Sounds like an easy choice. I got burned out with DoD work and being a contractor and started the career almost as an empty nester. Maximizing nights at home will always be achieved in a different line of work. Even if you bid reserve to maximize time off at the airline you will randomly miss important events...

This really is a good job but you are gone about 50% of the time even in a best case scenario and it sounds like that is more important than maximum actual DAYS off.

 

People say to live in base but then you can't maximize the responsible commuter policy. Pick the right city/base combo and you could probably only work the 3 to 6 days per month they positive space you. Even then, capacity restrictions plus hold times with crew scheduling put you at a huge advantage. I know you don't care about money but PP and positive space fight crime together. When comes one, the other isn't far behind. It's about to go nuclear. You'll live a 180 lifestyle on any beach in the world making $300k working 6 days/mo. Only catch is you have to occasionally show at your local airport and make a couple of phone calls. This is 100% contractual and we are literally decades from signing another, so you're all set.

 

Thanks for the insight. Best of luck to you. The only 'generalized' career advice I give people is to make sure the next job you take will work for the long term with your family. Or move to DEN and instruct.

 

How do you tell somebody you're a Millennial without actually saying that you are a Millennial?

United, how did you let this gem fall through the cracks or are you just hiring anybody who interviews now?

 

Eh, you said it more succinctly than I.

But I’ll repeat it;

The mil guys talk about how much easier this job is over all their AD time and how it doesn’t even compare to how much time spent away from home while on deployments and working themselves up to O-whatever rank number or kernel here….

​​……guy hits hits the military retired job jackpot that was UNHEARD of from 9/12/2001 till ~2007, then again from 2008-2014, and bytchez about it…

 

Cougs you are not alone.

I am well into my 40s and don’t think your questions were millennial-ish. Lots more people who transition from the military weigh the contractor vs airline life, including the stability, or not, of each one than are willing to admit it on here or in the cockpit. I’ve spoken with a number of folks who were in airframes that didn’t deploy that much who had a difficult time transitioning their family to a new life of Dad or Mom being gone almost half the time. A lot of it seems to depend on where they are in life with kids’ ages, etc. It’s not easy to be junior and be on the years your kids are actually around the house.

The last few posts are banging their chest about currrent airline positives, as human nature might state they would. But the fact is there are military folks who maybe weren’t gone that much and the transition can be difficult. It is not talked about much because we all love airplanes, but it should be talked about *way more* in comparing veteran’s “next careers”.

And it doesn’t help that the 737 is a total disappointment to fly. Now, watch, someone will tell me “you could’ve sat sideways for years!” But I don’t think this thread is really even about that. It’s about making this transition - for SOME - to being gone way more. It’s just that there aren’t too too many of us out there for whom this jobs means more time away. Not to even mention folks who forgot there is more to flying than this ATC-driven style.

Keep weighing that long term vs short term. And be glad you are moving to base.

 

I’ll be in my mid-40s when I get out of AD and been home most nights. So I feel for you and am considering other options. Being away from home 1/3 to 1/2 the year including weekends doesn’t sound that appealing now that many jobs allow for telecommuting with some even transitioning to 4 day work weeks.

 

Yeah I’m not sure how long I will last to be honest. I think it’s a good job but if need to be home every night, then it’s not for you. You really have to weigh all aspects of the job. Many people are sleeping in their beds, but after 14 hour days and taking their work home with them.

It does seem like many jobs are going to stay remote and allow workers to live anywhere, which is something most people couldn’t previously do. But don’t ask me, I’m semi-retired and just trying out various things in life.

 

I was AD, did the Beltway bandit gig, this is by far the easiest job I’ve ever had and I have waaayyyyy more time at home. When I’m home I’m home. It’s an adjustment when you first start but there is no comparison imho.

 

I know. It was terrible wearing a noise canceling headset on the way to Hawaii, Cancun, Punta Cana, and NYC. Total drag

Chances are, any new hire will get a WB bid or be able to hold one very quickly, and be able to sit RSV at home in base being home more than most of his or her peers.