Copperhed51

Haven't touched an airplane since 6/23/11 and don't miss it a bit. Started school this week and am planning on a career in Physical Therapy most likely. I'm nearly 30 and wasted entirely too much time on a career that has been worse to me in every way than any career my friends have chosen. Hell, even my friend who is a bartender always made significantly more than me and had a better quality of life. I don't know if I'll ever get back to flying or not. I guess it's there as a fallback if I need it but I hope to stay away for good. I don't even really have any interest in doing it recreationally. So, after 3 years with the airlines, peace out. And [....] you RZ. I wouldn't pi$$ on you if you were on fire.

GoPats

Copperhed,

I was in a situation such as yours in the mid-'90s. I was frustrated, fed up, envious of others' accomplishments (and finances) all of which led me to be totally turned off of aviation.

I got my "more stable" job, made "good money" but after some time I realized that I'm simply compensating myself for being unhappy. Sure, there've been bright spots along the way but I still look up when I hear a plane and look out the terminal window when I travel wondering.
All of the "what if's...", especially when I find out about other people I knew having established themselves in a good aviation career, could come back at you. You may find yourself asking as to why you couldn't have tried harder to have both.

I'm not suggesting that you're not making the right decision. I know nothing about you.

I'm just saying that I hope you're not making life-affecting decisions based on your current circumstances (which could be temporary).

It's a tough call.
Good luck.

HercDriver130

Good Luck! Aviation like many professions is not always good to everyone. And Until recently I would say that my civilian endeavors in aviation had turned out less than stellar. I took a detour about 9 years into my aviation career and was out for more than a decade. Things happened in my life which for me led me back to flying, and at this point right now I couldn't be happier.

Truly, good luck to you. You may or may not find yourself back in aviation someday, but it will always be with you. Enjoy and again...the best to you and your family in your new endeavor.

TonyWilliams

I haven't flown anything since about Oct 2010. I even pay $35 month dues to a flying club, but don't ever go there.

Every time I think what kind of job I would get if I got hired by an airline.... seems better to do something else !! I am taking a history class at the local college.

Pielut

I thought I would fly recreationally as well, found out there are much better ways to blow a few hundred bucks. Things on the other side are good, good luck to you Miss it sometimes, but not that much....

johnso29

Good Luck with Physical Therapy.

Thedude

Out of curiosity I would like to know how much time you were hired at the commuters with and did you flight instruct or work at a 135 op prior to being hired at said airline.

Ski Patrol

Good luck with the new career. I have too many responsibilities and a decent paying job (for now), to hang it up though I would if the right opportunity came along. In this economy it's nice to at least pay the bills in-spite of my poor career choice.

Copperhed51

Thanks everybody. For whoever was asking, I was hired at my first 121 gig with 420TT and like 220 multi. Furloughed a few months later and hired at a different 121 gig with around 650/450. Couldn't stand that after about 2.5 years, got recalled at my original 121 job with a couple thousand hours. Out of the 3 years I was flying 121, I enjoyed maybe about 4 months of it. It can work out for some but it's not my thing. Good luck to everybody else.

CaptainCarl

Good luck man, hope you are enjoying every night in your own home.