Hello all,

I'm posting here because I wanted to get some help weighing my options for a career. I am 24 years old with a non-aviation degree, just about to finish my private and have been headed towards the path of attending ATP's fastrack program, whereupon completion and after instructing to 600 hours or so, I have connections to get hired with a company in PA flying a Beechjet, and possibly a Citation later on. I KNOW that this could happen - I have 2 very close friends that have worked or are currently working for the same company. Also, my father flies for a major airline and will be retiring soon, but he has numerous connections in the airline industry as well. My end goal with aviation would be to work for a company like Netjets and live in Wilmington, NC. I know that I could certainly make a career out of flying, but I have a few concerns:

1 - I am engaged to be married to the love of my life in October of this year. I worry that being an airline pilot will not allow me enough time to be home with her or our future children.

2 - I am concerned that after diving in head first into aviation, I will not be able to end up back in Wilmington at some point, and may be forced to live somewhere that I don't want to.

3 - I currently coach for a local swimming team and have committed myself to them until the beginning of the summer. In order to co-sign for the loan, Pops won't allow me to finish my term with the team because he fears that ANY time not spent towards the aviation industry is seniority lost, and, ultimately, waiting another 4-5 months would make it not worth it. Is is true?

4 - I went to school thinking that I was going to be a teacher, and I have an opportunity as we'll to live almost immediately in Wilmington and begin teaching, but am having a hard time deciding between flying and these other issues.

Bottom line: I love flying. I could DEFINITELY see myself doing it as a career, but I am apprehensive about the future. I am SURE that I'm not the only one who has felt like this at some point. Could anyone offer up some advice from their personal experience or knowledge? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, guys.