Those that returned to industry
 

Curious on those that have left the industry and then now have come back. Why did you leave in the first place? How long have you been gone? Why did you come back?


I have left 13 years ago but not a day goes by that I wonder and wish to be back in the sky. Hardest part for me is my 4 kids aged 10-4 and being away to come back but when I left it was about the pay and lack of movement at that time in my regional (Chicago Express/ATA). Didn't have a family then. Just being curious and curious how much has changed. Thanks.


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I was at XJT from '06-'10. Sleep rules (117) has been a nice change. iPads are way easier to update than paper charts. Our current schedules at PDT suck pretty bad in comparison to what we had at XJT. As far as family life, I was single back then, now I'm married with kids and being gone isn't as easy as it used to be. Pay has improved, I started at $21 now we start at $39. Plus the bonus was a nice change.

Still can't get over the low pay. That's really too bad. I own a construction company that is union and our guys can easily make over 100k after their apprenticeship school which is 3 years but they start out making 40k with full pension and health care. Crazy how that works in perspective.


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It's the same as before but now you make 40 to 60k first year. Those shiny looking RJs from 13 years ago are old and broken. Still the hotels by the runway and low appreciation by everyone for what you do. We do those first flights of the trip to get the addiction out of the way and then all we wonder is how we're going to make it to the go home leg. You're not missing much.

"Lost decade" pilot here. Was at a regional from 2000-2006. Then did corporate and charter. Left flying after 2008 as the economy took a dump and my corporate gig shrunk. Took a desk job making way more money. Nice break from living out of my suitcase. (NOT the answers I give during interviews on why I got out. ;) ) Friends in the industry bugged me to get back in. I did research and realized that meetings, answering emails and dealing with conflicting personalities in the office was not my passion. My wife backed my decision which was a huge factor. Got back in last year flying a PC-12. Recently started as a 121 street captain where we are home every night. Wife and kids are happy. Apps have been out. Waiting for a bite.... It may never happen, but you can't win if you don't play.

I am going to make the effort to come back after I complete 20 AFS military. Took a 10 year hiatus from the airlines (TSA, ACA, Citation Shares, Continental mainline). I will be content with a regional out of ATL if someone will have me.

70k first year at Piedmont and Mainline travel bennies and better healthcare than mainline. 1 year upgrades. Some Hiltons and Marriott properties away from the airport. It's a lot different than starting at 20k and 7 year upgrades like It was years ago.

I got out of the military and had only one job offer (the recruiters didn't understand what I would be allowed to do, so I didn't take it). Did 2 different careers over 10 years. A military guy suggested I look into getting back. I did a number of things to prepare, and got hired and a regional. I am glad I came back.

I just read about a guy here that was out for 20 years. He was snapped up by a regional, and did nothing to prepare: Just showed up for new-hire INDOC. No problems for him.

The regionals are much better than they were, and there are more options that the regionals, also.

Namaste...

I finished training at Continental Express on September 3, 2001.
I was at home waiting for aircraft training, and watched the September 11th attacks live on the Today show. Very surreal, and horrible.

I was laid off there, and then 2 more times at ALG. I had enough. I was broke, and all of the pilot groups were enemies of each other.

At age 55 they'll be physically broken. Most 55 y/o pilots will be looking at ten more years of $250K+ with 15-18 days off/month. So pilots are willing to put up with it.

I've always thought it would be nice if the aviation field was leveled a bit, ie a little more compensation in the beginning, but a little less later on. Is what it is.