Tom,

No industry is ever safe! Ever! About seven years ago, my wife and I were just chugging along enjoying our life as newlyweds when one day she calls and says that her company of 15 years had asked her to leave. 15 years! It was with a well-established food service company called Sysco Foods. You might have heard about them. They are one of, if not THE, leader in food service. We were devastated. They offered her a severance package and we moved on.

Me on the other hand had just joined SkyWest and though things have been challenging over the years even with a company like SkyWest, who does very well and has a lot of cash in the back, I have done well. Ironic, she has a "secure" job and I have an "airline" job and she is the one let go! Hmmmm!

In the past couple years, I have seen a lot of companies furlough and a lot go out of business. It is a risk we as pilots take.

So, to try and answer your question. If you want to fly, go fly! Enjoy it! But...have a back up plan!

Personally, I believe that once the media "scare tactic" and gloom-and-doom reports are over, the US and the world will grow AGAIN at an unprecedented rate. If you get into flying now and get your ratings and hours, which could take a few years, you will be in a position to benefit from the upswing and the need for pilots. This will get you at the top of the hiring pool when it happens. If you wait for "just the right time," you will be at the bottom of the hiring pool, then, when things slow down AGAIN, if you are at the bottom, you will be the first to go.

So follow the dream...but do it NOW!

Another thought, someone earlier said "Grad School." Not a bad idea, but my thought is that you should look closer at starting something where you don't have to rely on someone else. I started a window cleaning business, I write a blog (Almost the Speed of Sound), and I produce niche websites, all of which give me a nice "backup" income and allows me to enjoy flying a heckuva lot more.

If you haven't read Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" book I recommend you get it. Also, George S Clason's "The Richest Man in Babylon" is a must read too.

Finally, I posted an article on my blog about the 5 Things Every Pilot Needs to Know. Also check out my Trusted Money Making Ideas for Pilots section. Maybe that will help!

To Your Flying Success...

Jeff