Looks like being a dentist, doctor, or lawyer has its gambles too. By the way, if building a real life is working 50+hrs a week, dumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into med-malpractice insurance, and having no morals(i.e.-personal compensation attorneys and COMAIR for just one example) then you can have it. I will spend my days playing peter pan as long as God lets me. I don't know what black hole you live in that sucks all your money away, but I make a decent living as a regional FO, and I have been able to pay off my debt and buy a house in the two years that I have been employed here. I also have multiple outside investments that are making me plenty of money and building me MY FUTURE. And while all that is going on I still get to play peter pan. Guess I haven't grown up yet though.

 

I guess they didn't do 5 shifts of 16 hours in one week because that would make them a pilot right? Make no mistake I have had weeks that no doctor can touch trust me! I respect those guys but that doesn't make them the hardest workers, and besides like I said they did it by choice not because the company said do it or hit the road

 

And most likely you never will. Staying young is one of the great things about being an airline pilot. Even well into your forties you can live in a crash pad and survive on top ramen like a bunch of college kids. Fun...

SkyHigh

 

I don't think I have eaten top ramen since college. Normally I will have a steak, lobster, fish, really whatever I feel like. I don't live in a crash pad, I live in my house with my wife. And for you to imply that pilots never grow up, but doctors, lawyers, dentists, and policeman all do is a highly uneducated statement. It is not about the occupation, but the individual. My mother raised three children working in a grocery store deli and with a small amount of money from my father. I make far more money than she ever did, but she somehow managed to provide us with food, clothing, and a nice place to live. Once again, I don't know what kind of irresponsibe spender you are, but perhaps you are the one that needs to grow up.

 

Skyhigh you are the most negative person I have ever met. What are you still doing on this forum? If you love your new job then why do you continue to come on here? Yes you have some good stuff to say sometimes but geez man you are freakin miserable with everything. I can tell then you miss flying..we all can. Money is not everything. Who cares if I am making $20000 this year, I am 22 years old. My pay will continue to go up dramatically every year. Hell, maybe even by the time I am 26 I can have a descent house with my awesome captain's salary! I love the company I work for and I get to travel wherever I want to. I don't mind hearing different information to learn from others about this industry but all you do is say that we all need to quit our jobs and go work in some other industry. I dont want to be a cop or a dentist or a doctor. I want to be an airline pilot so please chill out man!

 

You're raising a whole new generation here, SH!

 

Everyone is allowed thier opinion. For some aviation is still new and the excitment has not worn off yet. Some that have done it for a long time actually really like it, BS and all. I myself don't care for it anymore and would like to leave.

But the one important thing to remember is your life is happening right now! Do what makes you happy now, you never know if you will have a later.

Start to appreciate your crummy regional job, it is pretty cool, even if your not paid what your worth. When you make it to a major, appreciate that also thats your goal. But if you never make it any further than you are now enjoy the ride and enjoy the moment.

Now, if I could just follow my own advise I would be ok, this indusrty has made me angry and dissapointed but oh well at least I have my health,wife,house,dog,cats,food,heat,water,flush toilet,beer, you get the idea!

Good Luck.

 

You guys have spent a small fortune and wasted some of the best years of your life to earn postman wages.

I don't waste my money. I just simply want more out of life than what the airlines currently provide.

If you guys want to give it away to a regional airline then have at it. My goal is to raise your expectations a little.

Why make similar sacrifices as a doctor or lawyer to make less than the guy who picks up your garbage?

If you guys are happy with that, then I guess someone has to do it.



Skyhigh

 

Lay down and play dead? If you don't reach your goals just get use to it?

I agree that you have to find some satisfaction with your current position in life however we all must sacrifice to get anywhere. Sure things could be worse but all progress is made by dissastified men.

My goal was the majors by 35 or bust. As you might have guessed I busted out but have found a much better place anyway. I do miss flying but moreover I miss my dream of being an appreciated, well paid major airline professional while still young enough to be able to get someplace worthwhile.

Indentured servitude at a regional airline would make prisoners cringe. My reason for working my way through college and paying for my ratings as I went was so I could afford a better life for myself and family. The post 911 generation of pilots come prepared to lay their lives down to the regionals for peanuts.

There has been a lot of hiring at the regionals but till recently near zero at the majors. A large percentage of the turnover at the regionals has been from dissatisfied, poor pilot who once reaching the end of the rainbow have found an empty pot and walked away from the profession.

30K per year as a 20 something seems like a lot of money, at 40 with a wife and kids in tow it makes you want to cry.

My advise is to get a real job while you still can.


SkyHigh

 

Go away already.