Should I leave?
#111
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2017
Posts: 198
Not throwing shade, I think it's great that you found something like that (and I'm jealous, except for the aviation schedules part, being away from home is the worst aspect for me), but I am curious how hard it is on the body.
There are some good jobs out that that have nice schedules that I'm just not interested in because they destroy your body, which I'm not super interested in after being in the military.
There are some good jobs out that that have nice schedules that I'm just not interested in because they destroy your body, which I'm not super interested in after being in the military.
On top of the pension I also max out my deferred comp because after working for the airlines I am well aware of what can happen with pensions. The city also puts 10% in to my deferred comp starting this year on top of my pension obligations to help offset the early retirement.
Our schedule does include working 10 days a month. Although that means ten days a month away from home, it is much different then an airline schedule. The family can easy come and visit and during holidays all the families come for big meals together. Like any career there are positives and negatives but if someone looks thoroughly they can find a career that fits them.
I miss flying the jet but with all the free time I have now I still fly and flight instruct a few times a week. I went through the lost decade and I know how stressful times like these are for pilots. I am just trying to add some positive for you guys. You are not pidgin holed as only pilots. The skills you learn and utilize as a pilot transfer to many professions. It was a huge positive in the highly competitive firefighter interviews to draw on my flying experience. It gave me a big leg up.
Last edited by Firefighterpilo; 12-18-2020 at 06:21 AM.
#112
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,716
Not throwing shade, I think it's great that you found something like that (and I'm jealous, except for the aviation schedules part, being away from home is the worst aspect for me), but I am curious how hard it is on the body.
There are some good jobs out that that have nice schedules that I'm just not interested in because they destroy your body, which I'm not super interested in after being in the military.
There are some good jobs out that that have nice schedules that I'm just not interested in because they destroy your body, which I'm not super interested in after being in the military.
#113
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2017
Posts: 198
I was going to point out the same thing. I am more sore and physically tired now, but I feel 100% better then I did when I was flying for airlines.
#114
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,716
if I had a nickel for every airline pilot with back problems that could probably have been prevented by actual exercise...
#115
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2020
Posts: 399
And a strong back and core is the best way to prevent one in the first place. Sitting all day and being a generally fat, lazy piece of **** is how people end up with a ‘bad back’ from picking up a grocery bag or spitting out toothpaste.
—BREAK—
Firefighting is pretty brutal on the body, especially if you work in a busy shop. You need to be in good shape in order to be effective (I’ve seen fat guys suck through a ‘45 minute’ bottle in well under 10 minutes...no bueno). Strength helps prevent injury, especially if you have to drag 300lbs of brother out. Even so, things still happen. Just last year I lost my footing deep in a commercial structure fire manning a 2-1/2” attack line (big water) with a ****ty backup man. Got blown backwards, tried to catch myself, torqued my foot 90* in a direction it wasn’t meant to go, felt a big snap, and completely ruptured a couple ligaments. Crawling out was not a good time (nor a good look), and neither was the recovery.
But it’s part of the job, and one must get back on the horse.
Last edited by firefighterplt; 12-18-2020 at 02:11 PM.
#117
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2020
Posts: 399
#118
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,272
Preach. Seems counterintuitive, but after a back injury you need to train more, not less. Intelligently, of course.
And a strong back and core is the best way to prevent one in the first place. Sitting all day and being a generally fat, lazy piece of **** is how people end up with a ‘bad back’ from picking up a grocery bag or spitting out toothpaste.
—BREAK—
Firefighting is pretty brutal on the body, especially if you work in a busy shop. You need to be in good shape in order to be effective (I’ve seen fat guys suck through a ‘45 minute’ bottle in well under 10 minutes...no bueno). Strength helps prevent injury, especially if you have to drag 300lbs of brother out. Even so, things still happen. Just last year I lost my footing deep in a commercial structure fire manning a 2-1/2” attack line (big water) with a ****ty backup man. Got blown backwards, tried to catch myself, torqued my foot 90* in a direction it wasn’t meant to go, felt a big snap, and completely ruptured a couple ligaments. Crawling out was not a good time (nor a good look), and neither was the recovery.
But it’s part of the job, and one must get back on the horse.
And a strong back and core is the best way to prevent one in the first place. Sitting all day and being a generally fat, lazy piece of **** is how people end up with a ‘bad back’ from picking up a grocery bag or spitting out toothpaste.
—BREAK—
Firefighting is pretty brutal on the body, especially if you work in a busy shop. You need to be in good shape in order to be effective (I’ve seen fat guys suck through a ‘45 minute’ bottle in well under 10 minutes...no bueno). Strength helps prevent injury, especially if you have to drag 300lbs of brother out. Even so, things still happen. Just last year I lost my footing deep in a commercial structure fire manning a 2-1/2” attack line (big water) with a ****ty backup man. Got blown backwards, tried to catch myself, torqued my foot 90* in a direction it wasn’t meant to go, felt a big snap, and completely ruptured a couple ligaments. Crawling out was not a good time (nor a good look), and neither was the recovery.
But it’s part of the job, and one must get back on the horse.
#119
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2020
Posts: 399
I must sound like the worst one in Hollywood, because I break myself a lot and never get to make a grab.
Just trying to highlight that firefighting, while rewarding, isn’t how the movies and TV shows portray it. You’re one misstep (literally) from a potentially career ending injury. Once you’re established in the 121 world, I wouldn’t even think about doing it.
Just trying to highlight that firefighting, while rewarding, isn’t how the movies and TV shows portray it. You’re one misstep (literally) from a potentially career ending injury. Once you’re established in the 121 world, I wouldn’t even think about doing it.
#120
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 47
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.
I never said I wasn't happy flying. I wasn't happy making crap FO wages in an environment that had zero mobility. From your comment it doesn't seem like you've flown in the regional world. It's night and day between left seat and right seat. The pay goes up by 70 percent. U get to manage the cockpit however you want. No dealing with 30 year crusty captains complain for 4 days about politics and complaining how they didn't get hired at mainline because of this or that. 4 day trips with a good crew doesn't seem like work when you're constantly laughing and enjoying the flying. But 4 days can feel like an eternity when u run into the crusty captain.
"Just be happy with what you have" thanks Dr. Phil that's some great advice.
Not everyone on this forum has worked in an office environment. Forums like this is a great place to get information from people who have different experiences from yourself. Just because you know what it's like to work in an office environment doesn't mean everyone else does. I was just providing an update to my post so other people might be able to get some helpful information.
Unlike people giving alternatives like being a firefighter, under water welder in the Middle East, and making adult type movies Your post has literally done nothing to advance the conversation or make anyone laugh.
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