Three months out and so far no regrets
 

Someone told me to mark my calendar and come back in two years to tell everyone how it's going since I left the airlines. It's on my calendar, but I figured I'd make an update.

So far, no regrets. I have been able to fly for fun a few times. Did my first aileron roll last weekend and have been flying with friends here and there. I miss the jet, but that was such a small part of the job.

What made me post this, though, was something that happened Friday. A former coworker at the airline posted a desperate plea for help. He is getting married this summer and wasn't able to bid the days off he needs. The company is of course doing nothing to help, and threatening him with missed assignments if he no shows. He started the process last year as a wedding takes a long time to plan and he wanted to make sure he could get the time off. The company assured him it would be fine. The company lied.

Counter: My boss emailed me Friday morning and asked me to go to lunch. I thought I was in trouble but turns out it was just a check in and see how things are going lunch. He seems worried I might leave and go back to flying. He has no idea how unlikely that is.

During lunch, he asked me when I last saw my dad. I mentioned it had been a while and he told me that now that I pay for my flights, and weekend flights are expensive, I should take some time off during the week to go see my family, as he believes these things are important and make a person perform better when they are happy. He also then told me I can come in later on days when I work out. Now, obviously pilots can't come in late, but it's more just the respectful treatment I am getting as a professional.

I have paid off my car, I am in my own home every night. I am slowly rebuilding friendships and creating new ones in a way life on the road never allowed. I have the same schedule every day, which seems to have had a profound impact on how I feel in general. I was not feeling well the other day and just went home. No drama. No begging or pleading or accusations of lying.

It remains to be seen how time has an impact, but as long as I keep hearing horror stories from those still in, I don't see myself forgetting what the life was like, or glorifying the day to day.

tl;dr: Very happy with my decision still. No regrets. Very happy with my life.

What are you doing, employment wise, at this point ?

Been out 7 years. Good luck cause that trend you are on eroded fast to wanting to be back in he 121 world. Hope it works for you.


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Three months out and so far no regrets
 

You had car payments. Ha ha.

With all due respect, you seem to seek validation and a desire to "show us" how "you made it" outside of aviation (however "made it" is being defined).

Questions, I request you answer

1. Who funded your aviation training/school
2. Who funded your college BA/BS degree
3. Who funded your law school

Looking forward to your reply

Harrier was nice enough to post an update after someone previously asked her to. Yet we have people coming on raining on her parade. Good for her if she is happy. Just like others who fly for a living are happy so are people in other fields. If someone is interested in going to another field like law its good to know what its like. Not sure how who paid for her degree is relevant. Especially since she apparently paid for her own car and living expenses. Doesn't sound like a silver-spoon child to me. Exact opposite, sounds like someone who worked her butt off, kinda like some of you aviators did to get where you got.

Thanks Rnav, for deciding what is relevant and what is not, to my questions.

Another question,
How much time did you have when you were hired at a commuters and did you ever fly freight at the feeders?

@Harrier..

Right now you are on a what could be termed as a "rebound.."

However, It takes a few years for the remorse to completely set in..

When you see your course mates & even people junior to you flying & reaching top positions, that is the time when regret & remorse begins. It starts slowly deep inside & no matter how strong a person is on the outside, a person can be quite miserable deep inside..

I speak from experience, You will see for yourself in a few years...

Also, you are leaving when tide is about to turn..

But if you really want out, then I really hope & wish that you be happy & successful in your endeavors...

Best of luck & keep us posted...

Indeed although I wouldn't call it remorse. I wasn't in the 121 world but it took be about about 5 years before the desire came back too strong to deny. There was even a phase where I would post on boards about how life is better outside aviation and it was for me at the time. It's hard to believe but I eventually didn't even think about aviation for a year or two (still would look up if something sounded cool though). It was like I blocked it out of my mind, but if you really have the bug, you can't shake it forever.