Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... - Page 2

C150J · October 17th, 2006, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

"I personally think his GF had a huge factor in him denying the job offers."

That would be a huge mistake...

I couldn't agree with you more IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with such things.

C150J · October 17th, 2006, 11:25

In addition, I respect the guy's decision, but leaving in training is a TERRIBLE idea. You will always wonder "what if?" Everyone I've spoken with who's done this regrets it, whereas the ones that get on the line - or even make it past reserve - don't regret their decisions.

I'm going to swallow some humble pie and admit that this is what occured with me and law enforcement. I left in training (injury with option to return) and continuously wonder how I would've been as a cop. I've always wanted to be a pilot (I wanted to fly for the PD - luckily I have some other great related opportunities right now), but regret always seeps in. As a psychologist's son and a psych major, a lot of this has to do with cognitive dissonance... we want what we couldn't have/didn't accomplish. So, regardless of any legitimate reason, it still tears us apart.

I'm going to qualify the above statements by saying that we don't know the whole situation. However, I thought I'd add my two cents for similar incidents.

alphaone · October 17th, 2006, 12:33

Well, that just makes it easier for me to get a job. One less guy to compete with...

aviatorrbt · October 17th, 2006, 12:56

I think if he really was that into flying, he will be back.

DMBinHBurg · October 17th, 2006, 13:06

I can relate to the guy. I am the guy that is looking to sell my business and go with a regional. I have been lucky enough to own my own business but I don't make a whole lot at it for all the time I put in so the pay would be similar to flying. However, I am married (28) and do plan on starting a family within the next year or two. I am just torn whether to make that jump. I don't want to live with any regrets of "I should have tried the airlines". I have always thought about doing it and I know the sooner I start, the sooner you build senority. I also dont' want to start training and then find I hate it and quit. Decisions, Decisions...hahaha

T

wheelsup · October 17th, 2006, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMBinHBurg

I have been lucky enough to own my own business but I don't make a whole lot at it for all the time I put in so the pay would be similar to flying.

Don't you own a Cirrus? You probably wouldn't ever make enough at the regionals to afford a new cirrus, unless you lived in a mobile home as a 18 year captain.

MarkE · October 17th, 2006, 13:39

You scared me for a sec there Bigey. Thought you were gonna be the one who gave it up!

Aero_Engineer · October 17th, 2006, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by C150J

I couldn't agree with you more IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with such things.

I agree wityh you guys, gotta stay there untill the good times come around!! But het I am not in his shoes so I can't judge.

Doug Taylor · October 17th, 2006, 17:00

A couple things. 35 ain't old. I'm 35 and starting my 10th year at a major but all that means is that if I croaked, I'd have about six people at my funeral because all I did was fly airplanes. If I were captain, I'd rather have a mature 35 year old as captain rather than some kid fresh out of high school and a pilot mill screaming "Do you wear your uniform at the mall to pick up chix? This is so 1337!"

People dive out of the professional at ALL levels. Even when times were hunky dory at the majors, people were dropping out of the profession to do other things. I think everyone should be lucky he quit then as opposed to quitting in the middle of a trip and leaving your ass stranded out in Montana somewhere!

killbilly · October 17th, 2006, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

A couple things. 35 ain't old. I'm 35 and starting my 10th year at a major but all that means is that if I croaked, I'd have about six people at my funeral because all I did was fly airplanes.

I think I get what you're saying here, but I find it hard to believe that a man who has affected as many people as he has just with the website, who has made the friends he has, with a loving and supportive wife, can sum up his life and say that all he did was fly airplanes. You've done a lot more than that, Doug.

I'm guessing you maybe said that for hyperbolic argument...because I can't believe that you really believe that.

Doug Taylor · October 17th, 2006, 17:22

Thanks, but I try to speak independently of the website. But you know what I'm getting at!

There's a lot of guys who retired in the past few years that croaked out of boredom because all they did was fly and didn't know what to do with themselves after they left the airline business.

chris6387 · October 17th, 2006, 18:18

My CFI left aviation during my PPL training - right after I had soloed.

I've also heard from a retired major pilot that the industry has tanked and not to waste anytime pursuing a profession in it.

But, whatever, I guess I'll have to learn the hard way.

mrivc211 · October 17th, 2006, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

"I personally think his GF had a huge factor in him denying the job offers."

That would be a huge mistake...

ding ding ding

We have a winner

Kristie · October 17th, 2006, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by aviatorrbt

I think if he really was that into flying, he will be back.

yup, only problem is he'll have to interview all over again and i'm not sure SKYW would take him after leaving....

GaTechKid · October 17th, 2006, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilot602

You fly it?

