Notices
Leaving the Career Alternative careers for pilots

Tough choices

Old 07-09-2014, 09:01 PM
  #1  
New Hire
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Jul 2014
Posts: 7
Default Tough choices

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
Flysatnight is offline  
Old 07-09-2014, 10:51 PM
  #2  
Banned
 
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 461
Default

Originally Posted by Flysatnight View Post
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
If you own the business, will you lay you off?

Like flying, rent/buy a plane after you leave the industry
CrimsonEclipse is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 03:49 AM
  #3  
Banned
 
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Position: 7th green
Posts: 4,378
Default

Exactly my thoughts. Buy an airplane for the family business.
Packrat is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 04:40 AM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Loon's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: 737-Right
Posts: 781
Default

Hasta la vista, baby! A NO-BRAINER IMHO. I only wish that I had such an option.
Loon is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 04:42 AM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: JAFO- First Observer
Posts: 997
Default

Write down a "laundry list" of Pro's and Con's for each option. Discuss the list with your loved ones and/or peers. Then decide what is right for you.

If the biz is interesting to you, profitable and stable, why wouldn't you go for it?

Flying for pleasure is the best kind of flying there is....

I've been out of the cockpit for over 8 years now. Quality of life has never been better....

V/R
PerfInit is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 07:09 AM
  #6  
New Hire
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Jul 2014
Posts: 7
Default

Originally Posted by PerfInit View Post
Write down a "laundry list" of Pro's and Con's for each option. Discuss the list with your loved ones and/or peers. Then decide what is right for you.

If the biz is interesting to you, profitable and stable, why wouldn't you go for it?

Flying for pleasure is the best kind of flying there is....

I've been out of the cockpit for over 8 years now. Quality of life has never been better....

V/R
Thanks for the reply and the feedback I've received on here has been very similar to those I currently fly with. I think the only pro for staying in the industry is flying the plane and the good group of pilots I work with. I am very interested in hearing what you have to say after 8 years away...do you miss it or have any regrets or does your higher QOL far outweigh everything else?
Flysatnight is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 10:34 AM
  #7  
Just Plane Stupid
 
HeavyDriver's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Captain
Posts: 456
Default

When I struggled financially during my commuter days I started a business. It grew and at it's most productive years I had 35 full time employees...The commuter airline or the major airlines did not offer a schedule that I needed to operate the business successfully, so I ended up in the Supplemental world...30 years later I can say I've had the best aviation career you can have....I also learned running a business is the hardest thing you will ever do professionally...those that haven't done so have know idea of the stress involved...24 hours a day stress...Most think cutting lawns and throwing papers qualify them to be "In the Know" on what it takes to run a successful business...I will never make more money flying as I have done starting, running and selling my company, but flying is so much more fun.....Good luck on what you decide brother.....
HeavyDriver is offline  
Old 07-10-2014, 03:37 PM
  #8  
Gets EVERY weekend off
 
flynavyj's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: SIC
Posts: 1,367
Default

Good luck in your choice.

I was a regional pilot for 3 years, I was one of those guys who was lucky enough to upgrade and bring home a captain salary in short order (good timing) but unfortunately I suffered a downgrade after only a year in the "good seat" ... Losing $30k salary, and the flight time needed to move onto the "good life" left me a bit upset, so I started looking for more lucrative options (either flying or on the ground). I ended up finding work with the federal government and have been doing it for five years. Good salary, home every night, with occasional travel (rare)...I miss flying, but went back to instructing (which is considerably more fun when you're not worried about making a living off it) and I get paid $23/hour to fly around in a skyhawk...

You'll miss the airlines, you'll miss the crews, and you'll miss the overnights (even the ones that suck)...you won't miss airport reserve, not getting compensated for time you work, being re-routed on your last flight home, or dodging phone calls from scheduling. All and all, it's a tossup, but I wish you the best of luck in coming to your decision. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions about "life on the outside".
flynavyj is offline  
Old 07-11-2014, 09:55 AM
  #9  
Gets Weekends Off
 
hindsight2020's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Center seat, doing loops to music
Posts: 821
Default

I second the choice on buying an airplane. It's incredibly liberating to fly on your own time. The costs are a bummer, but hey freedom ain't free. I currently fly military but I also recognize I won't be allowed to do that forever, so when the time comes I get kicked out, I'll go right back to where I started, piston GA. That's why I own my own aircraft.

Van's RVs are incredible fun if your mission is solo or no family travel. Otherwise there's plenty of options, though dated if you want to stay under 100K acquisition. I will also say that just because you exit stage on the 121 world it doesn't mean you have to forego flying turbine equipment forever. There's part-time turbine work one could get involved in on the GA side, especially if money or turbine time building is not the goal.

I love flying as much as the next guy, but if I couldn't make six figures doing it with a schedule conducive to seeing your family enough that you kids acknowledge you as their father, then I'd do something else for six figures and just fly for fun full time and/or professionally part-time. My economic needs are no different than those of a pedestrian. As such I live under that life constraint and have to pick my vocational choices accordingly.

I still contend private GA provides a reasonable way to get your flying jollies off without incurring life-shattering [poor] aviation vocational choices. I consider decade-long tenures in the right seat of a regional airline an especially poor vocational choice. Good luck to you.
hindsight2020 is offline  
Old 07-11-2014, 07:29 PM
  #10  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: JAFO- First Observer
Posts: 997
Default

Originally Posted by Flysatnight View Post
Thanks for the reply and the feedback. I am very interested in hearing what you have to say after 8 years away...do you miss it or have any regrets or does your higher QOL far outweigh everything else?
QOL definitely outweighs everything else. I am home for all family events and holidays. Yes I do miss all the good 121 peeps and some of the flying. Legs over 3 hours block time became literally painful and boring to me. Hindsight2020 articulates very well. I am on the same page as he is. Life is too short! Spend as much quality time with your loved ones as you possibly can...
PerfInit is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Airsupport
Regional
11
04-01-2008 03:37 AM
sargeanb
Corporate
16
06-24-2007 06:02 PM
ProfessorJoeVee
Major
12
05-16-2007 11:12 AM
captain_drew
Cargo
1
12-30-2005 01:17 PM
Gordon C
Major
0
09-20-2005 08:53 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices