Career Changing... Away from the airlines...

bronco21016

bronco21016

I know H.T.M.L. (How To Meet Ladies)
I wasn't quite sure where to post this since its career related but more about getting out of the airline career rather than changing into it. Mods feel free to move...

I'm wondering if anyone has ever made the transition from 121 pilot to IT.

Today it came to my attention that an IT/Sim Tech position became available where I used to work. Back when I was still there I always thought it was a position I could have easily slid into should it ever become open but found a job flying before that happened. It's just a job posting but I'm going to pursue it and see what happens. Of course it's not mine yet but I need to think about the what ifs so I'm wondering if anyone else has had an experience?

I've always been interested in IT and have been a computer tinkerer ever since our family bought a PC. Over the years I've built systems, upgraded them, and fixed them for friends and family and have always been recognized as one of the goto people for computer issues. In more recent times I've even been running my own servers and helping others get acquainted with the latest methods of consuming digital media, especially video. I also love hardware tinkering and would say I have more of a knack for hardware than software which would be perfect for working on sims.

Long term I think I still want to fly but right now I'm furlough fodder at the bottom of a regional list, just took a paycut, and seem to be eternally on reserve. I'm home 11-13 days a month if I'm lucky and don't really commute in the truest sense but I am 130 mi from base so it is an added stress. Leave of absence from the airline seems to be off the table for now. Pay at the IT job would be better than the airline for sure and there's potential to make as much if not more than most regional captains make. I think my biggest draws are just the money and time at home. Anyone have experiences to share? I have to decide on my own but its obviously best to hear from some others who have been there done that. Thanks!
 
I used to be into IT. Specifically I got pretty involved in the server side of things. Like you two know the system that charges you to print in the computer labs that Western has? It didn't exist until 2005 when I designed it with a buddy of mine who I worked with in the computer labs. Computers were something I grew up with, and were fun.

Until I was getting paid to do it.

Suddenly, with deadlines, and problems that were seemingly unfixable (that system took us well over 6 months to implement because of all the problems we ran into when we finally went to turn things on), working on computers didn't seem like a whole heck of a lot of fun.

So I can understand the appeal, and believe me I've been there, but I've gone from using Linux as a desktop client to having nothing but Apple products in my house. I banged my head into the wall enough that now I just want my technology to WORK.

Isn't that right, Autothrust Blue?

And I've also got to tell you, having been furloughed, and having been frustrated with the airline industry, working IT in college, and getting furloughed and having to do something else were the best things that ever happened to me. You made need to find out the same, but if I were you, I'd learn from my mistakes and not plow down some other field unless it's what you really want to do. If you want to keep flying airplanes, find a way to keep flying airplanes.
 
106227_3.jpg


DOH!
 
I'm actually quite the opposite, I work IT full time as a Windows Admin. Does it pay the bills? Yes, but I'm stressed, irritable, and can see myself becoming Nick Burns, the company computer guy. My day lately is centered around migrating people from XP to Windows 7 and new computer builds. It's fricking monkey stuff. I manage about 500 desktops and 40 or so servers. I really enjoy setting up / tinkering with my own systems, but like jtrain609 said, once you start getting paid to do it, it becomes a whole lot less interesting. (BTW jtrain609 , that's one more thing you and I apparently have in common, besides the fact we're carbon copies of each other and from W. Michigan, we really need to arrange a meet up!)

At the end of the day, we all need to make our own choices, but I can tell you this. I'm 20 times happier and stress free flying airplanes (even a 172), but feel like a caged rat sitting at my desk with my awesome work system. (i7 / Win7 Pro x64 / Dual SSD HD raided up / 16 GB Ram / Dual 24 inch Dell Ultra Sharp monitors)

but, as is the saying, YMMV.
 
ozziecat35 said:
I'm actually quite the opposite, I work IT full time as a Windows Admin. Does it pay the bills? Yes, but I'm stressed, irritable, and can see myself becoming Nick Burns, the company computer guy. My day lately is centered around migrating people from XP to Windows 7 and new computer builds. It's fricking monkey stuff. I manage about 500 desktops and 40 or so servers. I really enjoy setting up / tinkering with my own systems, but like jtrain609 said, once you start getting paid to do it, it becomes a whole lot less interesting. (BTW jtrain609 , that's one more thing you and I apparently have in common, besides the fact we're carbon copies of each other and from W. Michigan, we really need to arrange a meet up!)

At the end of the day, we all need to make our own choices, but I can tell you this. I'm 20 times happier and stress free flying airplanes (even a 172), but feel like a caged rat sitting at my desk with my awesome work system. (i7 / Win7 Pro x64 / Dual SSD HD raided up / 16 GB Ram / Dual 24 inch Dell Ultra Sharp monitors)

but, as is the saying, YMMV.
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I wish I was from west Michigan. Sadly, I'm a redneck from the thumb. I make people from Allegan look downright classy!
 
