Bailing Out

D

dfwmia

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I'm a former I.T. guy. I did some programming, but mostly networking from 1993 through 2005 full time. I continued part time into 2006 as well.

I got my CFI/I in 2005 when I quit my full time I.T. gig and instructed and did contract work on the side to pay bills. In mid 2006 I got a freight dog job flying a Caravan and did that until September 2007. At that point I started with Eagle and am now almost 1 year into that gig. Now, they are displacing in front of a possible furlough. My number is low enough to miss at least the first possible furlough, however I WILL get displaced out of my base which is where I live. I commuted my first 5 months and hated it. Now, it's back to commuting again, and probably back to reserve.

I enjoy the flying and other things about the job, but I made a list of pros and cons. The cons outweighed the pros by around 2 to 1. The primary cons are:

1. Being gone away from my family around 50% of the time.
2. The low, low pay for SEVERAL years, especially being with Eagle.
3. The hassles of dealing with getting to the airport, thru security, etc.
4. The way you are treated as an employee. I'm not saying it's horrible, but essentially, I'm just a number to the company. In the I.T. world, I was used to being treated like a professional and with reasonable respect.


I'm looking at renewing my Cisco certification, MCSE and going for the money again.

Anyone else in the same boat considering such? Just curious. I know I'll miss the flying and it will be tough on occasion to board that commercial airliner, however I can at least say I've tried it and I won't regret that.
 
In my old outlook on life when I was a younger pup, I would have called you crazy. But now I can understand your plight and give you credit for trying this job and discovering it may not be the best thing for you. You must consider all your options, and there's a good future in the IT world; more power to you if you're qualified to get ahead in that field.

I have the feeling the flying bug never gets out of you once it's bitten you, but when you're making six-figures as an IT guru you can do all the flying you want--on your terms, where you want, when you want, how you want, etc. I've discovered that flying professionally is a whole lot different and perhaps a lot less enjoyable than recreational flying.
 
I've had to think long and hard about this, however, I'm 38 years old now and not getting any younger. I guess I could be considered old for the regional world now anyway.

It will take me some time to get back to the high 5 figures, where I was in mid 2005 when I thought I was crazy then to quit the I.T. field. At the time however, I was working 60 hour weeks, had a laptop and blackberry and was tied to the company at all times. I decided then, it was now or never and made the jump to the flying world. Since then, I stop and re-evaluate from time to time. As an instructor, then freight dog, then regional F/O, I can say I have been treated OK at best. Mostly, I'm just a number and it doesn't matter that my sister is getting married in two months. We need you to fly and the time off is skimpy at best.

I definitely plan to fly privately. Even if it's renting a 172 every Saturday, that's my plan right now anyway. Obviously, it would be great to run across someone who wants me to fly their plane around but that takes time sitting around the FBO.

I'm curious to hear from anyone who has done what I am about to do. How did going back to a regular job effect you and how are things since you made the jump back out of aviation?
 
Well, nobody can tell you what to do, but here's a little thought on being a number: the trade off is this, if you are treated like a number then you better be prepared to be available at all times like you said, blackberry and laptop warrior. However, in your current job with eagle, you feel you are just a number, but you never have to worry about dinner being interrupted by work or anything like that. Life is all tradeoffs. But keep in mind too that just because you don't feel you are very important, you are. Just because you don't get a slap on the back from management doesn't mean you can't get your joy and self esteem from passengers and fellow flight crew, you are VERY important to them.
 
learflyer said:
Have you ever been to this forum? They added a section for folks getting out, and what they're doing now....
Click to expand...



Whoa, I was just on that site and in that section. Here is my spill.

I have step out of aviation for awhile to get into the IT field. This was in 2006 when I decided to go to college again for IT. Strange that many of us consider the IT field. It was a two year program that lasted one semester for me. I searched and searched for IT jobs in my area and I found one company that was willing to let me help repair computers on Saturdays for a free lunch sandwich. I was also in the process of piecing together my own computer (some say building but just... no) by parts so I went two Saturdays in a row and learned about my own project I was putting together. I was told in the area that there are 4 computer repair shops around and every year one opens up and another shuts down. I finished out the last four weeks of that school quarter and never looked back again. Maybe I was in the wrong part of the business. Maybe it is because I was and still in New Orleans. Do some homework before setting foot on new turf.

I have had many low paying jobs ($0.75-$3.00 above min. wage) I took in order for me to work in and out of aviation to survive (fixing to do part time oil changes soon). My 10 year job history is horrible. I have a 4 year degree in aviation which does nothing. I actually put my degree that I ripped in small pieces in the oven till it started melting and smoking up the whole house. I had been just turned down by DHL, a driver position, because they thought I would only end up flying again and I would not last long at all. Man, I really wanted that job. I also got the "you're over qualified" remark. Other than aviation I leave the fact that I have a degree off my applications!

