Originally Posted by
de727ups
Whether you consider yourself a "sucker" not, is your business.
The outlook of aviation careers is always a moving target. It cycles up and down with the economy. Other factors play a part. 9/11 and age 65. I think we are seeing a perfect storm of badness right now. But any academy which recruits people with ads that specify "Vietnam vet era retirements" is clearly grasping at straws to make a buck. It's sad that people buy off on that.
Would you care to name the academy you worked for?
It probably would not be professional for me to name the company, but it is a nationwide flight school. As far as I can remember, none of our advertising ever hinted at the possibility of retirements. I do remember discussing the future of the business over dinner with the President of the company, and he discussed the retirement wave with excitement for the opportunities that it would create for everyone. I was never instructed to discuss the retirements with potential career students at my school.
Although I thought there was much room for improvement at that company, I do think that they were NOT deceptive in their advertising (unlike another national flight school that used to actually "guarantee" airline jobs, now they just guarantee interviews).
I just felt like a sucker for a moment there because I feel too old to be stuck at "entry level" for a long time. 33/almost 34 is not very old, but I don't want to spend the rest of my younger years paying dues for something that has no future. I love flying tremendously, but I just don't want to be poor for ten years. If I finish my MBA, than maybe I can get a more secure job and just buy my own plane. Maybe with the combination of my aviation management experience and my growing flight experience I should seek a job as a 135 manager? That's why I am on this forum - to get feedback to make an informed decision.