Update about AggieMike88

[AggieMike88]

TL;DR - Michael Farlow resigns from Piedmont Airlines. Returns to be an active CFI in the DFW area.

Greetings Everyone!

First, I wanted to thank everyone who provided encouragement when I accepted a job offer with Piedmont Airlines. That was much appreciated.

However, I want to let everyone know that as of this past Monday, I have chosen to resign my position as First Officer with Piedmont Airlines and leave their training program.

While the training at Piedmont was better than I expected, I have come to realize that being a Part 121 airline pilot isn't the career path for me to be happy and self-actualized.

Folks say you don't know what you had until you don't have it.... and what I had prior to Piedmont was making me happy. I really enjoyed being a flight instructor and a Part 91 contract pilot. So I have made the decision to return to that.

Yes, the short term money won't the same, but the QOL will be more what I need and want at this time.

If any of the pilots in the DFW area are seeking instruction, please feel free to DM.

If any of the schools around KDTO are seeking an experienced instructor (Sherman Gardner, In The Pattern, Gary Reeves, Scott Sykes, US Aviation Academy) please feel free to DM.

I will also be reaching out to various fractional and Part 135 places.

For those wanting to hear the story in person, I'm always up for meeting for a beer and a burger.

For those who are targeting the Part 121's, and would like to get some inside knowledge of how to get hired and succeed in training, please reach out with your interest and I will consider doing a weekend class on the topic.

Again, thanks to all my aviaiton friends for your support. I look forward to reconnecting and flying with you soon.

 

[TCABM]

I think you made the right decision, Mike.

 

[SoonerAviator]

Well congrats!

 

[Initial Fix]

I know many who have happily made the same choice

 

[schmookeeg]

Yep. 135 washout here, completely and totally understand this and bravo for identifying it so early. I was past IOE when I finally realized "hey, you know what... I think this job really sucks for me, and vice-versa"

 

[Matthew]

Good on you. It’s your decision and nobody else’s. Maybe we’ll be able to run into each other again.

 

[AggieMike88]

Yeah, it takes a bite out of the apple to realize you prefer Red Delicious from the Okanagan Valley of WA over Granny Smith's.

I have feelers in to 2 fractionals and a buddy who teaches at CAE has made contact....

@flyingcheesehead .... when is JetOut starting operations in Dallas?

 

[AggieMike88]

Good on you. It’s your decision and nobody else’s. Maybe we’ll be able to run into each other again.

DM me your phone# and email so I can add you to my contact list. @ja_user ... you too please.

 

[Matthew]

DM me your phone# and email so I can add you to my contact list. @ja_user ... you too please.

Done

 

[IK04]

When I left Alaska, I had more opportunities and job offers from which I could choose. I gave it all up to join the Army and become a combat helicopter pilot.

39 years later, I am looking for a way to get back into full time instructing.

If I could figure out a way to buy that sweet looking Schweizer on Trade-A-Plane, I already have three students (Jeeeez, Learners) waiting...

 

[flyingron]

Was looking forward to meeting up with you some time in the CLT environs.

 

[ja_user]

DM me your phone# and email so I can add you to my contact list. @ja_user ... you too please.

Done..

And this is why the 1st year pay is low, so many people figure out that it isn't a fit. Good thing you figured it out early, no reason to get a few years into it before you realize.

 

[kyleb]

Good for you. There is flying and there is flying. If you're lucky you get to choose your preferred flavor.

 

[kayoh190]

Good on you to make the decision that's best for you. So many push through a crappy situation because it's what everyone says they should be doing. Good luck on whatever the next step will be.

 

[somorris]

A good friend used to say "Every tub has to sit on it's own bottom." You have to do what is good for you.

 

[Albany Tom]

Congrats for choosing the path that's best for you, and congrats for having the kindness to share the lesson and decision with others.

 

[Kritchlow]

Well, it’s certainly good that you did what is best for you.
That said, not sure how you could know 121 isn’t for you until you’re on the line for a few months.

