Regrets?

[clumpinglitter]

Has anyone switched to a flying career and regretted it? I feel like I'm prepared for the pay cut and extreme lifestyle change, but I bet there's really no way to know until you've actually done it.

-C.

[Freightdog1]

Seems like the same question I've had in my head now for quite a while, just the other way around. I've been out of aviation now for 5.5 yrs, furloughed from my 727 F.O. job. I took a different career route..non aviation and somedays I regret leaving flying, I could've gotten another flying job but didn't. My QOL is great but I miss the flying and wonder if I get back into it, am I going to regret leaving my current lifestyle for the aviation lifestyle?
The only thing I can say is you have to try and figure it out for yourself. If it doesn't work or you hate it, then at least you'll know.

[Ian J]

I'll let you know in 24 days when I get out of the Army.

[juskl]

I think that it all depends on what you are leaving. In my former life I was a Police Officer (as were several of us on this site). I miss the thrill of the chase, the excitement and most importantly my fellow Officers (they are a family that I know I will never be able to repeat). But I don't miss the inept command staff, the BS calls and the 13 years of working nights with some of the lowest forms of life.

This new life of aviation has renewed me in many ways. Every day is a new experience and there is just soooo much to learn. I have been instructing now for 4 months and deffinitely have been baptised by fire...... The good the bad and the ugly of the state of flight instructing..... But through it all, I still love what I am doing.... Even if I am making less the 1/5 th of what I was making before..... (that one hits people most)... Think paid internship.....
I don't want to go back to LE, but I can if I need to. I was good at it, but it cost me alot in terms of myself, my friends, and my now ex-wife...... (so of course I go into a profession where the divorce rate is about equal....

[blee256]

Originally Posted by juskl

But I don't miss the inept command staff, the BS calls and the 13 years of working nights with some of the lowest forms of life.

Dont come into the airline world looking for a better management team. ha!

C,

The only thing i regret about this job is the huge debt I accumulated going to a big name flight school. Its a fun job, pay sucks but if you get on with a decent regional (ie not pinnacle or mesa) you only have to struggle through one year of crappy pay. Good luck and my offer still stands, so let me know if you want to make the switch.

[CFIse]

Originally Posted by clumpinglitter

Has anyone switched to a flying career and regretted it? I feel like I'm prepared for the pay cut and extreme lifestyle change, but I bet there's really no way to know until you've actually done it.

-C.

I don't, but I know people who have.

It's all about expectations - people who expect the worse will be delightfully surprised, people who expect to be treated like aviation Gods will be horrified.

I've met people who quit their regional FO jobs after less than year, and when asked why they say "I didn't like being away from home so much". Well what the h?*l did they expect?

So - only you know what your expectations are.