Diver Driver

Well, I never thought it would come to this... Basically, I just never thought I would be 'that guy'... the guy that is so fed up with how the airline industry works for hiring, furloughing cycles, mainline whipsawing jets against it's contract carriers and tired of being abused.

I think I might have finally reached the 'screw it' point in my career. I guarantee you in my 23 years of existence that it didnt take long to get there.... a little history, flashback 6 months ago: Whipsawing... yep, just learned the term. I was about to feel it first hand. Comair getting CRJ-900's. Yea right. I had a line for the first time in the 50 seater... scheduled for 70/90 differences training, life is good. Then Delta decides, nope, Pinnacle is getting these planes. Comair's reaction, furlough. And boy did they ever. My last flight was spent looking out the window at an awesome sunset from SAV-LGA on November 4th.

Ok, by now, Mesaba is getting Pinnacle's 900's (see the pattern?.... should have seen this one coming). I apply, get hired, Jan 5 CR9. Yay, life is good. In the mean time doing computer course design for a small business. Put in two weeks before Christmas. 7 days before class starts (today), voicemail: "You class has been canceled". Great. Thanks for some ADVANCED WARNING!!! 2 weeks are in at the other job, my position is being eliminated due to the 'economic climate', which is cooling as fast as the globe is. Now I have nothing. Thanks Delta.

I think it might be time to get out. I've bent over backwards and tried my best and did well as far as I can tell. Still cant catch a break. I think now is the time for that MBA or even med school. Ya, Dr's are complaining about their job... but at least they have one and are able to get one. Now, maybe I sound bitter..... but that is probably because I AM! Thanks for the vent.... </rant>

Anyway, applied for a job at OH doing some courseware development... we'll see if that pans out. Would be nice to have a decent paying job with bennies and still have recall status. We'll see, I'll keep you guys posted. Any last parting words of wisdom?

wrxpilot

Good luck! It takes awhile to find a job you like, and at 23 you certainly have time to look at other options. It's better to get out then stay in and be bitter. Go see how the rest of the world works, it's a good thing to gain perspective. Flying will always be here, and hopefully it won't be so messed up if/when you come back.

Two-percent

Age twenty-three is salad days. Just be thankful you're not forty with young children, a house-wife and a mortgage to add to the mix. Believe me, things could be much worse. This is merely a bump off the first rung. Actually, I think this is probably one of the best things that could happen (because of your age). You've already succeeded in completing your first 121 training curriculum so you know it can be accomplished. Now you have an opportunity to advance your skill-set outside of aviation so when this happens again (and it will) you will not lose everything when the stakes are much higher. There will be plenty of pilot jobs in the future.

Peace

Pielut

Never thought I would be "that guy" either but I am. Can't take the ups and downs, no pay, companies keep folding. Got out and am now on the other side and it is not bad at all. Have a decent paying stable job and a future. Will always keep the flying on the back burner just in case I have another career crisis. I learned that flying is alot more fun when you don't depend on it for a paycheck. You are young enough, no harm pursuing options, you can always go back. In my experience, I don't want to. Give me a Piper Cub on a nice clear afternoon and I am a happy guy! Good luck!

SkyHigh

I am like a broken record around here. I remember well a guy who threw in the towel at 25 and went to school to become a Dentist. At the time I thought to my self that the guy was crazy. I ran into him years later flying a Bonanza that he owned as a successful dentist.

In my career I had a few close calls as a young pilot with leaving the profession only to be saved at the last minute by a surprise flying job. My biggest regret now is that I did not get out sooner.

Pick a new course and do not look back. Once you are established in a new profession and have some options and security you might consider returning to aviation. However like someone else mentioned by then you will not want to go back.

SkyHigh

Cubdriver

Diver Driver, I have been reading about your progress too and I am profoundly sorry to hear about your frustration and desire to back out after all you did to get there. Since you are burned out and furloughed, take a vacation and get a degree as an assistant physician or whatever it is. Or, since you have a computer background maybe skip school for now and just make some money.

