you guys have to stop bashing skylow. You need the negative to balance out the possitive. Aviation is nothing what it use to be, and never will be.

edik

 

SkyHIgh puts a very negative aura around aviation. He is discouraging people from pursuing their dreams. Medicine sucks too. Work 80 hours a week, on call 6 days a week. Physicians dont make what they used to make. Patients bitching etc. HMO's telling us how to do our jobs; we cant even prescribe medications with out getting calls that the insurance wont cover in, prior auths etc. There are doctors who tell people dont go into medicine it sucks. Every field has the people who love it and those who dont. listen to people and what they say because it is their own personal experience and opinion. I have 30 friends who fly for XJT and love it. Its all relative wheter it is good or not.

MY opinion - stay away from medicine it sucks. Its more of a sweat shop that aviation. A cardiologist I know was just complaining the other day that he hate it, working 100hrs a week always on call. He averages 20 dollars on hour when you figure it out!!

 

Try 600k. Seriously. The median price of a home in the bay area is 660k now, with San Mateo county (just north of San Jose) in the 800k range.

 

So what? This isn't a medical forum. On a medical forum you may find negative opinions of that industry. This is an aviation forum, and opinions of aviation, positive and negative, are going to be expressed. Some people's dreams SHOULD remain just that. That's not an opinion--it's a fact. People with families have responsibilities that preclude fulfilling selfish, childish desires to play pilot at the tail-end of their working lives.

 

I agree that there comes a time in ones life when they should give up the dream. But then I dont think having a family nor older in age precludes the career either!

 

I agree. You have to adjust your goals as age / family come into play. In my 40s if I decide on aviation - i'll be looking for 135 then 121 regional CA as a stop point.

People get into trouble when their goals don't match their qualifications / time-horizon...

IMHO...

-LAFF

 

I absolutely positively agree.

I have decided to evaluate where I am and the industry is at the 3yr mark. At that point, I will determine whether or not it would be feasible to attempt a jump to the majors/cargo are stay on at the regional or 135 level. However the reality of is is that I'll probably wind up being a 12-15year CA with a regional... and that's just fine with me.

atp

P.S. - Anybody still care to answer the original question ? I know that there are some of you out there.

 

In response to your original question....I'm a somewhat inexperienced regional fo (about 1 year otj) so take it for what it's worth... If you can get there without going into debt for school, can be happy just "making it" for a few years and afterwards realize that the majority, at least for now, are not making it to the big pay, then I say go for it. If you can be happy at a regional Cap's pay (60-75k +/-) and LIVE IN BASE then imo it's a great job. Commuting SUCKS...I had to commute for about 3 months and have 2 small children...I saw my family very little and wouldn't have lasted this long if I didn't get my hometown as base in my 4th month. BTW...
I fly 121, crj, have a VERY understanding and gracious wife that's really helped with surviving the transition from another career. I also love my job, but still listen to the negetives because they are definately there. The key so far for me is being in base. I have averaged 15 days off over the past 4 months and it's been GREAT to be with the family, even though we have very little money to do anything with. Hope that helps

 

Ps. Imagine having 10-15 days off living out of domicile...you spend an additional 2 days traveling to and from base...you're lucky to get 4 quality days a month with your family/friends...and now you also pay for a crash pad....pps...crash pads usually suck

 

I certainly appreciate your input and yes...living in domicile is one of issues I have discussed with my wife to be. We have decided that when it comes to applying to the regionals, we would like to stay in the SE part of the US, so my efforts will be aimed at those companies that offer domiciles in the south, however I am aware that you are based where the company's needs are most pressing.

Thanks for your response.

atp