Why I QUIT being an Airline Pilot
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 พ.ค. 2024
- Online Pilot Ground School and Checkride Prep: fly8ma.com/private-pilot-grou...
New VLOG Channel: • 9: Steph's ATC CRUSH a...
0:00- Intro
0:25- Why I quit being an airline pilot
1:30- A day in the life of a regional airline pilot
7:20- The great parts of being an airline pilot
7:40- Airline pilot pay at regionals
8:40- My decision to do something else
11:56- following my dreams
13:16 new youtube channel
👉Take our online PILOT GROUND SCHOOL✈
🛩️Private Pilot:
-Everything you need to know start to finish
-How to choose an Instructor
-How to perform the maneuvers
-Airspace
-Landings
-Oral and Checkride prep (premium version)
-And so much more! Try it for free with the link below!
bit.ly/2I3evAd
🌦️Instrument Pilot Ground School:
-Learn all the abbreviations and IFR speak
-Approach Plates and Procedures
-Airspace
-Rules and Regulations
-Systems
-Real World Scenarios
-Accident case studies when things went wrong
-Written test prep
-Oral and Checkride Prep
-Etc, Click the link below to check out the course!
bit.ly/2I3hZTr
🛫Commercial Pilot Bootcamp:
-Learn about Holding Out
-Maintenance Requirements
-Systems
-Airspace
-Rules and Regulations
-See full oral exams and checkride videos
bit.ly/2I5W4eo
Check out our many other courses too!✈
-Tailwheel
-Crosswind Landings
-Weather
-Airspace
-Seaplane
-Sport Pilot
-Spin Awareness
-Accident Case Studies
-And more! Click below to see all courses:
bit.ly/2I4whDp
#fly8ma #flighttraining #aviation #bushplane
Your Support Makes our Videos possible! Thank You!
Support us at: / fly8ma
@captainjoe
Check out our site at www.fly8MA.com
The FLY8MA.com Free Online Ground School for Sport and Private Pilots is available to everyone as a means to make flying more affordable and increase learning for everyone. We are funded with the help of our viewers and subscribers to our website: www.fly8ma.com and our Patreon page: / fly8ma
Every dollar helps us to grow our project into a comprehensive online ground school for Sport, Private, Instrument, and Commercial Pilots. We greatly appreciate all of your support and hope you will share us with your friends and family in #aviation.
FLY SAFE!
-Jon - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
![ILLSLICK - Homies Feat. LILY [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/r6jGK7MumF0/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for being real. Wonderful things happen when your humble and set aside egos and pride. Count on me being a follower.
Happy to have you along for our journey!!!
That girlfriend is not going to stick around long if he isn’t bringing home the bacon. Sad but true fact of life . Look at the statistics
Well then SHE should walk out the door and fend for HERSELF. Plenty of chicks out there, mostly self-sufficient. No point to drag a dead weight around if you haven't murdered anyone.
you are lying. wonderful things don't happen automatically. you have make them happen for you. if you don't have egos and pride, you will never make wonderful things happen for you.
Yes the pay is good but also there are a lot of divorces because of the airline jobs out there and the weird hours and such. If she really loves him then she'll support him and it could even be better for them.
I got my PPL at 29. Spent 32 years in a different career. Finally decided at 50 years old that I wanted to be happy and it wasn’t about the money. Quit my job, moved to Alaska, flew up there for two years, graduated to a Pilatus job in the lower 48 and now I start training at a regional next month. One thing is for sure; if you’re not happy... DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I wish you all the best!!
Bill Schrader congrats!!! I’m just like you but around 30. See you in the skies!
That’s awesome! I’m 28, and I’m only just now starting my flight training. Wish me luck! Lol
@@TaurinegCongrats ! I'm 47 About to start back my PPL lessons :)
Great!
I'll be following your lead on this. I'm currently a fire captain, will be retiring in about 6 years from my fire job, and I don't want to sit around @ 52 years old and retired. Aviation my first love will become my work.
I’ve been an airline pilot for 36 and as a 777 captain some would say it does not get any better. I love my job, but I praise this young man for his accurate video and his bravery to follow his dreams. There are many ways to earn a living flying airplanes so choose the one you like. No sense in doing something you don’t enjoy. Cheers to you young man! I wish you a safe, enjoyable and lengthy career.
What are the cons to you.
Just wanted to thank everyone out there who worked at the regionals and fought for better wages. You guys paved the way, and now I have the opportunity to change careers because the starting salary is finally competitive and worth it!
Regionals have bumped up the pay for FOs! It used to be anywhere between 34-42$ per hour, now it’s about 78-90$ :)
when he said 30$ hours i said whattt?? lol cause right now first year FO's get paid 92 minimum
@@sethalexis6741 EXACTLY!!! This vid was uploaded 5 years ago btw, now here in central florida wages are 90-100 an hour starting pay at regionals!! 38 an hour!! Id quit too!! LOL
Thing about being a pilot, it's a career that has ups and downs in waves
I started at $18 an hour in 2006…. Times have definitely changed!
@@Slowyeti85 18$ would be criminal on today’s day
*Grabs popcorn and scrolls down the comment section*
same
Yep. All the triggered pilots.
joses box reading through some of these comments, you seem to be the one getting quite triggered. There’s a difference between getting triggered and explaining to people that this video is one guys experience, and not common. This dude attracts a lot of prospective pilots to his page and some of us who’ve had successful careers are trying to give a counter perspective from his.
