Getting out?

J

jsb172

New Member
I consider myself lucky, I have been working on a plan B since the fall. I'm gettin outing of the rat race as soon as some things fall into place. Just curious how many people are getting out for good? I love flying, but this downtown set my career back atleast a few years and I'm really looking forward toward to a new challenge. Anyone else doing the same?
 
I think I'm getting out of the airline game. I want to do freight / 135 / charters until things start getting better.
 
Me too. Looking towards ATC as my new career prospect and flying as my hobby. Its sad thinking I'll never be able to fly a 757 or something of the like, but such is life.
 
I don't want to get out completely. I think moon lighting as a freight pilot or flight instructor would be fun.
 
jsb172 said:
Just curious how many people are getting out for good? I love flying, but this downtown set my career back atleast a few years and I'm really looking forward toward to a new challenge. Anyone else doing the same?
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I also know a couple that got out for good. Some never even went to the regionals. I think the key is what you said about setting yourself back. Not worth it when you could be doing something much better with your life then being stuck as a regional pilot. And the ones that actually made it but were furloughed don't even want to go back anyways because they saw what it was like. I agree downturns are tough.
 
I don't plan on leaving the cockpit entirely. My hope is to make enough money on my own that I can buy my own plane in the future. Being a pilot is in my blood, but as a career it's just way to up and down. I was left seat in a jet this time last year and now I'm in a Baron, with no path back to anything turbine for some time. Time to putll the ejection handle and bail....
 
I am working on it..

Had an interview and a job offer to work from HOME of all places just the other day.. I'm trying to iron out some details..

I don't plan on stopping flying, I just want out of the 121 rat race..
 
This thread makes me wonder, if many of the furloughed pilots decide to not come back, combined with the inability of many to secure loans to go to pilot mills, will force regionals to up the pay when the eventual rebound happens.

I am sure once it all turns around financing will be a bit easier to attain, but I doubt it will ever be as easy as it was before this financial mess. I dont think you will see a sally mae or other large banks throwing 80k unsecured to a school promising a job for 16k upon completion.

If all that happens and then if the hearings taking place this week result in a change of the regs for stricter, shorter, duty days and better work rules, the industry could see a bit of a QOL improvement across the board.

Or maybe that is just me being overly optimistic that the work I am doing, the money I am spending and the time I am investing in the pursuit of an aviation career will not be in vain.
 
I am planning to get out of flying as a career also. I am working on getting the financing together to start working an accounting degree. My goal in life is to make a comfortable living, be home every night, and spend as much time at home with my wife and 8 month old son.

The flying career seemed right for me when I was 20, but my priorities have changed a lot since then. Flying will never give me the stability and QOL that I am looking for.
 
Matt13C said:
Or maybe that is just me being overly optimistic that the work I am doing, the money I am spending and the time I am investing in the pursuit of an aviation career will not be in vain.
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I think that's more the case.. I wish your other comments were correct..

I'd love to see changes.. However, the bottom line is $$$..

The Colgan POI was put on leave for "making waves." Even the FAA is jacked..

I've been trying to pay close attention to trips.. What I enjoy, what I don't.. Then flying GA and keeping up with what I enjoy, what I don't..

I've found that the GA stuff I fly is much more enjoyable than 121 flying.. I just don't dig it.. Sure, it's neat to fly an airplane and all, but flying a King Air or Mu2 is much more exciting for me than the mighty shiny jet..

I was sitting in DCA next to a NWA 757 and looked up at the flight deck and was watching the FO do his thing and thought "Man, I'm glad I'm not that guy..."

Not sure why I thought it, but I did.. I'm sure being a NWA/Delta FO on the 757 isn't a bad gig, but I just don't feel like doing it..

I think NetJets or something like that might be nice.. but of course, they are not hiring and I'm not sure I would be competitive.. ;)

Oh well.. Life goes on.. I'm only 30.. Still time for change! :D
 
Tram said:
I think that's more the case.. I wish your other comments were correct..

I'd love to see changes.. However, the bottom line is $$$..

The Colgan POI was put on leave for "making waves." Even the FAA is jacked..

I've been trying to pay close attention to trips.. What I enjoy, what I don't.. Then flying GA and keeping up with what I enjoy, what I don't..

I've found that the GA stuff I fly is much more enjoyable than 121 flying.. I just don't dig it.. Sure, it's neat to fly an airplane and all, but flying a King Air or Mu2 is much more exciting for me than the mighty shiny jet..

I was sitting in DCA next to a NWA 757 and looked up at the flight deck and was watching the FO do his thing and thought "Man, I'm glad I'm not that guy..."

Not sure why I thought it, but I did.. I'm sure being a NWA/Delta FO on the 757 isn't a bad gig, but I just don't feel like doing it..

I think NetJets or something like that might be nice.. but of course, they are not hiring and I'm not sure I would be competitive.. ;)

Oh well.. Life goes on.. I'm only 30.. Still time for change! :D
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yeah, I am sure it is too.

Only saving grace for me is, I dont really have a desire to fly a big jet. In the beginning I did, but as I started flying and doing more reading, the airline industry became very unappealing. I cant say I will never fly for an airline, but that is not my goal. I really want to fly corporate. I know it is all right place right time and who you know, but its what I want so it is what I will work for. I think it would be much more enjoyable to fly a king air or a corporate jet to smaller, more diverse airports and be home more often than not.

Until I can find a job in aviation I am happy with, I will stick with my current day job in a different industry.
 
Sounds like you've got it figured out..

I find I am far more impressed by a Citation X than an A-330..
 
Bailed awhile ago, much more important to spend time at home for me. The industry has just gone so far downhill that IMO it is just circling the drain. Wages will never go back up and QOL will only get worse, not worth the sacrifice anymore. I fly for fun and do some part time instructing but I will pass on it as a career. Found a good paying interesting job and I get to see the family everyday. Works for me, but not for everyone.
 
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