Hmmm guess not. When you, A) get hired at SKW (or any airline for that matter) and B) pass indoc, systems, FTD and SIM, then maybe you can say somethin' like that. Untill then, well ...

You guys are dangerous....

C150J · October 17th, 2006, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilot602

Letting someone else "decide" that for you is a HUGE mistake even if you do, in fact, want those kinds of things out of life because in the end there will always be a little bit of resentment for "making me ..."

Absolutely. How can you be happy with someone else if you're not happy with yourself? The 20s are very formative years, enabling people to begin finding their way and realizing their potential.

I'm not saying she isn't worth it. However, relationships can be a detriment to becoming that you want to be if they don't allow exploration and growth.

Oh, and I'm sure we've all made decisions in past relationships and think "what was I doing!?"

J.

flyboy04 · October 17th, 2006, 20:15

Just wondering do people ever get in training and just freak out at the responsibility of it all. Seems to me this would happen some, its all fine and dandy to think of the cool uniform and trips, but when reality sets and you face the fact that any emergency situation you have now will be with several passengers on board.

Doug Taylor · October 17th, 2006, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaTechKid

You guys are dangerous....

Who's the best pilot you've ever seen?

Airdale · October 17th, 2006, 23:02

Unfortunately I too am about to punch the eject button on this career pilot thing. Maybe not permanently, but I just might see how it goes. I'm struggling to make ends meet as a CFI. I can't live how I want to live, I can't enjoy any of my favorite past times due to lack of money and lack of free time. I'm basically being supported by my fiance and her salary, yet I'm giving her nothing in return financially or in terms of spending time with her. We bought a house that needs a lot of work and I'm obligated to students nearly 7 days a week. I work the weekends, she's off the weekends. She's sacrificing a lot to afford things for the house, I sacrifice more then half of my paycheck to pay back my flight training loan. Its not fun.

I love to fly. I absolutely love it. The view, the fun, everything about it. To get paid a lot of money doing it would be awesome. I just don't think I can sacrifice anymore then I'm doing now and I'm running out of steam. I have a solid family business I could be running in a few years that will make enough money to probably buy my own airplane after paying off my school loan. I'd be home everynight, off every weekend and be making enough to afford the things we need for the house. I would also be able to enjoy racing, carving (bird decoys), building boats and hunting/fishing. Of course I'd be able to satisfy my love of aviation by flying at my leisure. I'm having the hardest time from walking away from flying full time right now, but I think its a decision I have to make. I can relate to your buddy.

jtrain609 · October 17th, 2006, 23:12

I can't believe I'm reading some of this stuff. It makes me think we've had a change in how most of the website feels about this stuff.

You guys that are saying you shouldn't let another person decide what you should do with your career; I agree, but I will ask, what if supporting a family with that person is more important to you than flying. And let me make that point a little more clear - by saying that, you're saying A JOB is more important than A PERSON, and that to me isn't where my priorities are. To me, people, relationships and family are much more important than flying airplanes, pushing paper around a desk or doing whatever CAREER is going get in the way of your LIFE. Maybe it has to do with that whole work to live, not live to work thing, but I can't agree with you guys on this issue.

We all love to fly, but I love coming home to somebody that cares about me and wants to raise some kids with me more than I care about how I make a few bucks. Flying is a job, not some magical dream job that makes your life worth living. Flying is a heck of a lot of hard work for low pay, and while it's a real fun job, in my book it's not worth sacraficing people that are close to you for it. This job will take you in, chew you up and spit you out and not really give a #### about you. Some might say your wife would do the same thing, who knows.

But that's my take on things.

C150J · October 17th, 2006, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtrain609

I can't believe I'm reading some of this stuff. It makes me think we've had a change in how most of the website feels about this stuff.

You guys that are saying you shouldn't let another person decide what you should do with your career; I agree, but I will ask, what if supporting a family with that person is more important to you than flying. And let me make that point a little more clear - by saying that, you're saying A JOB is more important than A PERSON, and that to me isn't where my priorities are. To me, people, relationships and family are much more important than flying airplanes, pushing paper around a desk or doing whatever CAREER is going get in the way of your LIFE. Maybe it has to do with that whole work to live, not live to work thing, but I can't agree with you guys on this issue.

We all love to fly, but I love coming home to somebody that cares about me and wants to raise some kids with me more than I care about how I make a few bucks. Flying is a job, not some magical dream job that makes your life worth living. Flying is a heck of a lot of hard work for low pay, and while it's a real fun job, in my book it's not worth sacraficing people that are close to you for it. This job will take you in, chew you up and spit you out and not really give a #### about you. Some might say your wife would do the same thing, who knows.

