Hangin up my wings
03-30-2011, 02:27 PM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: 737 CA
Posts: 64
Originally Posted by alpar80
Thank you for the complement. I start my new job tomorrow at 5 am working in the city for the union and am finished at 2 pm, home with the kids by 3. This is a new way of life for me however, it will pay about 50 % more than what I was making, it allows for fully paid health care through the union along with a pension to retire on making 8k a month in my pocket after 25 yrs. I have many family members in this line of work who are quite successful and proud to be union, I am fortunate to have this token in my pocket.
As for flying it is something I had to do and was lucky to have gone as far as I did with it. I got a lot of experience and met great people I will never forget along with great places. If I were to do it over, I would have forgone the heavy loan and pt 141 schooling and went the route of the military. Not only do you get a chance to serve your country, you get paid to learn! I still have aspirations of serving my country however, I believe that flying is something that I will keep in my back pocket and if I do it again, it will be with my kids for pleasure or possibly on an "on call" basis with my old company to help them out when they are busy. I may not be in "love" with my new job but, it will pay me a wage that will offer a comfortable way of life and allow myself and my family a chance to experience things that they deserve. My love affair with aviation was for the freedom that it allows. Flying for a carrier for me was more or less a passion that offered a false reality in terms of a way of life. It may be for a single guy with no overhead but, for me, I woke up after being basically choked out by the low pay and living on the road and hung up my wings.
So here I go off to the 9-5 and I will not look back. Thank you Wilbur, Orville and God for giving me the chance to experience something so outstanding. Now I will be on the ground looking up at everyone at FL380 knowing that was me at one time, and I will keep my mouth shut knowing what I know and continue to work for my family. I will be home tonight. It was real!
As for flying it is something I had to do and was lucky to have gone as far as I did with it. I got a lot of experience and met great people I will never forget along with great places. If I were to do it over, I would have forgone the heavy loan and pt 141 schooling and went the route of the military. Not only do you get a chance to serve your country, you get paid to learn! I still have aspirations of serving my country however, I believe that flying is something that I will keep in my back pocket and if I do it again, it will be with my kids for pleasure or possibly on an "on call" basis with my old company to help them out when they are busy. I may not be in "love" with my new job but, it will pay me a wage that will offer a comfortable way of life and allow myself and my family a chance to experience things that they deserve. My love affair with aviation was for the freedom that it allows. Flying for a carrier for me was more or less a passion that offered a false reality in terms of a way of life. It may be for a single guy with no overhead but, for me, I woke up after being basically choked out by the low pay and living on the road and hung up my wings.
So here I go off to the 9-5 and I will not look back. Thank you Wilbur, Orville and God for giving me the chance to experience something so outstanding. Now I will be on the ground looking up at everyone at FL380 knowing that was me at one time, and I will keep my mouth shut knowing what I know and continue to work for my family. I will be home tonight. It was real!
God bless you and your family.
04-18-2011, 02:24 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2011
Posts: 620
Tough Decision
Originally Posted by alpar80
Thank you for the complement. I start my new job tomorrow at 5 am working in the city for the union and am finished at 2 pm, home with the kids by 3. This is a new way of life for me however, it will pay about 50 % more than what I was making, it allows for fully paid health care through the union along with a pension to retire on making 8k a month in my pocket after 25 yrs. I have many family members in this line of work who are quite successful and proud to be union, I am fortunate to have this token in my pocket.
As for flying it is something I had to do and was lucky to have gone as far as I did with it. I got a lot of experience and met great people I will never forget along with great places. If I were to do it over, I would have forgone the heavy loan and pt 141 schooling and went the route of the military. Not only do you get a chance to serve your country, you get paid to learn! I still have aspirations of serving my country however, I believe that flying is something that I will keep in my back pocket and if I do it again, it will be with my kids for pleasure or possibly on an "on call" basis with my old company to help them out when they are busy. I may not be in "love" with my new job but, it will pay me a wage that will offer a comfortable way of life and allow myself and my family a chance to experience things that they deserve. My love affair with aviation was for the freedom that it allows. Flying for a carrier for me was more or less a passion that offered a false reality in terms of a way of life. It may be for a single guy with no overhead but, for me, I woke up after being basically choked out by the low pay and living on the road and hung up my wings.
So here I go off to the 9-5 and I will not look back. Thank you Wilbur, Orville and God for giving me the chance to experience something so outstanding. Now I will be on the ground looking up at everyone at FL380 knowing that was me at one time, and I will keep my mouth shut knowing what I know and continue to work for my family. I will be home tonight. It was real!
