I am a 17 year old private pilot who has been dreaming of a career in aviation for years. I always thought that no other job could be better, the best office in the world! (Not to mention the great pay and job security, right?)
After lurking in this forum for the past several months I have uncovered some ugly truths about the industry. Enough to almost make me turn my back on the whole dream of becoming an airline pilot. I thought for awhile that I had the perfect plan: Instrument rating my senior year of high school, commercial and CFI my freshman year of college, followed by working the rest of the years as a part time CFI and hopefully have enough hours to be picked up by a regional.
With all that I have read about furloughs, time away from home, low pay, and no job security, should I even ATTEMPT to get into this type of career? I have absolutely no interest in going to an "Aviation oriented college". I have heard enough about the dangers of a school like that.
I just don't want to make a mistake and end up in some situation like I see guys on here are. Thanks for your advice.