How's the new job going, Tram?
It's going better than I could have asked for, really. One of the biggest concerns was will I miss flying for a living. Well, I still kept my part time Mu2 gig, I'm getting to fly more often because I'm home. I'm flying several airplanes at the local airport rather than just the 1 or 2 I was flying before.
I'm often at the airport when 9E will show up and I haven't once looked over at the ramp and said "Man, I wish doing THAT.." I have seen a jet or two fly over and I've thought "Wow, it sure would be fun to go do that for a little bit" but that thought is always followed by "I sure am glad I'm not sleeping where those guys are tonight." As a matter of fact, I was out at the airport a little bit ago and saw the RJ sitting on the ramp and the only thought I had was "Poor guys, it's the 4th and they're stuck in MSL."
Getting out of aviation as a career was a really tough choice for me though. I had to obviously weigh all the options and decide if aviation was worth staying in. I was miserable at my current position/company but I knew if I stayed, I had a "shot" at going to a major. I couldn't leave just for any job. I had a decent prospective to make 6 figures one day - even if I stayed at a lowly regional. I'm already making better $$ than if I had upgraded 2 years ago (and I get my 2nd raise in the last 3 months next Monday) at 9E and if everything goes like it "should" I'll be making senior widebody FDX pay in less than 15 years. I'd never be a CA at FDX in 15 years, much less making 20 year widebody pay. I personally think the majors are sunk and I don't see it ever getting back to what it was. I've watched my fathers schedule progressively get worse and he's at "the place to be."
So, back to the question - should I get out? Well, I started asking everybody I flew with, rode with or had in the jump seat one question..
"If you knew what you know now, would you be an airline pilot?"
Every one of them said no.
Every. Single. One. I only had one guy tell me I was an idiot. He's a 9E FO and he's still there. And he is trying with everything he has to get out and he's stuck looking at lateral moves. Most of the 9E CA's at my seniority levels are making quasi-lateral moves as well.
More than monetarily, I think I made the right choice. Life is much better. I'm enjoying the big and small things. I have jalapeno's that I have been able to water every day in this blistering 105*F heat we're having here in Bama, I tuck my girls in every night. I get to go church when the doors are open. I've had multiple people tell me I'm in a better mood more often - especially my wife. Every time I see my pops leave for a trip, I feel bad for him. He retires in November, Lord willing for him.
Im curious to see what type of job you took when you left aviation, Tram.
I'm Homer Simpson's real life doppleganger. Bascially, I'm an FO of a nuclear reactor.