But that's my take on things.

I agree with you to a certain extent. However, it should be YOU who makes such a decision. To feel pressure from another will only lead to resentment, and this is the type of decision-making that I speak of. Of course, we don't know if this occured with Bigey's friend, so we're just talking in generalities.

Yes family comes first. However, the intensity and passion associated with aviation is a lifetsyle, not a career. If you're born to be a professional pilot, you won't be happy until you are one. If you decide that you were born to be with the girlfriend you're currently with, then the answer should be clear (but sometimes not easy).
J.

GaTechKid · October 17th, 2006, 23:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Who's the best pilot you've ever seen?

Angelina Jolie, hands down. I mean, did you see that girl in Tomb Raider? Dang!

jtrain609 · October 17th, 2006, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by C150J

I agree with you to a certain extent. However, it should be YOU who makes such a decision. To feel pressure from another will only lead to resentment, and this is the type of decision-making that I speak of. Of course, we don't know if this occured with Bigey's friend, so we're just talking in generalities.

Yes family comes first. However, the intensity and passion associated with aviation is a lifetsyle, not a career. If you're born to be a professional pilot, you won't be happy until you are one. If you decide that you were born to be with the girlfriend you're currently with, then the answer should be clear (but sometimes not easy).
J.

I agree with that very much. I'll also add that I think our hard headed nature tends to shove people close to us away. I mean seriously, what would you think of a girl who forcefully said to you, "Damnit, I LOVE being a nurse. I'm going to be a nurse even if they make me sleep in the hospital 4 nights a week and I don't see you that whole time. Heck, even if they only pay me $19,000 a year I'll still do it BECAUSE I LOVE TO CLEAN UP POOP! If you can't accept this about me, then you can just leave because you don't understand my passion for my career" you'd be a little turned off eh?

C150J · October 17th, 2006, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtrain609

I agree with that very much. I'll also add that I think our hard headed nature tends to shove people close to us away. I mean seriously, what would you think of a girl who forcefully said to you, "Damnit, I LOVE being a nurse. I'm going to be a nurse even if they make me sleep in the hospital 4 nights a week and I don't see you that whole time. Heck, even if they only pay me $19,000 a year I'll still do it BECAUSE I LOVE TO CLEAN UP POOP! If you can't accept this about me, then you can just leave because you don't understand my passion for my career" you'd be a little turned off eh?

Yeah, you really hit it dead on. 9/11, and the recent Comair/Lidle crashes certainly exacerbate matters as well. Sometimes it's an "us vs. them" mentality, which I hate but can't deny.

MFT1Air · October 17th, 2006, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtrain609

Depends on what he wants out of life it could be. What if having a family with this women is more important to him than flying?

I've been happily married for the past 29 years. . .(happily?

) I love flying; I love my wife. She'd never allow me to give up what I enjoy most. . .the both of them.

Now. . .them bad a$$ kids of mine?

October 17th, 2006, 11:25	#27
C150J Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,004	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... In addition, I respect the guy's decision, but leaving in training is a TERRIBLE idea. You will always wonder "what if?" Everyone I've spoken with who's done this regrets it, whereas the ones that get on the line - or even make it past reserve - don't regret their decisions. I'm going to swallow some humble pie and admit that this is what occured with me and law enforcement. I left in training (injury with option to return) and continuously wonder how I would've been as a cop. I've always wanted to be a pilot (I wanted to fly for the PD - luckily I have some other great related opportunities right now), but regret always seeps in. As a psychologist's son and a psych major, a lot of this has to do with cognitive dissonance... we want what we couldn't have/didn't accomplish. So, regardless of any legitimate reason, it still tears us apart. I'm going to qualify the above statements by saying that we don't know the whole situation. However, I thought I'd add my two cents for similar incidents.

October 17th, 2006, 12:33	#28
alphaone Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 784	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... Well, that just makes it easier for me to get a job. One less guy to compete with... __________________ 8/20/05 PPL 8/16/06 IR

October 17th, 2006, 12:56	#29
aviatorrbt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: FL Posts: 426	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... I think if he really was that into flying, he will be back.

October 17th, 2006, 13:06	#30
DMBinHBurg Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 80	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... I can relate to the guy. I am the guy that is looking to sell my business and go with a regional. I have been lucky enough to own my own business but I don't make a whole lot at it for all the time I put in so the pay would be similar to flying. However, I am married (28) and do plan on starting a family within the next year or two. I am just torn whether to make that jump. I don't want to live with any regrets of "I should have tried the airlines". I have always thought about doing it and I know the sooner I start, the sooner you build senority. I also dont' want to start training and then find I hate it and quit. Decisions, Decisions...hahaha T

October 17th, 2006, 13:39	#32
MarkE Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tarzana, CA (KVNY) Posts: 1,606	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... You scared me for a sec there Bigey. Thought you were gonna be the one who gave it up! __________________ "I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."