Sincerely,
A “triggered” pilot
@@nofxslc you sound triggered 😂
Airline pilots are a lifestyle that is rarely documented. While the title of being an "airline pilot" sounds exotic to some, the sacrifices made to get to that level is rarely understood. I love that you are sharing this with us.
And... Nobody on his perfect judge will ever spend so much money for such low income... Plus, in order to get a good income in a job like airline pilot, you must be really experienced and that means... you've already flown thousands of hours and sepnt thousands of Euros/Dollares...
Just to finnish, in Europe almost every airline requieres pilots to pay their own type rating... I'm young (24), and I would love to be a pilot, but with such a ridiculous market, not thanks!
I'm a Master Electrician and make about $45/hr and I'm so surprised that airline pilots make about the same as me. I've always had an immense respect for them and presumed they were paid like $100/hr lol
I’m 31 and tomorrow I’m taking my first flight with an instructor. It’s my introductory flight. Wish me luck
Good luck to you!!
FLY8MA.com Flight Training it was sooo awesome. Best experience of my life
@@eversirias7171 its never too late. Im 40 and Im just getting started.
32 and in my first year of training here!
I’m going to be taking my introductory lesson within the next couple weeks!
I've been with a major US airline for 30 years. I'm glad I paid my dues i.e. commuted for my first three years, sat reserve, ate airplane food! I've been a captain for over 20 years and can't think of a better career! Yes, I missed a lot of school plays, soccer games, and many other activities. My kids say it didn't matter, their broadened horizons far exceeded me being present at some of their activities. I admire you going for what you really want in life, I highly recommend doing just that. The next chapter in my life starts in less than 8 years once I retire. I'm excited to be exploring many opportunities that are available. General aviation is amongst the top! Good luck to you!!
How is your sleep these days. I left skywest so I could sleep & not kill anybody.
I usually sleep well on the road and at home. I try to eat healthy, exercise and stay very hydrated at all times. Hydration has played a huge role in my sleeping well or not.
@@GailKeys1 Thank you. Ive been flying commercially for 35 years & after 10 years of air ambulance work almost committed suicide, kinda...unstable approach down to mins after 5th 14 hour duty day in a row. I totally understand this Captains dilemma, he burned out & found out along the way the airlines weren't for him. I figured that out in college, but still took an airline job, didn't last 5 months. What an incredibly demanding routine. Im usually just an average smart ass, I fly corporate. Doctor said I was a prime candidate for Sleep apnea unless I quit working nights. Cycarium Rythum Disruption
Thank you for this optimistic comment as I'm studying for my cfi I came across this video and it seemed pretty discouraging, I just hope that I will be able to provide for a family one day and travel around the world and how long did it take you to move out of regional airliners?
@@bingoair170 Things have changed since my original post. I've trained on two different airplanes and now settling into the new jet and hope to retire from this one in five years. I'm flying internationally and wanted to add a comment regarding my sleep. I gave up all alcohol a couple of months ago. WOW!!! What a difference it's made. I sleep so much better and have more energy as well as alertness! Be well!!
Here’s my take on this. I’ve been with the Airlines 20 years. 3 Airlines total 7,7, and 6 years respectively. Regional, small major, now large major airline. Currently Capt on the B-737 making about $260/hour.
It’s never been a better time to be a pilot. Hell Delta is upgrading pilots to Capt in less than a year! You would have upgraded to Capt in probably a year or so. Then get picked up by a major soon after if your resume has no issues. Then be flying better equipment, better schedule, and much more pay.
We all had to pay our dues. Some longer than others. I flew many 7 leg days making $18 an hour. But I stuck not only thru that, but also 9/11 and the economy downturn in ‘08. Times were tough. Bills sometimes hard to pay. But in the end, love my job, am enjoying great pay, and schedule.
When you look back, you’ll realize the huge mistake you made. Don’t give up so soon. If your regional sucked, then go someplace else. The majors are only a few years away. Suck it up. The rewards are too great to pass up. Good luck!
Pilots need to have passion and be ready for a long unexpected way , but if you persist you'll see the reward soon or later, all depend of you.
I agree with ya, and I hate to hear this guy trying to justify or rationalize his weakness and lack of follow through.
Who says that airlines have to be the end all for all pilots? Personally I couldn't think of anything more boring.
Im glad I saw this comment. Made me happy to know what being a pilot really should be. (coming from an Enthusiast). I wanna become a commercial airline pilot and i thought check this mans video to just get over with the feels he had and probably know more about the job.
It seems that most of this guys problems with the airline were directly related to his commute. Here's an idea, if you're based out of Charlotte why not live in Charlotte? I get it, the job really wasn't for him. I find it very exciting to try something on your own and wish him the best of luck.
Thanks for your honesty. I really thought about being a pilot but now I will just stay where I'm currently at. Thanks for your integrity!
You truly are passionate about flying because you have still kept a flying job just not a airline
It’s also more that it’d be a complete waste of all his hours and ratings not to do a career in aviation.
Many of you missed it, sure the money wasn't the greatest. He quit to pursue his passion. I did that, I was a Sr. Software Engineer making well over 6 figures a year. I quit to start my business Tracked Out Adventures. I take people out on dirtbike and snowmobile adventures. And while I haven't made much money, I sure love my life a whole lot more.
