Get back in or stay out?
 

I've been contemplating getting back into flying for a few months now, just don't know if it's worth it. I haven't driven an airplane for over 5 yrs. now. Last time was in a 727 freighter as FO, got furloughed, re-evaluted life as pilot, started my own business. I'm home every nite w/wife & kid but miss driving that jet. After reading some posts here, I see some things haven't changed: Mgmt B.S. QOL etc. I've got 2200 hrs., 1150 FO 727, 650 FE
Any insight appreciated

What is more important to you - good QOL with your family or flying?

Depending on where you live, you might be able to make professional airline flying a true part-time job, allowing you to fly while also working on your business. You might also pursue a local 135 charter job to keep you 'in the game', so to speak.

Good luck with your decision...

Boy, you came to the right place, you may get opinions that run from every end of the spectrum!

I can only speak for myself as I re-entered aviation full time after a prolonged absence. Questions I had to consider, can I afford the pay cut? Is my wife behind me? Can we handle the prolonged nights away from home? Will my wife mind moving to a new city? Would she mind, and can I handle the 2 months of intence training? I am going to miss some special moments in my kids life, but I will be home for others, will this be a problem?..... Those are a few questions I faced, and some I could not have adequate answers for unless I was in the business.....

I went for it, and believe me, I am having the time of my life. I fly for a fantastic company and am happier than ever doing what I should have been doing all the long. Yeah, there are moments, scheduling problems, management, ego's, troublemakers, cry-babies. But what the heck, they can be interesting, even fun to laugh at. And I have yet to find a job, that does not have it's share of BS anyways, so I might as well as enjoy what I am doing while dealing with the BS.

Hope that helps, and if you do go for it, get yourself current, and maybe a few extra hours. With your experience, you should have no problems...

Good Luck

OH and my wife loves it!

Four Years
 

I got out four years ago myself and have a strong business now and I too have similar moments of longing for the sky.

I also quit smoking over 18 years ago and occasionally have a desire to light up. Don't do it man. Resist the urge. Perhaps in ten years when aviation has totally imploded you and I can pick up a left seat 747 position for kicks but don't let yourself or family down.

GA is dying and airplane values are dropping like rocks. Buy a Bonanza and forget about it.

SkyHigh

That's not necessarily true...

The current pilot demand means you could get back in with no problem, but at the regional level. You would need to do some minimal GA flying to get current again.

You might look into private corporate in your home town, or maybe backup up pilot for a charter op. My corporate friends pull in $50-60K+, fly a few days a month, and have real jobs or businesses on the side.

Smoking/Flying
 

SkyHigh, you need a new analogy. There are zero documented positive side effects to smoking. There are countless aviation success stories, as well as failures.

Smoking Success
 

There are successful smokers who die from car accidents instead. Some positive effects of smoking are; weight loss, reduced stress and added coolness. Plenty of people who smoke are able to live to ripe old ages.

The same could be said for aviation. A few are able to make a go of it however for most successes in aviation are usually short lived and open to interpretation.

To me the analogy is highly comparable and valid.

SkyHigh

Please note that this is my 2000th post !!! Call me a hero if you wish.

GA is dying
 

The numbers of student pilots have plummeted over the past 20 years. In 2006 the number of student pilots was 15,000 less than AOPA's estimates. There are fewer student pilots than there are flight instructors now.

The prices of small planes are plummeting. Soon all we will have is sport pilots who are reduced to small and remote flight parks and millionaires in PC-12's. The day of the middle class private pilot is almost over.

Skyhigh