Simviation Forums

Well...  on or about July 31, 2008 I will be making a major change in my life; for a multitude of reasons I have decided to take a three year leave of absence from the airline, which will serve as a prelude to a full resignation from the airline industry as a whole. I have made this decision so that I may return to school in the hopes of following a more realistic and profitable career goal.

The decision was incredibly difficult to come to terms with as i really love the work i get to do, and i greatly appreciate all of the highly trained and skilled professionals in aviation i get to work with. However,  the uncertainty, instability, stagnation and low pay have convinced me that a career in aviation, though fun, and rewarding in many ways  is simply not a viable route to a prosperous and promising future for neither myself nor my family.

As many of you may know, I have dedicated the past ten years of my life to the goal of becoming an airline pilot. I have succeeded in that regard; however, there is little promise of a fruitful career for my generation of pilots for a great many reasons.

For starters... in recent months, we have seen the bankruptcy of several major airlines, some of which ceased operations as a complete surprise not only to customers, but to employees as well!  ATA airlines for example, a major carrier to overseas destinations, simply closed its doors without even informing employees who haplessly reported to work to find their jobs no longer existed. ATA did not even extend the courtesy of a phone call explaining the situation to many employees. Meanwhile, ATA executives pulled the rip cord on their golden parachutes and escaped with their financial situation largely in onc piece.

United Airlines recently announced its intentions to cut 950 or more pilot jobs and reduce fleet size.

Northwest airlines will cut 2700 jobs.

American Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Eagle and many other well known carriers have announced similar intentions.

additionally, even approaching my 4th year pay scale i rarely earn more than $1,900US per month. and i wont see any notable pay increase until i reach captain... which will likley not occur for several more years.

we had a jumpseater for United on a flight the other day who was furloughed after 9/11... he was just recalled 6 months ago and is now being furloughed again! and i know many guys like him!

I asked myself... do i want to be standing in this guys shoes with a mortgage and kids in college when im 50 years old getting furlouged for the 2nd or 3rd time?

i couldn't justify answering yes to that question.  :-/

Thus far my future career plans are not set in stone, and I

I fear at some point the situation in Europe won't be much better. Rather like terrible mortgage deals, companies have been pushing the new way to train "self sponsorship" by the means of a

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.  I originally wanted to be an airline pilot, but after 9-11 when the furloughs started being thrown around I changed to airport management.  I still get to play around airplanes, but actually make a living wage and have the job security of working for the government.  Its amazing how much times have changed for airline pilots.  50 years ago airline pilots were reverred as gods (ok maybe not, but you get my point), 10 years ago they were upper class in pay and stature, these days the manager at the local Mcdonald's gets better pay and job security.  I was told recently by some pilots passing through, the only way to be an airline pilot is to marry into money or win the lottery.  

I've also been told you can marry more money in 5 minutes than you can make in a lifetime.  ;)

Good luck, and just keep flying any way you can.

It's a curious state of affairs, for sure.  I had lunch the other day with an ex-instructor who has been flying for Continental. He made more money delivering pizza part-time and instructing part-time, that he does as an airline pilot. Had more fun, and more stability, too.

Good luck, whichever path you end up on  :)

What a shame. Best of luck in the future though!!!

And what about the Airforce?

What a shame. Best of luck in the future though!!!

And what about the Airforce?

I suspect that you can almost guarantee anyone who's worked towards an airline career will be too old, unless they go their licenses very young.

thought about the air force reserve... have a buddy on the C130. but im considering a career in the medical field.

Good morning Ritter...

All the best to you in your future plans and hope you will do some bugsmashing, at least that will keep you smiling.  ;)

Flying does have it's ups and downs in more ways than one but I am sure you shall find a path to travel...

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

thanks for the encouragement,

im might do some side work on a King Air C90... and eventually i would like to own a little taildragger of some sort.

but im definitely looking for something that will better support my family.