You got it DJ! I can do without the money and I'll keep my LIFE!
DJ there's a guy just like you named Matt Deardan who flies Pilatus Porters in Indonesia for Suzy Air. He was a high level IT worker. Worth a look at the Worst Place To Be a Pilot video series.
I’m trying to be in the same boat as you DJ. I’m an electrical engineer, I make a good salary but I’m not happy. I want to own my own business and work for myself, so I completely get it.
DJ Osborne Good stuff man. Best of luck on your business.
@Bill DeFalco
get the hell out of here fucking spammer
In my opinion, you made the right decision. Being an airline pilot is not for everyone, but at least you tried it and realized it wasn't for you. So why stay? Go back to what you love and enjoy, even if it's being a CFI! Keep up the good work. I really enjoy your videos!
Thanks bud! That's definitely how I felt. It was an awesome experience and maybe one day I'll go back, but for now it'll just be lots of awesome flying and videos!!!
The mad dash to the E Concorse at KCLT. That would be you are so skinny. Love the ground school videos!!!! When I do eventually take lessons my home airport will be KEQY
Hope you get up in the air soon!
Husker Pilot, I couldn't agree with you more. I commend FLY8MA for making the change. It takes courage to walk away from a job like that for balance in his life. To denigrate this man for his personal choice is simply heartless and unfeeling. Good luck to you FLY8MA.
Husker Pilot a
Your videos are inspiring love your presentations. I spent 30 years in remote air support minerals exploration. Pilots were our lifeline, helicopters and fixed wing. I salute and respect you all. My uncle flew 35 missions over the English Channel WW2 B17. Can't get enough of flying. You guys are truly my heroes, thanks for getting me home safe everyday.
Teaching is AWESOME. I’ve taught 2 generations of CDL holders, I’ve taught Bible studies, and now I’m working to become a CFII. I cannot wait to pass that forward as well!
Steve Sullivan, Bonham F00
Ever make the truck to plane switch? Haha
People think pilots are rich and they get lots of cash. These guys go through hell considering sleepless nights, low salary, unstable jobs, big time accountability, pending student loans. *It is not easy and they deserve more*
Perhaps I'm missing something. I completely understand pilots arent RICH per se. But once you make a mainline carrier you are making enough to live comfortably no?
Trenton Pottruff Yes. The median pilot pay is $140,000. Average base pay is $113,000. These are US numbers. I’m guessing the guy in this vid spent a little time in the regionals (where everyone starts out at) then left for personal reasons. It sucks for everyone at first (like any other job, you’re low man in the totem pole), but stick with it and you’ll be doing nice easy long hauls in the left seat making doctors’ salary. American Airlines average pilot salary is almost $200,000, but some make even more. When I went through flight school, the average pay was horrible. Nowadays there’s a pilot shortage, and they pay very well.
@@joesmith389 Hi! When did you go attend flight school?
Pa Blo started in 1996
Trenton Pottruff Yes, IF you can get to the main lines. Meanwhile you have to put up with a lot of stuff for a long time, then IF you can make the switch to a major, the you start all over again from the bottom.....but you make more money
12 year airline pilot here. I’ve flown the CRJ, B757, and A320 for regional airlines, ACMI/charter, and now for a major airline. I can’t say I agree with this guy. I will say his description of a day in the life of a regional pilot isn’t far off, but only if you’re talking about worst case scenario (commuting from a small market like Sarasota to work every trip). Had he moved and lived in domicile his experience would have been much less stressful. Here’s the thing...you have to pay your dues; everyone does. It’s not just airline pilots, ask my friends in the finance industry, or medical professions; we all paid our dues and schlepped through the early portion of our career to reap the rewards of hard work and perseverance. Was it tough? Hell yes it was tough, but every month your seniority grows and it gets easier. My life now almost couldn’t be better; I’m well paid, I have great quality of life, and I’m very happy. I truly love what I do. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. So keep that in mind when you’re watching this video.
Also, I agree with him that you should follow your personal dreams. Do what makes you happy. This career offers a lot of diversity from instructing, corporate, military, to the airlines. I was disappointed with this video because at the beginning I thought it was his passion for instructing that led him to quit flying in the airlines. That is a noble thing to do, quit to pursue your true passion. However, within a few minutes it turned into 20 minutes of complaining about a pretty extreme version of regional airline life. If instructing is his passion, good on him, but if he wanted the quality of life and salary that the major airlines provide and gave up because he couldn’t hack it in the regionals for a few years, he made a big mistake.
DITTO!
Welcome to the life of being a Millenial.
Probably just as well this fellow isn't flying any passengers anymore.
Living at a domicile would solve 97.78766% of this.
Some people have dignity and will not tolerate being a slave.
I am a captain in a major carrier, yeah in the beginning you struggle and i think that those regionals are a nightmare, but what I can tell you is, once you get into a Major airline and especially you become a captain...it s a whole different story...everything is payed by company, you are served good food, insurance...and alot of money at the end of the month. But still this is a job that requires alot of dedication, and extremely stressful at times.
You should do a video or something on how you got to become a captain and your experience thru it all!
@@joeesparza2134I agree!