October 17th, 2006, 17:00	#34
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,084 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... A couple things. 35 ain't old. I'm 35 and starting my 10th year at a major but all that means is that if I croaked, I'd have about six people at my funeral because all I did was fly airplanes. If I were captain, I'd rather have a mature 35 year old as captain rather than some kid fresh out of high school and a pilot mill screaming "Do you wear your uniform at the mall to pick up chix? This is so 1337!" People dive out of the professional at ALL levels. Even when times were hunky dory at the majors, people were dropping out of the profession to do other things. I think everyone should be lucky he quit then as opposed to quitting in the middle of a trip and leaving your ass stranded out in Montana somewhere! __________________ Doug Taylor http://76school.flyblog.com (old!) http://30west.flyblog.com (updated 11/28)

October 17th, 2006, 17:22	#36
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,084 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... Thanks, but I try to speak independently of the website. But you know what I'm getting at! There's a lot of guys who retired in the past few years that croaked out of boredom because all they did was fly and didn't know what to do with themselves after they left the airline business. __________________ Doug Taylor http://76school.flyblog.com (old!) http://30west.flyblog.com (updated 11/28)

October 17th, 2006, 18:18	#37
chris6387 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 686	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... My CFI left aviation during my PPL training - right after I had soloed. I've also heard from a retired major pilot that the industry has tanked and not to waste anytime pursuing a profession in it. But, whatever, I guess I'll have to learn the hard way.

October 17th, 2006, 20:15	#42
flyboy04 Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 289	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... Just wondering do people ever get in training and just freak out at the responsibility of it all. Seems to me this would happen some, its all fine and dandy to think of the cool uniform and trips, but when reality sets and you face the fact that any emergency situation you have now will be with several passengers on board. __________________ C-SEL, C-MEL, I/A, CFI. CFII, MEI

October 17th, 2006, 23:02	#44
Airdale Old Skool Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dirty Jerzey Posts: 2,109	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... Unfortunately I too am about to punch the eject button on this career pilot thing. Maybe not permanently, but I just might see how it goes. I'm struggling to make ends meet as a CFI. I can't live how I want to live, I can't enjoy any of my favorite past times due to lack of money and lack of free time. I'm basically being supported by my fiance and her salary, yet I'm giving her nothing in return financially or in terms of spending time with her. We bought a house that needs a lot of work and I'm obligated to students nearly 7 days a week. I work the weekends, she's off the weekends. She's sacrificing a lot to afford things for the house, I sacrifice more then half of my paycheck to pay back my flight training loan. Its not fun. I love to fly. I absolutely love it. The view, the fun, everything about it. To get paid a lot of money doing it would be awesome. I just don't think I can sacrifice anymore then I'm doing now and I'm running out of steam. I have a solid family business I could be running in a few years that will make enough money to probably buy my own airplane after paying off my school loan. I'd be home everynight, off every weekend and be making enough to afford the things we need for the house. I would also be able to enjoy racing, carving (bird decoys), building boats and hunting/fishing. Of course I'd be able to satisfy my love of aviation by flying at my leisure. I'm having the hardest time from walking away from flying full time right now, but I think its a decision I have to make. I can relate to your buddy.

October 17th, 2006, 23:12	#45
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,329	Re: Another Pilot Hangs Up His Wings.... I can't believe I'm reading some of this stuff. It makes me think we've had a change in how most of the website feels about this stuff. You guys that are saying you shouldn't let another person decide what you should do with your career; I agree, but I will ask, what if supporting a family with that person is more important to you than flying. And let me make that point a little more clear - by saying that, you're saying A JOB is more important than A PERSON, and that to me isn't where my priorities are. To me, people, relationships and family are much more important than flying airplanes, pushing paper around a desk or doing whatever CAREER is going get in the way of your LIFE. Maybe it has to do with that whole work to live, not live to work thing, but I can't agree with you guys on this issue. We all love to fly, but I love coming home to somebody that cares about me and wants to raise some kids with me more than I care about how I make a few bucks. Flying is a job, not some magical dream job that makes your life worth living. Flying is a heck of a lot of hard work for low pay, and while it's a real fun job, in my book it's not worth sacraficing people that are close to you for it. This job will take you in, chew you up and spit you out and not really give a #### about you. Some might say your wife would do the same thing, who knows. But that's my take on things.

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