Who Here is Actively looking to get out?
04-15-2010, 10:27 AM
#141
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: CRJ-200 FO
Posts: 57
Originally Posted by JetJock16
I just want everyone who reads this threat to understand that only you can lead your life and only you can make your decisions. Whatever you decide I hope it works out for the best but whatever happens only you can take responsibility for it. Educate others so they can make a more informed decision but don't persuade because what's not right for you might be right for them and 2 paths are never the same.
Good day all.
My sentimates exactly. Well Put!!
04-15-2010, 10:55 AM
#142
Tuk er jerbs!
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: B747 Left
Posts: 1,342
Originally Posted by JetJock16
The wisdom of those who have been there. Thanx Tom, I truly mean that.
I’m on 5th year EMB-120 (only 30 seats) CA pay and last year I average 14 days off/month as a composite line-holder, currently I’m a guaranteed line-holder. I don’t pick up open time and I drop as much as I can to make my commute easier, although I do help out other CA’s and pick their posted flying up whenever it complements my schedule. Because of that I averaged 93.2 hours/month and in 09 I grossed $66,921, all with EVERY holiday I wanted off (4th, X-mas, Thanksgiving, anniversaries, B-Days and 2 long vacations), not bad for a junior 30 seat Turbo-Prop Captain (note: $67K is only descent for a 30 seat JR TP CA).
I also have a horrible commute, yes several pilots I’ve flown with have it worse but commuting from ATL to FAT (2 legs/transcon) with a beautiful wife, 4 year old daughter and a 2 month only daughter sure does wear you down. In all fairness I haven’t touched an airplane in 8 weeks (FMLA 2 month old girl/errrrrr vacation from the commute) but I head back to work on Friday the 16th. I DO NOT regret taking the upgrade and I truly believe it will pay off for me sooner rather than later. I live in ATL and my app is in at AirTran and I have several recs at DAL. I’m not delusional about pay and I understand the industry very well seeing that I’m a second generation airline pilot. I also have an opportunity to leave the airlines and join the corporate world flying international although that position won’t open up until the early part of 2011. In my mind whatever comes first.
In other words, I have NO desire to leave this industry. I posses a BS and have 5 years of high sales experience with countless awards that I gained before joining SKW. I would gladly take my life now over my 70+ hour weeks with high stress and no time off. Even if I had time off I found myself always thinking about tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, my employees, my boss and my customers with anxiety. I now love my time off and that I can walk away without ever looking back. I also love the random schedules; to put it clearly, this life is for me. But if my airline career comes to an end I’m very glad I have a solid foundation to fall back on.
I just want everyone who reads this threat to understand that only you can lead your life and only you can make your decisions. Whatever you decide I hope it works out for the best but whatever happens only you can take responsibility for it. Educate others so they can make a more informed decision but don't persuade because what's not right for you might be right for them and 2 paths are never the same.
Good day all.
I’m on 5th year EMB-120 (only 30 seats) CA pay and last year I average 14 days off/month as a composite line-holder, currently I’m a guaranteed line-holder. I don’t pick up open time and I drop as much as I can to make my commute easier, although I do help out other CA’s and pick their posted flying up whenever it complements my schedule. Because of that I averaged 93.2 hours/month and in 09 I grossed $66,921, all with EVERY holiday I wanted off (4th, X-mas, Thanksgiving, anniversaries, B-Days and 2 long vacations), not bad for a junior 30 seat Turbo-Prop Captain (note: $67K is only descent for a 30 seat JR TP CA).
I also have a horrible commute, yes several pilots I’ve flown with have it worse but commuting from ATL to FAT (2 legs/transcon) with a beautiful wife, 4 year old daughter and a 2 month only daughter sure does wear you down. In all fairness I haven’t touched an airplane in 8 weeks (FMLA 2 month old girl/errrrrr vacation from the commute) but I head back to work on Friday the 16th. I DO NOT regret taking the upgrade and I truly believe it will pay off for me sooner rather than later. I live in ATL and my app is in at AirTran and I have several recs at DAL. I’m not delusional about pay and I understand the industry very well seeing that I’m a second generation airline pilot. I also have an opportunity to leave the airlines and join the corporate world flying international although that position won’t open up until the early part of 2011. In my mind whatever comes first.
In other words, I have NO desire to leave this industry. I posses a BS and have 5 years of high sales experience with countless awards that I gained before joining SKW. I would gladly take my life now over my 70+ hour weeks with high stress and no time off. Even if I had time off I found myself always thinking about tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, my employees, my boss and my customers with anxiety. I now love my time off and that I can walk away without ever looking back. I also love the random schedules; to put it clearly, this life is for me. But if my airline career comes to an end I’m very glad I have a solid foundation to fall back on.