My little brother is a regional pilot and he has told me a lot of what you shared. Whatever you do, best wishes 🛩
20 years with three different Airlines has taught me one thing, don’t become a pilot for the money, do it because you love flying!
I am glad you found your calling as a CFI, best of luck to you!
Chris Stromberg definitely for money for a lot
Chris Stromberg you can do something you love and still expect to make good money.
I’d love the job but it a feasible dream ?
No, even if you love something you should be expected to get a reasonable human wage and treatment. They can (on a normal year) afford it I am sure.
Yes, flying is my dream since I was a child, and being the brain of those giant machines would be amazing and priceless, I could do it without asking a penny! I don't know how it is to be working for an airline, but in my honest opinion, when you're an airline pilot, you're not flying just because you love it that much, you're flying because it's supposed to be your job, and you're making a living out of it, also that's the only way you can do what you love. So, getting back what you've invested would be reasonable to except. Unfortunately, you have to work a lot, sacrifice time with family, pets and home, not doing other activities you love, etc... To get that back.
I appreciate the honesty and integrity of this video. Not all "glamor" jobs are really worth it.
Like many others, I dreamed of being an airline pilot but could not afford the flight training. I became a civil engineer and some how I always believed I missed out...until I saw your video. It's a very honest review of the life of an airline pilot. Thank you for sharing
Love you John, thank you for all this info, pilots have to start getting better pay and better care, it is insane what they have to go through.
I became airline pilot at the age of 38. And I absolutly love it. Before that I was in middle and senior management position at several engineering companies. The money is better now, I work less and receive less amount of stress. Also pilots are fairly intelligent people,easy to talk to and I dont have to spend hours at meaningless meetings explaining basic things to people that have no interest to be there but to get a payheck at the end of the month or some abusive, lying business owner to whom reasoning is like talking to a dead dolphin. I hear from other captains that they get young first officers in cockpit with no previous work experience at the age of 22 for example. And after 6 months they begin to complain about this lifestyle. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
Man, this sounds exactly like my path! I just got my cfi at 36. Coming from corporate finance. Cannot wait! So glad I read this.
Good for you man! I wonder at what age you started your training? I have made up my mind to leave my current job and start a flight training. I'm 30 now and I know it's very long journey but, I hope I'm not late. I don't know how to tell my wife that for the next 10 years or sth we are going to suffer! Ahh... it's going to very devastating for her! Her plan is me to get a promotion and make few more money and have kids etc. Not leave and spend all our money on expensive training to pursue one of the most competitive job in the world. But, flying is my passion. I've heard many people in the industry saying that 'there is no better time to become a pilot' indicating the demand. I wish you guys best of luck!
You are an inspiration for us...I have a ppl I am 27 and am looking forward to invest in my dream to become a pilot...I thought I am already too old
@@samuelnegussie3025 Save yourself the hassle friend... Get the divorce now.... Be it from your wife, or from your passion, but from what you just described both aren't happening.
So how old were you when you started your ATPL training?
Love the honesty and thanks for sharing your passion for aviation. I currently own a Piper 235 and fly out of KVIH while being only a private pilot. I enjoy having the choice to go up on the days that I want to and not to be forced to fly on bad weather because my job requires it. My hats off to you and keep posting the awesome videos.
Thanks
Jason W.
Im 31 and I've been a flight attendant at AA for 5 years now. I know exactly what you mean all too well. The whole point of becoming a FA was to get a glimpse into the life of a pilot. I paid for and passed my PPL checkride out of pocket at 29 years old with a 19 year old instructor, got accepted into the Cadet Academy but wasn't approved for the loan so I was booted, and now I'm maxing out every credit card I can get my hands on and taking loans from my credit union. I even cashed out what little I had in my 401k to help finance my training. I passed my IFR check ride about a month ago and now I'm building time for my commercial. Lately, I've been having second thoughts about flying for an airline simply because I know exactly how 50% of the days go. 12-14 hour duty days, multiple legs, cancellations, delays, commuting, and everything else involved. Not to mention seniority (being super junior), bidding, being on RESERVE. I'm not quite sure it's worth it. I'm almost 32 and it seems impossible to start a family. Luckily I'm from St Pete, live in Fort Lauderdale and I'm based in MIA for now so I'm not too far away from my family, but that could all change when being hired with a regional. I don't want to get to move back home and begin training at Envoy or PSA just to be told that I'm being based in Chicago or Charlotte and have to make an undrivable commute. I'm really glad I decided to watch this video because it really put it into perspective for me. Thanks for being 100% real and not afraid to call out the airlines for being this way. I'm a huge fan of FLY8MA and recommend it to all of my friends. You're have a great thing going and it helps a LOT of people.
I always wanted to be a pilot when I was in my teenage years. Now that I'm in my 40s as a Network Engineer working in IT industry making $130k plus a year. I was thinking of going to Flight School to be a pilot and maybe switch careers in the process. LOL I'm glad I run into this TH-cam video, it Kanna shed some light because lately, I've been thinking a lot how I wish I followed my dreams of becoming a pilot. If money wasn't the factor, which would you rather have...sitting in a cubicle, going to meetings daily doing presentation etc or being up in the air 30,000 feet enjoying the scenery, sunset and traveling at the same time. No job is perfect :( >>>> I would choose to be a Pilot if could do it all over again you know.
So are you going to continue your flight school? Or are you going back to being a FA?
