Originally Posted by HwkrPlt

Aside from pay, what's so great about being an airline captain?

Originally Posted by MudhammedCJ

12 days a month worked before vacation and sick leave. 38 days less than your 7/7 schedule. 185K at year 10 (with the ability to work as much as I want if I want to nearly double my pay - I don't). I fly 700 hours a year. A lot by 121 standards. The difference between my 700 and your 700 (if you fly the Challenger and actually block that much) is that I do mine without those extra 38 days spent rotting in a chair at Signature.

26K company contribution to my 401k without me putting in a dime. Profit sharing (economy dependent - not guaranteed) about 23K this past year. Zero premium time flying to get these numbers. Captain upgrade is about 10 years at the moment. It should come down a little for the guys hired after me.

The question is, do you cut your losses and go 121? Or do you hold out hope you'll get to fly with your favorite captain and still work 38 to 70 days more per year for roughly what an FO makes in the 121 world? This is in no way trying to brag. Go to UPS, Delta, United, or Fedex and you'll kill my pay numbers at year 10. Hell, go to American and you'll likely be a wide body captain by year 10.

Airline jobs have had huge ups and downs over the years with pay cuts and furloughs. It could happen again any day. But at this particular point in time it has never looked better to make that leap of faith. At worst, you will likely break even and get to work a little less. And don't forget that at the end of a trip you walk off the airplane without lifting a finger in the back. No cleaning, no dealing with catering, no finding that lost transportation for the owner, no dumping lavs, etc. You just walk away. If you have to commute, that is a downside. But not enough to talk yourself out of this side of the fence. The time is now. Stop putting it off. Get those applications in.

Originally Posted by Macjet

I can't imagine a 10 year FO career at NJA followed by 10 more years as an FO at WN. Some guys will literally die in the right seat.

Originally Posted by AirBear

I know, that's why I don't mind being on Med LOA. Have no intention of returning, which is good because I probably couldn't if I wanted to. At least not without sacrificing my health by going off the medication that's keeping me grounded. Since my last flight almost a year ago I've lost 35lbs, down to my lowest weight since 1989-90 time frame. Waist has gone from 38" to 34". I put in at least 4 miles on an incline trainer almost every day. Virtually stress-free life. Pay is low, but I planned and saved knowing I'd most likely have to do this one day. After Harvey Watt kicks in down the road I'll be pretty comfy.

Originally Posted by MudhammedCJ

12 days a month worked before vacation and sick leave. 38 days less than your 7/7 schedule. 185K at year 10 (with the ability to work as much as I want if I want to nearly double my pay - I don't). I fly 700 hours a year. A lot by 121 standards. .

Originally Posted by Jetlife

. When everyone can just understand and realize that you and everyone else are just glorified taxi/bus/limo drivers, the real focus can begin on what you’re actually worth. I won’t say being an airline pilot is prestigious...

Originally Posted by kingairfun

Honestly I thought SWA FO's made more than that? Not trying to start a ****ing match, but I am year 6 and am in the $220-230k range... no premium trip trades and just fly my schedule..year 10 and $180k is still nice, but not the big money I always read SWA pilots writing about.

Are the guys who "brag" about how much they make at SWA, the ones who live in base and spend their days off dropping and picking up premium trips? (I don't even pay the $12/month to get trip alerts on on trading site)

Originally Posted by kingairfun

I warned you about Netjets while you were still applying, you spent 2 years there and became a NJA knowitall, and then left a year or so ago, but post on the Netjets board ad nauseum.

If you really view being a pilot no more prestigious than bus/limo driving, then I suggest you go throw on a transit uni and go drive the city streets. Comments like these are ****ing ridiculuous.

Pretty much everyone of my non pilot friends (which is alot more than the number of pilot friends) works 9-5, mon -fri and get stoked for a 3 day weekend, or a week of vacation. The ones who make good money(100k) are typically burned out cubicle workings staring at financial numbers. The others make 50k doing manual labor...

I work half the month and get 3 days off all the time, and getting 5-7 off is pretty normally every month or so. I don't even know when my vacation is scheduled this year because I don't really even need to use it in the way 9-5ers use it.

You either have wealthy friends, parents, or haven't worked in the service or industry or witnessed much manual labor on your immediate family.

How many kids wanna visit the bus driver before a bus ride? How many parents say to their kids " their goes our bus driver".. how many adults walk up to the bus driver to start a conversation about the flight, or chit chat about their jobs?

This is a good job, in my opinion one of the best jobs you can have when you make it to the top. I often look forward to work, how many bus drivers say that? How many bank managers say that?

We're not gods, don't make millions. Aren't rock stars or pro athletes. And have to work for a living....but we are certainly not bus drivers