What are your age and profession?

[Bear1970]

Originally Posted by Mike_Yi

I feel your pain man.

47 year old airline pilot (First Officer) at a regional airline (that means I make a hell of a lot less than Bruce, and work way harder/am gone from home more). Currently in the middle of my 5th year in this profession. Went from making a reasonable wage as a project manager (hated that job with a passion) to spending around $50k to finish up my flying, to making $12k as an instructor for a year, to making $17k as a professional airline pilot responsible for the lives of 50+ people many times a day.

I had been hoping to get a job at that major airline that is currently in bankruptcy, but now, I don't know where I hope to go.

Sorry to hear guys. Life in Europe isn't much better, I'm afraid. Same situation over here. Flying for a regional daughter company of one of the majors. Getting paid a lot less then the rest of the company. On the other hand... still go to work with a smile on my face and enjoying the views over Paris, Amsterdam and London. Life could be better, be could also be a lot worse.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by Bear1970

...still go to work with a smile on my face and enjoying the views over Paris, Amsterdam and London. Life could be better, be could also be a lot worse.

Definitely! Still the best office view! After 36 years of flying, I still have my grin as well

[BlueStar]

67 years old. I am a EE by training. Started with Naval Weapons Center working on the sidewinder missile. Retired after 30 years with Bell Telephone Labs/AT&T. Last assignment was product engineering for silicon wafer fabrication.

My 2001 Boxster, Lapis Blue, is my first Porsche.
Previous sports cars:
1966 Mustang 2+2
1985 Mazda RX-7
1968 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
1963 Jaguar E-Type Roadster

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by Bear1970

Sorry to hear guys. Life in Europe isn't much better, I'm afraid. Same situation over here. Flying for a regional daughter company of one of the majors. Getting paid a lot less then the rest of the company. On the other hand... still go to work with a smile on my face and enjoying the views over Paris, Amsterdam and London. Life could be better, be could also be a lot worse.

Flying is tough all over if you're trying to do it for money (several career pilot's in my family). If you're flying a GA single or twin for business/pleasure (I do), doing so in Europe seems to be cost/regulation prohibitive.

Do you do any flying outside of the company cockpit?

[Bear1970]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

Flying is tough all over if your trying to do it for money (several career pilot's in my family). If you're flying a GA single or twin for business/pleasure (I do), doing so in Europe seems to be cost/regulation prohibitive.

Do you do any flying outside of the company cockpit?

No flying outside the company cockpit at all. As you said before, GA flying in Europe is very expansive and the "free airspace" is limited. "Just flying around for hours" is pretty much impossible over here, without busting a CTR or two.
Renting a Cessna for a hour will can cost you up to 300 bucks, excluding fuel (which is very expensive) and landing fees.
Although I love flying, i guess my GA days are over.