How many of you are happy once you got to the airlines?

[KAG]

Just doing to a poll to see if the be all, end all is really what we thought it was.

Personally, if you can stay out of the politics and not get bitter, I could see it being a good career move. But it sure isn't the close knit family enviroment some of us are used to.
Certinally not for everyone.

[wingtip]

It was just like the old adage about owning a boat.

The two best days were the day I started and the day I retired.

[Clint23]

Wow, I am surprised with the number of no answers. It would be interesting to know where they are working. It's still a great job, but if you get a chance to read Les Abends' Jumpseat article in the June Flying magazine talks about "return on Investment" of being an airline pilot. Coles notes is that even though wage and working conditions have changed it is still worth it. Take a gander if you get a chance.

[ca787546]

IMHO, I think happiness has a lot to do with your job, but even more important than how big the aircraft you fly is, how fast or high it flies, how technologically or advanced it is, how much you get paid and how nice the uniform and destinations are, is the quality of life. If I get to see my wife everyday and I have enough to live in comfort and someday have kids, send them to school and retire when I'm 60, then it's a good job, whether it's an airline or flying a piper cub. Of course that implies a lot about your life outside work. If you have nothing to come home from work that is meaningful, you're not gonna be happy, not even if you work once a week for 2 hours and make quarter of a million per year.
Cheers,
DNB

[YVR Dude]

I agree! Frame of mind and all that stuff...The way I look at it, no company can ever be blamed for holding you back...if you don't like the job, then maybe its time to look for greener pastures. I still really enjoy my job, but have sat across the table and listened to guys bitch and complain over the smallest things...jeez, try to remember what it was like when you were flying that piece of sh-t from small town to small town wishing you could get out of this job. Stay away from the bitterness from some of these guys, go in, do your job and enjoy life! We have the best office view I know of..and the beer always tastes sweet at the end of the day!

Cheers

[Niodatchi]

The pay is good, you get to sleep in 5 stars hotels around the world. You don`t need to load and unload, don`t need to fuel, don`t freeze your ass, you don`t get your ass eaten by mosquitos the size of looneys. The flight attendants are usually hot (depending on who you work for...). You are considered as a human being. Overhall, it`s great and I love to be where I am with a major doing overseas... Cheers!

[NovaBoy]

I enjoyed my 10 years in the airlines. The first 5 were great, the last 5 just OK. A lot of the fun was gone out of it, and it had just become a job. I switched to a very good corporate gig, that got me back to the east coast. The flying is way more fun, the hotels are way nicer (I don't see them as often), and the pay is much better. My wife says she hasn't seen me this happy in years.

The airlines aren't for everyone. Out of eight people in my Westjet class, 2 of us left for corporate jobs, and as far as I know, another is looking.

[hind sight]

Hi Novaboy.
Please check your PM's
thanks