pilotca86

I have been with a legacy carrier for 25 years and a captain for 15. I've had it pretty good compared to most. My daughter graduated valedictorian of her high school class and had a private pilot license. She told me she wanted to be an airline pilot. I said absolutely not! Luckily my other two took note of how crappy my job has gotten and didn't even consider it. One of those has his private license too.

This career looks good to a lot of people. They haven't been here and lived the life of 100 nights per year in a hotel. Missing every important family event you could possibly imagine, over and over. Continually seeing your pay go down and down. Benefits being taken away from you. Countless other unacceptable things.

Sorry to be blunt, but I wouldn't recommend this career to anyone. If you are an engineer, stick with that and enjoy flying on the side.

You're welcome to pm me for more info, but I think you get the picture.

Good luck.

maybe1day

I haven't really considered that. Do you know off hand what the time commitment to them is? I just don't really want to be tied down to a 10 year contract or something.

Timbo

That's the Beauty of the Air Guard/Reserves. You are NOT tied down. You will owe them (current commitment is 10 years I think) of PART TIME flying, and they don't move you all around the country, you stay in your state, unless you want to transfer to another unit.

During those 10 years, you will build time and then try to get a job with the Majors or Regionals, and be able to supplement your low starting income with your part time Guard/Reserve income. You will also be eligable for VA loans for your new house and other benefits.

If another war kicks off, your unit may be activated and if so, you will have to serve on Active Duty for a while, but any airline you are flying for must hold your spot for you to come back to.

When I was just out of college and looking for an airline job, there was a recession on, (1981) and none of the Majors were hiring. A guy I flew with (Part 135) told me about the Air Guard program, the best kept secret in Aviation.

I checked it out and eventually was selected for Pilot Training (even though I already had my ATP). It took a couple years of full time training, but as soon as I got home the Majors started hiring and I got on. It was a great program, you should look into it, and it's a good to have in your back pocket if/when your Major goes belly up or if you get furlouged.

Look into it: http://www.ang.af.mil/

Also, go read the posts on the "Military" forum up above where you click to come on this forum, then go down to the "ANG Options" thread; http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/mi...g-options.html lots of good ANG info there.

stangman

My advice would be to "Fly Navy", active duty. You've clearly shown your ability to think about and complete long term commitments by completing a 4 year undergrad and progressing toward a MS. People are always saying they are afraid to commit to a commitment. Then they get hired by a company( non-flying), or an airline, or they start dating a girl; then they look in the rear view mirror and 17 years have gone by and they are in the same job and with the same girl they were afraid of committing to to begin with. But it's ok. In fact, the Navy's been amazing. Before you know it, the opportunities, the adventures, the set backs, the challenges, the deployments, the friendships, the connections, the etc, etc have molded you into the man/father/leader/pilot you can't even imagine possible today.
Join the Navy, become a pilot, live the dream/adventure that everyone wants to do but is afraid to commit to, become a Navy test pilot (you should be well qualified by then with you're education and Naval Aviation experience), see the world, work with highly educated/motivated people, be open minded about challenging assignments, be open minded and jump on every opportunity presented, let the Navy pay for you MBA, take a chance and look outside of your cozy little box.
Keep working on your MS while you are applying for the Navy as it can be a lengthy process. Maybe you won't even get selected, maybe you will be selected but you'll decide to turn it down because you're unwilling to commit.
It cost you nothing to seriously look into this amazing opportunity. I'm clearly Navy-biased, but all the services offer great opportunities and similar challenges. A ten year commitment that pays you well, has job security, can enhance your resume in unimaginable ways, while you pursue your dream of flying is a pretty good deal during these uncertain times.
I hope for everyones sake that the airline industry turns around soon, but we've been saying that for ten years now. 10 YEARS? How's that for a commitment.