Ha, well at least you have stones to admit it! (I think you went to WMU though, so if that's true, I forgive your "thumbness"

(GR boy here)
 
Never worked in IT, but did the 8-5 engineering thing for a few years. I loved it in college, but absolutely hated it in the working world. Lots of meetings, irritating bosses, very little time off, and a lot of stress. That whole myth about 8-5 jobs giving you more time at home? A lot of pilots don't understand that by the time you get home, eat dinner, go to the gym/watch TV for a bit, it's time to go to bed and repeat. It absolutely sucks.

I'm in my sixth year of professional aviation, and while things haven't gone perfect, I would have to be dragged kicking and screaming back to a cubicle. I have very little stress in my working life, never have to deal with a boss, and my work absolutely does not interfere with my time off. It's an amazing amount of freedom compared to most careers, and I feel extremely fortunate to realize it. By far the most miserable people I've flown with are ones that have never had a career outside aviation.
 
So basically it's like flying. It was all kinds of fun until I started getting paid to do it haha. It's still somewhat rewarding just really frustrating feeling like I'm spinning my wheels and not having any control over it. Thank you seniority system.

A friend of mine always says "same •, different piles". Sums up career changing I suppose.
 
jtrain609 said:
I used to be into IT. Specifically I got pretty involved in the server side of things. Like you two know the system that charges you to print in the computer labs that Western has? It didn't exist until 2005 when I designed it with a buddy of mine who I worked with in the computer labs. Computers were something I grew up with, and were fun.

Until I was getting paid to do it.

Suddenly, with deadlines, and problems that were seemingly unfixable (that system took us well over 6 months to implement because of all the problems we ran into when we finally went to turn things on), working on computers didn't seem like a whole heck of a lot of fun.

So I can understand the appeal, and believe me I've been there, but I've gone from using Linux as a desktop client to having nothing but Apple products in my house. I banged my head into the wall enough that now I just want my technology to WORK.

Isn't that right, Autothrust Blue?

And I've also got to tell you, having been furloughed, and having been frustrated with the airline industry, working IT in college, and getting furloughed and having to do something else were the best things that ever happened to me. You made need to find out the same, but if I were you, I'd learn from my mistakes and not plow down some other field unless it's what you really want to do. If you want to keep flying airplanes, find a way to keep flying airplanes.
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Oh yes, it is right. But I am reducing the amount of Apple hardware at home because while it "just works" they are also being gits about a few things.

I still tinker with things on my off time, but the phone doesn't ring at 0200 because the Oracle server (that management was too cheap to buy enough hardware for...) is wedged again, and it's nice.

For what it's worth, I spent most of my time working with people when I was in infosec. The technology was the fun part, but I only spent about 40% or so of my time on actual technical problems and the remaining 60% on solving people-related problems. I made good money, enough to pay for all the flying in fact, but I was on 24-hour call, and all the other things that can come with such a gig.

I did get my first flying job because of my computing skills and experience, so there's that. But since leaving IT for flying I'm a happier camper. It's what I wanted to do, and I do it.

The grass is always going to be greener no matter what, but I have no regrets.

ozziecat35 said:
I'm actually quite the opposite, I work IT full time as a Windows Admin. Does it pay the bills? Yes, but I'm stressed, irritable, and can see myself becoming Nick Burns, the company computer guy. My day lately is centered around migrating people from XP to Windows 7 and new computer builds. It's fricking monkey stuff. I manage about 500 desktops and 40 or so servers. I really enjoy setting up / tinkering with my own systems, but like jtrain609 said, once you start getting paid to do it, it becomes a whole lot less interesting. (BTW jtrain609 , that's one more thing you and I apparently have in common, besides the fact we're carbon copies of each other and from W. Michigan, we really need to arrange a meet up!)

At the end of the day, we all need to make our own choices, but I can tell you this. I'm 20 times happier and stress free flying airplanes (even a 172), but feel like a caged rat sitting at my desk with my awesome work system. (i7 / Win7 Pro x64 / Dual SSD HD raided up / 16 GB Ram / Dual 24 inch Dell Ultra Sharp monitors)

but, as is the saying, YMMV.
Click to expand...
Well, we're all caged rats. The difference is my cage has a window view (I'd be unlikely to see a window office in infosec without being even less technical and more management) and a schedule that changes.
 
bronco21016 said:
So basically it's like flying. It was all kinds of fun until I started getting paid to do it haha. It's still somewhat rewarding just really frustrating feeling like I'm spinning my wheels and not having any control over it. Thank you seniority system.