But I wouldn't close the door on airline flying.

1) If there is an age range and life situation appropriate to pursuing the career as an airline pilot, you are in it. In contrast, I am an over 40 guy with debts and not enough retirement bank to justify the move. I could do it but you are in a far more financially justifiable position and lifestyle for pursuing airline work and I cannot think of any demographic more suitable than yours. There are plenty of DEs and Jungles out there who love it and don't think you wouldn't love it as well.

2) If you loved flying and you must have, then you will still love it when your frustration level gets back to normal again. You will want to fly then and CFI'ing or Piper Cubbing may not be enough for you. Give it a try, the Sunday Bonanza thing is fun but some of us are meant to fly all day and such flying is not really adequate for us. We need airplanes all day long.

3) The economy will resurface eventually, and the regional airlines will spring back. It was meant to be a stepping stone anyway, remember? There have been boom times and they will return. Then you can make your move and get that ATP and all the left seat time you need.

Cheers for '09.

-Cub

bryris

I pulled out of the airline business recently as well and couldn't be happier about it.

I am beginning school again in 5 days to finish my CPA credential. I've got my books, I am enrolled, syllabuses are printed and I am ready to go. I also just recently created my own corporation into which I will grow in time. My only long term goal with accounting is to run my own practice, my way. And with the recent formation of the corporation, technically I am already a business owner. However, the company has no assets and no income right now.

This endeavor in school to finish the CPA, get some more real world experience, etc is all mission driven toward the goal of focusing entirely on running a profitable accounting company down the road. Its a good feeling to know that how I go about this, when I do it, and how big I grow it, etc is entirely up to me. Is it going to be easy? Of course not! But at least I am in the driver seat and can plan for and seize opportunities on my terms. In the airline business, its all about wait and see. What is management going to do next? Pilots are just pawns on the corporate chessboard. Wouldn't it be better to be on the other side of the fence?

One other point:

I am an aeroholic. I love this stuff and have an unending thirst for aviation. However, I have slowly come to the realization that my obsession was actually crippling me as a person. I spent more time longing to fly and basically being unsatisfied with my current situation (whatever it was at the time) as regards aviation than I did actually enjoying it.

My point is that there are so many other things in life worth pursuing. I just recently picked music back up. I'm practicing everyday and having a blast learning new things and figuring out new pieces to play and practicing is free! Exercising is free and can be done with no strings attached. Go build a remote control airplane model or work on a vehicle.

There are so many pursuits out there that bring a smile to my face, I am learning (always a work in progress) to merely add aviation as one of many worthy pursuits and not something whose lack of sufficient quantity drives me to lose sight of other important things - time at home, simplicity of driving to work, not being a part time dad, and basically having control over where my life goes and when it gets there.

And lastly, I have found a part time flight instructing job to do while in school. Things are slow, but I am averaging about 6-8 hours a week right now. I always knew that general aviation is where my heart lied. Getting back into a small airplane and flying around at 2-3k feet with a sectional in my lap is much more satisfying to me than airline flying - but maybe I can I only truly appreciate it like I do after having experienced the 121 gig. Who knows?

Best of luck.

MIKE JG

I would trade shoes with you in a heartbeat. Seriously, to be 23 again and have the whole world and my whole life in front of me, un-married with no mortgage to tie you down. Oh those were the days I tell you.......

Tons of jobs overseas right now. Go see the world for a couple of years, add to your logbook and wait out this recession with a good flying job while the rest of us fight for the scraps.

I know that's easier said than done but if I were in your shoes, that would be my plan right now.

Good luck either way. Good luck to us all.

HAPPP NEW YEAR!

Cubdriver

In another 18 months I am going to be debt free, no mortgage, single and a bit eager to do something new. Can you be a little more specific as to what doors you would knock on if you were to, and the minimum experience levels required by them? I am a <1000 hours CFI with no turbine experience. I would venture a guess even the most liberal foreign airlines in India and China etc. would require a 737 or Airbus type to even look at my application.

chongololo

Good luck Diver, and good choice too.