It probably would not be professional for me to name the company, but it is a nationwide flight school. As far as I can remember, none of our advertising ever hinted at the possibility of retirements. I do remember discussing the future of the business over dinner with the President of the company, and he discussed the retirement wave with excitement for the opportunities that it would create for everyone. I was never instructed to discuss the retirements with potential career students at my school.
Although I thought there was much room for improvement at that company, I do think that they were NOT deceptive in their advertising (unlike another national flight school that used to actually "guarantee" airline jobs, now they just guarantee interviews).
I just felt like a sucker for a moment there because I feel too old to be stuck at "entry level" for a long time. 33/almost 34 is not very old, but I don't want to spend the rest of my younger years paying dues for something that has no future. I love flying tremendously, but I just don't want to be poor for ten years. If I finish my MBA, than maybe I can get a more secure job and just buy my own plane. Maybe with the combination of my aviation management experience and my growing flight experience I should seek a job as a 135 manager? That's why I am on this forum - to get feedback to make an informed decision.

Wow Rick, you really ran with that one, didn't you?

So what if I rephrase, it. Instead of "A LOT", just make it "you will ALSO have to compete with military pilots".

Is that more to your liking? I never said "hordes".

Nobody wants to be poor for ten years, and you may not be. But ask yourself "What If..." before you quit your day job.

I love flying too, but I'm currently "paying" $213.79 per hour of CRJ time. If/When I make Captain I'll start paying $12.50 per hour. This worthless number is based on my old income (2000) minus my current airline income and divided by my time in the CRJ. You can work the numbers a dozen ways and you'll still be rolling the dice...

I like my job because it's easy going, requires little physical activity, flexible on schedules, and obviously the travel benefits. Overall it's a super easy job once your butt hits the seat. I like how it does manage to test your skills from time to time keeping you sharp. You have the option to make it as easy or difficult as you'd like.

What I don't like is the beginning FO pay and not being based at home. However the later is my own choice. Overall life has been great and I have no reason to wish I did something else. I might start a business or two and possible give up commercial aviation one day. However I'll never quit flying. It's been too much of a blast.

The grass is always greener on the other side though. When I worked on the ranch I wanted to fly and now that I spend my time flying I wish I was able to work on the ranch more and spend more time hunting and fishing.

Aww Kalyx I wouldn't say that. I don't think we're merely transporting people from point A to point B. We're bringing familes across the country together for weddings, funerals, graduations, etc. Perhaps we're the unseen instrument in the multi million dollar business deal that was closed only when the two parties met in person. The list goes on. Everyone who boards an airplane does so for a reason...and most of the times, for quite significant reasons. To imply that our jobs make no difference in people's lives is a terrible affront to our profession. Unlike other professions (doctor, police officer, etc.) that receive immediate feedback from people requiring their services, we often do not know the end result of doing our jobs. But simply take a few moments and look around the baggage claim next time you finish a trip, and see if you can find the lady waiting for her husband to return home, or the grandparents waiting for the grandkids...all possible because we decided to show up to work that day.

Read on
 

I just kept reading post after post of nearly the exact same complaints and observations that I have had about aviation. My posts are not all that different from what many others here have written.

No pay.

Lack of job satisfaction.

Destruction of personal life.

Dead -End profession.

It is not your imagination. The grass is greener.

Skyhigh

DONT get into airline flying. You'd be amazed, a 6 month regional FO complain about the same things as a 20 year mainline CA. Don't get me wrong, I still think this is the best job you can have, exciting, you meet many people. Not the same as your 9-5 job with the same coworkers for the next decade. However, it's such a selfish profession and it's just bad for family and personal life. I think most of us put up with the BS because it's all worth it when you close the doors and get ready to blast off into the sky in you CRJ or 747, but the reality is that you can pretty much get the same satisfaction by flying a 172, you don't need to be an airline pilot.

Everyone has valid comments. I left the military when the majors were starting to furlough. Ended up at 13K a year with a group of fellow mil drivers at COEX. All of us have moved on to bigger iron. I was about your age leaving the Military. Was it worth it? Imagine all in my original class would say yes. Was it all easy? Nope. No job is, so it was a wash in my book.
I have a disease that is only fulfilled by flying airplanes for a living <bg>. I accept the pitfalls as I would if I was an accountant I suppose.
I say give it a whirl as you already have demonstrated the disease and should follow a professional flying career in the cockpit. That may be 135, 121 etc. At least you won't be saying "I wish I had...." If it doesn't work out, you will suceed anyway just like Skyhigh since we are generally successful and self starting folks. Best of luck.

I call BS. I know that a 20+ mainline CA is not complaining about the same issues. You are whining.

It is a great treat to have the thrust and the power behind you. Go work for a living.

Wear boots and pour concrete for less wage and many time the work.

This industry will never be what it once was but it is still the greatest job out there. It is convoluted by a generation that thinks they are entitled.

Go get a real job and work for a living. I grew up with this and live it.

I dunno about that... go over to the CARGO forum.. and the Brown and Purple guys complain just as much or more as the guys here..

I do know that AA's youngest pilot currently on line is 33..... hell they have tons of 20 year FO's over there.... and I believe in MIA may even have a 29 year FO on the 777...... but i bet his QOL is "A" number 1.