Originally Posted by
ldyypd
I have quite a similar background to you... Started flying for a living aged 31 having waited 7 years to get a lucky break (UK financial crash etc). First job was mostly long haul which was great fun but I found it very difficult to get good at it since I didn't fly regularly enough. I've only ever done this job with young kids at home. I do think it's a very different job once you start a family. Your priorities will change and your home life will be fatiguing, let alone spending nights out of bed, early starts etc. Some days I turn up to work and think it's a miracle I'm even there!
I left my long haul job and now work at BA on short haul. I like the pattern of doing 1/2 nights away and having the option of day trips. It suits me (though the constant weekend working less so) but that doesn't mean it'll suit everyone of course. A lot of people thought I was mad when I jacked in the long haul job to go and flog around Europe in a 320, but they tended to be people without kids, who were able to recover from trips exactly as they wanted to at home and spend all day in bed before a night flight etc.
Suppose the point I'm making is it depends what your life plans are. If you're planning a family soon then that may influence your decision.
Good luck with it.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience and insight I really appreciate it. So you think it is a matter of what life style I want huh? I guess being single gives me more freedom when it comes to making job choices I agree. Now that I think about it, even the option of searching for expat jobs might go out the window if my future spouse does not want life abroad. Thank you for enlightening me with the “family life” aspect of life.
How about the proficiency? Do you think it is a totally different game between LH and SH? Do you agree with the other guys above that proficiency is a matter of time?