You know, I decided to start this thread just to get an idea and to give those who are still flying, about to be furloughed, those furloughed, those who are just finished training and are looking for work, and for those who just started training and what they are expecting in 2-3 years...a chance express, vent, or however you wish to term it how they see things for themselves in say.....3-5 years or so.

I'm asking for responses from everyone that wishes to post. It doesn't matter if you're with the Majors, Regionals, Cargo (I'd love to hear from you guys), Corporate, Part 135 or Foreign. In addition, I'm asking that each of us refrain from analyzing, castigating, be critical of, or denegrate what someone else has posted. Again, I ask that you make every effort not to comment on what someone else has posted. If you want to make multiple comments pertaining to your own situation, then cool. But please, no mud slinging, name calling, trashing of an airline or anything of the sort.

With that said.....here's my take on what I see for myself:


I have started ground school in my initial flight training here in WPB, FL. I plan on leaving for Ari-Ben in about a month or so. My plans are to progress through their Pro Pilot Program at a rate that is comfortable to me. That means going from the latter stages of PPL or INST to MEI; then instruct and then hopefully enter the job market and secure an FO position on a KA 200/350. This is the first phase of my plan. I can "see" myself accomplishing this in as little as 12-18 months. I've placed my desire to fly for ASA or maybe another regional on the back burner for now, but as the time approaches where I meet and/or exceed their hirining minimums, I look at what options I have at that time.

The second phase of my plan is to continue to fly for hire in a turbine a/c(regional), or turboprop a/c and hopefully get typed in a turbine a/c within the same company. Now I know that this is going to take some researching to find a company that fits latter part of this phase of my plan. They are out there and what I believe I have to do is to remain patient and perservere and position myself so that what I've hoped for will manifest itself.

The third and final phase is to build my PIC, ME, turbine, turboprop, & TT so eventually I'm able to get on with either Delta, FedEx, UPS or some really sweet Corporate gig. Although I'm 47, I see myself accomplishing all of this by the age of 52. At this time, that would afford me a 13 year career at any one of the immediate aforementioned carriers or the corporate gig.

How am I to accomplish all this when things are looking so bleak you ask? Because I'm determined and confident in my ability to do so. My mind is made up. I will not allow or I will do what it takes to minimze any issues, drama, distractions, discouragement or interference with the progression of my plans from any one.......that includes, parents, siblings, ex-wife, fellow pilots and yes.....myself. I have to know beyond a shadow of doubt that I'm committed to seeing this through to the end. Btw, I come out of flight training with zero debt. Am I lucky? No....I'm blessed and very grateful and thankful for being in that position. In addition, I'm a firm believer in that there is a time, place, and a season for everything.

It's my time and my season.






atp