You know you've found the right job when...

In my former life, I was an IT guy. I liked it, but I can't say I was in love with it. I certainly can't say I ever looked forward to going back to work after a week off. As a pilot, though, I actually do look forward to getting back in the cockpit after a week or so off.

The decidedly non-traditional schedule of an airline pilot with a good amount of seniority means I get a week or more off every month or two. Consistently, after 5-6 days off, I'm looking forward to going back. Not because I want to get away from the wife, because I have the most wonderful woman in the world. (Right, Shannon?) Not because I like seeing the dog get depressed. Not because I'm bored, because I'm one of those people who is always trying to get 28 hours worth of stuff done every day.

I look forward to going back because I love what I do.

I came across "Airline Captain For A Day" today and it brought to light another reason I know I've found the perfect job for me. Although every job has its days, I consider myself insanely lucky to have found something that most of the working world unfortunately has never experienced: a job that is fun, intellectually stimulating, and meaningful all at the same time.

When I looked at the simulators (which cost $589, $628, and $789 an hour for the MD-80, 737-300, and 737-800 respectively), my response was, "Hell yeah... I'd do a V₁ cut [an engine failure at the most critical time during takeoff] in any or all of those!"

Then I realized what I was saying: that I'd be willing to pay real money to pretend to do what I already do for a living, just in a different kind of airliner. I'm an Airline Captain Every Day, so just three weeks ago, I got paid to spend four hours in the simulator, since that was when I completed my last six-month recurrent session. (And, yes, V₁ cuts and single engine approaches were part of the required tasks.)

There is absolutely no scenario in which I can see myself back in my IT days saying, "You have simulators that will let me pretend I'm working in a Linux shop instead of a Windows one? Wow! Shut up and take my money!" In fact, the very thought of voluntarily paying to pretend to work in any other field makes me giggle a bit:

"You mean I can pretend to litigate civil cases instead of criminal ones? Sign me up!"
"You mean I can pretend to perform heart surgery instead of brain surgery? Here's my credit card!"
"You mean I can pretend to run the grill instead of the fryer? Woo hoo!"

I spent years before finding a field where I'd say, "Shut up and take my money!" and mean it. May you be so lucky! And if you happen to have an extra $500, $600, or $700 lying around, I can put it to good use for you....


Like Larry the Flying Guy on Facebook:

Follow @Lairspeed

The author is an airline pilot, flight instructor, and adjunct college professor teaching aviation ground schools. He holds an ATP certificate with ERJ-145 and DHC-8 type ratings, as well as CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, and IGI certificates, and is a Master-level participant in the FAA's WINGS program and a former FAASafety Team representative. He is on Facebook as Larry the Flying Guy, has a Larry the Flying Guy YouTube channel, and is on Twitter as @Lairspeed.

It takes hours of work to bring each Keyboard & Rudder post to you. If you've found it useful, please consider making an easy one-time or recurring donation via PayPal in any amount you choose.