mid life crisis

[tomahawk1989]

I recently relocated to Australia with my family for the sake of our children's education. Currently, I'm employed as a copilot in Australia, flying the Airbus A320. Previously, I held the position of captain with Air India, also on the Airbus A320. My wife is also a co-pilot on A320, and she was previously employed by Go First Airlines before they faced financial difficulties.

Financially, I'm finding it challenging to make ends meet in Australia, especially considering the high cost of living and stagnant salary levels and wife not being able to start work managing kids. However, I appreciate the improved work-life balance that comes with being home more often, although it does mean taking on more household chores. In contrast, my time in India was financially rewarding, but it came at the cost of long hours, frequent red-eye flights, and exposure to air pollution.

Given these circumstances, I'm contemplating whether moving to the Middle East to fly wide-body aircraft could be a viable option for us. While the potential for a higher salary is enticing, I'm also mindful of the cultural adjustments, potential impact on family life, and the overall work environment that comes with such a move. It's a decision that requires careful consideration of various factors, including career aspirations, financial stability, and family well-being.

i humbly request advice

[tomahawk1989]

Given your circumstances, imagining you are around 40, I recommend you go to one of the middle eastern carriers asap.
Good luck.

thank you for your reply, will flying in middle east give us enough time with kids, i keep hearing stories from couples there who are both pilots there, both of us are 34.

[blind pew]

I left a European flag carrier for another in the late 70s, whilst there were many benefits my family found the racism difficult and compared to many companies today I had relatively little time at home. The fatigue and it’s impact on my body and my family was something I wouldn’t recommend. I turned down CX final interview when it was another pot of gold, ten years later I looked at moving back to my homeland on far reduced conditions or quitting aviation all together. 5 years afterwards I lost my license; my physical health improved but by that time my kids were adults and had there own lives.
I didn’t like the racism in Sydney when I visited it 25 years ago but apparently that has changed. Our daughter did 8 years in the sand pit is currently in Singapore but is returning to the UK because of family reasons.
Aviation changes and five years after I left my first carrier terms improved, most of my mates stayed in the UK although there are a fair amount living on the continent or the tax haven of Cyprus. My last carrier folded.
I would put the welfare of my family first..sounds like your wife is a high achiever as well and I would imagine that for her Australia is better than the sand pit. Good luck
ps I would have got a command around 6 years earlier if I had gone to Emirates but I didn’t consider it, I also had the chance of a sponsorship from a LAX flight school where I knocked out a FFA ATP in 8 days and decided USA wasn’t for us.

[Lawrance]

Hey tomahawk!

I know it is not related but was it difficult to obtain work permit in Australia? I am based in Europe now but would love to move there. Although we are at the same age I still dont have children so I guess would benefit my budget.

[DH8_driver]

Get your citizenship first then join one of the carriers in the ME. Air Arabia would be your best bet if you want to go back to the left seat but obviously EK is the better option for the long term, specially that you are still under 40 years old and already have some command time under your belt.

[Giuff]

Hey tomahawk!

I know it is not related but was it difficult to obtain work permit in Australia? I am based in Europe now but would love to move there. Although we are at the same age I still dont have children so I guess would benefit my budget.

i guess he's Australian...

[Giuff]

Beware, cost of living in the ME is now extremely high (talking about UAE).

[Gordomac]

Tom, you are already where many would love to be. How did you get into Oz? Not easy. If you are already an oz, welcome back.

Everything comes at a cost and as a family man the balance act is tricky.

My advice ; if you are family orientated, motivated and put them first -- gosh, stay where you are and go with the flow. Lucky you.

[corporal klinger]

You are asking a question that is impossible to answer, Tomahawk. It depends on personal preferences.

Some would consider a move from Sydney to the ME a proof of insanity, others as a smart career choice. You will never get an answer from someone else, you need to make your own mind up. What use are other people's opinion on this subject?

The unavoidable uncertainty aside, you actually can work out the numbers for yourself fairly easily. Most of the factual information is on the table. Search for whatever hard data you are missing, but not for irrelevant subjective viewpoints or anecdotes of strangers. Spend your next leave at the potential new base, visit the compound, the school. Check the prices, the labour market, real estate etc. Include your family in the discussion, evaluate factors that are hard to quantify and eventually find your own path.

And don't believe anything you read on prune about guys giving their opinion about their own employer. The information is frequently simply false, exaggerated or misleading. Some just need to vent, and some even blatantly lie to reduce applicant numbers in the hope of more beneficial terms for themselves as a consequence.

Good luck.

[rudestuff]

Beware, cost of living in the ME is now extremely high (talking about UAE).
There are other options. I live in a very nice part of the ME where the cost of living is cheaper than the UK, and I can live very comfortably on a third of my salary.

[DCS99]

Get your Australian passport first for the future of your kids.

[Gordomac]

Tom has not revealed his status but previous poster probably right. Already Ozzie. Either way, stay where you are Tom.