A friend of mine always says "same , different piles". Sums up career changing I suppose.
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I understand, it can be very frustrating and I often have the same feeling. Unfortunately the same lack of control is often experienced outside the airlines as well. I used to have a corporate pilot job that was insanely frustrating in a lot of different ways. That being said, if you are at a dead end with your airline (with no relief in sight), I'd take control and find a different aviation job. If I was at Pinnacle for example, I'd be forming an exit strategy immediately. If you're open to moving, I'm sure you could find a decent charter job somewhere.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
Oh yes, it is right. But I am reducing the amount of Apple hardware at home because while it "just works" they are also being gits about a few things.

I still tinker with things on my off time, but the phone doesn't ring at 0200 because the Oracle server (that management was too cheap to buy enough hardware for...) is wedged again, and it's nice.

For what it's worth, I spent most of my time working with people when I was in infosec. The technology was the fun part, but I only spent about 40% or so of my time on actual technical problems and the remaining 60% on solving people-related problems. I made good money, enough to pay for all the flying in fact, but I was on 24-hour call, and all the other things that can come with such a gig.

I did get my first flying job because of my computing skills and experience, so there's that. But since leaving IT for flying I'm a happier camper. It's what I wanted to do, and I do it.
.
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There's another ex-IT guy where you and I work. He was in my new hire class and still does it on the side to pay the bills.
 
GypsyPilot said:
There's another ex-IT guy where you and I work. He was in my new hire class and still does it on the side to pay the bills.
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The significant other's company (small business) will be looking for a new IT henchman real soon now. My first flying job was at a small business and I spent the other half of my time there doing the IT stuff. Working for a small business in IT is a lot more fun than working for a giant corporate or government juggernaut.
 
IT in general - strap yourself into a 6x6 or 8x8 window-less box (cubicle), crank up the fluorescent lights, and stare at a screen for 8-9 hours a day for a week. Flexible schedule, interesting work, intellectually stimulating, potential for telework, smart people to work with.

If you've got an in at a place that interests you things can be considerably better.

How long have you been at the regionals?

Rhetorical: What do you need the extra money and time at home for, or another way, what would you do with the extra money and time at home?

What does this entail?
In more recent times I've even been running my own servers and helping others get acquainted with the latest methods of consuming digital media
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I'm not saying this is you, but it's one thing to setup a home media server, and it's another thing to manage an enterprise infrastructure day in and day out - something to consider.

IT Support? Ozzie kind of summed that up.
http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2010-05-01/

Either way, right now and in the foreseeable future, IT is a great fallback/change/financial-supporter for an aspiring/current aviator. It's in demand, and you're likely to be able to find a job if you're good at what you do and you keep your skills up. I'd suggest you acquire a degree of some sort (computer science, information systems, etc.) because you're not likely to be looked at (in general) without a degree or some professional experience, although it's possible. Then you'd have flying or IT to choose from.
 
This seems very similiar to this thread in the General subforum; "Should I major in aviation or computer science". Some people seem to really like being in IT and some prefer the flying. What is important to you?
 
Eric Bohn said:
IT in general - strap yourself into a 6x6 or 8x8 window-less box (cubicle), crank up the fluorescent lights, and stare at a screen for 8-9 hours a day for a week. Flexible schedule, interesting work, intellectually stimulating, potential for telework, smart people to work with.
Click to expand...

While sometimes that is true, it doesn't have to be. I've worked from home since 2002. I've seen my boss maybe 5 times in the last 3 years, typically on social occasions. I don't support any production environments, and don't deal with any Microsoft products. The hours can be long, and the travel isn't always fun, but that's true of many jobs. The benefits are good compared to most fields. And in the computer biz, you can always find contract work, job security is reasonably good, depending on what you do.

Depending on what you want to do, it isn't necessarily so bad. At some point in the future, I'll probably be doing part-time flying and IT contracts, as the computer stuff can burn you out.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
While sometimes that is true, it doesn't have to be. I've worked from home since 2002. I've seen my boss maybe 5 times in the last 3 years, typically on social occasions. I don't support any production environments, and don't deal with any Microsoft products. The hours can be long, and the travel isn't always fun, but that's true of many jobs. The benefits are good compared to most fields. And in the computer biz, you can always find contract work, job security is reasonably good, depending on what you do.

Depending on what you want to do, it isn't necessarily so bad. At some point in the future, I'll probably be doing part-time flying and IT contracts, as the computer stuff can burn you out.
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Working from home would have been awesome. But it was not in the cards.
 
block30 said:
This seems very similiar to this thread in the General subforum; "Should I major in aviation or computer science". Some people seem to really like being in IT and some prefer the flying. What is important to you?
Click to expand...

I'm willing to bet most of the folks saying, "DO IT! DO IT! DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN FLY!" have never worked IT a day in their life.

Kind of like the people that scream about how they should have gone to law or medical school. They don't have any idea.
 
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