Anybody out...and happy?

[jaded2]

Have you left the t.v. business and done something new with your life? How has it gone? How did you choose the new direction, and why did you leave?

[Gil]

I got out for a couple of years - back in for a couple - thinking about getting out again. But I am older and getting close to retirement, so it probably does not apply.

For what it is worth, when you are in you want to be out and vice versa...

When I left it was because I was invited to leave. I chose my new job based on friendship and trust with the new employer, and it was very nice to have a normal Monday-Friday, no holidays, 8-5 job. The competitive pressures and deadline pressures were small, and my life did not revolve around TV news. In fact, I sort of stopped paying attention to the news during that time, and it was very, very nice.

[ January 30, 2007, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: Gil ]

[TopRamen]

I work in nonprofit PR now, and am a much more well-adjusted and happy person. At my job now, there is no shouting, cussing, weekend work, holiday work, or "spot news" when all hell breaks loose. What I love is that I can make plans weeks in advance and even though a PR person is in some ways, eternally on call, that is almost never an issue for me. I can spend a lot more time on sports and socializing than I ever did before. And after I left news, I stated dating a fella with a 9-5, and we ended up getting married. So leaving news was a huge change! Do I miss it? A little. I write freelance stories for magazines, so I still feel connected to journalism. Good luck!

[The Mockingbird]

I'm a government contractor.

Life could not be better. The job is actually more rewarding, it and the people I work with are interesting. I don't work weekends, holidays, or unpaid overtime.

Most importantly, it pays a hell of a lot better.

If you have the skills to make you desirable on the outside, use them, and do it. If you don't, get them.

[jrat33]

Working for state government after eight years in the biz. Home life is much better. I get to feed my son breakfast, make his lunch and dinner, put him to bed and still have a few hours to snuggle with the wife.

I'm making about 16K more than I was in television. I get every federal holiday off, my work day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. No more taking my work home with me, no getting called in on my days off. I can take a vacation anytime I want (no sweeps in government), and I get fantastic benefits.

I also get to make a difference in the lives of other people by improving the system from the inside.

[Sir Dropham Pants]

And now for the people who wish they'd stayed in news.
http://www.nyworms.com/images/groupcrickets.jpg
{chirp chirp chirp}

[Fargin Icehole]

Out and happy, huh? Then why frequent this site?

A secret longing to get back in I suspect. graemlins/face_banghead.gif

[BackboneShiver]

I got out for about three years and I've been back in for a year.

As previously posted, my life was normal, I worked 8 to 5, holidays off, no weekends, etc.

And it was great, for a while.

A year and a half in I was bored out of my mind!

I was desperately missing the chaos, adrenalin, and fast paced life of television and it eventually sucked me back in.

Even with all the headaches, I love what I do. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.

[overthehill]

Been out of the daily fishbowl of TV news about six years. Love being on the outside looking in. Less responsbility, fewer sleepless nights, more home life satisfaction. I'm still guiding young people about entering this business.
Do I miss something about my TV life? I miss the "rush" of a good news day and the big story. I miss some of my former coworkers. That's it.

Fargin: Many of us frequent this site because we "care" about our former lives and still respect those who try to do well at it. Cynical people like you make us worry about the future.

[ January 31, 2007, 07:37 AM: Message edited by: overthehill ]

[hardened & jaded]

I left the news biz a year ago and have not looked back. I did my part for God, country, and news directors for 25 years. At the invitation of a friend, I joined a non-profit and like many have written here, it is a whole new life. I never had nights off before. I do now. I always had to compete with co-workers for holidays off before. Not anymore. In fact, I recently enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with my parents for the first time in my adult life. I have many good memories of working in TV news as an anchor and producer but I'll never go back. There are just too many more decent opportunities out there for me (and you). My frequenting this site does not mean I want to get back in the business. Rather, it serves to underscore the wisdom of my leaving TV news.

[Spike]

I've been out of local news for four years. I would never go back to that hell. News at the national and international level is much better, but still a pain in the ass.

But now I'm out of television altogether. I recently went back to school full time, and I'm loving every minute of it. I have no intention of returning to television unless Rosenblum pisses me off enough that I come back to pursue a management track in one of the ownership companies.

[The Mockingbird]

I stick around, in part, because talking to other journalists was the one thing about the job that I actually liked. Nobody has the same sense of humor as someone who thinks, "Is the video any good?" when someone tells them something just exploded.

