Go get Microsoft Flight Sim or whatever its called.;)

How about the military? They've got both and you might get to go real fast -- and if the Navy is your choice, you get really good at short field landings. Pay is pretty good and mergers are not allowed. Job security is great unless there are too many of you and we run out of places to defend, conquer, police, isolate. Don't have to worry about contract negotiations, collective bargaining agreements, or crew tracking. Really nice retirement, free health care, cool uniforms, and discounts shopping at the company store.

Downside -- Irregular schedule, bullets and other lethal things coming your way. Not much of a grievance process, bases change constantly (and are sometimes located in very remote locations -- similar to regional airlines). Difficult commute. Calling in sick is frowned upon, especially if you miss ship's movement. If you decide to make it a career, you'll stop flying, go to the Pentagon where you'll learn strategic things that you can't talk about, good table manners, and how to "manage up" !!

Come to Pinnacolaba!!!! The guys that have been on reserve for the last few years at pinnacle are praying for some reinforcements.

State job no question. Youll have stability, and wont be transferred to MEM, JFK, DTW, whatever their base of the month is. I am sure the benefits of being a state employee are farrr better than Pinnacle as well.

I've never met anyone that had a gov't flying job that hated it. A little different work but you said it yourself you'll make 2x the pay. Now on top of that you take things like better retirement and health benefits and you're going to see a very substantial upside to flying for the govn't. If I could do it again I would. Plus you'll still have room to jump up the ladder.

My vote is go government. It's a step up from regionals so if you can do it go for it. There's no telling who will even be around 3-5 years from now. You've already seen Mesa, XJT, ASA, Colgan, Mesaba, Frontier, Midwest, Lynx, Skybus, Compass, Republic, Champion, Aloha, ATA, the Midwest regional, United, Continental, Delta, Northwest and I'm sure several others make drastic changes within that amount of time. It's such a coin flip on what's going to happen next I'd take the govn't job just to stop the insanity of always wondering what's going to happen to you next!

A pilot would not be a "political position" any more than a janitor would. Your job would be to fly, which has nothing to do with state politics. Odds are good you would have minimal interaction with the pax, and any conversations would be generic in nature (weather, family, football, etc).

As a civil servant you would have far greater job security than any part 91 pilot, and junior 121 pilots. Except for very senior executive jobs, civil servants cannot be fired on a whim, and even legitimate poor performance requires so much hassles, due process, and documentation that it is easier to just leave the slacker in place. Unlike corporate, the boss can't fire you if he doesn't like the way you comb your hair, or if a prettier pilot happens to come along.

If the state budget is in bad shape, an aviation department would be an obvious cost-cutting target. But if they are hiring NOW...odds are that their budget couldn't get much worse.

Of course the government could go the way of Greece, cut your pension and run out of money to pay you with. As it looks now, this is a real possibility within the next 10 years.

I honestly still really like it.

Well i got the call from pinnacle, interview thursday next week. I will go do my best. i have already interviewed with the great state of North Carolina and await their reply.

An airplane is an airplane is an airplane. If you can understand that, you will make the right choice. I know guys that have gone from piston to LCC's and corporate with no regional or turbine experience. You will fly a jet sooner or later. You just may take a more exciting route doing the state gig and will be able to pay off those loans:D Just my 2 cents.

Nump