num1flyboy

Hello guys/gals,
I am a CFII, MEI, ATP who was pursuing a life in aviation. I got involved with a guy who talked me into going another route. I have since found myself making alot more money but with so much more uncertainty. I am asking myself now if it was worth it? Leaving my passion for a more secure future? I am wondering from all you airline fellas/gals here what is your quality of life like? what I mean is if you could do something else that made you the same money for a longer time, and still get to fly when you want to, would you do it? also if you could post what kind of away time you spend from home and weather or not that time bothers you? Thanks for all your hep!

Xdashdriver

I left my passion (aviation) for a more secure future. I also flew a little on the side (flight instructed) while I pursued that different career. Several years later I am back to flying full time. My quality of life is that I am home for just a little less then half the month and away the rest of the time. I keep in touch with my family every day and when I am home, I am present with them and spend quality time with them. Is it hard? Yes, at times it is, but we all chose this plan together and we are making it work. There are ways to make it work if everyone is on board with the idea.

Bob Loblaw

$h!t.

$h!t, $h!t, $h!t.

prex8390

You're asking a bunch of REGIONAL airline pilots about their QOL? I would have posted this in major so you could have heard the answer you're looking for. But to answer, You let a boy change your life passion and you've come here for answers. You miss it, clearly, don't let him run your life. If you want to fly, sit him down and tell him that.

Vital Signs

This is aviation. Can anything be less certain?

(Rhetorical)

ArcherDvr

It depends on what type of flying you want to do. If renting a Cessna on the weekends will quench your thirst for flying, and you make good money, do that. You have to be careful with the regionals. It's good if you live in base, get in when there is lot's of movement. If you have to commute, then hopefully you don't have a family, or are not financially dependent on your regional salary, as the commute will take away from both in the form of time and a crash pad. The regionals have a way of sucking the passion out of you if you get in at the wrong time. That being said, there are some good opportunities right now.Once you get some turbine time, there are opportunities outside the regionals as well.
As for leaving flying for something that pays more, it kind of depends.
If I'm flying making less than 50K and gone all the time, and I get a non flying job that pays like 80K, I'll probably take the nnon-flying job. But if I'm at a flying job making 80K with a good schedule, and a non-flying job ,making 120K comes along, I'll probably just manage my finances and and stick with the 80K. Keep in mind I have a family, so the decision might be a little different for a single 23 year old for example.

Lvlng4Spd

I left a higher paying job (approx 70k) in HR for PDT. I've commuted 2-3 legs to work for almost 4 years. I still love what I do. I've since upgraded and the honeymoon continues! To me it is worth the time away from home and my family is extremely supportive of my career. The wife loves meeting me on overnights and we make an adventure out of it. I would never want to go back to what I was doing before or do anything else. When I am at work it never feels like work and it's unfortunate some folks can't appreciate it fully. I do understand all situations are unique however.

flyguy102

Word. So many people take this job for granted. Very well said sir, have a good night!

snippercr

My wife enjoys being with me and has, on several occasions gone with me on an overnight. She gets special treatment by the FAs on the flight, goes out to a nice dinner with me, and stays in a hotel which for her is like a mini vacation. Mind you, I bid weekends off and she works a M-F so it rarely happens but sometimes she does. Maybe not PIA but others, yes.

QOL is pretty good. 4 years at my airline, I intentionally bid reserve due to my seniority and our work rules. Spend just about every day at home (maybe not every night). Fly far less than a hard line and see my wife a lot more. Biggest determining factor for my QOL? Living in base and not commuting.

CBreezy

There are a lot of people on here who got into this job primarily for coolness factor of being an airline pilot. That's the wrong reason to get into any profession whether it be military, doctor, or pilot.

I got into aviation because I love flying and being a professional pilot. Yes, there are tough days, just like any career. As someone who left a former, well-paying career to become a regional airline pilot, I have yet to regret my decision in well over 5 years. You have to look deep inside and figure out why you want to get into aviation. Is it because you think being an airline pilot would be cool? If that's the answer, stay away and fly a Cessna. Is it because you have a love for aviation and a desire to help people even when they may not appreciate it? Then maybe give it a shot.

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.