On another note...you get bonus points that your wife is already a nurse. Nurses or teachers make the best companions to a pilot. I know...my girlfriend is a nurse

 

Thnx Sharky and Hireme. You have given me some good food for thought. They have really helped.

On a better note...flew a little Piper Cub the other day off a 2500 grass strip. Talk about awesome!!

Joseph

 

Joe: A long time ago I was a Navy LTjg with a wife and new baby on the way living in San Diego. Flying the jet you see to the left. As I recall my pay net pay was around 2000 a month with a house payment of $1032. Also had a car payment of $174.00. By the time my wife and I had paid all the bills we MIGHT have had a 100 bucks to play with for a month. So friday nights out and a simple movie was about as exciting as it got.

Oh and as far as leaving home for a 2-3 day trip... try 6 to 8 months at a time. Wife finished up school. Got orders to a different base in Texas still only minor payraises with uncle sam. Fayettevilee can look like NYC compared to Kingsville, Texas. But it was still fun flying and I new it would lead to bigger and better days.

Those days were at EAL. Not so bigger and better days and the pay along the way I think toped out around 30K. Can't remember. Off to a better airline and a cargo one to boot.

Been flying boxes for almost 20 years. Still in the same house in ATL when I was EAL. Made a few upgrades along the journey. New kitchen, pool when I made captain and finally today I finish out my basement.

As said earlier never live beyond your means. Now everthing I own house, plane, boat, and cars are all paid for free and clear.

Its the journey my friend and the chance to live your dream of flying. Oh and occasionly my wife and I still just enjoy a quiet dinner by the pool listening to the night sounds followed by a good movie......

Make the move, give it a shot, good luck to all.................

 

"As said earlier never live beyond your means"

Amen.

I live in a van down by the river (ocean) ever other week. Just doesn't make sense to buy a condo in LA for 500K.

 

JetJocF14,

Thanks for the upbeat message. Every morning driving to work I see a FedEx MD-11 climbing out and I say, "what am I waiting for?"

V/R,
Apollo

 

Sometimes flying can offer some fantastic views. Donald Rumsfeld mentioned that "Iraq seems quite peaceful from 35,000 Feet".


SkyHigh

 

True. One of the most rewarding was looking down at a freeway gridlock as the poor lemmings struggled to and from their work cubicles, from which there is no view at all.

 

I will POSITIVELY quit the aviation business if I win the lottery, and the doorknob wont hit me as I go out the door!

 

Now that is a positive statement!

Skyhigh

 

Here is a positive post. Many of us enjoy our jobs and the abundant free time we often enjoy. This free time is amply evidenced by the fact that we view and post on threads started by disgruntled, has been, sort of wish they still were, pilots.