As for flying it is something I had to do and was lucky to have gone as far as I did with it. I got a lot of experience and met great people I will never forget along with great places. If I were to do it over, I would have forgone the heavy loan and pt 141 schooling and went the route of the military. Not only do you get a chance to serve your country, you get paid to learn! I still have aspirations of serving my country however, I believe that flying is something that I will keep in my back pocket and if I do it again, it will be with my kids for pleasure or possibly on an "on call" basis with my old company to help them out when they are busy. I may not be in "love" with my new job but, it will pay me a wage that will offer a comfortable way of life and allow myself and my family a chance to experience things that they deserve. My love affair with aviation was for the freedom that it allows. Flying for a carrier for me was more or less a passion that offered a false reality in terms of a way of life. It may be for a single guy with no overhead but, for me, I woke up after being basically choked out by the low pay and living on the road and hung up my wings.
So here I go off to the 9-5 and I will not look back. Thank you Wilbur, Orville and God for giving me the chance to experience something so outstanding. Now I will be on the ground looking up at everyone at FL380 knowing that was me at one time, and I will keep my mouth shut knowing what I know and continue to work for my family. I will be home tonight. It was real!
I wish U good luck in your new job, I was reading your post & was wondering & curious as to how far up the ladder did U reach in 5 yrs. I mean, CFI, 135 cargo etc, 135 charter, regional or more.....??
I am on the other end of the spectrum. After bieng away for 12 years, I have finally made my decision to return back. I know a lot of people may have different views, some may even post a comment WELCOME TO POVERTY, truth is all the 12 yrs, I was not HAPPY.
I made it decent in business, nice home in the suburbs in California, Lexus & Escalade SUV & convertible sports car, overseas vacations, the whole nine yards. But in Everything that I did, there was a VITAL component missing in my life, which made me unhappy, deep inside.
I had also quit due to reasons a lot similar to yours, even though I was single at the time & could have struggled a bit more, but gave up & things on the other side were shining a lot more brightly.
12 yrs later, I look back & say to myself.......
If I could go back in time & do it all over, I think, I would give it my best shot before I quit.
Because, One doesn't drown by staying in water for too long, one drowns when they stop kicking & one usually quits paddling right before reaching the shore.......... When they give up.......
I hope you have subscribed to this thread, you get this message....
Once again, good luck with new job.....
We will look forward to your return........
04-18-2011, 03:39 PM
#15
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2011
Position: 172 SIC
Posts: 30
Hey, congratulations on what I know had to be an excruciating decision. I have been at it since 2002 counting training and I almost walked twice. Remember though you don't have to leave it all behind. Go fly at the local airport once in awhile. (Just don't do what I did when I didn't fly for 9 months after a furlough. I watched "Speed and Angels" on hulu, "had to" go to the local airport and ended up running it and the flight school. 
) Flying is an addiction and you can still scratch the itch without making it bleed so to speak. Good luck in your new job!
) Flying is an addiction and you can still scratch the itch without making it bleed so to speak. Good luck in your new job!
04-19-2011, 10:49 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2009
Posts: 124
..
Best of luck to you in your new endeavor!
BTW, you never have to hang up your wings, you could fly weekends or teach part-time to satisfy the urge. You could eventually make your way back into flying once you get that loan paid off too.
A pilot never really hangs up their wings. I stopped pursuing a career in aviation, because supporting my family was more important to me. They give me the support and happiness I crave which NO "career" could ever fulfill. I get to instruct on the weekends to satisfy the urge and make some good money during the week. Not 100% happy with the current career and I wish I could fly more instead, but coming home to a happy wife and toddler more than make up for it. The current path we're on has me eventually buying my own plane or the financial backing to actually pursue something again if I wanted to.
The point of the sermon is that if you play your cards right, you could really have it all.
BTW, you never have to hang up your wings, you could fly weekends or teach part-time to satisfy the urge. You could eventually make your way back into flying once you get that loan paid off too.
A pilot never really hangs up their wings. I stopped pursuing a career in aviation, because supporting my family was more important to me. They give me the support and happiness I crave which NO "career" could ever fulfill. I get to instruct on the weekends to satisfy the urge and make some good money during the week. Not 100% happy with the current career and I wish I could fly more instead, but coming home to a happy wife and toddler more than make up for it. The current path we're on has me eventually buying my own plane or the financial backing to actually pursue something again if I wanted to.
The point of the sermon is that if you play your cards right, you could really have it all.
05-18-2011, 07:03 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Posts: 136
......Because, One doesn't drown by staying in water for too long, one drowns when they stop kicking & one usually quits paddling right before reaching the shore.......... When they give up.......
I really like that!!!!!
good luck man!
I really like that!!!!!
good luck man!
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