Is It Worth It Anymore?

[Atomic Rooster]

Well here goes for the second time - I just lost a post into the ether after a lengthy write ! How frustrating is that ?

Firstly - thanks for all the replies so far. Some very interesting posts. I can identify with pretty much everything that has been said (although some people seem to be under the impression that I am considering going into training to be a commercial pilot - not so, I already have fATPL with +600 hrs). The thread took a few days to get going and I was still ambivalent about the whole thing, however as the days have wore and more replies been forthcoming I am being drawn towards one direction.

Although this issue has been niggling me for some time it has been brought to the fore front by the forthcoming BALPA EOC, an event which in itself would mean sacrificing the first day of a planned weeks holiday in the UK (half-term). It has made me stop and ask; 'What is the point in going if I'm having second doubts? How can I look a chief pilot in the eye and say 'I really really want to work for your airline! (even though I may be based 100's of miles from my family on well less than half my normal pay working all hours god sends !). The fact is I don't feel I can. I have no doubt that I would really enjoy working in an airline, or moreover, the flying side of things, but I just feel that the politics and decaying T&C's would eventually get to me. Although my wife has been supportive and indeed her response to the BALPA EOC was 'Why don't you go along and give it a final shot - I mean you've put so much into it so far'. However, I feel that perhaps the reality of it all will be too harsh for all the family.

It is therefore with heavy heart and a slight tear in the eye that I feel I must draw a line under this whole airline thing. I genuinely feel I would have enjoyed many aspects of the job, but I feel I just can’t justify it anymore. Life at the moment is pretty sweet and although I have the pressures that most people have when bringing up kids, on the whole life is fairly stress free. I am sad to say, but money has been a factor in the decision-making, but by no means the only factor! (BTW Superpilot – I am a contractor too, the £65k is on the low end for me but it has been a long-term contract. I was actually offered a 3-month contract (with possible 2 yrs) in London a couple of months ago with a daily rate of £550 per day – and I turned it down cos it was in London!! Not sure I’ll do that next time ! Also a lot to be said for better the devil you know! Also, good luck to you should you go down the commercial route – you have your age on your side!)

I hope people continue to post on this thread. You never know, one day in the not too distant future, maybe, just maybe I’ll get ‘the call’ from an airline based on an old application long forgotten about and then I will have to decide, ‘do I walk the walk?’

In the meantime I will continue to enjoy doing what I have aspired to do since a young lad – FLY !!

Thanks.
Atomic Rooster.