I just read your comment. What did you decide to do?
I feel ya. Most people I know hate going to the airport - they are excited to travel to see amazing things, but getting there through customs, waiting lines, sitting in a plane, isn't that much fun. Do I really want to fly people who aren't having fun to travel? Not really. I have my PPL and saving to do my instrument/commercial someday but I have no aspirations to be a commercial airline pilot. I love flying for fun and learning skillsets of a pilot and that's cool enough for me!
Do you have an update for us Chaise? Curious if you continued on this journey.
"Attitude, airspeed, Brains- You need two of those things to survive" - good saying
Airspeed and Brains
Thanks for sharing! I got my Private Pilot license at 26 and then life happened and decided to get my ratings to CFI - working on that now and also doing aviation photography. I'd love to setup an air to air shoot with you sometime! I'm in the Houston area and have family in Florida so it'd be cool if we could plan something.
You are such a down to earth guy. I'm happy you found what works for you in your life. Much happiness.
I've been an airline pilot for 40 years, the last 38 at a major. My advice for a much more relaxed career boils down to three bullet points:
1. Don't commute.
I've always lived within a 30 minute drive or less from the airport I'm based at, and my stress level has been way lower as a result.
2. Stay senior.
In other words, don't chase the highest-paying seat you can hold at your seniority. Stay in a bid status where you can have much better seniority and control of your schedule. Of course, this requires living within your means, which many people have a hard time doing, but that is a lifestyle choice that will serve you well, no matter what career path you choose.
3. Get hired as young as you can.
The young pilot in the video had a great opportunity had he stayed at the regional to take advantage of the largest retirement boom in airline history. Leaving and planning to return at a later age misses all of the benefits of the historical situation we are in.
congrats on making your dreams come true, I am at 48 and barely starting to looking into getting a pilots Lic
I had a friend who flew for the airlines and then left. His reason was much simpler - it was boring. I'm just a student pilot at this point, and I'm 60 years old, but I like feeling the airplane, feeling the wind, and seeing the ground. I look up at the sky when a small plane flies by. If it's a jet, not so much. I enjoy my flights as a passenger on commercial airplanes, and I'm glad it's safe and smooth and super autopiloted, but I usually fall asleep. I definitely do not enjoy coming and going at airports. Thanks, Jon. Great job on this and all of your videos.
Glad you're pursuing it now Michael! Good luck on the training and have fun flying low and slow!!!!!!!
Me too, I love the sight and sound of a small airplane flying overhead. If it’s a jet I’ll glance up and then carry-on with whatever I was doing. All of my friends are going to the airlines, they all want to fly the jet. I’m flying a caravan for cargo and I love flying this plane. I also love to teach, I look forward to doing more of that for sure.
Michael Byrd 60 years old? Isn’t that when they retire
@@zachmahomes3517 😂 wanted to ask the same question tho
@@zachmahomes3517 They are mandated to retire at 65 years of age.
Everyone is looking at this video like being an instructor is a downgrade. Its not. Bottom line is instructor is a career and airline is a career. They are both a way to do what you love while being surrounded by those who respect and admire what you do. Whoever is commenting 'you made a mistake' or 'hang on a little longer'... that is their opinion. Do what you think is best and thats it.
Good luck man. Enjoy it.
Thanks!!!
My fixed wing CFI is a 70 year old engineer with multiple patents to his name and an active company working that technology. He in no way needs to be a CFI, but he does it because he loves something about it. For fun he spends time in the summer flying sea planes on Lake Union in Seattle - something else he doesn't NEED to do. Sometimes it is simply about the love of flying.
MSneberger Yes, he is a probably a great instructor.
Being a flight Instructor can be a career, but it has many downsides if you are not already financially set. Many of the comments about the regionals say they don’t pay enough. Well, instructing is usually the same. Whereas the regional airlines may start as low paying, the pay can jump to about $65,000 when you move to the other seat at many of them with the top pay around $100,000. Flight instructors don’t do that well. Many places offer no benefits, no vacation, and about $40/hour. Most full time instructors will fly less than 1000 hours per year, so if you can support a family on that then you are set. It is an honorable profession, but it hard to make it a career. If you have another good paying job, or are retired, it can be a very rewarding job.
Glad you make your decision and you are happy with it. I been on the airlines 33 and flying for 44 and never had experience anything like that. For more years before retirement after 23 years with SWA and for me been and airline pilot was,is and will be the best decision on my career. Good luck and have fun. One more thing “ Keep the Blue Blue Side Up “.
I appreciate your videos so much! I fly out of Sarasota as a student pilot and I've found your videos extremely helpful and I have my PPL checkride next week. Your videos are a lifesaver!!!
It’s really helps when you don’t have to commute...I live in the city that I’m based out of and it’s a huge advantage.
Rocky Schulz I hear that a lot. Almost a must it sounds.
What do u mean based out? I’m in college now looking to start my career in aviation.
St Mary’s!!! Southern Maryland. 2W6
Thank you so much for talking about your experience.
I'm 32 and taking my introductory flight tomorrow. I have always dreamed of this job, I have played simulators all my life and the one plane I always flew in every simulator was the Cessna 172. I love general aviation.
I’m sure glad you made the choice to quit and go on this amazing journey and sharing it with us! Also the great ground school that’s taught me so much and is helping me towards my private!
i think this man still has the passion for aviation!
