Originally Posted by
wannabepilot
LOL...I'm a junior in college, a biology major, have the flying bug bad, and am trying to decide between an airline career and going to med school. I have the grades, the volunteer stuff, the shadowing, etc... I have talked to like 5 doctors who basically said you are crazy for wanting to be a doctor. They had very good reasons behind their comments, and during several shadowing experiences I have gotten to see first hand what they are talking about. Then there is APC where people (like SkyHigh) who say you are crazy for wanting an airline career. As much as SkyHigh gets bashed on here, he actually makes some very good points that are extremely thought provoking for a person in a situation like mine. I have absolutely no clue which side of the fence I will land on. Isn't APC wonderful?
Just take the advice for what's it is worth to you. No one is trying to crush your dreams here, this site is supposed to be about pilots helping pilots. My experience is what it is, so is Skyhigh's. Truth be told, if 9/11 hadn't happened, I might be still spinning along, trapped in the go-no-where, LOW pay, miserable life at AE, waiting for the NO THRU agreement, and being sh!t on by my Simmons/Flagship/E.T. Mafia/Mainline AA pilot brothers on a daily basis. (the sheep in east texas are STILL scared).
I don't hate my life anymore. I enjoy helping people who are hurt and need help-sure there is b.s. to put up with here too, sometimes people die, drug seekers, and the like. But the BIG difference is that I get PAID like a professional should get paid. All that hard work and sacrifice that I put into my flying-in the ultimate end meant nothing. It was a big point of pride, in that I worked my way up through the ranks with ZERO help from anyone. But, pride goeth before a fall.
Lots of people on here don't want to hear what veterans like me, Skyhigh, and others here have to say on this scam industry. But, I wish I had had someone give me as good advice back in the day. Don't be a sucker! Get your head out of the sand and look around. $100.00 plus oil, age 65, and the like are all subtle clues about where the airlines are headed. You would never launch on a 200, 1/2 destination without an alternate would you? Then you sure as he!! better not "launch" your aviation career without an alternate plan either.
Just my $.02
btw Today I took a 2 hour lunch and flew the Pitts-what a BLAST! Have fun fellows!