3.5 yrs out of the airlines - Update
06-23-2008, 06:15 PM
#1
Furloughed Again?!
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: Boeing 737
Posts: 4,795
3.5 yrs out of the airlines - Update
Well, it's been 3 and a half years since I last put on an airline uniform. It's been 6 since I last sat in the cockpit of a 737 working for a major airline. With the introduction of the "leaving the career" section, I thought it appropriate to update you on my decision in case it helps anyone else.
Last August I was finally recalled by US Airways. After much deliberation, hours upon hours talking with my wife, my friends, my family, coworkers, etc. I elected to stay in corporate aviation. From time to time over the last year or so I have felt some regret over that decision. Shadows of shiny-jet-syndrome that occasionally pop-up.
But at the end of the day, I think i'm better off than I was before. Had I gone back to the airlines I would undoubtedly have been junior reserve for a long, long time. (If I managed to remain employed through this downturn). That would mean weekends, holidays, and special occasions spent on trips or in crashpads. (Seriously -- would you have moved to Philly?)
Here I make decent money. Not getting rich, but not starving either. I am home most nights. At most I spend 4 or 5 nights a month away from home. I spend nearly every weekend at home, and have not worked a major holiday since i've been here. I am usually on the ground by 17:30, walking in my door by 18:00 -- in time to play with my son for a while before his 19:30 bedtime. The equipment is maintained well, and the other pilots are a pretty good group of talented and safety conscious people.
What i've learned is that there is more to life than an airline career. Although I never expected to take this turn, here I am... and I really don't miss the airline lifestyle much. In a way I feel like the airlines were a single man's job. This job is much better suited to a family.
So 6 and a half years since my major airline furlough... and 3 and a half years since I gave up on the airlines and left my last airline job -- i'm doing ok. It was not a life altering event. I don't feel as though I gave up on my dream... I just modified it a little bit.
Good luck to all considering leaving the hat and stripes behind. I know it's a tough decision and if anyone ever wants to talk about how I made it, feel free to drop me a PM.
-Zap
Former 737...Former DC9...Former CRJ...Former D328...Former SF340...Former J31...
...Current Learjet pilot.
Last August I was finally recalled by US Airways. After much deliberation, hours upon hours talking with my wife, my friends, my family, coworkers, etc. I elected to stay in corporate aviation. From time to time over the last year or so I have felt some regret over that decision. Shadows of shiny-jet-syndrome that occasionally pop-up.
But at the end of the day, I think i'm better off than I was before. Had I gone back to the airlines I would undoubtedly have been junior reserve for a long, long time. (If I managed to remain employed through this downturn). That would mean weekends, holidays, and special occasions spent on trips or in crashpads. (Seriously -- would you have moved to Philly?)
Here I make decent money. Not getting rich, but not starving either. I am home most nights. At most I spend 4 or 5 nights a month away from home. I spend nearly every weekend at home, and have not worked a major holiday since i've been here. I am usually on the ground by 17:30, walking in my door by 18:00 -- in time to play with my son for a while before his 19:30 bedtime. The equipment is maintained well, and the other pilots are a pretty good group of talented and safety conscious people.
What i've learned is that there is more to life than an airline career. Although I never expected to take this turn, here I am... and I really don't miss the airline lifestyle much. In a way I feel like the airlines were a single man's job. This job is much better suited to a family.
So 6 and a half years since my major airline furlough... and 3 and a half years since I gave up on the airlines and left my last airline job -- i'm doing ok. It was not a life altering event. I don't feel as though I gave up on my dream... I just modified it a little bit.
Good luck to all considering leaving the hat and stripes behind. I know it's a tough decision and if anyone ever wants to talk about how I made it, feel free to drop me a PM.
-Zap
Former 737...Former DC9...Former CRJ...Former D328...Former SF340...Former J31...
...Current Learjet pilot.
06-25-2008, 08:08 AM
#6
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 62
I think your story is one that we should all take to heart. The fact that you didn't continue with your 121 career and stayed on the corp. side shows that your were flexable and accepted the changes that your flying career gave you.
A furlough is not the end of a flying career. It seems to me that others don't take it that way.
A furlough is not the end of a flying career. It seems to me that others don't take it that way.
07-02-2008, 02:46 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 744 CA
Posts: 4,772
My story is a bit like Zaps.... though different....
7 years flying the herc.....
followed by 3 years flying an ATR.....
followed by 12 years OUT of the business....
Today I commute to ATL for my last 121 trip on the E170...
in 10 days or so I start training in the Citation Encore for a corp outfit with 5 of them..... no commuting, pay is decent, ......QOL is what it is about.
7 years flying the herc.....
followed by 3 years flying an ATR.....
followed by 12 years OUT of the business....
Today I commute to ATL for my last 121 trip on the E170...
in 10 days or so I start training in the Citation Encore for a corp outfit with 5 of them..... no commuting, pay is decent, ......QOL is what it is about.
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