There is no shame in making a career of flight instruction.
@@birdwing98 Yes but he made a point of talking about the money! So reading REAL airline pilots call him out on it is quite refreshing. Either he doesn't like the lifestyle, OR he doesn't like the money.... No different from any other millennial that graduates college expecting a 90k job
@@asraharrison there s wanting to make money and wanting to pay the bills.
Lol that was a great video.. Answered a bunch of stuff I was curious about and not all the glory parts and with an entertaining twist.
This is why I stopped working as a ski patroller. So many things are more glamorous from the outside looking in. Glad it didn’t ruin your passion, and you were smart enough to recognize it early on.
Hey I just wanted to say that I appreciate all your hard work. Fly8ma ground school was amazing. Thank you for making a great course.
Thank you from KHAO
I was a Regional FO for 10 years. That equates to 2 bankruptcies, 5 involuntary base changes, a 7 year contract battle for "liveable" wages, acquisition and assimilation of two other Regional airlines, acquisition of my own airline by a major, the "Great Recession" and the lingering effects of 9/11. The net effect was a constant slow slide backwards on the seniority list the entire time. Five times I was confronted with the whole, "Only 2 more years to upgrade". My entire 30's disappeared. I think some kids were born in that time somewhere. The carrot was no longer valuable enough for me to gamble a 6th time. I simply couldn't gamble on that carrot going into my 40's and my family couldn't afford to wait for it to happen either. THANK GOD I made that decision. Medevac is amazing! :) I would simply add that coming on here to "add" that this guy is a quitter is ludicrous. EVERY SINGLE AIRLINE pilot friend of mine from those days always asks a barrage of questions about my schedule. NOT how much $$$ I make... but the schedule and quality of life. Let that sink in for a minute. Subbed. ;)
AS an aspiring airline pilot myself, I have to thank you for your hard work and countless fights... The market today is NOT what you suffered through, but it is not lost on me that it was the men from YOUR time, that made the market of current.... Keeping fingers crossed shit holds positive.
@@meliudaj rip
I’m a Current Regional FO, I’m leaving the job shortly.
ICU nurse here . That's awesome I'm currently looking into medevac to see if I want to pursue that . Get the best of both worlds
@@Robert-uo6qiwhy
Wow... So clear and informative. Thank you!
I started just like you. You didn’t stay long enough. It gets way way better eventually. Now I have an amazing lifestyle and 3 awesome airplanes on an aviation community.
You communicate really fluently, really well. Definitely, you would be wasted being a full-time commercial pilot. God bless you.
wow this video explains much of my experience as a passenger. thanks for the honesty
Honestly your description of the Airline life sounds exactly like what I've always dreamed of doing. My mind isn't changed, the Airline it is for me :)
@Aviator Bob Who said anything about Europe?
@Aviator Bob My name is South African
Pretty cool man. I’ve watched allot of your videos and they have helped me pass checkrides, but this is the first time seeing this video. Thanks for all your help and inspiration
Good for you brother! I always wondered why you Commercial guys do it. I'm at KCLW. Returning to flight after 3 years. You videos have helped me get back in the cockpit.
I like your approach to life, you go my man!
Thanks so much. I really have a better appreciation for pilots now.
YES! Do what you love! People who do what they want to do are happy and people around you are boring and stay bored, but they are giving advices to anybody around who's doing something out of the standards.. I love to do what I love! Thumbs up man!
So much insight! This was a wonderful video.
Amazing story! The regionals are a hard phase in the career to overcome, personally I have been working 18-20 days for the past 3 years. I can totally relate to your story, and I’m happy to hear you made a healthy choice! I wish you much luck in the next journey of your flying adventure.
Aviator Inspirations; I really enjoy your videos. Your very honest about the path to become a pilot. The things you says makes a lot of sense with GREAT advice.
Thank you, I appreciate the great support!
I work as a carpenter and fly on 737's weekly to go fly and work 7 -12 hour shifts, Then i fly home and get one week off etc.... I earn what you you earn and can't believe they pay so little. The responsibility you guys have for your plane and passengers and crew mates is absolutely aweful. I thank you for your professionalism.
Please fly safe and God Bless!
Ron G
Ronald Guraliuck 😢😢 Get back to me on sherrygate00@gmail.com
I love your videos!
Keep doing what you doing because you are a great CFI!
I wouldn’t pass my check rides without your videos 😉
Love this video and honesty. I started flying at 20 then stopped and got into sales. I can't sales. My office is on finals of a major airport and everyday I'm reminded of my passion. I final cracked and I'm starting flight school at 40, because I cant stand the thought of being in sales for another 35 years when I can fly for the next 35 years (CAA).
I deeply love this video! I always wanted to know what a pilots’ life is like! Now that I’m TSA I get to talk to pilots more often but you have answered my questions and you made a few great points! Btw my home airport is MDW but I work at ORD
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this!
Glad ya liked it!!
Great video! Glad to know you found an alternative that brings you satisfaction. I'm looking forward to shaking your hand somewhere. BTW, getting to 60+ isn't the end, I bought a plane and got my ppl at 64, it's a great adventure.
Good luck to you brother. Glad you are doing something to change your life if you don’t like the way it is going. Best of luck to you in your new chapter.
