How's your Quality of life?
#11
One last thing. I've seen my parents and friends more times since becoming an airline pilot than I ever did in my previous career. I've seen more of the world than I ever saw with a 9-5. I've gone to visit family for dinner in one state and had drinks with a friend the next night in another. My wife travels a lot as well and I often go visit her or bid for overnights in cities where she will be.
My response "I only get 4 days off a month at my current job - I work Monday thru Saturday and often work on Sunday" I have WAY more free time than my flight instructing days or even days as a college student.
Travel is a HUGE benefit. My wife has on more than one occasion threatened (jokingly) to leave me if I ever quit or got a job without travel benefits. Unless of course, it makes enough to PAY for First class tickets to London or Tokyo. Which I have done 3 times in one year (2 to London to connect to other cities and once to Tokyo).
#12
I remember when I interviewed at Eagle they asked "You know you only get 11 days off a month, are you going to be okay with that?"
My response "I only get 4 days off a month at my current job - I work Monday thru Saturday and often work on Sunday" I have WAY more free time than my flight instructing days or even days as a college student.
Travel is a HUGE benefit. My wife has on more than one occasion threatened (jokingly) to leave me if I ever quit or got a job without travel benefits. Unless of course, it makes enough to PAY for First class tickets to London or Tokyo. Which I have done 3 times in one year (2 to London to connect to other cities and once to Tokyo).
My response "I only get 4 days off a month at my current job - I work Monday thru Saturday and often work on Sunday" I have WAY more free time than my flight instructing days or even days as a college student.
Travel is a HUGE benefit. My wife has on more than one occasion threatened (jokingly) to leave me if I ever quit or got a job without travel benefits. Unless of course, it makes enough to PAY for First class tickets to London or Tokyo. Which I have done 3 times in one year (2 to London to connect to other cities and once to Tokyo).
#13
Hence the draw of good travel benefits and boarding priority. My wife or my parents for that matter have never been #20 for anything. My wife travels like an employee does...makes it simple.
#14
Fantastic! Thanks for asking. I am home every night, making OK money. Around $40k on first year pay. Currently I am sitting about number 8 on the list, and next month I basically have a 9-5 job. I show up at 8:30 and I am done by five with six hours of flying. The schedule for most months is four days on, and three days off. But then again we arent your typical regional.
#16
Funny never had that issue. Had a few close calls and a few times I had to do some creative routing. Proper planning, back up plans and flexibility. If you don't like that, buy a GD ticket.
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 10,533
I would bet that those guys that got in because they thought it was cool, the system weeded them out or they took themselves out pretty quick. The rest of us are trying to make a living. The nice view or feeling that you're not really working because you're doing what you love, does not pay the bills.
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 840
I would suggest that if you do pursue an airline career (regional to start, hopefully winding up at a major) make an effort to find a second line of work as a back-up. It will save you during downturns or any unexpected hiccups along the way. There are a smattering of doctors, dentists and other professionals as well as business owners who also fly for a living. In the end, you have to be as fulfilled as you possibly can with your career choice or else you risk a life of regret. Lots of people making tons of money sitting behind a desk or doing something else more lucrative but hating going to work every morning. Granted, many of us have to make certain choices due to circumstances (family, health, finances etc).
#19
Dumb Pilot
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Position: Broke
Posts: 784
As an Fo, I never once had trouble paying the bills even with a student loan. I didn't live on Ramen, I didn't struggle to buy groceries and I traveled quite a bit. As a Captain, I'll make over $75k this year. Do I think FO pay should be higher? Of course. Was it doable? Absolutely.
When are you people going to realize that just because you love you job of flying they should still pay you.
You are one medical or one mistake away from never flying again and you are risking it all for $30/hour.
Regional jobs are no longer stepping stone jobs. The majors have turned them into careers, and you should approach it that way. We are all one economic disaster from furlough, downgrade, or bankruptcy.
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2015
Posts: 127
75k as a captain? You must be kidding. That is close to what I make as an FO, and that is not enough.
When are you people going to realize that just because you love you job of flying they should still pay you.
You are one medical or one mistake away from never flying again and you are risking it all for $30/hour.
Regional jobs are no longer stepping stone jobs. The majors have turned them into careers, and you should approach it that way. We are all one economic disaster from furlough, downgrade, or bankruptcy.
When are you people going to realize that just because you love you job of flying they should still pay you.
You are one medical or one mistake away from never flying again and you are risking it all for $30/hour.
Regional jobs are no longer stepping stone jobs. The majors have turned them into careers, and you should approach it that way. We are all one economic disaster from furlough, downgrade, or bankruptcy.
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