Oh yeah, I remember my 5 year anniversary (10 years ago) and it also looked pretty good back then. I am one of the lucky ones who never got furloughed and makes a decent living flying corporate. I am a second generation pilot who at the early age of two was already an airplane fanatic if you know what I mean. Our industry is one of the most regulated, underpaid, under appreciated and demanding in the world. I wish I could go back in time and become a dentist that way I could actually afford to buy that Pitts I have always wanted.

Money is certainly a big factor in divorces but a heavy-travel job certainly puts a tremendous strain on any marriage. I don't know what the exact rates are or aren't so my knowledge is anecdotal.
I'll say this: There're plenty of spouses who can't cope with the stress of managing on their own for 8-12 days at a time, especially if there're younger children involved and there's no family around to help. I'm sure some thought they could when the topic was hypothetical.
A lot of marriages cannot survive that for too long. I think the people on these boards who are homeowners and married with children know what I'm talking about.
Things always seem to go south while you're away.
It's a tough one. No doubt about it. How do you get around that?

Alaska leads the nation in a lot of things :) - not all of them good.
Nope - I'm sure SH is around. Maybe he did get busy with the new little one.

Beating the national average might not be hard, but your 6-1 average is pushing 85%. :eek: I was curious after our posts so I went a looking with some Google-fu. Couldn't find ANY FACTS. Lots of people on web boards (imagine that) always saying that pilots had a MUCH higher divorce rate (PP, JC, and even Yahoo Answers), but again - opinions without a single quoted reference. ONE article I came across listed occupations that travel a lot having a higher degree of divorces, but it was at the end of a list of other professions that have higher than normals rates - to include: #1 - Law Enforcement, #2 Entertainment people, #3 Doctors and other health professionals - - - some careers that people on these boards often suggest as alternatives to a piloting career but I see few offering the same advice to someone thinking of going to medical school ("better get a lawyer to handle your inevitable divorce if you are going to be a doctor!")

GoPats. That is why I have seen many young marriages go south in the military. The wife can't handle 8-12 days alone? Try 8-12 months! Many jump into the marriage without knowing what they are getting in to - much like a few careers. They live on the 'love will get us through' mantra. That wears off as quickly as SJS after the hard reality sets in. But see my above about the careers with some of the highest divorce rates (but still without statistics, or at least statistics that can be verified from a published study or such). Now your last question......were you asking in general or personally?

USMCFLYR

My question was strictly rhetorical. :)
Good point on the military life though.

How about becoming a flight dispatcher.

That's actually something I've been looking into. Any dispatchers on the forum?

I could be wrong here but from what I understand dispatching does not pay that well.

I haven't logged in here in quite awhile but am always curious as to the state of aviation today.

First a bit of background on my experience. I have loved flying since the beginning. After achiving my PPL before graduating high school and paying for it on my own, I've gone throught the flight instructor, jump pilot, banner tower, single pilot IFR night check hauler routine. Eagle flew me to Dallas for an interview right before I had an interview with my current employer but I left flying over 20 years ago.

I won't discourage anyone from a flying career but also remind them to have a backup. If the person is preparing for college DO NOT get an aviation management or pro pilot major. Those are close to useless if it doesn't work out. Aquiring a good aviation career is the equivelent to the local bar bands aspiring to become a rock star. It takes perseverance, timing and a bit of luck while living in the back of a bus. Being at the right place and right time is important. Also in the corporate world there is an excess of qualified people for the job. The HR department of any company is looking for those who fit into their corporate culture.

You have a good career to fall back on however there are other things to consider. Do you have a home with a mortgage payment? If so your savings will dwindle faster than a government budget surplus. Do you have a family? If so would the health insurance in an aviation career be better than at your engineering job? Trust me, when you say everyone is healthy and do not need anything is when things pop up. Would your current situation allow you to be awaken at any time to get to the airport? Undoubtedly you would be on reserve 24/7. How about staying away from home for extended periods?

O.K., you've answered those questions and as someone above stated "are living in mom's basement". That is not meant as a dig but as a way to say you are free from those constraints. Hell, I wish I'd have never moved out. I'd have a million in the bank. Remember, you are starting out and will get the dregs. Now how about health issues? Look at your family history for anything that would occur preventing you from a 1st class medical. I say this because I was the epitome of perfect health according to my docs. A few years ago I threw a blood clot which surprised them all and realize how fortunate I was to leave aviation and have a very good job most people in my area would kill for. I now go through a rig-a-marol for a special issuance medical certificate.

I know flying is in the blood including mine but I do not reqret leaving the career. It could be different for you but consider all the pros and cons. If you are able to try it out considering the above then go for it. You could also go for a part time gig in charter to get your flying fix. I'm getting my fix by going for a life long dream to build my own plane. A four place bushplane called a Bearhawk. I used to have SJS (shiny jet syndrome) but now realize the best flying is in small planes, including sailplanes, just for the fun of it. Good luck in whatever you choose.

Oh the aviation cliches. ALL industries require timing, perseverance, and a little bit of luck. In my opinion, MOST degrees today are useless (except the ones that are required for a profession like DR/JD/engineering, etc) including every pilot's favorite: The MBA. Due to the onslaught of liberal policies where "everyone deserves to go to school", it has watered down the importance of a college degree to that of a HS diploma. I'm tired of the whining on this board about how tough we have it or whatever. Guess what? It's a dog eat dog world out there for EVERYONE!

I fly for a regional....