Also let me just add that my ex-wife , (whose about to become my wife again ) is a school teacher w/two Master's degrees. She hopes to get on at the college level (where ever we may wind up) and eventually become a Provost of a university. This provides for additional financial stability for our family.

Btw, we have a 2yr old son and hope to have maybe 1 or 2 more children...but that's it!!!!!:
atp

 

How'd ya guess? LOL

Hired in 99 left in 05....still an FO with no hope for upgrade. Really fun being basically an IOE instructor to the Flushbacks yet still in the right seat and getting paid crap. Another reason I said adios.

 

Look, I understand that folks need to start somewhere and about the desire to get an "airline job", but the fact that people are willing to start out a career (in today’s industry) at minimum wage (just about) is what hurts the profession. It cheapens it, IMHO. You would think that someone trying to make a living in life would see the starting pay and elect to pass on the job. Say I was a still in college or looking for a career change and wanted to be a Widget Maker or whatever. Doing my research of that job market (as everyone should before such endeavor) I find that all the starting jobs out there (almost across the board) paid minimum wage. I think I would definitely pass on that career pursuit.

What is it about being an "airline pilot" that makes people still pursue it? Is it so they can brag to the chics and their friends of how they fly airplanes for a living, or that they just love flying that much, or that they get to wear the shinny pressed uniform (which is about all you get to show for it at the end of an airline career now days)?

Yeah, pay was low a decade or more ago at then commuter carriers, but it was a different industry then. You did your 3 - 5 years got the time and got hired at a "real" airline that (then) offered an excellent living. Oh the times they a change. The industry is slowing becoming a sweat shop. You take a job at that crappy "regional" now and not only is there job insecurity, but you might but stuck at that regional for a LONG time wondering if and when you will lose that job to another carrier who's pilots are willing to wh0re themselves out.

I wouldn't call it a high risk job at all. If you call being an airline pilot a high risk job then you probably should be evaluating your flying abilities. The aircraft these days are so automated, forgiving, and backup proofed that a monkey could fly it. The only risk to it is when you have someone upfront that makes poor decisions, and that is why the job is worth better pay. Because it requires experience to make those decisions and the route to gaining that experience and skill as a proficient pilot is deserving of a good paycheck. And experience is not gained at some fly-by-night training school that gives you an FO ticket at 250 hours or whatever.

Sorry about the rant.

 

Qm,

I left the pursuit of the airlines three years ago. I couldn't see throwing away anymore years on a hopeless effort. I run my one business now. People get upset because you are blaspheming the religion of aviation by bringing to light what most know to be true but don't want to think about. Most would rather live in denial.

SkyHigh

 

As a friendly suggestion I would leave flying as a dream or else your renewed wife could become an ex again. Now is not the time to start a family and an aviation career. Why don't you just let it go and stay here with me and post to ease the pain?

SkyHigh

 

ATP,

It really is a low risk job. You are safer sleeping in the right seat of an RJ than stepping into the shower at home.

SkyHigh

 

What problem is there? If you leave UPS to fly they you will be committing yourself to a life of poverty, loneliness and frustration. 75K is more than what you could ever hope to earn as a regional pilot. Logic says to stay where you are and continue to fly your 150.

SkyHigh

 

Money is material, happiness is priceless.

 

Yeah, I have some friends there and they are optimistic they will upgrade in 4-5 years. Ah well.

Anyway, I sincerely think your outlook on life would be totally different had you left in 2003 for Skywest, XJET, Chautauqua, heck even Mesa because you'd be a CA right now and might possibly have a shot at a Major. You timed it badly, and I feel your frustration, however I don't think you should be trying to convince people to get out of aviation just because you missed one of the largest hiring phases at the regionals.

I myself am at a stagnent regional and most likely will get out and go do something else (maybe freight or frac) if I haven't upgraded in 3 years. Even so, our 2nd and 3rd year FO's make in the $40's so life could be worse.

 

Every once in a while those "automated" aircraft do catch fire!