"For those of us who tried it during the last 3-5 years, we sort of got the short end of the stick."

I think part of the problem is the perception given to the guys who got a jet job at 500-700 hours. At 2000 hours I was making 600/mo, working 6 days a week, flying 172's in the Grand Canyon. It was never easy and working your way up takes time. It took me 10 years from solo to a 121 prop job. I can see how those who got to the shiny jet at 500 hours could have pretty high expectations and be pretty dissapointed with the current environment.

It's not an easy career but I think it's an awesome career. It's not for everybody, though, and the sooner one figures out it's not for them, and the sooner they get out, the better it will be. Also, the more that leave the better it will be for those who stay.

We are in uncertain times. Age 65. The economy is in the crapper and aviation tends to ebb and flow with the economy. I think with fuel prices so low, though, the airlines might actually make money next year. Most of the planes I jumpseat on are nearly full. I think those that decide to stick it out will have a good shot at what I'd consider a worthy job in aviation. But, it's still not for everybody...

It's kind of funny how it's like two completely different jobs, between reserve and holding a line. I actually had a post a while back thinking about getting out of the industry back when I was on reserve. Now that I'm holding a line consistently, its not too bad. My commute is pretty easy and hopefully will continue to get fairly commutable schedules. Don't have a crashpad either right now which helps to save some cash. I'm definitely not at a "top tier" regional, but it's nice to just catch a flight, go to work and then come home and live my life. Yes I may hate the company I work for but it's an easy job when I can just go to work and not have to deal with crew trackers or sitting countless hours at the airport or crashpad.

I respect your reality check. However, there aren't many careers(let alone jobs) where you will make $50-85K your 1st/2nd year. If you believe there are then you may want to give yourself a reality check.

What about the simple fact that you get to fly? Obviously I love it considering I went out and got my PPL... I was hooked after my first lesson... hell I was hooked after my first commercial flight in 1991 as a kid... Right now I just can't afford to enjoy it anymore... It seems like GA is now reserved for the rich...(Only way it's affordable is to fill the seats and have everyone pay) So I figure why not give it purpose rather than simple enjoyment? Why not make it my career?

That brings me to another point... What about all the 135 jobs that might pop up once these VLJ's and the like hit the market? My mind is open to anything flying... airlines or not.

Do it if you want it. All we're doing is telling you what it is like in reality. If you can read all this stuff, close your eyes and put yourself there, and you still want it, what else can the world ask of you? Go do it.

As far as the flying, it never gets old to me. I love flying. But, its the other stuff that makes it a rough and tumble career choice.

If your mind is open to anything then why don't you start a business that in a decade or so can afford you a nice plane?

Everyone who jumps into aviation at one time or another felt the way that you do now. It is a dirty trick that a love of aviation is so difficult to satisfy unless you are well off or are prepared to throw your entire life into it.

My advise is to strive to reach a place where you can afford to live and also afford to follow your aviation dream. These days it is common to have multiple streams of income in order to survive an aviation career anyway. Why not start off with the business?

SkyHigh

So this is where all those salty guys who hate their jobs and whom my buddies talk about how much it sucks doing a four day trip with come to hang out. I was wondering if they had a forum for those guys! Wow I am glad that I don't have to fly with guys/gals like the whiners on this thread.

kinda like not having to fly with a guy named insanelyradical, if i heard those two words come up in an airplane, uttered by a crew, i might burst into laughter....

Neway, it can be a disheartening to read a post in which many individuals seem "angered" or turned off by the profession. At the same time, it's a necessary evil. Checks and Balance if you will, for the individuals who believe that the best day for flying a jet is today, tomorrow, and forever.

So long as your family understand that they are subsidizing your love of flying by putting up with you being gone all the time, and having nothing to show for it, then go for it.

Excuse me, if you think Regional Capt pay isn't still low pay for the education/training level as well as the liablity exposure level, then you haven't been paying attention... and have learned little the past 2.5 years in the non flying airline job. Pilot pay, at all levels, is grossly underpaid for the actual time invested. A mainline guy showing up for even $200 per hour, but having 4 hours of ground time in a ten hour duty day means his actual hourly pay is $120.00 A regional Capt showing up for 100 and hour and being paid for 7 hours on a 14 hour duty day works out to $50 per hour. These are hardly professional wages, and those are the TOP income earners. They are above average, but they certainly far far short of being comparable to other professions with similar education/training levels.


So, what is the point of this statement?

Oh, your one of those.... people why will live with crappy pay and wages (hey it's only the begining right) becuase I'll be at that major job in a few years... right...

Have you been paying attention the last 2.5 years at your non flying airline job? The majors/legacy's are shrinking at an increasing rate, in at least one case and ENTIRE mainline pilot group was replaced by regional crap... there will be no mainline good jobs to go to so lang as people keep accepting crappy regional jobs for zero money, and zero QOL because they think that this is a great stepping stone job to go to a major...

True about finding what makes you happy, the rest of your line of thought is jibberish.