Quote:
Originally Posted by Flysatnight
Hey everyone, this is my first post to APC and it's mainly because I'm struggling with the decision to leave the industry. I've been at it for almost 10 years now and still haven't seen a decent pay check for my troubles or all the time spent away from home. I have the opportunity to leave aviation to work in the family business that one day I would own, only problem is that leaving the industry now would most likely be the end of my aviation career or at least any shot at a legacy airline. I could make better money and be home every night outside aviation and I would have made the jump already if it weren't for the fact that I really do love the time between the cockpit door closing and opening. I guess what I'm looking for is any feedback from anyone else contplating a change or has already left or left and came back. Any advice or thoughts on the subject are welcome.
Thanks
I know this is an old post, but I wanted to respond in case anyone else is in a similar situation. I flew first for a regional (AWI) and then a major (UA) for 32 years. When I was flying for AWI, I thought that I'd never get hired by a major and was tired of the multiple legs I was flying and very little rest between. I had an opportunity to take a job with an engineering company that paid better money, standard 8 hour day, home every night and so on. My only problem was that I really wanted to fly, so I would tell myself, "OK, I'll give it 2 more months." I did that for maybe a year and was all but ready to hand in my resignation when low and behold, UA called me for an interview.
I played the game with the phone interview, then the two personal interviews and then the testing, getting all my papers together and so on. It was like a big circus for me that I had to endure just to get the job, but I was committed to doing whatever was necessary.
Then, after all that, came the waiting game for the call to come. Finally, almost 4 months after the circus began, I got an offer and grabbed it. Although I was in the right seat for the first 15 years, I would do it all over again and YES, I am telling anyone that if you have the "passion" for flying, it is well worth sticking it out. You won't be sorry.
(But, then again, each person is different and you have to make that decision for yourself. ) All that I am saying is be very sure of what you want, so that you don't regret it later.