KingAirPIC

Bottom line is I like the job but I like my time off more. Everyone thinks they deserve more pay for what they do and I am of the same thought. If I could do another job that wouldn't bore me to death that had the opportunity to make me money where I wouldn't have to live from paycheck to paycheck I would do it and do something in aviation as a hobby.

Saab, I also look forward to getting home to work on the car (5.0 Mustang). It's almost race season. Love to go heads up with a S2000 turbo

otter

Not sure how much the PIC really matters for the next year(s) to come. With: Skybus, ATA, Skyway, Aloha, and mergers, there's plenty of guys with lots of PIC time. Other than the money, I'm not sure if i'll upgrade till I can hold a line as a CA

flynavyj

I'm happy i guess, reserve is wearing on me, but that's the price i paid for upgrading when i chose to. But life in general is pretty good, just can't wait for more days off, move to the new house, and the weather to get warm enough to pull the motorcycle out, and finally dig into that ole' firebird again.....think it needs a turbo...or two.

ExperimentalAB

I Love my Job, but I find myself looking forward to my days off a bit more each trip I guess it's just all about that right balance...and with a new car, moving back home to the airplane, and a motorcylce to ride with a soon-to-be new two-wheeler license, I'm a pretty happy camper at home...

But on the Saab side of things (can I coin that LoL), pay certainly does need to come up, and for everybody.

maveric311

I'm very happy! there are a ton of jobs that I could be doing that wouldnt be anywhere near as enjoyable. Didnt we all get into this job because we loved to fly? I think some forget that around here sometimes.

t-cart

I flew professionally for over twenty five years. I retired in 2004. At the end of the 2004 season, I was pretty much burned out. I couldnt wait to hang it up. I did, and proceeded to mope around for about a year or so. I couldnt stand not flying. Now, I am working on getting the ATP and making my move back in, although it will be a different type of flying. It is kind of like starting all over again. I am really enjoying this. My advise, Dont retire at 45. It will make a grumpy old man out of you, and it is OK to be happy with your job.

FlyJSH

Thanks folks. Nice to see that in spite of some crap, there are folks who think this is good WORK.

whoareyou310

I love the flying, and the pilot group, but hate the 2 leg commute...so I am getting married, and taking my girl to my base and starting a new life there. Life will inevitably be so sweet!!!!

SkyHigh

I love my job and find huge satisfaction in knowing that I am able to provide for my family a life that we had dreamed of. I like feeling good about my future again. It pleases me a great deal to know that I own my schedule. I like being here everyday for the needs of my wife and children.

Many of my duties are less than glamorous. Yesterday I mowed lawns but I find happiness in knowing that everything I touch is something that I own and I am increasing my net worth by the effort.

It took my time as a pilot to learn the value of manual labor. I enjoy being outside and working with the land. Creating something new is very satisfying to me. As a pilot I felt that I had few outlets for personal expression. Designing a house or landscaping and then watching it come into reality is hugely uplifting.

Today the weather is not so great so I think I will stay home or work in the shop. Hopefully someday I will find a way to return to aviation. If I have not spoiled myself too much by then that is....

SkyHigh

freezingflyboy

Having not read all of Saab's thread (read the first page or two and then needed to go find a drink!) I can honestly say that I am happy doing this job. I worked in the IT world for 2 years before getting into professional aviation and even though I made good money and was home every night I HATED it. The work was tedious, the scenery never changed, had to spend lots of my free time studying to stay on top of upcoming technology... In short, I was miserable. The line in Office Space where he says "every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life," LITERALLY changed my life. I think if you have had the oppurtunity to have a real job outside of aviation you start to appreciate how good we really have it. Early mornings, late nights, unexpected delays, being jerked around and loads of BS from morons who don't know what they were talking about...saw just as much of it in the IT world as I do in the aviation world.

I work at the same company as Saab, I live in base and I can honestly say that I look forward to this job more than any other job I have ever had. I made $50/k last year as a second year FO, bought a house, am actually building wealth instead of eeking by, traveled the world for next to nothing (in BusinessFirst most of the time), had some good times on overnights and both the girlfriend and I enjoy the hell out of "day-4 sex" So yes, I am happy. Are there some things that I get annoyed with? Yes. Do I wish I got paid more? Who doesn't. Would I trade it for something else? Not a chance. So yes, I am happy.

I guess I should add that I am not one of these guys that gets bent out of shape if I don't upgrade in 2 years or have to spend more than 3-4 years at a regional. The main reason for that is I don't know what's next. With all these places going bust and merger mania starting to take off I don't know what and when my next move will be. So maybe I am happy because I came to a company that I knew I'd be fine being "stuck" at for a while. If you went to some poophole of a regional then I can see why you might be hating life. Better get used to it though...seems like we might be here a while.