Making over $100K.  Mon-Fri office hours.  Less stress.  Normal circadian rhythms.  No stupid management.  Get to go to ALL of my kids' events now.  Wife happier I'm around more than half the year, I get to be at the kids events as a family, and home EVERY weekend.  Better health plan and benefits (which is a sad commentary of HAA companies).

A friend commented I don't have the same "spring in my step" as I'm certainly sad not being in the community anymore.  I do miss the 15-25% of flights that really mattered, flying through class B, landing in cool places, taking naps at work, free time to do whatever during weather days, etc.  Some medcrew and mechanics were actually really great to be around too.  

But... to not have to worry about the bills (since I don't have a military retirement) or having to sacrifice more time away from the family like a slave just to make up for the low pay in order to pay the bills (see the "reward the hard worker" threads on this forum) is SERIOUS peace of mind.  One sincere less stressor that I can tell is adding years back to my life.  After 20 years of flying to only get paid the various entry level pay HAA makes was such a joke.  I flew other jobs that actually paid for your experience and wisdom but I'm not in a season to take those jobs now.

For now, the office-gig is certainly worth the cost to my ego.  I'll take better pay, benefits, schedule for the sake of my family so I'll have a family I can enjoy in retirement. 

To those who are in a season who can enjoy the current conditions offered by HAA, then hats off to you.  Enjoy every minute of it.  Especially to those of you who may fly for higher paying programs.

For those still questioning what they're doing, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone for the sake of your family.  At the rate things are going and the younger generation that doesn't look very hopeful to fill jobs in the future I'm sure HAA will take you back one day if the season is right. 

yeah, missing out on weekends. such a tragedy

I love little baby ducks and old pick-up trucks, slow moving trains and the rain. Plus my Doc Martin's.

Good move; the EMS industry is going downhill fast. At my base, there's a nurse who thinks she runs the show, and both the base manager and lead pilot are afraid of her. She's a total nut job. Your reputation will be destroyed if you don't do things her way. To make matters worse, the company is run by a bunch of idiots. 

Spent 40 of 49 years in the cockpit, mostly internatial, married 45 years.   My worst day in the cockpit was better than any day I wasn't in aviation.  This business isn't for everyone, happy you'r happy now.

...is a warm dry place to sleep, some grits to eay, and a pair of Doc Martins.

Strong words of wisdom, but maybe learn how to spell.  Good move on leaving EMS! 

helicopter world is the back packing gig of aviation.  50+ years ago it was easily at least four times more stingy.

It was a choice.  Fly or be miserable.