Originally Posted by Emma Ritz
I'm a pretty long serving FO now. I, personally, don't want to retire at 65, I would like to keep flying as long as I can pass the medicals, 1) because I enjoy it and 2) because I'll probably need the money.
It's really a question of budgeting, isn't it? My personal rule is that if I can't afford it on first- or at best second-year F/O salary, I don't do it. I figure I'll be on first and second-year pay a few times yet, so I don't want to dig myself a hole I will need to age 65 and beyond to dig myself out of. Then again, I came out of the Soviet system, so I don't need that much. One house, one car (although presently I fully disclose that I own three), food, uniforms and some casual clothes, and I'm good to go.
I fully realize some people have more expensive tastes/habits, I know quite a few.