Thread: Getting to the next step.
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Old 02-26-2015 | 01:22 PM
  #6  
MaxThrustPower
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Two Kids? Man, what are you thinking?

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Seriously, I feel your predicament. Some additional information might be helpful. How old are you now? Did you complete college yet? Are you going to be competitive for the majors by the time you build enough hours? You sound committed to a professional pilot career track if you can figure out how to get there. Is you wife and family supportive, to the point of being willing to sacrifice and help you out to achieve your goals?

I agree that you're probably competitive for a regional job. And that is probably your best opportunity for a stepping-stone position that could lead to a lucrative career in the major airlines. How badly do you want this career? Are you willing to take a gamble on it paying off? Hopefully, it's a short-term sacrifice for a big long-term payoff. Unfortunately, it's a sacrifice that affects your whole family, especially your wife. She *HAS* to be on-board. If she is willing to help you tighten the family belt temporarily, that's a big benefit.

If the kids are of "school age", then asking her to work part-time or full-time could be helpful, but if they are younger (as they sound), then that is probably not a consideration.

To think of how to support your family on a regional salary, you might have to think outside-the-box. Could you live with family members for awhile or share a house with friends to cut your housing costs? Change the numbers or types of vehicles you drive to cut payments, insurance, and maintenance costs? Find ways to cut your other day-to-day living expenses for utilities, food, or clothing? Defer student loan repayments? Draw on savings or borrow money from family members to make it for a certain number of years? Put a budget together with your wife and find out if you're able to make it work (relatively) comfortably -- for the short term. I would put a time-line on it all. If it doesn't pay off within a certain period of time, you'll be willing to accept a different career track that will provide more appropriately for your family. Your family shouldn't be asked to sacrifice for the long term while you blindly chase your dream.

On the other hand, I believe that if you will be competitive for a major airline career and you are committed to it, sacrificing for a few years to get there *IS* the best thing for your family.

Short of being willing to take the sacrifices of a regional flying position, I agree that your only other option is to probably just keep networking to find that corporate position that will take you to the 'next step'.

Good luck with your decision!


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