SkyHigh

Many of my most ardent opponents end up in the "leaving The Career" section. I am having a real struggle staying interested in this forum. At one time my positions were in the minority here.

Skyhigh

CaptainCarl

The industry is at a low point and many have realized that they can do other things in life for the same or more money and easily a better QOL.

Then there are those of us who are chasing a dream, even though we're not 100% sure what that dream is

bryris

Carl, whats up these days? Are you back at TSA now after recall? How is it?

I'm out crunching numbers these days - fairly happy with it. I toy with the idea of getting back in, but just can't make myself do it. Parts of it excite me and parts of it don't. I enjoy the jet setting lifestyle to some degree, pretty night flights, cruising through airports, snow, etc - but also enjoy the simplicity of my current life, easy drive to work, pay is good, and its just comfortable.

Wish I had the answer.

CaptainCarl

Hey man, long time no see. Yeah, I'm back at TSA, hoping things get better. We are down to 25 aircraft, 1 of which just ran off the runway in CYOW on Sunday. Two are returning to the lease holders in December and seven more next year. So I'm looking at another furlough unless we get some flying soon.

One positive is the new contract. But even that joy is watered down by our suspicion that a contract was granted to us in order for GoJet to be awarded 12 CRJs for Delta. The thought is Daddy Delta told Holdings to get its house in order before they will award any flying to any of the three companies. But of course this is all just speculation.

Glad to hear you got your schooling finished up and a decent job. Being home every night is something that's hard to miss until you don't have it anymore. Have you been doing any recreational flying or instructing? Been out to GIF recently? I saw their new "terminal" building from the outside a few months back, looks nice.

Yeah, if you find a crystal ball lying around, let me know, I could use it

bryris

Yeah, I am flying nearly every weekend. Have keys to two different friends' airplanes. A C172XP and an old PA22-108 (Piper Colt). So, I can pretty much go fly whenever I want to. Have one IFR student going right now and a guy asking about PPL work - not sure he'll act on it. But the funny thing is, on a pretty day when I am deciding what I want to do with my day, I just don't make it out to the airport much which means I'd rather be doing other things, frankly. I don't think its a dwindling love for flying, just that I've flown Cessna's in this basic area for so long, there is just nothing new to experience at it. If I had a new plane to fly (different) or a cool XC to fly, it'd be exciting again. Just a bit bored with it I guess.

I work about 5 minutes from GIF too. In fact, I often go park under the trees out there by 5 and eat lunch on my breaks.

Sounds like not much has changed in the TSA world - rumors flying, anti management sentiment, yadda yadda. Are you holding a line or on reserve or build up? I was 204xx when I was there - are those guys holding lines or still sucking scheduling's teet?

CaptainCarl

Well, nice to have the option to fly if you feel the need to scratch that itch. I understand the feeling of using your off time for other pursuits. I don't even think about flying when I'm at home. It has just become a job to me, something I do to pay the bills.

Have they changed good old 4/22 to 5/23 now? So many landings logged there, such a good little airport. Kind of an interesting coincidence that the field elevation for GIF is 145'.

Yeah, not much has changed at Trans States. I'm holding a line. Been holding a line since May. Build up in April and three weeks of reserve in March after finishing OE. But if we don't get any flying before next year, I'm looking at Furlough: Part Deux.

bryris

Yep - been 5/23 for a while now. Silly poles keep moving.

Not sure what I'll do. Wife and I are thinking of having a baby soon, etc. Not sure I want to be monkeying with airline crap with a family at home. But, strangely, part of me does.

I'll "likely" never go back to pro flying, but the option is there - at least for a while.

Cubdriver

I know what you mean Sky and we have to update our reasons for being here occasionally. Even career airliners seem to drift in and out of APC. Our reason for being here will naturally change over time. I was originally interested in joining an airline but that interest long ago expired mostly due to practicality, and other interests took over. My interest moved to socializing with the wider pilot community and it has been that way for a long time. I am around either my students or test pilots all day so I am not short on social opportunities. Those two groups are only a small part of the whole. In addition, I have always cultivated interests on multiple levels and while one may stagnate for a bit the others usually pick up the slack. You can easily spend a lifetime doing things under the banner of aviation and never run out of things to do.

Rnav

To the original OP,

Good luck in school. Anyone thinking about furthering their education that is a good thing. After I left flying professionally I didn't fly for almost a year. But you know what I still enjoy flying today. I got back into it slowly and it reminded me why I started in the first place. Hopefully to those that do leave or have left decide to stay current or fly for fun whenever they can.

Flying can be fun especially when its on your terms No matter how I got crapped on by the industry I will say that flying is fun. You just have to find the version of it you enjoy.

osuav8r

You didn't quit Trans Sates did you?? If so, we probably know each other