And I can't enjoy the 172, because I don't make nearly enough money to rent the thing and be able to eat at the same time...

I took the time to read your jetcareers post from top to bottom. I think you did a great job conveying the current situation with your updates. It is a sad thing that the industry has turned into this.

I, like you, have always dreamed to fly. It sounds cliche' amongst the circles we walk in, but it is just a disease we cannot shed. My story is similar to yours, although not nearly as progressed. The journals that I kept as an elementary school student are filled with the sloppy handwritings of a child who wanted to be an airline pilot. I too built model airplanes, and still do, actually. I soloed at 16, PPL at 17, instrument at 18, commercial by 20, up the line to my CFI, II, MEI. I did it part 61 the whole way, and do not owe a dime to anyone for my training. 100% debt free at 26 years old.

I majored in accounting, graduated and got married (no regrets at all. Best thing that ever happened to me). I worked as an accountant for a regional firm (yes, there are regional accounting firms too). It made me good money. I bought an old Jeep Wrangler as an extra fun vehicle with the extra money I was making (see my avatar), bought a house, life was good. Except, I still had this unfulfilled dream of being a professional pilot and in the back of my mind, I still knew that I would try it when the timing was right.

It seemed the timing was right 2 years ago. I got hired on with a regional after 6 months of instructing. I had 726 TT, and 36 ME. I thought I had hit the jackpot!!! I was so happy to be flying an RJ. They might be the smallest airplanes in the 121 world, but they dwarf the 172's I was used to.

I enjoyed it for a few months, but soon realized it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. My wife was lonely, I was lonely. But I was paying my dues!!! However, as you so accurately stated in your post, things aren't what they used to be. My seniority is dropping now, instead of going up, I am losing days off, and am about to be displaced, then furloughed 2 months later. The majors are still furloughing, there is little growth (save for Mesaba) anywhere right now. All the majors are just drowning in resumes from guys hugely more qualified than I am right now.

It will be this way for a good while. As a 26 year old guy, still in the "build" phase of my life, building a foundation for to-be children, etc, this industry just isn't the place to be right now.

For me, that dreamer still exists. I am not exactly sure what that kid thought it would be like - he was probably naive. But, I have experienced it in reality, outside the dreamworld, and have concluded it would take an incredible leap of faith to continue to gamble my family's and my future on this profession.

If it turns around in time, I will certainly come back aboard. The fact that you got to UPS in 7 years is AMAZING. I know guys who are still sitting as a junior reserve captain in their 7th year, with a downgrade right around the corner. UPS, Southwest, Netjets, etc are all pipe dreams for anyone who is still a relative novice (those with less than 1,000 turbine PIC RIGHT NOW) for many many years to come.

It is sad that it has gone this way. A magnificent career choice, once akin to a doctor or lawyer, reduced down to this level. If only that young kid writing in his journal would have known - he'd probably be in tears.

That is a good schedule, admittedly. Mix commuting in and it would be horrible though. At my company, though, you'd have to be in the top 20 of both captain or fo to get a schedule like that. The rest of us get 11-13 days off.

Also, I have worked real jobs for most of my working life. And I am still whining....

You are looking at the short term. First off, good luck even getting in. I wish you the best. I am much more qualified than you and I don't even see an opportunity for me for a good long time.

Secondly, even if you could land a job at a company that would give you a schedule like the one you posted, you are still going to be dealing with the fact that major airlines won't be hiring for a good while. But, you might just hit it right. The industry is likely going to rebound. I mean, people die. There is bound to be some movement. The population is growing, so there will be more pax to fly. Someone will have to drive the bus. By the time you get the ratings and experience to make it, it might just work out for you.

I would never try to dissuade you. I am mostly venting from what my experience has been. Hell, in 5-8 years, I may be back in a growing industry and flying with you sometime. But, in the continuing story that is professional aviation, right now just plain sucks. For those of us who tried it during the last 3-5 years, we sort of got the short end of the stick. de727ups, hit it at the right time and many of us are green with envy for that.

I am going to go diversify myself in another field for a while. If it turns around......who knows?

One thing I can promise you, my friend, you do not love aviation more than I do.

I live in the northeast... (Philadelphia)

There are a ton of busy airports around my region... maybe it wouldn't be so bad for me to have to commute? (If i couldn't get a job out of PHL... and had to work from JFK or EWR or something?)

someone likes flying to SBA.

What about the fact that a lot people will be turning 65 in 4 years now? (since they raised the age...)

Also I don't really care if I get to a major airline or not. Would I like to? You bet... Better cities, better pay, better equipment...

But I'd be more than content with a regional as a career too... In 3 - 5 years 60 or 70 grand a year... In 10 to 15 years... 100 grand a year (More than I'll EVER make in my current career), top of seniority list, and hot young FA's rather than the old bag's at the majors...

Being captain of a Q400 would be amazing to me. Growing up like I did (lower middle class), I never thought any of this was ever possible. I always thought the best thing I'd ever be able to do is be a cable guy or something like that... Then one day I realized I was good at fixing computers and understanding networks and anything electronic for that matter... Then bamm, got my private pilot license. Never even thought that was a possibility!

So being at a regional would be jackpot for me...

This statement couldn't be more true. Less just a VERY VERY few professions/jobs, there are hardly any that will give you $50-$85K in the first few years, even the first 10 years. Many careers may never see those amounts, period. I know plenty of people starting off in careers, outside of aviation, and they are pretty much all seeing the same progession, in pay, as an airline pilot. My good friend is in his 3rd year of an IT career, and makes $40K. I guess he should have just become a pilot, because Lord knows most pilots think that people like my friend are all making six figures, living this cushy, "outside of aviation", job, while my friend thinks the same of pilots.

ALPA says that an RJ captain with five years longevity makes an average of near $71K. I don't know many people making $70K+ five years into their career. I'm not saying people don't, but not many do. That is five years longevity, what about 10 years longevity? I think if your goal is to fly for a major airline, that is good, and it is probably most regional pilot's goal. However, a career at a regional doesn't bring in a shabby salary, when compared to what most of the country is making.

I wish you the best. Good luck on the hot young FA thing. I have yet to see more than one or two. Most hotties want to make more than $16,000 a year.

lol. some like to travel tho... Thanks for the good wishes... it's a long and challenging road ahead.. But just know that I was making 6.50 an hour not more than 4 years ago... Yes I am only 24, but I really haven't lived in about 4 years. Corporate jobs take your soul. just ask anyone. And the time I was making 6.50 an hour was the best time of my life... much better than today even with making a tad more than 3 times that...

Honestly Bryris arguing with someone who hasn't spent a day in his life at an airline is a bit akin to trying to describe to someone else what it is like to be in a car accident. The other fellow can never ever really know until he wrecks his own car one day.

I knew when I was 18 and single that I would be the 1 out of 5000 who makes it to UPS, when the reality of life made me one of the other 4999 and looking at regional FO status for about 13 years if I don't bail soon.