I love your personality! I bet you make a good instructor :) Hope it all worked out for you.
Great video . Great outlook on life . I’m all about that. I’m a commercial flight attendant for a big airline and I wanted to be a pilot but once I saw what they do on a day to day basis, it was not what I imagined, it was worth to just stay on the other side of the door and enjoy my benefits from my side. Best of luck to you and enjoy life.
Me too
I go back and forth with it. But feel similar to you as a FA as well. And at this point I've built up seniority already. Not much but some lol. Thinking of starting that all over as a woman who wants a family is tough. My seniority now will grant be a better schedule sooner than switching it all up for the other side of the door. But I can't say I don't think about it a a lot.
CIC here, love your passion. I'm getting back into flying at 56 years young. After primary I fell in love with gliders. Once you pull the tow rope release off to play!!!
Thank you very much for your Candid, clear, and real explanation of the Pilot life!!!
Very interesting video. I fly for a major European Freighter airline and we are for the first time in our airline existence, loosing f/o’s . I totally understand your decision to move away from that lifestyle. Wish you all the best.
The industry is certainly changing!! Hope QOL goes up here over the next few years! I'm sure it will otherwise they'll be parking airplanes!
Genuinely testified
Wow your transparency and enthusiasm is so refreshing 💛
I appreciate it, Lauren!
Chester County Airport - MQS
Thanks for making this video. It really was something I needed to hear!
I've come across your content in the last month and change. Super excited to have found it. I'm only 5 hours into flight, but loving the information, and can't wait to grow because of guys like you that help create great content for us. Truly appreciate it.
Airlines are offering big money now compared to what he is suggesting it was back when this was posted. PSA and Piedmont among others offering $95/hr now for first officers.
@@joshuac2594 correct, first year at PSA you’ll make minimum $118,000 USD. Nothing to scoff at
It’s his honest opinion at where he is at in his life . Nothing in this world easy but respect the honesty of what you will be in for if you make career out of aviation. .
You have a great skill beyond flying -- that is, self-awareness. Big props to you for figuring out this is not what you want, and doing so at an age when you can still make these decisions and bounce right back. Stoked for the next chapter. Come to KFRG -- visit us in NYC!
Would love to swing by! Follow our progress on the new channel as we make our way over to the East coast!
I'm looking forward to starting my piloting process, I love this video it's giving me great insight
I really appreciate listening to you! Keep doing what you Love!✌🏽🖤
Bravo John! This is the absolute right thing to do... You can never get more time. I started Over 50 and Learning to Fly on YT .... have a look- I just bought my first airplane last week. I am at KVKX in the DC area.
I like it! Hope to see you when we swing through that area on our trip! Keep track of our progress on the new channel! th-cam.com/video/xMmhvfg4XfI/w-d-xo.html
I like this guy. He's a natural leader, and is fulfilling his dreams, which sadly a lot of us for one reason or another never get to do. Good for you sir - go for it!. Kudos!.
Thanks! Keep track of our progress on the new vlog channel! th-cam.com/video/xMmhvfg4XfI/w-d-xo.html
I serious love this. Thanks for being honest bro.
KFIG love your videos man, helping me start off after being in the Air Force for 21 years being an mechanic.
Glad I can help!! Might be a hike for ya but we'll be in the Philly area in a couple months... The full schedule is posted here: fly8ma.com/trip/
Nice to hear the other side....! Obviously he values home and family. I'd like to get CPL training from a pilot like him.
Bravo to you. I quit when I was 60 . I had enough. 320 captain. Final straw was when f/o gave me influenza B because the company made it so egregious to call in sick. ..
Management gets rich on our backs.
Don't pilots get sick time? What company would want to save a few $$ by encouraging a pilot who may not be "fit for duty" to fly?
leslie Lucci not really...it happens but not a lot
leslie Lucci I’m sure it depends on the country
Did you really quit at age 60 or did you 'quit' because the age 60 rule was in effect forcing pilots to retire at age 60?
Hi John. My airport is 4M04. Keep up the great videos with Stef.
Raw and honest. Thanks for sharing. Well done!
Home airport = KJYO (Leesburg Executive Airport in northern Virginia) I am 49 years old, retired Army vet and currently working full time as a Program Manager migrating servers into the cloud. Today, I logged my third flight. I am truly living my dream of flying. I am soooo hooked on this amazing adventure. Your video was such an inspiring message. It just made so much sense and I applaud you for not getting yourself locked into a soul sucking career. I keep telling my children - find something you enjoy doing and learn how to make a career out of it. If you stop enjoying it because it suddenly becomes a job, change to something else.
I appreciate the kind words, and good luck with the rest of your flying endeavors!
This business is ridiculous. Thank you for the video. I dumped a seat in A319 two months ago. I feel better now, after I watched your video. I felt OK before, but now its definitely better :)
Mitko Nikitov some people love it. It’s just not for everyone
I'll happily take that seat 😂
Other than the fact that there isn't a fixed start time to your day, what disadvantage is there in an airline pilot's life? With those small work hours (1000 max annually), you'd have the time to be present for all your family and social events + get paid very well + get to see many cities globally + much more.
you throw away a good job, my dream is working for eva air as a pilot cadet
His point is, he thought so too... but it turned into a nightmare... sometimes getting what you want isn't what you wanted. I can relate to it, did Center Air Traffic Controller job... ended up hating it with a passion.. sure could do tower, but that seemed extremely boring... I'm moving on.
