Fair winds my fellow aviators....
 

I am hanging up the headset for a gun belt. I was laid off earlier this month because my boss found out I was considering other employment. They were looking to cut payroll so I basically gave them a reason. As it turns out I was offered a job with a police department in the Dallas area. I have to say aviation is one of the most unforgiving careers when the economy goes bad.(Which from research is about every 10 years) I have been flying for a living since 2004. My salary started at 12k and ended at 50k. I have had two companies close the doors on me, which sent me looking for employment. Nothing is ever stable in aviation. As much as I love flying I can't put my family with that burden for the rest of my career. However, thats not to say that I didn't have some of the best times of my life, because I did! But for me there are more important things in life than the thrill and enjoyment of flying professionally. Good luck to all those who choose to stay. I do not recommend this profession as a career, MAKE IT YOUR HOBBY! However, if you can't stay away go fly helicopters!

Good Luck,
mdt301

Might that not be an option for you, too (?) ...


... if they've got some.

It sucks, I won't lie. Its like the hot sexy mistress that you cannot quite get your mind off of, but yet who will totally wreck your life if you continue involvement with her.

In the Dallas area there are about 5 or so PD's hiring right now. Dallas police is hiring 400 this year. That is supposed to continue for several years... From what I have seen oddly enough the PD's are not getting anymore applicants than usual, not sure why though.

I don't recall his name, but one of the Me-163 pilots was quoted in a book about the program and described that aircraft in just that way. :)

Good luck in yor new persuit.....Fair winds to you

Update
 

[QUOTE=mdt301;569486]I am hanging up the headset for a gun belt. I was laid off earlier this month because my boss found out I was considering other employment. They were looking to cut payroll so I basically gave them a reason. As it turns out I was offered a job with a police department in the Dallas area. I have to say aviation is one of the most unforgiving careers when the economy goes bad.(Which from research is about every 10 years) I have been flying for a living since 2004. My salary started at 12k and ended at 50k. I have had two companies close the doors on me, which sent me looking for employment. Nothing is ever stable in aviation. As much as I love flying I can't put my family with that burden for the rest of my career. However, thats not to say that I didn't have some of the best times of my life, because I did! But for me there are more important things in life than the thrill and enjoyment of flying professionally. Good luck to all those who choose to stay. I do not recommend this profession as a career, MAKE IT YOUR HOBBY! However, if you can't stay away go fly helicopters!

Currently in the third and final phase of training of becoming a police officer. I must say there are a lot of similarities between aviation and being a cop i.e. knowledge, stress level, training all the time and studying. But I must say I have been happy, it's nice to have a schedule and not to be worried about getting laid off (at least in my case). The wife and I have been very happy with the change. Oddly enough I really have not missed flying all that much, which is strange for me because I really love aviation. I have plans to continue flying, maybe trying to do some CFI work. Good luck to all those who stay. FYI currently at FL350 using WiFi on a AA, flight this is pretty cool!

mdt301

Nice to see your udate.
Congrat on your new career. I was just looking around on APC... to see other pilots leaving the industry. After 10 yrs of 2 regional flying, I am giving it up also. Like you, I love flying but it doesn't pay the bills or enough to raise 2 kids. Some stuffs I would miss, but there are lots of things that I won't. Good luck to you and be safe.

Just curious, what is the age cutoff for most law enforcement positions? Seems like about 35 years old from what I can see.

I think I would enjoy law enforcement but I may be too late at 36 years old.

Most sheriff's dept's i've looked into have a minimum age of 19, but no MAX age. I've heard of guys in their 40's/50's going through the academy.