Also, since the most people do go over the wall eventually, it's probably not a bad thing to remind people that there is a better life for the vast majority of people on the outside.

[sportzchick]

I still frequent this board because I am somewhat still in the "media". I left traditional TV almost 7 years ago.
I miss little things about it... free golf on beautiful courses... free goodies... the good stories and being there for the big games.
However after awhile it seemed the headaches/drama/bad outnumbered the good.
Maybe I just never found the "right" shop... but I wasn't willing to spend more years of my life trying to find it.
I think it was the perfect job for me when I was young and single.

I now run a local government channel and it allows me to do what i really enjoy(producing/directing/editing).
I can still tell stories and have a new challenge... making government interesting... and what a challenge that can be.

As others have said... this comes with very nice pay, great FLEXIBLE hours, nice pension. And when a project is finished I get that sense of satisfaction like when we wrapped a great live post-game show.

[Bravesgirl]

I have a few reasons why life is better outside of news.
I enjoy watching reporters standing in the rain/sleet/snow telling me how bad it is outside. I love watching from the comfort of my couch.
I love leaving work at 5 and leaving my work there. I can turn my phone off and there will be no problems.
Bad hair day-so what. I can put it in a ponytail and its no big deal.

The reason I still read medialine is because the business still interests me, it doesnt mean I miss it and want to come back. Sometimes reading the site reinforces my belief that I made the right decision.

[Clever Login Name]

TVMatt's out, and from what I understand, he's pretty gay.

[Lazlo Toth]

Anybody out...and happy?

Richard Simmons?

[Charlie Brown]

I'm out. Temporarily. And I miss the living heck out of it.

[What the ?]

I'm out of the biz. The wife is still in it. I do PR.

Do I miss it? Nope. Not one bit. I miss my former co-anchor who turned into one of my best friends. I miss a few of the people. But as many posters on this thread have said before, holiday off + weekends off + A LOT more pay = happier person.

I find myself watching far less news these days. I'm really into on-demand audio (podcasting). I know where to get news, info, etc. when I need it.

I spent 7 years in the biz + 5 in talk radio before that. While those jobs were fun and rewarding, I'm very happy living the 8-5, playing with my black lab every afternoon without stressing out about getting 1 or 2 more sots for my pkg at 6. And when the snow and ice hit the south in the next couple of weeks, I'll be inside with a warm cup of Starbucks.

And Fargin, why do I frequent this website? I need something to do while I'm at work. It has ZERO to do with any desire to get back in.

Just my .02 worth.

[ January 31, 2007, 10:28 AM: Message edited by: What the ? ]

[Fargin Icehole]

Originally posted by overthehill:
Many of us frequent this site because we "care" about our former lives and still respect those who try to do well at it. Cynical people like you make us worry about the future.That's ok....not everybody will admit to it. That's why they're here on medialine and not www.ninetofivedeskjobline.com (http://www.ninetofivedeskjobline.com)

Don't get me wrong, every day is like a knife in the back (how true in some shops) and I would love a cushy desk job. But you HAVE to admit, the adrenaline is addicting.

What?!?! Deck six plays but keeps ejecting the top story with three words left in the intro script? THEN FORCE IT IN, HOLD IT IN AND PRESS PLAY! ROLL SIX!!

That kind of stuff. It's in our blood. ;)

[TopRamen]

Originally posted by Fargin Icehole:
Out and happy, huh? Then why frequent this site?

A secret longing to get back in I suspect. graemlins/face_banghead.gif After leaving the newsroom, I was invited to teach a newswriting class at a local university, so there again, I still fill involved in the media, even though I don't have a newsroom job. As a PR person, it's also nice to see those occasional threads about transitions from news to PR.

I still come to ML because news people do have a special perspective, a jaded, sarcastic, sometimes embittered look at the world... and it is entertaining and sometimes enlightening. I also feel that once you've worked in news, that profession leaves a strong imprint on you. I never will watch news the same way. My husband doesn't pick up on the same details I do. If an OTS graphic has a typo, if a CG misidentifies someone, etc. I can always render a guess about why mistakes were made during a show. And I like frequenting a board to see if other people picked up on the same things. And if there is a young person who needs career or market advice, I feel that after 8 years in the biz, I can help. But do I long to go back to news? No. I recieved an offer after I left... and declined.

