Hello all...I'm a long time lurker here, but do not post very often. Here is my (brief) story. I'm a 5+ year FO at a regional airline. In early December I got dinged on my ATP ride for making a couple stupid mistakes...I blame no one but myself for that. However, just the fact that we have to study for a captain checkride without captain pay is yet one more example of ever increasing tasks placed on us for ever-decreasing net pay. I've now been waiting for nearly a month to get scheduled for my recheck. This was the last straw for me. The very next day after I failed my ride, I determined to leave the industry, and I began to search for government or government contractor jobs near Washington DC, where I can use my MBA. My reasons are as follows, in no particular order.

1. With new ATP requirement, being asked to do more and more, while getting paid less and less.
2. I’ve sacrificed my 20s for this job, and still live like I’m in college due to the low pay. We've put off having a family because of it.
3. Upgrade is still a long way off, could happen in the next year, but unlikely.
4. Once upgrade, will likely have to commute to another base and be on reserve for at least a year, will not be home very often.
5. Once at a major, back on reserve with minimal pay, for several years. Possibility of furlough for years after getting hired.
6. I’m tired of all the stress that comes with the job, both directly (wx, pax, mtx, crew sked, reduced rest, etc.) and indirectly (family problems caused by the job).
7. I now have a checkride failure on my record.
8. Ever-decreasing time at home. For the first time, I WANT to be home every night.
9. The opportunities for steady income are much higher with non-flying jobs.
10. Every year (or 6 months) my job is put on the line.

There you have it. To those staying in, I have the utmost respect...this is in no way to dissuade you all from your hopes and dreams. These are just my personal reasons for leaving. I have made the most of my little "vacation"; I've applied for over 30 jobs in the DC area so far. Best of luck to you all.

 

You don't have to swear off 121 flying for the rest of your life, rather declare you have had enough for a while, and retreat. It's a rock and roll industry and a rather tough one. I would say why don't you fly for fun for a while, and do something else for your bacon money. If you still have it in you to do 121 five or ten years from now, the industry will still be there.

 

good luck, In looking at our list the only addition I can see to the problems of aviation that have been there for you from the begining is #7. In today's world that can indeed cause some problems but I don't think any of them are insurmountable.

Training failures are hard to take at first but I'm always more impressed by the guy who pulls himself back up then those who always just coasted along.

With a MBA and your flying experience you will be able overcome this, give it some time.

 

Good luck in your future.... reality is most of your list have been issues in this industry for decades to some extent. Have to agree a bit with the above poster, perhaps if you can get a job, its time to take some time away. I did just that after flying professionally for nearly 10 years (including military flying) I left aviation for over a decade... I am back in now... (was at S5 in 2007/08) and yes I am facing a second furlough in 5+ years... but it is what it is. Good Luck to you.

 

Wow, good thing you're not serving me a latte like the college grad that just handed me my joe this morning. If you want out then get out. But don't think for a minute that your job is safe in any other industry. Its just the economy we are in at the moment buddy. Wouldn't it suck to get canned from a job you didn't really enjoy.....

 

If aviation has always stunk on ice then why do it at all? Some here like to suggest that aviation always blew. The philosophy suggests that if you are not willing to self destruct for the profession then the failings are somehow your own.

Where is the logic in repeating the same mistakes over and over again?

Skyhigh

 

The syndrome develops in response to a three-stage cycle found in domestic violence situations. First, tension builds in the career. Second, the abusive employer releases tension via wage cuts and worsening working conditions while blaming the victim (employee) for having caused the downturn. Third, the violent partner (Employer) makes gestures of contrition (false promises of a better future). The feeling of being both responsible for and helpless to stop inevitable career disappointment leads in turn to depression and passivity in the employee. This learned depression and passivity makes it difficult for the abused employee to marshal the resources and support system needed to leave.

Add to that peer accusations of inadequacy made to the career victim as they are trying to leave.


Skyhigh

PS Largely plagiarized from a Wilikipedia section under "Beaten Person Syndrome" however I believe the same allies here.

 

There are many valid reasons to leave flying, but that one is weak. A FO's job is to know what the Capt. does and should be able to make a pretty good attempt at all of his duties.

 

If an FO is held to the same standards as a captain then they should be paid as such.

Skyhigh

 

I agree, but that's not how contracts are negotiated and I don't think you'll see a change anytime soon. Any other skilled trade, such as a Plumber, Carpenter, or Electrician will go through an apprenticeship under the supervision of a more senior guy and work to code (same standards). Doctors and Lawyers do the same working through a residency or clerkship, again to the same standards as a more experienced practitioner.

Pilots have long since followed the same methodology. In my fleet for example, on a long haul flight over 12 hours we have four pilots. One Capt. and 3 FO's all of which are required to have an ATP, Type Rating, and be Capt. qualified. Only one guy get the big bucks even though everyone on the flight deck gets the Capt. training and is required to meet those standards on every flight.

In a perfect world everyone would get the same pay for the same work, but have fun changing the way that machine works. My point to the original poster is that if he's just now realizing that he's required to meet and to perform to ATP standards and not get Capt. pay, maybe he doesn't belong in a 121 cockpit.