Hahahhah........... Hahahhahahah........... You are serious right? You do know what you're getting yourself into right?
It's a BLOODBATH here. Honestly. You'll be at the bottom of some regional somewhere if you're lucky! Nobody is hiring. AT ALL!!! Compass, but only a very few are getting called to be on reserve and get treated like a
(I would use a better word, but I'm trying to be as honest and truthful as I can). You'll earn $23-25 (edit, just wanted to clarify, that is PER HOUR) TOPS in the first year. I hate to say it, once you find out that you can't support your Girlfriend and child chances are she'll leave you too. I know, I know, I'm being dramatic here, but trust me, I've see it happen to MANY, MANY people so I'm only saying what I've seen.
Trust me, you don't know how lucky you are flying your equipment in Europe and earning good money. And admittedly have 'good conditions and lifestyle'. Keep that good condition and lifestyle and fund it to buy a nice house here and set yourself up before you even decide to slit your own throat.
I'm in the process of doing it the other way around. Almost done with JAA Exams (2 to go) and then I'm outta here. As much as I enjoy my life here (in terms of lifestyle), on food stamp wages it gets old fast. Downgraded, almost furloughed, it's just not worth it. There is no hope here. I have folks much senior to myself (and in positions I envy) tell me that they've been moving backwards in seat, aircraft, position and pay for the past 10 years. You see it so much that I hold no hope here any more. I still have the European right to live way out, I just feel for the rest of my aviating brothers here stateside that have to make it work here. Not to say Europe is WAY better right now, but still, I'd say somewhat better.
Again to reiterate, think hard about what you're doing. Go to
www.airlinepilotcentral.com and look at the payscale and then tell me you can support yourself and your Girlfriend and child in LA. Hate to tell you the ugly truth but on that kind of money you wouldn't be able to afford to live in Compton (crap part of CA).
Now, if your Girlfriend makes tons of cash, then forget all of what I've said above and make the move yesterday! It's a great place other than the obove said. I love FL and would hate to move (yet, sad part is I might have to). Shame.