[TopRamen]

Originally posted by TopRamen:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Fargin Icehole:
Out and happy, huh? Then why frequent this site?

A secret longing to get back in I suspect. graemlins/face_banghead.gif After leaving the newsroom, I was invited to teach a newswriting class at a local university, so there again, I still fill involved in the media, even though I don't have a newsroom job. As a PR person, it's also nice to see those occasional threads about transitions from news to PR.

I still come to ML because news people do have a special perspective, a jaded, sarcastic, sometimes embittered look at the world... and it is entertaining and sometimes enlightening. I also feel that once you've worked in news, that profession leaves a strong imprint on you. I never will watch news the same way. My husband doesn't pick up on the same details I do. If an OTS graphic has a typo, if a CG misidentifies someone, etc. I can always render a guess about why mistakes were made during a show. And I like frequenting a board to see if other people picked up on the same things. And if there is a young person who needs career or market advice, I feel that after 8 years in the biz, I can help. But do I long to go back to news? No. I recieved an offer after I left... and declined.</font>[/QUOTE]Edit that to "feel" involved. Was up sick all night and could use... more... coffee.

[jrat33]

Originally posted by TopRamen:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Fargin Icehole:
Out and happy, huh? Then why frequent this site?

A secret longing to get back in I suspect. graemlins/face_banghead.gif After leaving the newsroom, I was invited to teach a newswriting class at a local university, so there again, I still fill involved in the media, even though I don't have a newsroom job. As a PR person, it's also nice to see those occasional threads about transitions from news to PR.

I still come to ML because news people do have a special perspective, a jaded, sarcastic, sometimes embittered look at the world... and it is entertaining and sometimes enlightening. I also feel that once you've worked in news, that profession leaves a strong imprint on you. I never will watch news the same way. My husband doesn't pick up on the same details I do. If an OTS graphic has a typo, if a CG misidentifies someone, etc. I can always render a guess about why mistakes were made during a show. And I like frequenting a board to see if other people picked up on the same things. And if there is a young person who needs career or market advice, I feel that after 8 years in the biz, I can help. But do I long to go back to news? No. I recieved an offer after I left... and declined.</font>[/QUOTE]Agreed. I really don't watch a lot of news anymore because I find myself watching and saying things like "Cue him!" or "Give him a mic, for God sake" or "Stop using that stupid present tense writing for something that happened two days ago".

I just read stuff online now. My job requires me to read through all the newspapers in the state every morning and set up interviews for my boss, so I still get to deal with media folks all the time.

[TVMattNYC]

Originally posted by Fargin Icehole:
[QUOTE]
Don't get me wrong, every day is like a knife in the back (how true in some shops) and I would love a cushy desk job. But you HAVE to admit, the adrenaline is addicting.
Maybe.

But after 19 years, I'm ready for "boring" work that allows me to have a LIFE where I can find my own excitement.

[Pro]

"Every time I thought I was out...they pulled me back IN!"

Michael Corleone in The Godfather part III.

[Paisan]

I got out of TV a few years ago and I couldn't be happier. I'm in marketing and love the challenge, and I love the idea that I don't have to worry about every shooting and house fire.

I know a lot of people that got out and went crazy and got back in. Not me, I'm out of TV for good.

graemlins/icon_pidu.gif

[kycamman]

Out of it and liking it very much.

Some parts I miss, of course.

It's a juice job. Adrenaline all the time.

But I found I don't NEED it. When you figure that out (and it took me two trys), you'll be over it quickly.

[JimmyChitwood]

I got out and never looked back for a second. my wife did the same.

unfortunately, neither of us got the big raise that is theoretically supposed to come when you leave -- we made the move purely and simply for the better schedule.

but raising our family like regular parents is better than any financial gain we could've gotten.

I'm back in now on the radio side, but only because I took a job with weekends off. I wouldn't do it otherwise.

the bottom line is that from my personal experience, 90% of the people who get out of TV news and/or sports don't regret it and only wonder why they didn't do it sooner.

[ January 31, 2007, 09:44 PM: Message edited by: JimmyChitwood ]

[Roy Hobbs]

Never get out of the boat...unless you take it all the way...

http://www.gonemovies.com/WWW/MyWebFilms/Oorlog/ApocalypseWillard4.jpg

Every time I think I'm going to
wake up back in the jungle. When I was home after my first tour, it was worse. I'd wake up and there'd be nothing...