I am 31 and I'm giving flying another chance for 3 more years max if I can handle it. I don't have all the answers but maybe you found just one here and that would make me happy. I'll trade shoes with most of you. Sure, go for it, step out and give me greater chances for tomorrow :D. I wish you luck on your new roads that lay ahead.
 
dfwmia said:
Hi all,

I'm a former I.T. guy. I did some programming, but mostly networking from 1993 through 2005 full time. I continued part time into 2006 as well.

I got my CFI/I in 2005 when I quit my full time I.T. gig and instructed and did contract work on the side to pay bills. In mid 2006 I got a freight dog job flying a Caravan and did that until September 2007. At that point I started with Eagle and am now almost 1 year into that gig. Now, they are displacing in front of a possible furlough. My number is low enough to miss at least the first possible furlough, however I WILL get displaced out of my base which is where I live. I commuted my first 5 months and hated it. Now, it's back to commuting again, and probably back to reserve.

I enjoy the flying and other things about the job, but I made a list of pros and cons. The cons outweighed the pros by around 2 to 1. The primary cons are:

1. Being gone away from my family around 50% of the time.
2. The low, low pay for SEVERAL years, especially being with Eagle.
3. The hassles of dealing with getting to the airport, thru security, etc.
4. The way you are treated as an employee. I'm not saying it's horrible, but essentially, I'm just a number to the company. In the I.T. world, I was used to being treated like a professional and with reasonable respect.


I'm looking at renewing my Cisco certification, MCSE and going for the money again.

Anyone else in the same boat considering such? Just curious. I know I'll miss the flying and it will be tough on occasion to board that commercial airliner, however I can at least say I've tried it and I won't regret that.
Click to expand...

Hi DFW. I too am in IT. I am also 45 years old. Unlike you though, I haven't yet tossed it aside for the Aviation career.... although thats what I had intended to do... I'm now in Raleigh for another IT gig, and am just wrapping up the TSA process for flight training approval....

What i wanted to say was this... I've been in love with flying all my life, and have 52 hours to my name.... I planned on switching careers, and had a long hard fight with my wife about it... however, after all is said and done, I, like you, weighed the pro's & con's, and an aviation career came up far short of my needs when compared to my IT career....

I have 4 young kids and a wife who like to see me every night... my IT career makes it possible, an Aviation career would not

I like to plan my weekends and every other day in my schedule according to my family needs and plans... IT makes this possible, Aviation would not

I like to maintain a certain level of comfort, and not just get by on subsistance living... IT makes this possible, Aviation would not...

I like to drive my Land Rover, and provide my wife and kids with a nice big house, and spoil them all rotten (after all, I won't be around forever, and I could die today!)... my IT career makes this possible, an Aviation career would not....

Like you, I've been in IT since 1993 until today, so after 15 years I make a steady mid-6-figure income, don't carry a pager, don't work weekends, don't work nights, am not on call..etc... IT makes this possible, Aviation cannot offer the same

I have decided that I'll get my commercial and instructor ratings to fill my need for professional aviation by instructing on weekends etc, but I also plan on buying my own twin and flying for fun.... an IT career makes this possible, an Aviation career does not....

What I'm saying DFW, is that rather than focusing on the "fix" that you want, or I want, in our desire to fly, focus on what your family "needs", rather than making them do without so your (my, our) flying needs are fulfilled)... They NEED an at home dad, more than we "need" to fly for a low paying corporation (don't forget, the Airline mgrs and execs don't share your financial or schedule pains, and they cannot even fly the planes nor risk their lives on a daily basis!).... fly for fun to get your fix.... Your IT career will get to the point where you can pick a job that has only day shift, and no on call requirements... there are plenty out there, just be choosy up front... the money will come again.. but to make it come quicker, stick to internetworking (ie: Cisco certs) as opposed to MCSE's.. they are truly a dime a dozen and don't offer high $$$'s .... find a role that will let you work on project and lead some of them, then make the transition to IT Project Management... thats where BIG $$$'s are... and thats exactly what I did.. Her eis the path I took as I learned and figured out how to cash in big in the IT industry... my certification path below as an example....

CNA 4.1, CNA 4.11, CNA 5.0, CNE 5, Master CNE, CNE 6, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, CCIE Written, ITIL, PMP..... still a PMP today.....

I hear ya DFW , and I feel your pain... but family, kids, wives, come first, not our desire to fly... money can buy that for us in a recreational way...

I think you're making the right decision to get back into IT... You AND your family will have more money in your pocket, MUCH more quality family time, AND, your family will be able to enjoy flying with DAD every weekend.... can you imagine the thrill the kids will get ? :D

Thats my two cents anyway.. I hope it helps... :bandit:

Cheers.
 