Fractional can be a very tough gig. I’ve done both extensively.

 

[hindsight2020]

...aaand there it is, like a swiss watch. *chefs kiss*

Alright y'all, the 121ers are here. We got ourselves a race!

 

[texasclouds]

I’m glad I went the 135 route. An airline pilot I am not.

 

[jordane93]

Good luck on your future endeavors! Was looking forward to your airline journey but it sounds like you made the right decision for you.

 

[Sluggo63]

Good luck to you, and congratulations on making what was probably a difficult decision.

 

[Half Fast]

Good for you, Mike. Most people spend too many years not knowing what they truly want to do. Do what you love and chances are you’ll be great at it. Best of luck!

But about this,....

...and self-actualized.

Look, if you want to be self-actualized, fine. Your decision, and it’s not likely to do you any harm. There’s probably not anything really immoral about it, either. But for Pete’s sake: do it in private, wash your hands afterward, and stop posting about it on a public forum!

 

[Zeldman]

I have come to realize that being a Part 121 airline pilot isn't the career path for me to be happy and self-actualized.

When flying for a living it can take the fun outta flying, for sure.

I found I enjoyed helping the good folks in Alaska more than helping the stock holders of some airline get rich. Watching a village cheer when bringing in supplies for the local trading post after a week long storm was very rewarding to me.

Plus I got to see a whole lot of things most airline pilots never see. I got to develop short field landings, off airport landings and get a steady supply of moose meat from hunting guides.

 

[mondtster]

When flying for a living it can take the fun outta flying, for sure.

Absolutely. Those who have never done it somehow seem to equate flying jobs with getting paid to do recreational type flying, but that is rarely the case. I probably have the closest thing to that and it is still work. I'd still much rather get in my airplane and fly when and where I want.

A lot of friends keep telling me that I'm missing the golden opportunity by not going to the airlines. I've looked at it numerous times and despite having an opportunity to make more money all I see is a job that I'd hate and living in a location that I'd hate even more.

 

[RyanB]

That said, not sure how you could know 121 isn’t for you until you’re on the line for a few months.

I tend to agree, and at no shot toward Mike, I’m guessing he washed out of the training process and simply found out it wasn’t what he expected and that’s totally fair.

Some people find flight instructing to be their niche, others fractional or 121. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[jordane93]

I tend to agree, and at no shot toward Mike, I’m guessing he washed out of the training process and simply found out it wasn’t what he expected and that’s totally fair.

Some people find flight instructing to be their niche, others fractional or 121. Different strokes for different folks.

Yea sim world is nothing like real world. A lot of the instructors haven’t been on the line in a long time and they just hit the line once a quarter do get their landings in so their experiences may not be in line with what current line pilots are dealing. In fact, the sims were kind of the crappiest part of training lol and in no way indicative of what being an airline pilot is. OE is the only part of “training” I like because you’re out on the line actually learning the stuff and enjoying yourself on layovers. But again, it’s his decision and it sounds like he’s happy with what he did. Another .01 cent piece of advice, not that it matters at this point nor do you care to hear but resigning/quitting, etc be for you finish training is kind of a black mark on your career. You’re going to have to constantly explain to your future employers what happened whether or not you left on good terms or bad.

 

[AggieMike88]

I’m guessing he washed out of the training process and simply found out it wasn’t what he expected and that’s totally fair.

Your speculation is not correct. I was told by instructor and fleet captain I was on track, and was given opportunities to reconsider. There were no training failures.

 

[RyanB]

Your speculation is not correct. I was told by instructor and fleet captain I was on track, and was given opportunities to reconsider. There were no training failures.

Roger that, and to be clear, that was not intended to be a negative comment. I have friends who pursued the airlines but ended up washing out during the training process and landed elsewhere. No shame!

 

[dmspilot]

You decided to leave due to your QOL during training? That doesn't make sense. Once you are done you go back to training a couple days a year for recurrent.

Your speculation is not correct. I was told by instructor and fleet captain I was on track, and was given opportunities to reconsider. There were no training failures.

