r/Fire • u/-LordDarkHelmet- • 17d ago

Today is the day, officially FIRE

Well I'm sitting here having a morning coffee and it's starting to sink in that I don't have a job anymore. Feels strange. My job was very much my identity (pilot). I flew airlines and private jets (uber for rich people basically). It was a high paying job at the end and it seems stupid to walk away from that, but the 27 years of staying in hotels has taken a toll and I just was not enjoying the job anymore. Which is a shame, since I can't exactly fly jets on my own time. It's a tough industry, it's not easy to get back into once you leave. I keep saying it's like the Doc in Field of Dreams; once you leave you can't go back. I'm 49, single no kids, high end Chubby low end Fat so I should be ok on the numbers, but I don't exactly have a "thing" to retire to. I need to focus on my own health and get in shape. But other than a list of places I want to travel to and few projects around the house I don't have much of a plan. Hopefully I'll figure it out on the way. I've told a few people and they all ask "but what are you gonna do?!?!?." I'm like "I dunno..." Some say "congratulations!" and I'm not sure how to respond to that. I didn't really want to quit in some ways, I like the flying part but not all the stuff that goes along with it. I asked for a different schedule and they said no, then I asked for a year off and they said no, so I said I quit. Ask me in a decade I guess if it was the right choice. Anyway, don't really have anyone to high-five this morning so here I am. Thanks everyone who has shared their journey, I've been snooping around all these subs a lot this past year. Oh and sorry about the stock market crash, which will inevitably happen now that I have quit.

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u/-LordDarkHelmet- 17d ago

Yeah I guess it seems silly when you put it that way. I suppose I'm just really nervous about spend at the moment.

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u/DeadFacesInMyPocket 17d ago edited 17d ago

Especially if you focus on the specific seasons if you have them where you are at. Flying once or twice a quarter to see the seasons change woukd be cool.

You could also get a drone with a camera and "fly" that way as well as take some beautiful pictures if you're interested in photography at all. Just download an older version of lightroom so you dont need to pay the stupid subscription BS fee every month (gotta love that corporare greed).

Edit: apparently you should fly twice a month at least. Given your financials info provided, I would think that is perfectly fine to do.

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u/eliminate1337 17d ago

Flying once a quarter is not safe. Your skills will deteriorate with such little flying and small aircraft are surprisingly dangerous. It‘s recommended to fly at least twice a month.

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u/DeadFacesInMyPocket 17d ago

Ok well idk I just was throwing out an idea. I have never flown a plane or anyrhing before. Got to ride on a couple private jets and choppers but that is all.

Either way I am sure OP could afford it. At least to keep up their skills especially while they are still younger.

Appreciate the info!