Commuting is no fun. Commuting on reserve is downright painful. In fact I would rather eat glass then commute on reserve again. It is expensive to be a commuter; 250.00 a month for a crash pad; 50.00 a month or more for grocery; 50.00 or more a month for gas and what other expenses you may incur whether necessary or not do add up especially during your first year. My crash pad is ten minutes from the parking lot; but then you have to wait on the bus followed by a ten to fifteen minute ride to the airport. It could be me but it gets old.

I wonder if the trickle of SLC pilots coming back into ATL will push junior guys such as myself back down the food chain; possibly back to reserve? I guess it would just depend on how many F/O's bid back to the 200. Any ASA pilot input on that one?

Thanks

 

I've made a few transitions in my day...but have failed over and over at my hoped for career of Mega Millions lottery winner.... That said, everybody has to find their own balance. I always wanted to be a pilot- didn't get there- but reading these forums makes me feel better! At one point in my late twenties/early thirties I considered becoming a cop. I had a good friend who was 10 years older, a sergeant, tell.."Don't be an idiot.. I never get to deal with nice people, ever..(think about it- you just deal with criminals and victims- kind of like passengers, maybe?), shift work (pilots have to deal with odd changing hours) and I can't leave my department to move someplace better because I'll lose my pay and seniority (sound familiar?). Those are the down sides- on the upside my very best friend will be able to retire at age 46 with 25 years of service on a good, gauranteed pension and health insuance benefits. He intends to move to the country and relax. In NJ, where I'm originally from (although I took speech therapy so people wouldn't know), senior patrolmen (6-10 years) can easily make $60-$80,000 without overtime and much more if you put the overtime in. But, as has been said before, the job has it's hazards though...

 

I am just trying to make a few points. Also it is my opinion that for every happy pilot there is in the world there are 20 more unhappy ones. Most failed pilots disappear into the woodwork and never share their experiences. Everyday I run across ex-pro pilots who do something else now. I am the rare exception that is sticking around to balance the cheer staff.

Besides, aviation failed me. I was there every day for almost 20 years giving my 100%. I never failed a check ride or test, worked my way through college to get a degree in aviation and business. Have a file full of letters of recommendation from almost every employer. Ended my career at 36 by being laid off as a 757 FO who just barley earned more than a mailman.

After a while you begin to notice a glaring injustice and imbalance in aviation. Most other careers that require a similar level of sacrifice and dedication pay much better and offer a chance at a real life. People need to be prepared for the entire picture when they intend to sign up for an aviation career.

SKyHigh

 

A typical pilot career takes 1-3 years to get the ratings followed by 1-4 years as a CFI then on to 2-5 years as a regional FO before upgrade. Police and fire in my area start at around 36-50K and go up from there. An average regional captain starts at someplace between 38 and 44K and takes an average of ten years total investment in flight training and experience ergo the ten years. In addition most of the time a four year degree is required so if you choose you could tack on an additional 4 to 5 years. As a cop or fire candidate few are required to have a degree. Sometimes only a weekend of testing is required to get on the list.

In conclusion a few of my pilot friends have become cops and are much happier now. They own homes, travel trailers, take vacations, have real health insurance are raising families and enjoy opening their retirement statements and watch it grow every month.

SkyHigh

 

flyerNy


I'm also an ex eagle guy. I saw that there was no future in it for all the reasons described in previous posts. Left the job in less than a year and am currently out of aviation as a career. I am pursuing a masters in teaching science. At least I'll start out making 50k (with a secure pension, plus I like to teach) when I am done with school in a year and a half. I don't understand why there are so many people still wanting to take a job that offers just about nothing except the glory of saying "I’m an airline pilot". I too think about going back to flying as I miss it, but it doesn’t take much to remind me of the logical reasons I left. Plus, I don’t have to sleep in a hotel. I still fly light aircraft and instruct for fun and a couple of bucks and kind of laugh in my head when a young guy with big bright eyes says to me "I’m going to be an airline pilot" - I was once like that too. But it is not for me and at least I can say I did it

FlyerNY posted this on another thread and since it relates to career changing I though I would re-post it here.

SkyHigh

 

Well, being laid off, having a 50% pay cut, have benefits taken away, missing family events, working holidays and weekends, working long hours, and being looked upon as the person that pushes the button to fly the plane also sucks.

...by the way, my best friend is a brain surgeon and he loves his job. Not to mention he averages more than 20 dollars an hour. Sorry your friend wasn't smart enough to chose what he wanted to do.

 

I resemble that remark! Plus, I have a very reasonable expectation to make much more than that in the future!

 

Worked at National huh?

 

Why do you say that? Times at my airline have never been better with no end in sight!

 

I don't think he discourages people from pursuing their dreams. I think he discourages people who happen upon aviation as a way to get rich. I think he offers advice that comes from life-experience to those pursuing their dreams so that they don't go into this career blind.