Hello,
I'm at 220 hours and was going to start getting ready for the CPL.
While I love flying, I hate paying for it. After my CFI I will at last be making a little money from flying, but I still feel I am paying for flying in terms of opportunity costs.
I'm looking at the long road ahead of me just to get to 1500 hours and that alone looks daunting. Then, based on most of the accounts I've read, I already know I will not enjoy regional life due to once again having to live like a nomad. Been there and did that during most of my 20's and now am at a point where I'd rather stay put instead of moving around at the whim of my employer all over again. I am also extremely apprehensive about the historical instability of an airline pilot career. I feel like I'm walking into something where the odds are stacked against me in a way that I'll never be able to control. I'm wonder if the juice is worth the squeeze.
My doubt is augmented by the fact that I had some legal trouble in teens and early 20's. (which I've started a thread about
here). This of course may end up precluding me from a job at the big 6 anyway and I'd really hate to go through all these motions only to find out I'm not hirable at the majors after spending 6-7 years at the regionals.
While I'm no stranger to sacrifice, I'm realizing now that this is a much bigger sacrifice than any I've had to face in the past (or maybe my perception has just changed over time). And all for what? A relatively unstable career that won't match my current salary until I'm in my 40's and that's IF everything goes according to plan. That means no medical issues, no aviation accidents, no failed checkrides, no total loss of interest, no economic downturn, no airline bankruptcy, etc.
So before I pick up my phone and ask my instructor about doing the CPL training, I'm wondering if this should instead be my fork in the road where I go in a different direction. My other option is to instead pursue real estate with my brother. We've always talked about going into it together and still do to this day. When I stand back and look at both pathways, the real estate option seems like a door that leads to a broader set of destinations with better potential to provide a higher quality of life sooner. But, I've been wavering on the decision because I do love flying, I see the high salaries at the majors, the great schedules with plenty of time off, and the aspect of very few headaches (just show up, fly, and go home. No managers, no meetings, no HR garbage, etc). These facets motivate me in bursts but I'm constantly second guessing it which is why I'm turning to you guys for some input.
Pilots have been exceptional people in my experience so far. I really do take all your inputs to heart. Thank you all in advance.