I hardly said a word to my wife until I said yes to a divorce.

When I was here I wanted to be there. When I was there, all I

could think of was getting back into the jungle.

I've been here a week now. Waiting for a mission, getting softer. Every minute I stay in this room I get weaker. And every minute

Charlie squats in the bush he gets stronger.

Each time I look around the walls move in a little tighter.

[ January 31, 2007, 10:05 PM: Message edited by: Roy Hobbs ]

[hoosiergirl]

I got out for awhile for family reasons and did PR. It just was not challenging enough for me and the pace was sooo slow. However, I think a lot of it had to do with the particular place I was working. I had several offers to get back in and when the right one came along, I jumped on it. Everyone talks about how great the money is outside of the biz, but I found it to be a HUGE paycut. I'm much happier now. I think the experience is probably different for everyone, but it goes back to that "grass is always greener" thing. Sometimes it's brown.

[The Mockingbird]

It depends on where you were in the industry, I guess, and of course, the job you go to.

I got a 425 percent raise in the first 12 months, personally.

[guesswhoiam]

Originally posted by jrat33:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by TopRamen:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Fargin Icehole:
Out and happy, huh? Then why frequent this site?

A secret longing to get back in I suspect. graemlins/face_banghead.gif After leaving the newsroom, I was invited to teach a newswriting class at a local university, so there again, I still fill involved in the media, even though I don't have a newsroom job. As a PR person, it's also nice to see those occasional threads about transitions from news to PR.

I still come to ML because news people do have a special perspective, a jaded, sarcastic, sometimes embittered look at the world... and it is entertaining and sometimes enlightening. I also feel that once you've worked in news, that profession leaves a strong imprint on you. I never will watch news the same way. My husband doesn't pick up on the same details I do. If an OTS graphic has a typo, if a CG misidentifies someone, etc. I can always render a guess about why mistakes were made during a show. And I like frequenting a board to see if other people picked up on the same things. And if there is a young person who needs career or market advice, I feel that after 8 years in the biz, I can help. But do I long to go back to news? No. I recieved an offer after I left... and declined.</font>[/QUOTE]Agreed. I really don't watch a lot of news anymore because I find myself watching and saying things like "Cue him!" or "Give him a mic, for God sake" or "Stop using that stupid present tense writing for something that happened two days ago".

I just read stuff online now. My job requires me to read through all the newspapers in the state every morning and set up interviews for my boss, so I still get to deal with media folks all the time.</font>[/QUOTE]are you in the cube next to mine?

[Fargin Icehole]

Originally posted by guesswhoiam:
are you in the cube next to mine?Milton, is that you?
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a365/nancylovesyou07/MILTON.jpg

[TVMattNYC]

Originally posted by The Mockingbird:
It depends on where you were in the industry, I guess, and of course, the job you go to.

I got a 425 percent raise in the first 12 months, personally.Amen.

My biggest challenge right now in leaving the biz is finding a position that pays me anywhere near what I'm making now.

[Clubbeat]

Out for about a year...Working part-time for myself doing video/audio production and working in a J-school.

The home business is cool, brings in the extra $$$. Using the extra $$$ to pad the retirement accounts. Like newsrooms, the business has its busy days and the not-so.

The J-school thing is very cool. Training and working with students, producing long form programs. (Currently producing/hosting a News Magazine show). The nice thing about this gig, is that I get to help educate some future journalists. It beats doing the same thing, with a deadline to meet.

Bottom line: I miss being in a newsroom, but I don't miss the drama, long hours, weekends, bd ND, and even worse GM's. I get to spend more time with my family and I can use the more than quarter-century of experience to do something more rewarding and less stressful!

[Focker]

Out of the biz for just over 4 years now. It was supposed to be temporary after "budget cuts" forced the ND to not renew my contracts.

Doing corporate video now and traveling internationally. So I'm pretty sure it was worth it. It's a slower paced life, although sometimes that's not good...and I miss the breaking news aspect of the biz. But I don't miss being on-call 24/7.

I also enjoy laughing at my friends at the stations here when I saw themover the last two months in 2 feet of snow saying, "It's bad out here. It's really cold and it's advised that you shouldn't go out unless it's absolutely necessary. Yet here I am outside telling you not to go outside because the streets are horrible and it's about 15 degrees out!"

HA! graemlins/moon.gif graemlins/moon.gif (as I sit warm and toasty in front of the fire drinking a beer!)

