Thats the problem. I don't really know.

I would enjoy doing Financial stuff or something related to computers... Unfortunately, my degree is not related to either.

Thanks Tony, I know my son will be thanking me for being there for him. I feel for those guys/gals still in the fight trying to get the job done day after day. Still can't help but look up at the sky when a jet fly's over and wonder what the crew is doing... or for that matter when's the last time they saw their family.

do u guys have a sim training facility nearby? I left the fracs to become an instructor. I find it enjoyable, and you don't need your cfi to be current, or need a ground instructor rating. after a while, you can probably find local contract work, etc. Just a suggestion. everyone on here feels it's either flying or a cubicle. not always the case. Oh, but I still have a cubicle but only spend about an hour a day in it. I never work in the middle of the night, and will match my qol with just about any good flying job. Sorry NJA, even you guys! Yes I miss flying sometimes, especially when talking about that flow increasing valve in ground school again, or telling a student in the sim to maintain pitch!

Same boat I'm in. I want out. I have friends in both those fields who are making superb incomes and are home every night. But, my degree is aviation, as is nearly all my work history. Doh! Honestly, it's the only reason I'm still flying - lack of direction to exit.

There's Flight Safety facility nearby, but I have no experience on the a/c they train on. Doh! again.

I understand. I left aviation in 2004. Nobody was hiring and I thought that it was the end of aviation as it was before. Continuing seemed pointless. Many of my friends and fellow instructors that stuck with it are now captains at various regionals. It appears that many individuals, such as yourself, are in the same dilema that I was in four years ago. Everyone keeps saying the same thing that I said after 9/11: "Yeah, it was bad before, but this time it's different." Well, guess what, it isn't! It's the same stuff as before only this time the problem is gas and the economy and not terrorists and the economy.

So, I took my Aeronautical Science degree and got into real estate. First in property management (managed about 6m in cash and 600+ units) and now in sales. Still making a good amount of cash even in this market. Am I happy? Not really. I stare at a computer screen for hours on end and write emails. I work about 60 to 80 hours a week.

I wish I could trade with you for a year so you could see how it is on the outside. Aviation gets in your blood. You can get out and you will probably be happy for a few years like I was. But then when things turn around and you see where you would have been had you stayed put through all of this you may regret it. If you do, you can borrow my shoe to kick yourself (assuming I'm done kicking myself).

Aviation certainly isn't for everyone, but only you can make that determination.

Just thought I would give you another angle to think about.

What if I had.....
 

Just about everybody kicks himself over his career choice from time to time. All it takes is attending a college reunion and seeing one classmate who appears to be doing better than you. But keep in mind that he will probably go home and kick himself too. ;)

You said it brother. My son makes all the difference in the world to me too

I think I'm just tired of the lifestyle. Relationships don't work so well with pilots and being gone all the time.

There are lots of things you can't 'enjoy' being gone so much.

Can't say I'd miss job loss possibility associated with: medical every 6 months, PC every 6 months, line check, FAA.

I like flying but, its too much stress with the unknown.

The whole seniority/union thing in the airlines is screwed up.
Example: Union workers get paid the same rate for what work they do, not by what company they work for.
Will you ever see a nurse who's been with the company 10 years working 10 days and month and a new nurse working 20 days a month? No, both will work the same amount, one will get paid more....

"A pilot should never get into a position that is totally dependent on income from an airline. Barry Schiff"

Time for me to get out..ha

All those items were a factor in my leaving. Everyone wants a job they can love and flying is that for all of us. But whats the point if you never have a social life, see your friends and family? At some point, we as people have to ask ourselves is our QOL more valuable than our view during work hours. I'd rather say I hate my job but come home to my family everynight, than say I love the view at FL370 and stare at the tv in my hotel on the overnight while my family is hundreds if not thousands of miles away. The lifestyle is obviously more suited for the single guys/gals out there.

Then again teaching in a sim and being home everynight sounds pretty pimp! :) Time to go job hunting...