**EDIT

Let me say that I understand that the airline industry is hard, I've worked within the airline industry for about 2.5 years, in a non-flying job, and have been laid off twice, and potentially facing a third time. I understand that the job of being an airline pilot means low pay, in the beginning, no guaranteed of advancement, and no guarantees of any stable job security. It isn't all glitz, and glamour. Nor, is any job, for that matter.

I know people who are happy with their job as an airline pilot, and I also know people who are veru unhappy in their job working 9-5. The lifestyle of being a pilot will be for some people, and not for others. Just because one person doesn't like the career, doesn't mean that everybody will hate it, and just because one person sees no advancement to a major, doesn't mean someone else will not.

I think when you look at aviation vs. non aviation jobs, it really does go both ways. I don't think the grass is any geener, you just have to find your niche, and what makes you happy.

 

if you're looking at the airplanes with starry eyes, It would probably take someone an awful lot to talk a person out of flying. If you could ride in the jumpseat on a 4 day trip, it probably wouldn't convey the same feeling as being at the company for 5 years and fighting management for your pay, for your Christmas bonus, your days off, and your QOL.

You're quite a far way from being in the right seat of a regional aircraft dan, but if you work hard and persevere, I'd have faith that you'll make it to that seat. On the contrary, don't get to the airlines expecting a schedule like the one you saw from your friend.

As Bryris mentioned, my company has a max of 16 days off this month. That's for an individual who has close to 20 years of experience here, probably more on the captain end. NONE of the trips are day trips, you WILL NOT be in your own bed every night and flying out the next morning, with three or four day weekends. To an individual who's lucky enough to hold a schedule like that, they're typically getting the best of both worlds, home every night, see the family every night, fly airplanes during the day, and have more days off than the average joe will ever know. The downer, you're still making peanuts, but at least the QOL (time away, time off) is pretty good.

This would be the rub. Living in base is the only thing that makes that schedule work. If you lived in Denver, or Seattle, etc, you'll find yourself commuting to work. If your flight departs at 8am, and there's not a 6am flight that will get you to YOUR gate close to 7:15 (typical report for duty time) then you'll be coming in the night before. Luckily for that schedule, it looked pretty commutable on the way out, but, with winter schedules and not summer schedules, often late night flights get reduced and moved up. If the last flight to your home leaves at 6pm, and you get in at 5pm, better hope you didn't have any maintenance delays or you might be sleeping in the crew room or the crash pad for the evening.

When you look at a schedule like that, you end up commuting in the night before, leaving out the day after, which will typically take up half your day on either side of the equation, reducing that 15 days off to around 11 or so days at home, which can be a real drag on your lifestyle, especially if you're not off on the weekends when the rest of the world is off.

I will give you one of the joys i loved about my flying job. GOLF. there are two cheap city owned golf courses close to the airport. I could pack my overnight bag, throw the clubs in the car, meet up with a couple of my buddies (also pilots) on a monday, tuesday, wednsday, thursday, or friday (tried to avoid the weekends) while sitting home reserve. I wouldn't be getting paid anything of course, but, in a pair of uniform pants, and polo, i could squeeze 9 holes in, and even if called for duty, still be able to burn out, change shirts and show up to the airport within the 1.5hr call out time. That was probably the biggest bang for the buck with my flying job...Now, i'll be playing on the weekends...when everyone else is also... i hate busy courses.

 

"For those of us who tried it during the last 3-5 years, we sort of got the short end of the stick."

I think part of the problem is the perception given to the guys who got a jet job at 500-700 hours. At 2000 hours I was making 600/mo, working 6 days a week, flying 172's in the Grand Canyon. It was never easy and working your way up takes time. It took me 10 years from solo to a 121 prop job. I can see how those who got to the shiny jet at 500 hours could have pretty high expectations and be pretty dissapointed with the current environment.

It's not an easy career but I think it's an awesome career. It's not for everybody, though, and the sooner one figures out it's not for them, and the sooner they get out, the better it will be. Also, the more that leave the better it will be for those who stay.

We are in uncertain times. Age 65. The economy is in the crapper and aviation tends to ebb and flow with the economy. I think with fuel prices so low, though, the airlines might actually make money next year. Most of the planes I jumpseat on are nearly full. I think those that decide to stick it out will have a good shot at what I'd consider a worthy job in aviation. But, it's still not for everybody...

 

It's kind of funny how it's like two completely different jobs, between reserve and holding a line. I actually had a post a while back thinking about getting out of the industry back when I was on reserve. Now that I'm holding a line consistently, its not too bad. My commute is pretty easy and hopefully will continue to get fairly commutable schedules. Don't have a crashpad either right now which helps to save some cash. I'm definitely not at a "top tier" regional, but it's nice to just catch a flight, go to work and then come home and live my life. Yes I may hate the company I work for but it's an easy job when I can just go to work and not have to deal with crew trackers or sitting countless hours at the airport or crashpad.

 

I respect your reality check. However, there aren't many careers(let alone jobs) where you will make $50-85K your 1st/2nd year. If you believe there are then you may want to give yourself a reality check.

 

What about the simple fact that you get to fly? Obviously I love it considering I went out and got my PPL... I was hooked after my first lesson... hell I was hooked after my first commercial flight in 1991 as a kid... Right now I just can't afford to enjoy it anymore... It seems like GA is now reserved for the rich...(Only way it's affordable is to fill the seats and have everyone pay) So I figure why not give it purpose rather than simple enjoyment? Why not make it my career?

That brings me to another point... What about all the 135 jobs that might pop up once these VLJ's and the like hit the market? My mind is open to anything flying... airlines or not.

 

Do it if you want it. All we're doing is telling you what it is like in reality. If you can read all this stuff, close your eyes and put yourself there, and you still want it, what else can the world ask of you? Go do it.

As far as the flying, it never gets old to me. I love flying. But, its the other stuff that makes it a rough and tumble career choice.

 

If your mind is open to anything then why don't you start a business that in a decade or so can afford you a nice plane?

Everyone who jumps into aviation at one time or another felt the way that you do now. It is a dirty trick that a love of aviation is so difficult to satisfy unless you are well off or are prepared to throw your entire life into it.

My advise is to strive to reach a place where you can afford to live and also afford to follow your aviation dream. These days it is common to have multiple streams of income in order to survive an aviation career anyway. Why not start off with the business?

SkyHigh

 

So this is where all those salty guys who hate their jobs and whom my buddies talk about how much it sucks doing a four day trip with come to hang out. I was wondering if they had a forum for those guys! Wow I am glad that I don't have to fly with guys/gals like the whiners on this thread.

 

kinda like not having to fly with a guy named insanelyradical, if i heard those two words come up in an airplane, uttered by a crew, i might burst into laughter....

Neway, it can be a disheartening to read a post in which many individuals seem "angered" or turned off by the profession. At the same time, it's a necessary evil. Checks and Balance if you will, for the individuals who believe that the best day for flying a jet is today, tomorrow, and forever.