Any training not completed will be viewed as a failure.

 

[frfly172]

Good luck on your choice. Part 135 can be an enjoyable experience. It’s nice to find pilots who like to instruct and share their knowledge.

 

[Dave Theisen]

I was surprised you took the job in the first place. Too many jobs out there to not like the one you’ve got. Good luck.

 

[midlifeflyer]

While the training at Piedmont was better than I expected, I have come to realize that being a Part 121 airline pilot isn't the career path for me to be happy and self-actualized.

Good for you! Life choices are important. If you get out this way, the beer is on me.

I knew an instructor years ago (late 1990s). Was on his way to the airlines. Gave it up. "I had to decide if I wanted to be an airline pilot or a dad. I choose dad."

 

[hindsight2020]

Quitting a regional in training with no PRIA reportable failure will have zero effect on 91/135/91k interviews. Hell, I'm not even sure actually having a reportable training failure would still have a meaningful effect in securing 91k/135 employment, in present circumstances.

 

[kayoh190]

"I had to decide if I wanted to be an airline pilot or a dad. I choose dad."

Guess I should tell my daughter to stop calling me Daddy.

 

[jordane93]

Quitting a regional in training with no PRIA reportable failure will have zero effect on 91/135/91k interviews. Hell, I'm not even sure actually having a reportable training failure would still have a meaningful effect in securing 91k/135 employment, in present circumstances.

Quitting before completion of training is on your PRIA now. I think that changed after the Atlas crash. But yea, I agree, 1 or 2 training failures is usually a non issue

 

[Pinecone]

Some people are bus drivers, some are not.

I made the decision to not pursue an airline career. It was not for ME.

 

[RussR]

My job involves a lot of short segments, low flying and maneuvering. When we have a leg that's, say 1.5 hours long we do get up to altitude, and as we're sitting there in cruise it's normal for one pilot to look at the other and say "So this is what it's like to be an airline pilot. This is boring!"

 

[Tools]

I don’t know anyone who has not been able to fly where they wanted. I know LOTS of people looking for instructors.

This indicates to me there is a bigger shortage of instructors than airline pilots.

Keep being persnickety (meant affectionately!) and find EXACTLY what ya want! No better time ever.

 

[hindsight2020]

Some people are bus drivers, some are not.

I made the decision to not pursue an airline career. It was not for ME.

Though most military eventually do dabble in the FMS-drooling sciences (and that's not limited to 121 btw), yes there's a somewhat sizeable minority of us that go a different route.

Heck, some don't even touch an airplane outright after the military. Then again, I always thought of that pigeon row as career officers who just so happened to be coded as pilots (and a happy mother's day to them, no pun intended, given many are indeed biological mothers ), as opposed to pilots who just so happen to be officers (lord knows I resemble that remark). To be or to Do, as the late Col Boyd would quip.

I found I enjoyed helping the good folks in Alaska more than helping the stock holders of some airline get rich. Watching a village cheer when bringing in supplies for the local trading post after a week long storm was very rewarding to me.

I can relate to that. It's also a common theme and complaint from some peers of mine who struggle [internally] vocationally after getting out of their mission oriented flying in the military. One of the reasons I am very interested in fixed wing EMS as a transition career from the military. The single pilot, short range and 7/7 out-n-back skeds is a big draw for me, provided I can convince the spouse on a domicile relocation of both our satisfaction. That's probably going to be the biggest hurdle for me. Otherwise, that job suits me like a glove in semi-retirement. I can imagine doing cargo EAS routes into underserved locations must have a very similar sense of social satisfaction, and flying challenge.

My job involves a lot of short segments, low flying and maneuvering. When we have a leg that's, say 1.5 hours long we do get up to altitude, and as we're sitting there in cruise it's normal for one pilot to look at the other and say "So this is what it's like to be an airline pilot. This is boring!"

FAA flight check?

 

[Tantalum]

Thanks for posting this much appreciated