That's pathetic. You haven't even tried, now have you. I have a 4-year aviation degree (2000 grad) , don't fly for a living (wish I did, sort of), and make over 100k a year.

If you want out, get out. Your personal motivation and attitude will get you further in life than a degree in any field.

People who say that a 4 year aviation degree is worthless are either lazy or too chicken to get off the nipple.

Just my opinion.

Doing what? Seriously, I have tried, but when it comes to my background two things happen. A- they think I'm crazy for wanting to leave the oh so glamorous pilot job, and/or B) the aviation degree just warrants blank stares. I then have to go into detail about what classes I took and explain what the program entailed. I'm realizing that I'll probably have to start at the bottom in pay and position, as if right out of school, if I make the jump. So far that's all that I've been offered. It's discouraging. I certainly don't want a paycut.

So does that mean you will never leave your current RJ job for one with a major

I'm in real estate sales and management.

Yeah, many people (but not all) put pilots on a pedistal. Many of my friends and clients think I'm nuts for not flying after spending five years of my life and 100k on education and flight training.

Depending on where you live, it shouldn't be too hard to come close to or match FO pay. If you do end up with a pay cut remember that it's only temporary- can't lose sight of the bigger picture. When I left aviation out of frustration in 2004 I found myself doing maintenance and unclogging toilets. That was very humbling. I knew that it had to be done to get to where I wanted to be. I'm not there yet, but I'm not unclogging toilets either. I still love aviation also, and almost went back several months ago. Glad I didn't now.

What field are you interested in and where did you graduate from? Who knows, maybe myself or someone else reading this knows someone who can hook you up. That's networking!!

I have to agree. When I was laid off and would apply for non-aviation jobs employers would stare at me as if I had two heads. They would give me a screwy look and ask "why don't you just get another airline job"?

On the other hand it is difficult to leave any paycheck. If I hadn't been laid off I imagine that I would still be in aviation and miserable. It isn't easy. A good strategy is to start a side business or to get an online degree in something else. The price to pay when getting out seems to be that you will have to start over with the belief that in time the benefits will be substantial. You also should remind yourself that every day that you stay in the industry you are placing another nail into your coffin.

Les Abend wrote an article in Flying Magazine a few months back about pilots who had second jobs and side businesses. In time many left aviation because their part time job was doing so much better for them. It worked out for me. When I was laid off I was unemployable in other industries and was forced to invest myself 100% into my real estate business and it made all the difference.

What ever you do it is important to start right away. One day you might realize that you wasted your life because you didn't take that leap of faith.

Skyhigh

One day you might realize that you wasted your life because you didn't take that leap of faith.

Exactly....I was always told not to be afraid to go out on a limb.....that's where the fruit is.

Now there's a good thread to start and sticky! Networking is the key to getting the good jobs. I don't know anyone who found their next career by using careerbuilder or monster, but I know a lot who leveraged friends to take the next step. I'm sure with the number of people we have on this site, there could be a great opportunity for networking.

You guys all scare me. Im in a position where I just finished a 2 year degree in Aviation, and Im about to continue the other two in a very expensive University.. but reading this is driving my head nuts... and thinking twice before continuing... you guys all hate the flying job...

Dude, don't finnish the aviation degree... Try to get a degree in finance or some type of engineering. An aviation degree is (although a BS) just like any other liberal arts degree. If you need a backup, because you decide this sucks - like a lot of us have, it would be nice to have a specific degree to get your foot in the door somewhere.

Flying is very enjoyable. Esspecially when the wx gets bad. For me the worse the wx, the better. Guess I really should be a freightdog and not pax pilot. hahe. You kinda have to take it with grain of salt. There are a lot bad things about flying for a living, more so at the regional level. Pay is no where near what it should be. I know some Fo's at Eagle that just waited 8+ yrs to upgrade, they just sit down in the left seat and now they will be displaced back to FO and $40hr again for who knows how long. Sucks. I do think its important to start thinking about an alternative income. I'm desperatly seeking an alternative income. Its more because I like my toys, not that I really need it. It will be a relief though to have more money. As far as degree in aviation, I got an 2yr in aviation and 4yr in biz. Its not that I got the biz degree because I need it. I got it as more of a social experiment. I wanted to find out how things are done in a normal world without aviation. It was kinda fun. As part of my project I wrote a business plan for a start up airline. See, still can't get rid of the aviation. I learned a lot about what it takes to run a business. I also want to go for masters. I think that would be a lot fun too.
However, standing outside the classroom for break and looking up at the arrivals for BOS brought a smile to my face. You just have to know that when you have "postive rate gear up", the noise goes away, you get the wisper of the wind, and your flying. Your home now, is there anything better in the world.