Love of FLying
 

Years ago I decided to become a pilot because I loved flying but also because it offered the chance for a better life, more pay, more time off. I sacrificed and paid my dues. I worked two jobs to pay my way through college and all the ratings. For years I endured poverty, loneliness and other hardships trying to get to the next level. I never had a fancy major airline sponsor. No one was there to guide me to the next step. All my friends looked to me to break the trail. I had to earn every meager career advance on my own merits.

Over time the industry changed right out from under my feet. What is left in most cases isn't worth having anymore in my humble opinion. It especially isn't worth what I went through to get here. My expectations are high and were kept high by all the hardships I went through.

Sometimes the only way to really win the game is to stop playing. My aim is for a better life for my wife and my children. I know I can do better than what even the best flying job can offer. The remaining scraps of our wrecked industry are not worth the best days of my life.

Skyhigh

Well, that's his choice. He doesn't have to do that. GMAFB! Yeah, all SWA pilots live in campers in a parking lot. This is a dramatic example and clearly something this guy CHOSE to do. I know many guys there that have been there less than 5 years. Sure they don't have the schedule I would like (week on week off) but they can hold 3 on 4 off. A lot of people would love that type of schedule.

Swa
 

All I am saying it that it wouldn't work for me. I need at least a hope of 3 on 4 off and a SEA base. Oh yea and 9 legs is a deal breaker as well.

Skyhigh

Retail sucks. I've heard from my brother who is an assistant manager in retail that almost any retail store manager has a crappy life. They are responsible for the entire store 24/7. The manager has to be there for everything. They basically don't have a life outside of the store. When something goes wrong, they are responsible and have to explain to the district manager to save their job.

Going to college and getting a higher education is not just about making more money but also about not having to do a crappy job.

Crappy Job
 

Well where then does working as a regional pilot fit into your post college plan? 4:00AM get ups at the holiday inn to be followed by a 20 minute van ride to a 9 leg day isn't exactly fun either.

SkyHigh

According to TurboTax, people in that income bracket typically pay less than 15 percent actual tax on income. I paid 9% for the 06 tax year.

I'm not making these numbers up; this is my actual income. If my family of 6 with the homemaking wife can do it, I don't see how it is that you think I live below the poverty level.

What was your AGI last year?

Well one could easy say, 630PM van after a wild wild night in Mexico City............................ for a an easy two leg day ;)

One guy at the taco bell that doesn't wash his hands could injury/kill hundreds! Look at all the lives a train engineer pulling a load of chemicals has in his hands - or a bus driver with a bus full of kids. On the other hand, look how much a baseball player makes!!:D

Sorry man, but the world doesn't work that way. :(

You're really hung up on this 9 leg a day thing but I just had a 39 hour layover at the Hyatt.

Skyhigh
 

Skyhigh,

You always talk about Alaska Airlines and a SEA base. What are typical schedules and benefits at Alaska that make that company appealing and not others?