Probably the best thing about flying for the airlines is the "sometimes" great crews and overnights. I love going to SXM (St Maarten), and could fly there for the rest of my career. AUA (Aruba) is another nice place to go. But the people you work with are what makes this job so fun. They can also make your life hell. But in the end, it's nice being the boss.........you seem to get just a bit more respect than the cleaners............

it's a cool job, but it can be a crappy career.

By cool job, I mean flying airplanes into fun airports. Some of the best views you will ever see. Seeing things that a 9-5 doesn't get to see, getting to work with MANY different people from all backgrounds, not just the same 5-6 office people everyday. Operating a complex machine, etc. Sometimes getting decent layovers in nice places (domestic flying).

As far as walking through the airport in my uniform, you can keep that crap. Never cared about it in the first place. Going through security 1,2, sometimes 3 times a day, NO. Short overnights (like now), NO. Having lots of bag drag because of frequent aircraft swaps and long sits, NO. Having a day scheduled for 12 hours of duty but only 5.5 hours of flying, NO. Downgrade, displacement, furlough, taking a %60 pay cut and starting all over again, NO.

yes... my dad with 33 years and 23k hours still talks about how much he loves it!

Second career for me. Lot's of other positions including senior management, consulting, and a high flying dot com. I'm still green and new and I won't say this within ear-shot of management, but after four years of 121 flying it's by far the best job I've ever had.

21 plus years and still love the flying. The other stuff wouldn't stop from flying the line because no matter what other job I took I'd still be dealing with a bunch of negatives without the huge payback of doing what I enjoy the most.

I feel more tired internationally. I think it's because of all the time zone changes.

For me, it doesn't get any better than watching a sunset from on top.

For those few minutes I forget about all the negatives in the industry. Not many people get to see the things we do everyday when they go to work. I just couldn't bring myself to working in an office building.

You can chalk me down as one that still enjoys my job and flying in general.

Freight,

Are you excited when you go to work though?

I remember when I fley international I would get in the seat and say, "Wow, I get to go to Amsterdam or Naritia or Singapore or London today."

Now That I'm back to the domesitc flying, when I get back in the seat, it's more like, "Wow, I can't believe I'm back at work."

I think it's a function of the days off and fatigue.

After flying a four or five day trip, it's amazing how fast 3 days off go.

Seems like when I was clawing and scratching for
flight hours I would do nearly anything for flight time.

Now that I have a job with a Major carrier, I will do nearly anything
to get OUT of flying!

The days off seem to be at double speed for me.

thanks for the responses guy...

some inspirational, some down and out depressing - hate to see the latter...