pilotpete711

Just furloughed.

I had plenty of things to complain about at my former (regional) airline, but I choose to look on the bright side. I have never held a line, spent my entire time on reserve... and those times when I had to wait 7 hours for maintenance, then still fly my legs really sucked. And when "screw" scheduling conferenced in the chief pilot because I was calling in sick with the flu (and fever of 104F) was insulting. And wow did it suck when I looked at my first paycheck and thought "where's the other half?"... but here's my viewpoint:

Flying has always been my dream... I don't care about the $100k+ debt, nasty management and negative brainwashing. I'm not going to give up my dream.

I will not be changing careers unless I have to for medical reasons. I have more than 30 years before I have to retire (assuming the 65 rule) and I will probably be furloughed a few more times, but let's look outside our little world for a second. Are other industries immune to layoffs? How about downsizing (or "Right Sizing")? It happens in every other industry as well, don't think the grass is greener. There's no such thing as "job security"...that disappeared in the 1950's, so I say you might as well do what you enjoy.

Just for the record, I don't have SJS (Shiny Jet Syndrome). The airline gig is not my first job. I worked in a factory, hotel front desk, a marina, hell I've even gardened and sold swimsuits! I've also worked as a corporate executive, yet the most fun and fulfilling job I've had has been as an airline pilot... even with all the shenanigans they've pulled on me!

So, remember how aviation goes in cycles? This apparently is a down swing. It will eventually get better, and then it'll get worse again... and so on.

I'll be right here adjusting my crab angle.
-PilotPete711

LastTraintoMEM

Government! That's what I have been doing for the last 4 years since furloughed. You wont get rich, but they NEVER lay off or downsize. Oh, it sucks! And I am always looking for that flying job, but it's hard to find a good job in aviation that I can justify leaving a steady paycheck and good benefits for. There are flying jobs for the government also, both locally and federally. Just hard to get.