DFW,

I'm in the same boat as you, really same company and place in my thoughts of leaving. I'm looking at ATC, I love to fly, but the way Eagle treats their employees is on a very low level at times. I have always enjoyed flying till about a month off of IOE. It's a different type of flying at the airlines, it's a job. This past week I had the best time flying around LGA & DCA. The approaches into those airports bring back the stick and rudder skills, back to real flying. I looking to get away from the long days and have any kind of social life. Also, I drink about 4 gallons of water a day to keep hydrated. I tired of dry skin and living paycheck to paycheck. (We qualify for food stamps) (My highest paying job to date was in college as a bartender) Yes, I will miss flying that airplane down to mins and have 50 people get off afterwards saying thank you. But, that happens very rare and I am willing to leave for a better life financially and for my family.

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you want to talk about this more
 
parmandjack said:
Hi DFW. I too am in IT. I am also 45 years old. Unlike you though, I haven't yet tossed it aside for the Aviation career.... although thats what I had intended to do... I'm now in Raleigh for another IT gig, and am just wrapping up the TSA process for flight training approval....

What i wanted to say was this... I've been in love with flying all my life, and have 52 hours to my name.... I planned on switching careers, and had a long hard fight with my wife about it... however, after all is said and done, I, like you, weighed the pro's & con's, and an aviation career came up far short of my needs when compared to my IT career....

I have 4 young kids and a wife who like to see me every night... my IT career makes it possible, an Aviation career would not

I like to plan my weekends and every other day in my schedule according to my family needs and plans... IT makes this possible, Aviation would not

I like to maintain a certain level of comfort, and not just get by on subsistance living... IT makes this possible, Aviation would not...

I like to drive my Land Rover, and provide my wife and kids with a nice big house, and spoil them all rotten (after all, I won't be around forever, and I could die today!)... my IT career makes this possible, an Aviation career would not....

Like you, I've been in IT since 1993 until today, so after 15 years I make a steady mid-6-figure income, don't carry a pager, don't work weekends, don't work nights, am not on call..etc... IT makes this possible, Aviation cannot offer the same

I have decided that I'll get my commercial and instructor ratings to fill my need for professional aviation by instructing on weekends etc, but I also plan on buying my own twin and flying for fun.... an IT career makes this possible, an Aviation career does not....

What I'm saying DFW, is that rather than focusing on the "fix" that you want, or I want, in our desire to fly, focus on what your family "needs", rather than making them do without so your (my, our) flying needs are fulfilled)... They NEED an at home dad, more than we "need" to fly for a low paying corporation (don't forget, the Airline mgrs and execs don't share your financial or schedule pains, and they cannot even fly the planes nor risk their lives on a daily basis!).... fly for fun to get your fix.... Your IT career will get to the point where you can pick a job that has only day shift, and no on call requirements... there are plenty out there, just be choosy up front... the money will come again.. but to make it come quicker, stick to internetworking (ie: Cisco certs) as opposed to MCSE's.. they are truly a dime a dozen and don't offer high $$$'s .... find a role that will let you work on project and lead some of them, then make the transition to IT Project Management... thats where BIG $$$'s are... and thats exactly what I did.. Her eis the path I took as I learned and figured out how to cash in big in the IT industry... my certification path below as an example....

CNA 4.1, CNA 4.11, CNA 5.0, CNE 5, Master CNE, CNE 6, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, CCIE Written, ITIL, PMP..... still a PMP today.....

I hear ya DFW , and I feel your pain... but family, kids, wives, come first, not our desire to fly... money can buy that for us in a recreational way...

I think you're making the right decision to get back into IT... You AND your family will have more money in your pocket, MUCH more quality family time, AND, your family will be able to enjoy flying with DAD every weekend.... can you imagine the thrill the kids will get ? :D

Thats my two cents anyway.. I hope it helps... :bandit:

Cheers.
Click to expand...

You sir are a very smart man. I am currently a captain at a regional and as much as I love to fly, I hate the live style. I wish I would have known this before diving in head first into this career, but I can't change that now. 52 hours? thats great, stick with it and continue training, but do it on your terms and enjoy that skill you obtained. Doing it for a living takes a lot of the fun out of it and I hope to take my own advice and get out of the industry soon.
 
"but I also plan on buying my own twin and flying for fun..."

I have one to part with if you're interested.

"....I hate the live style. I wish I would have known this before diving in head first into this career..."

I hear that over and over. I'm wondering why people get in the biz not knowing the lifestyle. This is a career you marry. It's not 9 to 5, 40 hours a week, weekends off, kiss the wife and kids. I'm wondering why people don't get that before they feel buried in it up to their necks and feel cheated that it's gone so far.
 
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