I think in this case bcpilot may have a point. It may be worth it for Sky Knight to get into the industry and see for himself.
He may like it, he may hate it but at least he won't have anybody else to blame or praise than himself.

http://images.dignow.org/pimages/img...7a491429ea.jpg

But seriously, stop copying me :p

I haven't been on this forum for a while and thought I would take a stab at this issue. I recently changed my major in college from aviation to business. It's not that I didn't like my training, it's just that the state of the industry turns my stomach. People always make out that pilots have "the best office in the world" , and say things like "wow...you're job is badass!". But once the bad-assery goes away :), it becomes "just another job", only with crappier hours.

Oh and to mirror Skyhigh's quote, not every 9-5 job is "in a cubical".

Love this forum: Reminds me of a vampire fest.;)
Good luck whatever you do, but am extraordinarliy happy with my airline career. Did military, regional (turboprop), and now 121. Lots of bumps, and the low regional paychecks were demoralizing for 3 years. But I set my own course and took my own future as mine. Didn't blame anyone. Door is always your option. Skyhigh and I are polar opposites. Perhaps, if fate had turned we would be on opposite sides of the equation.....but I doubt it since I rode his lows as well.

Bottom line, you need to determine your future, can't use someone like me who is enjoying a wonderful airline career in total to Skyhigh whose career stopped when he pulled the plug for is own valid reasons.
Simply put: I had a thousand talented people tell me "NO", very few said "YES", I am so glad I ignored all those talented genius' in my midst in my life.

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
Calvin Coolidge

SD

we all know pay sucks, how about schedules?
I fly Monday-Friday
4 nights in a hotel, get Saturday and Sunday off and repeat with no breaks in between, the company gives everybody a week off every 6 months or so.

Gone from home base 4:30 am Monday to 7:30 pm Friday.

Does this schedule really suck or is it just me?

Yea
 

Yea that blows. In your case it does not even make sense to have an apartment. Just make reservations at the Motel 6 on the weekends.

Skyhigh

That day has already passed Sky!!! Seriously, balance, balance, balance. Weigh ALL the pluses and negatives kids and then make your OWN decision. Here is an idea. Get up, go outside and turn your eyes skyward, see that? That's good stuff. Love it or hate it, its your decision.

IMO, when everyone else is running for the door, that's when you want to jump in. Starting an airline career now could turn out pretty good. Yes, times are uncertain right now, but fairly shortly, the bad times are going to pass and we will be looking at BIG TIME retirements from the top of the industry which will move everyone up the ladder. Starting now puts you in position to take advantage when things start improving vs. the people that wait to get in once things look good and have to play catch up.

The airline lifestyle isn't for everyone and I'm certainly not trying to talk you into it if it doesn't work for you, but I really enjoy it. Talk to the folks that have the "better jobs" in the industry and they will likely tell you that they traveled the same roads and experienced the same fears (to an extent) that you are having now.

Even as a commuter to reserve, I average 17-18 days at home a month. For me, the scheduling flexibility is the best thing about this job. That's not to say that you won't be missing events that you wanted to be at but with a little seniority you can work around most of the big ones.

There are still some good jobs left in the airline world (not what they were, but still better than 90% of the other jobs the general population have). You might have to start at a less desirable carrier at first, but that's how it goes. Enjoy the journey and good luck.

I can picture it now; my river front condo, Range Rover in the driveway, the envious looks on the airport conveyor belts, the girls, the fame, the glory!

I actually do just stay in hotels on nights I don't make it back to my parents place (winner)

I forgot I don't get to keep the points for the hotels I stay at, those all go to the owner of the company!