madeinUSA

Let's face it, many pilots have a mid to high level intelligence. They do well under pressure and are usually very good test takers. Most have a type A personality but a coolness that allows for good decision making and only resort to confrontation when absolutely needed. We manage crisis in an orderly and timely matter. I'll be completely honest. I'm bored. As I'm sure many of you are. The most stress in my day comes from trying to get to and from work. (I commute from MKE to DTW). Once I get there It's basically the same thing day in and day out. Fly a couple flights and then stay at a hotel or a mind numbing airport sit. I've tried many things, read books, played games on my phone, talked endlessly on the phone, and chit chatted with my crew. I've been a regional FO for the past 7 years. In that time I've changed uniforms, companies, contracts, and never left my seat. I know that if I stick it out I will eventually upgrade and go on to a legacy and much better pay. But money aside is the job any different? If you could go back and tell yourself what you know now, would you have still become an Airline pilot or maybe have started a business or done something that actually mattered?

OldSF3Dude

Being an airline pilot wasn't what I had originally planned, but I came into it sideways in my late 20s. Then, like you, I put in about 7 years and I got the 7 year itch. I enjoyed it for a time, but then was displaced, down-graded, etc. Going back to being an FO was more mind-numbing than ever... and I quit.

I went back to school, got another degree, did other stuff for a while. IT WAS A VERY REFRESHING CHANGE! But, the past few years the job market has sucked and my other jobs sort of petered out. I kept my flying skills up, though, and went back to the airlines a couple times only to get displaced and furloughed again. My timing sucked. I also started my own part-135 for a while. Now I'll probably go back to the airlines again now that it looks like there will be some movement again.

I don't regret quitting after that first 7 years I had in. I really needed to get out for a while. I know exactly how you feel. But, realize that seniority is everything at the airlines. Once you leave you have to start at the bottom when you come back. Probably at a regional since the majors usually only hire current part-121 pilots. Hopefully things will move more quickly along when you come back though (if you come back).

Personally speaking, once you've been out a while it's much easier the 2nd, 3rd, etc. time you come back. I take things less personally. I don't get so stressed out. I don't want to say that I just don't care anymore, but it's more like I have a different perspective on life. I guess I feel like I have more control and/or I don't get as stressed out about things I can't control. I know I have choices... could leave and do other stuff... come back if I wanted, or whatever. I feel less like a slave to the grind.

You have to decide what's more important. A seniority #, or freedom. You better be able to live cheap and roll with the punches, though.

Ottopilot

Try working in a cubicle for 7 years.
Try being a toliet scrubber for 7 years.
Try anything else for 7 years and then ask yourself the same question.

It's job, that's why they call it "work". I've had dozens of worse jobs.

B200 Hawk

Nope, would have been a professional athlete instead.

JohnBurke

Would I have? Of course.

I did.

Would I now? Of course.

I still do.

I could go do something else any time, but why would I do that?

Doggit

Yep, I would have. But my time was when things where flourishing in the business. Then of course it took a strong downhill course with deregulation and the pizza makers, ie., Lorenzo's of the business and a long line to follow him. Things are getting better now for the pilot's with consolidation but it will always be risky.

JamesNoBrakes

This confusing. The thread is titled "would you have chosen to be a pilot", yet in the text you talk about being an airline pilot. Which do you mean, being a pilot, or being an airline pilot?

nancy33

You need a hobby, your last hobby turned into a job so now you have no hobby

USMCFLYR

Some of the less *imaginative* believe that you must be an airline pilot to be a real pilot
Some would also use the website's own name in an attempt to say 'well of course I'm talking about an airline pilot' - ignoring the fact that the website is for all types of people interested in many different facets of aviation in general.

To the OP - I answered 'Yes' to your poll and I've never been an airline and will mostly likely never be an airline pilot. Feel free to subtract my response from the totals if they skew the percentages
(Of course I admit to answering the poll PRIOR to reading the original post. Sorry.)

Sixty N Two

I agree Marine!!! I was an AF nav and never thought I could be a pilot. A friend said the same thing. Went and got a license and behold age went up to 30 and got to be both a GA and mil pilot.

I would be an airline pilot if the seats were moving...seems so unfortunate to bail now as positions seem prime to start moving...good luck in your choice.