You said it yourself: "every once in a while...". I wouldn't call that high risk. Do you really think aviation would be a mode of mass transit if it where "high risk"? I would consider high risk as flying over airspace with AAA and SAMs looking to shoot you down.

Let's not kid ourselves guys and try boosting our egos or impressing people with a distortion of the job.

I will say, however, that the job requires skill and experience to deal with said emergencies, and that is why the job deserves a good check.

 

Money and happiness are relative to each other. It is a fact.

SkyHigh

 

I was on Welfare my first year on the job!!!!!

 

It is not a fact. It is an opinion. My opinion is that money and happiness being relative is but a sick illusion played on too many people by society. There are plenty of 'simple folk' that are poorer than you or myself that are happier than either of us. Of course, this has been just an opinion, not fact.

 

You may have missed out on a major airline job. I would highly recommend to you "Do not give up your UPS Driver position to go and fly at a regional." You will be broke and your life style will change for the worse. Retire as a truckdriver and fly on the side in your C150 or even fly part time Charter or Corporate. Forget the Majors. What you have read about in the past regarding payscales and great life style is no longer. Its a changing industry that its simply a job not a career. May I simply say you make more money then FO's at my Major Airline job. Good luck in your search. your personnal happiness is what will get you through life. May that be flying or driving?

 

Studies have been done. 20/20 did a show on it last Friday. It is a fact. Money does aid in happiness and the lack of definitely adds to misery. Ask those simple folk if they would prefer a better way of life and I am confident that they all would accept. It takes money to raise children, provide for your parents, prepare for retirement, take care of you or loved ones who become sick, pay for college, buy safe adequate transportation and housing, Help the needy. Money is beyond important it is essential. It allows us to to good things for ourselves and our friends and families. The lust for money and the material possessions that it can provide is negative, but money in itself is just the opposite, it is the key to a better life. In my estimation it takes almost 100K to properly fund a family of four in most suburban areas.

SKyHigh

 

SkyHigh:

Got the support of my wife-to-be. She is all for it. She is fully aware of the pitfalls of the industry and risks that are involved. We made the decision together.

Also, disagree w/you. Money and material possession itself doesn't bring happiness.

directbears:

a. Not suffering from shiny jet syndrome.
b. Don't plan on making the initial salary through my entire career.
c. We have multiple income streams.
d. Chased the skirts in my 20's & early 30's. Those days are long gone.

I enjoy flying b/c it is a vocation that I chose to pursue as a child. It is a goal deferred. You see, I will not limit myself to the regional airline industry. I have made excellent contacts here in Naples, FL. The tarmacs & ramps at the FBO's here are JAMMED with corporate and other aircraft of all types during the season.

Keeping my options open however.

atp

 

The wife may not realize what your intended path truly included. You probably don't even fathom the hardships and challenges that you face. Especially if you are planning to have more children how are you going to explain why you were in LAX when the baby comes? When she is sick a phone call from DCA really will not help her. And if things go south for her career how are you going to provide for your family?

SkyHigh

 

Multiple income streams. Not to sound like an a$$, but...what part didn't you catch?

And you know SkyHigh, I probably don't know what challenges await me. However, Denise & I have dealt with many life altering challenges (death of child five days before he was to be born; divorce, etc.) in our few years together. Personally I believe with God on our side...we'll make it.

atp

 

All that aside a family needs a dad who is at home. Happy families need security and stability. 40 isn't old but it is too old to start out in aviation with the responsibilities that you have. You missed your chance don't risk what you have.

SkyHigh