Originally Posted by Richmond454

An update since my last post. The VLOA was approved for one year starting on 1 November. I started the new Job already. The job is pretty much what I expected, grinding away at a keyboard inside a cubicle. It's not horrible but definitely not as fun flying around in a jet. Being on the job for the past month and a half I have the following pluses and minus:

Positive:

* Pay. I forgot what I feels like to make a decent living. Living off regional FO pay for the past 2 years and now going to this job is amazing. I'm able to save for retirement again. It's gonna be hard to go back to FO pay.
*. Not commuting to work. It's nice not having to check flight loads and wondering if the jumpseat is open.
*Not having to deal old crusty angry captains. We have a few at my base and it seems I was always rostered with them.
*Having weekends off and able to make plans a few weeks out instead of telling people I have to get back to them when my schedule comes out.

Negative

*I miss flying
*. Not as much to talk about with coworker. Everyone else is from the same IT mode and I can't talk aviation with them. I don't have as much in common with them.,
* I can see working in a cubicle banging away at a keyboard is gonna get old fast.

So overall I'm happy I took the VLOA as it changes my pace for a bit and able to make some decent money. I'll take this opportunity to build up a fund. However even just being on the job for a month and a half I know I'm gonna want to get back to flying. Hopefully with the vaccine being approved things will get somewhat back to normal sooner rather than later. Ideal situation is to have the opportunity to put in for upgrade shortly after I get back. I've put my application into a few ACMIs recently but I doubt I'll be competitive in this environment.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

Originally Posted by coodrough568

I atill think it’s hilarious, maybe sad that every time I mention I worked in film someone immediately assumes porn 🤣

Originally Posted by Minepza

If you weren't happy before on the right seat, what makes you think you'll be happy again when you get back to the right seat or even the left seat? Just be happy with what you have, of course sitting in an office sucks no need for updates on that, but you make money. Your update is nothing anyone else didn't tell you would happen already.

Originally Posted by Richmond454

Currently flying for a regional. Started upgrade training when poop hit the fan. Got sent home and back to the right seat. Airline hasn’t sent out furlough notices yet but I’ll probably be safe if they do. Interviewed for a non aviation job last week. Went well and will find out the results next few days. Starting pay is 80k. Stats: mid 30s, 3000 total time.
I prefer flying as a profession but It’s not the only thing I can imagine myself doing.

Question is should I leave if I get the job? Or do I stay and pray for a quick recovery then upgrade then continue to chase the dream?

Originally Posted by rswitz

What about the dream of making 350k working 10 days/month...

Originally Posted by DarkSideMoon

At least at the regional level, left seat and right seat might as well be two completely different companies. I’m significantly less stressed as a Captain than when I was an FO.

We go at my pace, by the book, and I don’t have to sit there and pretend to be interested in “Captain Crust’s guide to navigating your third divorce” or remind someone that just because they did it that way 30 years ago in an aircraft type that hasn’t flown since Clinton doesn’t mean you can ignore the current manuals and still do things that way, all the while making 3/5 the pay for essentially 100% of the work (if you’re truly doing your job as an FO, remember, most NTSB reports don’t give you a pass if the captain screws up).

Originally Posted by Sperrysan

Just go to high end escort school instead.

Originally Posted by Richmond454

An update since my last post. The VLOA was approved for one year starting on 1 November. I started the new Job already. The job is pretty much what I expected, grinding away at a keyboard inside a cubicle. It's not horrible but definitely not as fun flying around in a jet. Being on the job for the past month and a half I have the following pluses and minus:

Positive:

* Pay. I forgot what I feels like to make a decent living. Living off regional FO pay for the past 2 years and now going to this job is amazing. I'm able to save for retirement again. It's gonna be hard to go back to FO pay.
*. Not commuting to work. It's nice not having to check flight loads and wondering if the jumpseat is open.
*Not having to deal old crusty angry captains. We have a few at my base and it seems I was always rostered with them.
*Having weekends off and able to make plans a few weeks out instead of telling people I have to get back to them when my schedule comes out.

Negative

*I miss flying
*. Not as much to talk about with coworker. Everyone else is from the same IT mode and I can't talk aviation with them. I don't have as much in common with them.,
* I can see working in a cubicle banging away at a keyboard is gonna get old fast.

So overall I'm happy I took the VLOA as it changes my pace for a bit and able to make some decent money. I'll take this opportunity to build up a fund. However even just being on the job for a month and a half I know I'm gonna want to get back to flying. Hopefully with the vaccine being approved things will get somewhat back to normal sooner rather than later. Ideal situation is to have the opportunity to put in for upgrade shortly after I get back. I've put my application into a few ACMIs recently but I doubt I'll be competitive in this environment.

Thanks again for everyone's input.