These things are attainable in many ways, how long have you got and do you have anything better to do?

How much time does it take to be a lawyer, doctor, engineer or businessman?

What would you do differently if you knew you were only going to live 5 more years, ten more?

What percentage of the population is going to make more than 200k a year, how many are going to get there without some real effort?

Don't be miserable in your work, whatever it may be, but there are few things worth having that don't require some real effort.

 

41 years to mandatory retirement, preferably 31, assuming I live that long. Not really, nothing I couldn't do on the road. Except for maybe starting a family and being actively involved in the raising of my children...

8 years, 12+ years, 4-8 years, and depends on the business (probably 2-4 years to get it off the ground). I suppose your point is that I'm already a pilot who's most of the way to my final destination airline.

I sure as hell wouldn't go back to work for the airlines. I'd skydive, base jump, sail (both air and water verisons), street luge, long board, ride my bike everyday, get my helicopter license, go hot-air ballooning, learn to fly a zeppelin, basically all the things I am waiting to do once I have some money to fund these endeavors.

Are you saying I'm going to make 200k a year if I continue doing what I know how to do best? And it's true, there's not much effort required, just time. Precious time.

Duly noted. I'm a pretty positive guy IRL. Just want to enjoy the sunlight as much as possible.

 

Why not get paid to play? Certain units in the military can give you lots of jumps, at night too, while carrying loads of fun toys. Helicopter rides for free, or your helicopter license.
You get to blow stuff up or break it too. Boat rides, plane rides, hiking, but not any balloons or Zeppelins-those are boring anyway.
Lots of camping, mountain climbing, and many other outdoor games are available and waiting.

 

The thought has crossed my mind more than once. Still does on occasion.

 

You are one of the lucky ones who have attained the better life as an airline pilot. The majority of the rest are stuck in miserable situations where they do not enjoy an abundance of surplus income or the time off to enjoy it.

There are only a few spots at the top.

Skyhigh

 

good luck Carl... I've been in your shoes a couple of times, TWO two year breaks in 12 years so far at this career.... Knocking on all the doors and for one reason one or another hearing nothing... Still waiting on this shortage.

 

Luck, fate, whatever you want to call it plays a part but fortune favors the prepared. If you decide to limit yourself to one airline, demand to be home every night, or must work in only one city or country-then you are going to find it ever more difficult.

There are only a few top spots-and this applies to any field of employment.
There are a lot of miserable people out there, in every job and all walks of life. That isn't the fault of the employment.

So, tell us about the better life.

 

The better life is one of more control, abundance and time. I am sure that you have accomplished that at XYZ. Good for you. Most of the rest however are stuck living a life that is not of their own choosing. Hoping in vein that one day they will break into their dreams.

Skyhigh

 

So, let us hear your suggestions for a better life, it is clear that people hope for a lot of things, some in vain and some not.

People do get stuck in a life not of their own choosing, but if you look at their history it is clear they made a series of choices along the way that brought them to their present condition.

For you aviation was a dead end and you chose another life-others will do this also in many fields. Nothing really new here, but if you are not happy it is time to move on.

Some might find your life a true nightmare, but it suits you and that is all that really matters. You often comment on the lives of others as being a nightmare, but they clearly don't see it the way you do. You have called both Military and Airline pilots sociopaths in the past, and you are welcome to your own point of view, but in reality control over the outcome of life is largely an illusion.

Most of us do what we can to make the puzzle fit, most of that fitting is internal.

 

Jungle,

Plan B:

We are all here trying to find our own form of nirvana. Its true. The issue is that most who come to this profession hold expectations and dreams that are not commonly attainable anymore.

I believe that most who make the attempt at aviation are from middle class suburban households. They have hobbies, friends, relationships and a lifestyle comfort zone that is not easily reached as an airline pilot. The bottom rungs of aviation forces one to sell off big portions of their overall quality of life to keep the dream going. We move to armpit cities at busboy wages for undisclosed periods of time. Devoid of hope. At the whimsy of heartless companies.

In my opinion the worst that is asked of us from our careers is to become an ex-patriot aviator. To have to sell your home nation and culture to reach the next rung on the ladder is too much. Most pilots I believe have or want a family. They want their kids to play baseball and to know their grandparents. Moving to china or to the middle east to remain employed is the ultimate sacrifice for the profession.

An adventurous life is great for some however most I believe grow into an innate desire to live a life that is familiar and full of the things that make them happy outside of work. The lust for aviation is an illusion for most that take them far from the life they dreamed of and need to find a way out. This section of the forum is intended for the lost soles to try and find options.

Of course the best thing would be for all of us to be able to work for the companies of our dreams at a fair wage in the base of our choosing. If you can figure out how the rest of us can do that we will be all ears.

Skyhigh