I just want everyone who reads this threat to understand that only you can lead your life and only you can make your decisions. Whatever you decide I hope it works out for the best but whatever happens only you can take responsibility for it. Educate others so they can make a more informed decision but don't persuade because what's not right for you might be right for them and 2 paths are never the same.
Good day all.
Question though: How long did you sit in the right seat before upgrade? Chances are, if you had a relatively quick upgrade your experience and outlook toward the industry is much different from a guy looking at years and years to the left seat.
04-15-2010, 11:20 AM
#144
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 30
Originally Posted by PBSG
When I used to bartend years ago we had a crazy guy always hanging out there. He once told me "Dont ever let your job pimp you". I'm not sure why but that's always stuck with me. Now when I deal with idiot gate agents, ghetto FAs, moronic crew schedulers and overall dumb people I always think of that saying. After all, they won't etch my flight time or type ratings on my tombstone. Hopefully they'll say "Loving father, husband and friend", not "He was able to hold weekends off".
04-15-2010, 11:42 AM
#145
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,530
Originally Posted by Trip7
I'm also wondering of those who are actively seeking to get out, how many have work experience in another field?
The only thing keeping people flying is the actual love for it, if you take that away, there's no job satisfaction, no benefits, low pay and all the rest of it. That's why people are leaving. The juice isn't worth the squeeze.
04-15-2010, 12:19 PM
#146
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,415
Originally Posted by Purpleanga
Why does it matter? The point is they're sick of this one.
The only thing keeping people flying is the actual love for it, if you take that away, there's no job satisfaction, no benefits, low pay and all the rest of it. That's why people are leaving. The juice isn't worth the squeeze.
The only thing keeping people flying is the actual love for it, if you take that away, there's no job satisfaction, no benefits, low pay and all the rest of it. That's why people are leaving. The juice isn't worth the squeeze.
But like someone put it earlier, only you can know what you want to do with your life and what makes you happy. Some people are very comfortable and happy flying airplanes in the current environment, some aren't. The best advice is to purse a choice that will make you happy and improve your QOL. But be careful, the grass may not be as green on the other side as it appears
04-15-2010, 12:28 PM
#147
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 307
Actively looking to get out of this country's airline industry. Still want to fly, just not here. It's obvious my career would be better elsewhere.
Also actively trying to improve my home based small business. It boarders on irresponsibility to solely rely on an aviation career these days.
My advice to any prospective career pilot. Do not get an aviation degree. Or at least minor in aviation and major in something more portable.
Also actively trying to improve my home based small business. It boarders on irresponsibility to solely rely on an aviation career these days.
My advice to any prospective career pilot. Do not get an aviation degree. Or at least minor in aviation and major in something more portable.
04-15-2010, 12:29 PM
#148
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: A-320
Posts: 6,929
Originally Posted by BoilerUP
This hyperbolic rant, more than any of your other posts, reflects a grossly unmet expectation.
How would your perspective be different if you had upgraded and were currently a reserve CA in EWR? What about if you were a lineholdier CA? How about if you had stayed at Colgan and now were a EWR Q400 CA?
Would you still be miserable in any of those circumstances?
How would your perspective be different if you had upgraded and were currently a reserve CA in EWR? What about if you were a lineholdier CA? How about if you had stayed at Colgan and now were a EWR Q400 CA?
Would you still be miserable in any of those circumstances?
04-15-2010, 12:31 PM
#149
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: EMB120 CA
Posts: 299
Originally Posted by NightIP
Good post.
Question though: How long did you sit in the right seat before upgrade? Chances are, if you had a relatively quick upgrade your experience and outlook toward the industry is much different from a guy looking at years and years to the left seat.
Question though: How long did you sit in the right seat before upgrade? Chances are, if you had a relatively quick upgrade your experience and outlook toward the industry is much different from a guy looking at years and years to the left seat.
04-15-2010, 12:36 PM
#150
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: A-320
Posts: 6,929
Originally Posted by gearcrankr
Joey Meatballs
Have you looked into something else? Friends?Family?Business Brokers? local chamber of commerce meeting? Opportunities exist you just have to find them. It is possible to stumble onto something (motivated seller due to death, divorce or retirement. Some business owners just want to throttle back) Good luck and good due diligence. The best deal is a sh1tty one you didnt make...
Have you looked into something else? Friends?Family?Business Brokers? local chamber of commerce meeting? Opportunities exist you just have to find them. It is possible to stumble onto something (motivated seller due to death, divorce or retirement. Some business owners just want to throttle back) Good luck and good due diligence. The best deal is a sh1tty one you didnt make...
Also whoever said take a look at salary.com, I don't care what you read, everyone around me (except for those I work with) makes close to, if not well over 100k/year, and IT, or middle management is not in their job description.
Some of you guys are calling me preachy, or me being guilty of "hyperbolic rants", it is what it is, I am just sharing how I feel and looking for input from those who have obviously felt the same
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