[ISTHISTHINGON?]

Isn't this guy out and happy? http://img.nesteklikk.no/2006-12/88654.jpg

[fletch f fletch]

Just got out. Just under a month. Loving the new job. Working in state government, still in a communications role, but now get to add a legislative component, which is entertaining.

As for the pay, it depends on where and when you get out. For me, it worked out. A bit of a cut, but able to make it work.

As for the other benefits, more time off, and able to take it when I want-- like Feb, May, July and Nov... holidays, .. Being able to leave the job at the offfice, not wake up at 3am, call the office to leave voice mails for myself for later in the day, .. not being a professional adult babysitter, .. oh yeah, I made the right choice.

That all said, It's when you make the choice that is key. It's gotta be on your timeframe. If not, you'll always long for the things that drove us all while we "were in the biz." I've been lucky, a good position opened up when I was realizing that I was ready to move on. I left on my terms. And I don't miss it, not in the least. I do keep tabs on sites like this because as an ealier poster said, I care about friends who are still in the business, like to keep up on things and be reminded (when I read the nasty sniping posts) of the mindsets, attitudes and characters that helped me make my decision to leave.

Good luck to those still "in" and for those who "got out"..

[Yeah, well...]

First, why I stay on MediaLine: I originally kept coming after leaving the business as a way to keep track of people I knew. Eventually, almost all of them had left the business as well.

I stayed for the political threads for awhile, but even those don't hold my interest much anymore, so I'm not here as often as I once was.

As to whether I regret leaving the business: I regretted it for a single day in 1999 when there was huge story breaking in my home town. Other than that, literally not for a minute.

I've said this before, but it merits repeating... until you have gotten out of the business, had some time to decompress and work and live in a non-news environment, you have no idea how totally off the radar TV news is for most Americans. It just doesn't exist for them.

[ February 01, 2007, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: Yeah, well... ]

[JimmyChitwood]

Originally posted by Yeah, well...:
I've said this before, but it merits repeating... until you have gotten out of the business, had some time to decompress and work and live in a non-news environment, you have no idea how totally off the radar TV news is for most Americans. It just doesn't exist for them.totally true. when my wife and I were in the business, we would anxiously scan every show on every station. now that I'm out, I watch maybe one local newscast a month.

I still watch local sports though. so take that, consultants!

[TVMattNYC]

Originally posted by JimmyChitwood:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Yeah, well...:
I've said this before, but it merits repeating... until you have gotten out of the business, had some time to decompress and work and live in a non-news environment, you have no idea how totally off the radar TV news is for most Americans. It just doesn't exist for them.totally true. when my wife and I were in the business, we would anxiously scan every show on every station. now that I'm out, I watch maybe one local newscast a month.

I still watch local sports though. so take that, consultants!</font>[/QUOTE]I totally, TOTALLY agree.

I find it so refreshing when I meet people in other fields (judges, real estate brokers, academicians, etc.) who confess to me that they don't even OWN a television.

They're my heroes.

[The Mockingbird]

I own a big honkin' one now, but I don't watch actual TV on it. graemlins/icon_kidra.gif

[harrymetsally]

Originally posted by Fargin Icehole:
Out and happy, huh? Then why frequent this site?

A secret longing to get back in I suspect. graemlins/face_banghead.gif ACtually no. Quite happy being out. Many of us work with the media now and frequent these sites to gain insight about the industry. Why? Because since getting out I no longer watch local tv news. Can't really stand it.

[Backup QB]

Originally posted by The Mockingbird:
I stick around, mostly, to gloat.Fixed :D

[The Mockingbird]

Very clever, but too many people sit year after year in the industry getting screwed by the likes of Sinclair and company, and not realizing there are much greener pastures out there.

[Buck T. Trend]

I got out about six months ago. The wear and tear on my physical health, mental well-being, and family life were becoming too much to bear. Thanks to my partner, I had the luxury of checking out a couple of different career paths before I settled in to government PR work.

My new job may sound boring, but I actually enjoy it. I'm being paid more, sure, but not THAT much more. All of my benefits are paid in full by my employer, unlike when I worked in TV, and I actually get better coverage.

However, the greatest benefit for me is being able to work 8-5 Monday-Friday, no weekends, no holidays. If I want to take off tomorrow, it's okay... there's no such thing as sweeps in government-land. If something comes up at the last minute, or if I have a family emergency, it doesn't take an act of Congress to get time off.

