I just meant it’s a waste of money for a guy with 400 hours and an instrument rating. Just go local and Taylor the program to your remaining requirements. Your hours are worth something, most career changers start at zero hours, you are way ahead of that...

Right. Point well taken.

I went out on 12-16 day corporate trips; a five day trip felt like an overnight.

GF

US airlines do early am departures from most destinations. This maximizes utilization of the planes, and allows folks with connections, or west to east transons, to arrive early enough to actually do something. Crews and planes have to be in position for those early flights.

Also any flight much over four hours is too long to return with out exceeding legal fight time limits.

Airlines are not going to up-end the hub and spoke model for pilot convenience. Plus pilots who commute to work don't WANT locals... they want hotels and per diem the whole time they're at work. About half of US pilots commute.

A few niche airlines may do all or mostly day trips, I think allegiant does that.

Hey NewCareer

I also used to work in finance as well. I just started ground school full time and I love it so far. For me a boring day flying is prob a lot more fun than jabbering about I bought this, sold that etc.

I'll never make what I made on the street in another profession but I have come to terms with that and quite frankly the QOL can not be worse than on the street. I know I will have to slug it out for a few years but have saved money and can support myself for 3 to 4 years if need be. If flying doesn't work out for whatever reason I can always go back to the street and shark like everyone else.

I am not married and don't have kids, so in a bit of a different boat but I just wanted to touch base with someone in a similar situation and hear their point of view.

PM if you are free.

Normally, I would say don’t do it. Especially with your career and your lifestyle. The more I read your posts, the more I say do it! If not, you’ll look back and wonder “what if”. Good luck!

Or, Why did I?

GF

Thanks man.

When I left the military I had a job lined up at a financial firm and I ran to the money. I really wanted to put in for a pilot spot and think about that moment all the time.

I was never one to live an extravagant over the top lifestyle but I would rather die happy and poor than pseudo rich always chasing another dollar. The truly wealthy in America use Wall Street to raise money for them, the big banks don't want you to know that though - they like pretending they actually control things.

Hi. Do it and don't look back, but have a back up plan. Anecdotally, there is a new hire in my class at JB who was in your SAME SHOES 3.5 years ago but lives in south Florida.
Step 1: Keep your job and pursue your commercial pilot rating.
Step 2: Find a local job that will allow you to build hours QUICKLY with your new shiny commercial rating. A CFI job would suffice. Note: need a CFI rating too.
Step 3: Log a minimum of 1500 hrs in order to get hired at a regional airline.
Step 4: A larger airline will call within XX years.

There's financial hardship at first but whatever, you can weather it. Sure there's some obstacles, but you seem like a smart person and you can get past them. Bottom line: now is a great time to pursue that passion. The only thing you need to consider is if the CHANGE IN LIFESTYLE is one you are ready to consider. Being away from home on the company's whim can be a big change. If you get past that, the rest seems like gravy.

Utter slop.

Defeated before you began, and now you will never know for yourself.

I have a friend who started flying, got a great first job and then quit because his pu$$y hurt a lil' bit.

For 25 years I have listened to his angst about never following through.

This career is EXACTLY what one makes of it and NOTHING else.

There are so many opportunities compared to the last 25 years or so...Never been a better time to give it the Old College try.

STK