Major Airline career change
 

The son of a friend of mine (who spent a few thousand on flight training) had his career sights set on Delta Air Lines and suddenly changed his mind and went to work for the Phoenix Police Department, apparently a permanent decision. I notice the Pheonix Police Department is recruiting at a "pilot" job fair.

My question to all you pilots is: "Is this a common career move from pilot to law enforcement, or is it just a unique situation?":confused:

Its crossed my mind a number of times as I sit here on the street. They always seem to be hiring.

As many pilots treat their passengers, and fellow employees like perps, it's actually a rather easy transition.

LOL...I just about blew coffee through my nose on that one...thanks! :D

Just like mgmt..... Leadership from the top baby!

No, it is not a normal transition.

I have one friend who went from police officer (cashed out his pension for flight school) to airline pilot and another who went from airline pilot (at the regionals where he was barely able to pay bills) to the police department for a large raise and so he could be home every night or day if he had the night shift. I guess if you only spent a few thousand on training it would be an easier choice to give up flying, but the average civilian trained pilot now probably has well over 50K in flight school alone not including college/ university costs. That said, I've seen quite a few pilots give up when their careers were stalled at the regionals and I've heard of some furloughed major airline pilots giving it up when the only pilot positions they could find were at the regional level and they just couldn't afford to go back to that pay level with families to take care of, but I'd say it's pretty rare for airline pilots to become police officers in general. Most of the pilots I know who gave it up either went back to college or got into real estate or became general contractors trying for the big bucks.

That was not a "major airline pilot career change".

Having your sights set on DAL is a very, very long way from actually being employed by them as a pilot.

It is relatively common for entry-level pilots to drop out and go do something else, especially when times get hard. I would estimate that 30% of those who earn a commercial pilot license switch tracks within a few years.

Those who like flying are often also a good fit for military, law enforcement, fire dept and vice versa.

I was a Police Officer for a little over 25 years (flying one the side) retired then 4.5 years at Mesa (yes it sucked but, I will say no one ever punched me or ever pulled a knife or gun on me at mesa) then 7 great months a Air Tran until I was furloughed of 9/3.
During both jobs I have encountered many Police Officers that flew and a few Airline Pilots that were Reserve Officers.

Cop=good stable career bad job
Pilot=great job bad career

I would estimate almost double that.

I am currently furloughed and in the process of applying to many different police departments. I have been doing this since November. A few problems I ran into:

1) Most departments are only establishing elgibility lists, which are valid for 2 years. (Varies department to department)

2) If there are vacancies, its for 1, possibly 2, and maybe if your lucky, at the most 3 Police Officers. At the most recent orientations I've seen anywhere from 300 people to 650. I'd say 20% are prior military and you'll always find 10 to 15 already state certified cops.

3) It is a long, drawn out process. The earliest you will hear anything back from the department will be in 3 months.I have to add, however, its funny watching all the trailor trash with tatoo's on the side of there head and 250 lb men trying to run 1.5 miles under 14 minutes, let alone bench there body weight.

I'm currently on one seniority list and in a pool at another airline. It's a matter of what comes first. If I get recalled before I get on the police force I'll stick to flying. If I get a police job I'll be more than happy to go do that and stick to general aviation.

At one of these police orientations (where there were 350 people) I recognized another pilot from the line doing the same exact thing.

Just a note to any furloughed brothers looking for a government job, the FBI went on a huge hiring spree 2 Monday's ago. There looking to hire 3100 agents, in all different areas.