Why is aviation so addicting, but all the jobs in it suck ass?
Perfect description my friend!
Just like our other frien @ying vang said, count on me following you also 👍🏿
Thanks for a great video! I came to the same conclusion working as an airline pilot in the UK, it just wasn't that much fun and I struggled with the lack of sleep. Hence I only lasted a few years and I was done. My best years in aviation were as a general aviation pilot. Its more flexible, it's more hands on, and you get to see more because you are not at 30+ thousand feet in the middle of the night.
This video should be entitled: "Why commuting as a pilot for PSA is terrible". Seemed more like a "why commuting sucks" speech to me haha.
That sounds like a crappy lifestyle that could have been avoided simply by going to a different airline or living in base and not commuting. All that aside - congrats on your decision and I hope it works out well for you! Feel free to swing through the Seattle area and I'd be happy to take you flying.
I agree 100% PSA is a very bad airline and the quality of life there is really crappy, but they sell it like it's the greatest airline and PSA fools young pilots into their mess. I wish you luck, you made the right choice. PSA should be ashamed
VeteranPilot Lol. All generations blame new generations for issues. That being said, this does seem like a case of wanting instant gratification and not waiting for the delayed gratification. My comment was about commuting for PSA, not working for PSA. Commuting makes life way more stressful at any flying job.
I'm in his same shoes, except I left the aviation industry all together and now drive trains for a railroad. As a pilot your company has you on duty for 16... SIXTEEN hours if they want and can ask you to "volunteer" to stay on for two more. Those days are long. It feels like you traded your freedom to be a slave to the uniform. Throw in long commutes and you spent a lot of time wondering what you're doing with your life. It's just miserable, in my opinion.
Sure, if you stick with it it gets a lot better (especially once you put in your 5 or so years and you're on with SouthWest or Delta), but it's not really comfortable until you're half way into your 30 year career. For me, that was just too long to wait for. To each there own, though, and congrats to those of you that stuck it out!
Forgive my ignorance. I'm really trying to understand... but I don't get why you put yourself in a situation where you had to commute in the first place...?
" by simply going to a different airline ".
k.
I’ve been there man! I quit the airlines once and went to go work flying floats in Kodiak, AK. When that job didn’t work out to be what I hoped it did I ended up heading back to the airlines (same one you just quit).
Since then I’ve moved on to a long haul cargo carrier where I have weeks off at a time (after weeks on of course) but I find that, for me, this schedule allows me to enjoy my time off so much more. It allows me to do many things I couldn’t do at the regionals, including GA flying!
Might be something you consider some day!
I don't think everyone has given a thought on how much we should appreciate cargo pilots. So many order from the web now a days anyway and you guys deliver.
Great video (and channel) 8MA! Love your teaching style! That schedule is a nightmare and I can relate as a commercial truck driver (no sleep, bad food) getting paid by the LOADED mile. Oil changes, flat tires and deadheading to next pickup and loading time paid $0. Theses days I haul fuel tankers locally (paid hourly for everything, go home every day, sleep and eat well most of the time), made $80k my first year and most are making $100 to $120k dropping fuel at gas stations (in all states). Just info to compare with that "dream airliner job" :) Anyway, I'm too old for an airline job, I just started working on my private (again) after a 30 year hiatus and loving it! Los Angeles area here. Peace :)
David Meyers --- And I hope you are wise enough not to go into that mess ("dream airliner job")
I'm 51, a current student, Inverness Florida, training in a cardinal 177.....good channel, good luck with it!
Line at Starbucks... ya gotta just get the grab-n-go from the sushi joint in the middle of the food court at CLT! It's really not bad!
In all seriousness I appreciate the perspective, and all your videos are really interesting. Really making me think about trying a discovery flight out of JQF or 14A just for the heck of it.
If nothing else, definitely appreciate the grind all the RJ pilots around here are putting in.
As a young CFI I was encouraged to go the commercial airline route. I’m so glad I did not take that route. The love of flying, not the commerce of flying is what drives most of us.
We do need competent Airline Pilots however. May the airlines realize the worth of good pilots.
I admired what you ve done ..and it totally make sense I love aviation from bottom of my heart
Good honest review. Thank you!
The hours and pay that you described are the ingredients for an accident, deliberate acts of retaliation, or illegal activity like smuggling.
Dickinson58601 Living In Dickinson North Dakota they were the ingredients for that 2009 crash that resulted in quintupling the ATP minimums. Rather than fixing the issue, they just blamed the pilots. Easy way out.
RumikoOne FO on that flight commuted from WA to NJ and was paid $16 k a year. Crazy.
Catpanl it's funny to me that the FO salary has more than doubled since then, and it's STILL terrible. That's how terrible it was before 2013 lol.
Hello, i just subscribed but i thought it was interesting you talkin about your journey i like that background music so Dramatic!
Thanks John, really appreciate the honesty! Great video!!
Thanks for keeping me entertained during all this COVID stuff. I'm at KRAC in Racine, WI. Beers and BBQ on me if you, Steph and Sia come out. You guys are great, love watching your videos. I decided to either buy a plane or continue getting more ratings to be a commercial pilot. I bought a plane and it was the best decision ever.