I punched out and have no regrets.
08-03-2013, 06:47 AM
#21
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Not uncommon
It is not uncommon for a pilot to experience a few stretches in their career of aviation nirvana. I have been there too. Then something changes, the company merges, schedules are moved, bases get closed, wife gets pregnant and the mirage is broken. Then we struggle for the next ten years trying to find the sweet spot again.
A career is a long time. A lot can and will happen. Most of it not all that good.
Skyhigh
A career is a long time. A lot can and will happen. Most of it not all that good.
Skyhigh
08-03-2013, 07:13 AM
#22
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
The focus
The focus should not be on "hey I found a sweet spot so everything is great" but rather "what am I going to do when the rug gets pulled out from under me at 45 with no other job skills"?
In business failure is common but with every failure comes the seeds for success. As we get older our experience serves to strengthen our position. In aviation our outcome is largely in the hands of fate. The older we get the less secure we become because our lives are less flexible and there is less time to recover from a loss.
It is an uncomfortable situation to be in. I have watched as many of my former co-workers who have chosen to remain in aviation have had to compromise their lives more and more just to remain employed. All the while earning less than the year before.
Skyhigh
In business failure is common but with every failure comes the seeds for success. As we get older our experience serves to strengthen our position. In aviation our outcome is largely in the hands of fate. The older we get the less secure we become because our lives are less flexible and there is less time to recover from a loss.
It is an uncomfortable situation to be in. I have watched as many of my former co-workers who have chosen to remain in aviation have had to compromise their lives more and more just to remain employed. All the while earning less than the year before.
Skyhigh
08-03-2013, 07:27 AM
#23
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Posts: 25
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
Do you also think it weird that an inactive pilot would be in any other forum besides 'Leaving the Career'?
Except if this "inactive" pilot is a wannabe or a furloughed pilot, which makes sense.
I am not doctor or lawyer, am I in such forums ? not even a single second.
But I will not criticise. I may think that, but I keep for myself. I don't care much.
I just replied this, because, why some hate these topics and waste time to read and tell it ?
I need to understand ? what's wrong to start such topic in the right section ?
or maybe it's better to start a topic "hey how to become a pilot" in the "leaving career section ?
08-03-2013, 08:09 AM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by bugy
Yes I do.
Except if this "inactive" pilot is a wannabe or a furloughed pilot, which makes sense.
I am not doctor or lawyer, am I in such forums ? not even a single second.
But I will not criticise. I may think that, but I keep for myself. I don't care much.
I just replied this, because, why some hate these topics and waste time to read and tell it ?
I need to understand ? what's wrong to start such topic in the right section ?
or maybe it's better to start a topic "hey how to become a pilot" in the "leaving career section ?
Except if this "inactive" pilot is a wannabe or a furloughed pilot, which makes sense.
I am not doctor or lawyer, am I in such forums ? not even a single second.
But I will not criticise. I may think that, but I keep for myself. I don't care much.
I just replied this, because, why some hate these topics and waste time to read and tell it ?
I need to understand ? what's wrong to start such topic in the right section ?
or maybe it's better to start a topic "hey how to become a pilot" in the "leaving career section ?
Otherwise - on APC - you will have inactive pilots and ones whom have left the career across the spectrum just as you will have active pilots reading and commenting in the 'Leaving the Career' forum.
Just follow the TOS.
08-03-2013, 08:54 AM
#25
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: A-320
Posts: 6,929
Originally Posted by OCCP
Thanks johnso29. I have 33 years left. Hopefully it all works out!
It's funny you said you would fly off the handle when talking about work and how you felt sick everytime you had to go in, I felt EXACTLY the same!
08-03-2013, 01:49 PM
#26
Moderator
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: B757/767
Posts: 13,088
Originally Posted by OCCP
Thanks johnso29. I have 33 years left. Hopefully it all works out!
Originally Posted by JoeyMeatballs
Where'd ya go?
It's funny you said you would fly off the handle when talking about work and how you felt sick everytime you had to go in, I felt EXACTLY the same!
It's funny you said you would fly off the handle when talking about work and how you felt sick everytime you had to go in, I felt EXACTLY the same!
I'm curious as to where you escaped to as well. Hopefully somewhere that let's you be on the West Coast. 
08-03-2013, 05:00 PM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2005
Position: Retired
Posts: 2,934
Wow. That escalated quickly. Things really got out of hand...
Thanks for illustrating why industry or not, I have not only avoided this forum for quite a while I seriously questioned even posting this.
This used to be a great place for information. It's really sad to see it become what it has.
Thanks for illustrating why industry or not, I have not only avoided this forum for quite a while I seriously questioned even posting this.
This used to be a great place for information. It's really sad to see it become what it has.
08-03-2013, 08:46 PM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2011
Posts: 784
Wow. That escalated quickly. Things really got out of hand...
Thanks for illustrating why industry or not, I have not only avoided this forum for quite a while I seriously questioned even posting this.
This used to be a great place for information. It's really sad to see it become what it has.
Thanks for illustrating why industry or not, I have not only avoided this forum for quite a while I seriously questioned even posting this.
This used to be a great place for information. It's really sad to see it become what it has.
Joey and johnso29: I left XJT for vx. It's been a pleasant change and being based out west is soooo nice!
08-03-2013, 10:32 PM
#29
Bracing for Fallacies
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: In favor of good things, not in favor of bad things
Posts: 3,543
I'd like to thank Pilotpip and OCCP for sharing their feelings and perspectives. I'm not really sure what was so inflammatory. There can be interesting nuggets to pass along to prospective and current professional pilots to read about those who have left a flying career for something else.
08-04-2013, 06:22 AM
#30
Moderator
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: B757/767
Posts: 13,088
Originally Posted by Pilotpip
Wow. That escalated quickly. Things really got out of hand...
Thanks for illustrating why industry or not, I have not only avoided this forum for quite a while I seriously questioned even posting this.
This used to be a great place for information. It's really sad to see it become what it has.
Thanks for illustrating why industry or not, I have not only avoided this forum for quite a while I seriously questioned even posting this.
This used to be a great place for information. It's really sad to see it become what it has.
I LOVE when guys use this line! I know we're all thinking of Ron Burgundy.
Originally Posted by OCCP
Don't let those guys get to you. If you've found something that works and makes you feel content, then that's all that matters. I'm sure you know that already or you wouldn't have made the jump. Thanks for starting this thread, I certainly appreciate it because I like reading positive stories and I'm glad you have no regrets. Life's too short to always be chasing the carrot at the end of a stick.
Joey and johnso29: I left XJT for vx. It's been a pleasant change and being based out west is soooo nice!
Joey and johnso29: I left XJT for vx. It's been a pleasant change and being based out west is soooo nice!
Originally Posted by block30
I'd like to thank Pilotpip and OCCP for sharing their feelings and perspectives. I'm not really sure what was so inflammatory. There can be interesting nuggets to pass along to prospective and current professional pilots to read about those who have left a flying career for something else.
Absolutely. Pilotpip put his thoughts in the proper forum, & I too thank him for sharing. Being an airline pilot isn't for everyone. It doesn't always work out the way everyone wants or plans. It's nice to know the options that exist outside of the 121 line grunt world.
