hotel for 3 or 4 nights a week but looking back I am not sure if this was due to me being 22, working a lot of weekends and maybe having my priorities wrong and just franly burnt out. I starting flying senior in high school and was dead set on being at a Major by 27. Probably got influenced by all my friends making big money in the real estate boom, going out on weekends having fun and honestly I did want to have a family and thought being gone would be too hard to make that work.

Now my situation is I am part owner in a construction company, I make mid six figures with a lot of nice perks and bonus that can vary each year from $0 to $200,000. Company paid country club, company paid car, all gas and food is paid throughout the year. Now I work my butt off, at the office at 7am-530pm and I am always working either by phone calls, emails or doing something at my home office. The plus side is I have a very flexible schedule in the sense I can take the kids to school if want, leave whenever I want if the family needs me, really unlimited vacation or sick time. I can leave on my own accord when I want but need to keep it in perspective for the company to still be successful, summer time I golf too much!

I have been told before to go back into flight instruction or some other form of part time flying. This would be not a bad idea, maybe my only choice. There is still something about airline flying that attracts me so much more than GA flying. Maybe I am nuts and maybe I just forgot how it really was since its almost 12 years ago. I do know the industry is better than its ever been since I have been in it.

I do have 4 kids, all under 9 years old. I have to be careful that this choice is not a selfish choice, to me to make up the salary on what I have now to what it will take in the airline business might be from 5-7 years, am I wrong to think that ( I know its based upon what airline you pick and timing is everything)?

Just really curious what others think, I am really sitting 50/50 on this move.

yimke

You're making 200k and at home every night with wife and kids. I think your decision is made. Buy a small airplane and fly for fun/ flight instruct. This job is NOWHERE near as glamorous as it used to be. Many would kill to be in your position.

yeahbutstill

If you have to ask, you prob already know the answer. I think you're looking for reassurance which probably isn't something you will find on this forum