Well, I can insert my $.02 here I guess... I don't want to be too negative about the airline industry - you've got to take the good with the bad. There are some challenges, but then again it's better than being stuck in an office all day. That being said, I'm getting out, at least for now. I'm going back to my previous career making about what I made when I got out of that field, which is almost double what I made as a regional FO. I'm hopeful that things in this industry will work themselves out, but I'm not holding my breath. I plan on getting my flying fix by instructing on nights and weekends and maybe joining a flying club. The other thing to consider is that someday you're going to have to pay the student loans back. Good luck if you didn't marry into money. See the other thread on student loans for some numbers on that subject. I hope all goes well for anybody getting into aviation. Do it safe, but try to do it as cheaply as possible. The Army will teach you to fly helicopters for a 6 year commitment - that way you know you'll be flying for at least 6 years anyway.....

 

Thanks everyone for your input. Lots of mixed feelings about this industry. Thank you all.

 

If you go there will be trouble, if you stay it will be double.

 

And all at once, you could be a 8 year FO (hopefully not!). At Comair, one month you could have been a 9-10 year captain, and next month be an FO. It can be done (living on flying pay), but not for the first few years at a regional.
Flying cargo in an Aztec paid more than my first year at a regional.

 

One thing I am learning recently is that there seems to be more money in the corporate side of things, that being said, non union companies have no CBA therefore no min. guarentee and you fly a lot less than 121 scheduled flying, but it might be a side of the industry for you to look into. From what I'm seeing the people I have seen on this side seem a bit happier

 

check your pm's

 

I'll try and keep this short. Learned to fly in '73. Always wanted to be an airline pilot. Instructed, instructed, instructed, etc.. Get the picture? Finally after 34 years of trying to get in somewhere, I got hired at RAH in '07. I thought "I finally made it, I'm gonna be an airline pilot". Went through all the training up through Sim 6 (145) in Houston. My wife thought I was nuts, did support me though. Three days before training was to conclude for me, I resigned. Stress, no money (I make as much money now in 5 days as I would have in a month at RAH as first year FO). THIS WAS NOT FLYING to me as I had learned and hoped to do the 30+ years prior. Airline pilots were revered back then, respected. Not today! Sadly, I let my "dream" go.

I still fly and instruct on my own time and terms. I have my own business, although, a little slow right now. As stated before, it takes a ******load of luck (I'll catch a lot of flak for that, I know) and knowing the right people and being able to network. I waited a long time for a dream to come true, and then I threw it in the dumpster! I love to fly more than anything. And I MEAN ANYTHING! Going to be 57 in a couple of weeks (no geezer comments, thank you) and I just keep going. Thank you all for letting me rant!