Originally Posted by
RxPilot
Slapnut,
I'm in exactly same position as you. I'm 39/m. When I finished my private training back in 1992, I was so excited that I wanted to go all the way to CFI. But then reality hit. Lots of news of pilots getting laid off and starting pay for FO of low 10K scared the doo doo out of me.
I went back to college, got 2 degrees, and now currently working a boring job as a pharmacist. I'm making over 6 figures, my house is paid for, and I have no debts at all.
The problem is that I feel like I missed out on my dream of flying for the airlines. Now I wonder if I should have stuck it out in my 20s and finished up my ratings? Where would I be now if I stayed with it? It's driving me crazy.
I know the pay will never equal what I make currently, but life is too short to be trapped in a boring job.
I'm ready to make a drastic change in my life! For less pay...
RxPilot,
Well I am bored to death doing Internet Marketing and Web Development Consulting right now. <sigh> I got my degree in Economics way back when and then got involved in computer repair & networking shortly after that.
The only time I was ever happy was when I did my flight training with a local FBO before I could even drive a car back in 1986 in Danbury, Connecticut. Subsequently, I've also only been happy when I've had a chance between other stuff to just fly over these last 20 years. I agree with you about life being too short to be trapped in a boring job because that is definitely me right now. Unfortunately, due to my current contractual obligations I am unable to take the plunge just yet, but see the 2nd quarter 2008 an opportunity for me to just go for my dreams and fly!!! Obviously we both can't change the past and what is done is done, but we still can mold our futures and follow our dreams while there is still time realistically left. We both definitely need to act now for sure!
Slapnut