Now, why do I stick around Medialine? For the same reason many before me have said: I need to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry. Much of my job depends on the local media, and so I use this site (and others) to do that. Plus, many times, the posts I see here just reaffirm why I left TV, and will never look back.

[Backup QB]

Originally posted by The Mockingbird:
Very clever, but too many people sit year after year in the industry getting screwed by the likes of Sinclair and company, and not realizing there are much greener pastures out there.Mock is a good sport. And he's exactly right. It's crazy to stay in the business because you're addicted to the adrenaline rush. Last time I checked, you can't put adrenaline into a 401(k) or IRA. You also can't pay your bills with it. I almost turned down a great PR offer because I was afraid that if I "left the business", I wouldn't be able to get back in. I also thought I'd miss the excitement of TV news. That's all nonsense, and I wouldn't go back to my old job in TV even if it paid $10K more than this job. And, I got a good raise when I took my current PR job.

The whole time I worked in TV news, I felt underpaid and like I was watching everyone else live my dreams. I don't miss being in a business where I was paid very little, treated like dirt, and judged only by what size market I worked in. Those of you who really want the TV news business, you can have it!

[The Mockingbird]

I'd like to also add, the "Rush" of TV news is more than compensated by having my own office, getting off Holidays, and meeting people I would have NEVER met trapped in a crappy newsroom.

[Backup QB]

Originally posted by The Mockingbird:
I'd like to also add, the "Rush" of TV news is more than compensated by having my own office, getting off Holidays, and meeting people I would have NEVER met trapped in a crappy newsroom.Yes, no fighting/negotiating with people trying to get time off around the holidays. No more crappy cold cut platters on Thanksgiving Day, because the station is too cheap to do something better for us. No more racing home after working on New Year's Day so I can watch my team in a bowl game.

Going in a different direction: No more having to work with vain and vile people who are always worried about what their hair looks like and who are constantly tearing down other people.

I could go on and on, but I don't have the time and energy.

[Pregnant Reporter]

Originally posted by TVMattNYC:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JimmyChitwood:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Yeah, well...:
I've said this before, but it merits repeating... until you have gotten out of the business, had some time to decompress and work and live in a non-news environment, you have no idea how totally off the radar TV news is for most Americans. It just doesn't exist for them.totally true. when my wife and I were in the business, we would anxiously scan every show on every station. now that I'm out, I watch maybe one local newscast a month.

I still watch local sports though. so take that, consultants!</font>[/QUOTE]I totally, TOTALLY agree.

I find it so refreshing when I meet people in other fields (judges, real estate brokers, academicians, etc.) who confess to me that they don't even OWN a television.

They're my heroes.</font>[/QUOTE]Agreed. TV news is very self-important. I've always hated working on the afternoon shows, it feel like a waste of time. Six million people in our area are in their cars at that time, NOT home watching news. And now as a mom, I try really hard to keep the tv OFF at our house.

TV news may bankroll my luxuries, but I"ll be damned if my kids are going to be slaves to it- as viewers or otherwise!

[prizzle]

There is life after tv! No regrets!

It was fun!!!

But, I certainly don't miss:

-the useless stories on slow news days just to fill time. (i.e. "It's hot...how are you dealing with the heat?" or "It's cold!") ....compelling stuff!

-getting called in the middle of the night to cover murders, accidents, etc.

-standing on the side of a highway during a snowstorm going live-telling motorists to stay off the road!

-putting in for vacation...and getting denied because it was during the months of November, February, May or over the holidays!

At times I miss being on the tube..but, I wasn't that good at it anyway!

[Backinthehunt]

I really enjoyed reading this thread because I identify so strongly with the comments (leaving for better schedules, more time with family, money and days off during Sweeps months!).
But, what wasn't mentioned is my other MAJOR reason for getting out: local tv news is getting so cheap! With poverty level pay that hasn't changed to keep pace with inflation, only the greenest can seriously apply.
In most cases, it's painful to watch the quality of rookie "broadcasters" that stations are willing to hire. It's just not worth watching anymore. The future looks bleak unless something changes and soon.
Yet, I agree, once it's in your blood, you like to keep up on media events and read how others are struggling. It would take a lot to get me back in, maybe in the ideal circumstance if I could work with true professionals again?
Never know.. but I'm happy and feel free!