Originally Posted by
bryris
Dan, I don't totally understand what you are asking for. It sounds like you are posing a question of whether we think you should pursue professional flying. Assuming that that is indeed your question, nobody can answer that for you. You mentioned "mob mentality groupthink bash flame fest". What is this? Do you mean that anytime someone tells you it isn't worth it, this label is to be applied to them to destroy their credibility? If that is your view, the answer to your question is go for it. It sounds like there can be no alternative.
What I mean by the flame fest comment was people that automatically say things like "Wow another PFJ'er", or whatever along those lines without any actual thought or consideration...
Originally Posted by
bryris
I've seen your posts all around this board. When anyone, who has actually done or does this job posts their viewpoint in a negative light, you jump all over them. If I counted "IT" in your posts, I'd run out of fingers very quickly. Are you trying to escape IT or fly for a living?
Very good point. I've been asking myself this question lately... But then I remember that first time I solo'd a 172. I haven't been flying lately because of the cost, but I bet if I hopped back in one, that question would be answered almost immediately. SkyHigh (lol) had a great point in another thread... He said people don't fly as a hobby anymore because of the cost, and that's why they assume they have no option but to do it as a career. But I was also a car mechanic, a restaurant waiter, cook, manager, delivery driver (Driver was actually my favorite job in that category), and for a very short time a retail sales person. They all sucked horribly.
Originally Posted by
bryris
My opinion is that you'd be better off finishing your degree in something that interests you (outside aviation) and doing that.
Well I do like technology, just not what comes with it. (b1tchy egocentric people with made up deadlines and lack of respect for anything outside of their own agenda - plus the physical nature of the office environment.) Not to mention this (IT) degree would most likely be the most efficient route for me to a B.S. since my job would cover a small portion of the bill as well as my credits would all most likely transfer since it's the same field.
Originally Posted by
bryris
Meanwhile, finish your ratings, instruct, tow banners, drop parachutes, or whatever. When you arrive at about 1,000 hours, Comm Multi, CFI, and preferally II too, then take a look at the economy and state of affairs and make a decision. Doing it this way will be much more enjoyable for you. Go find a part 61 school and find an instructor who instructs for fun, not someone time building.
It would behoove you to not stack up multi thousands of dollars in debt. You mentioned you'd been working on making money for years and grew up lower middle class. People are lower middle class because they make the wrong decisions financially. Stacking yourself with 40k - which will likely come in higher when done - is a bad financial decision. Its just reality.
And I'm glad I see it this way as well. I see so many 'educated' people with more loans than god and lower incomes than me all of the time. I guess deep down I don't want to fall into that category even if that makes me seem cheap or afraid to take a risk. Thanks for confirming this.
Originally Posted by
bryris
I've done the job for a little while and I get what these guys on this board say. I've seen it for myself. I can assure you that whatever rosy picture you've painted for yourself to look at is not the way it actually is out there. But, it DOES beat sitting in a cubicle, no doubt about that. But flying isn't the only way out of a cubicle and I'd advise you look into those options. Despite everything, I might even find myself back in an airline cockpit in the future. The draw is strong. If you want it bad enough, you owe it to yourself to try. But, make good decisions along the way and don't be surprised if it doesn't work out because we, as pilots, have little control over our professional destiny. We roll the dice, some win, some lose.
I know it's not all rosy colored glamour, but I do love the adventure aspect and the way a cockpit looks at night time... The engine sounds. Acceleration... I know there is not much money to be made and being in hotels with slam clickers could get boring, but the actual flying part I know I would love. All I'd ask for is enough to make a living for a small but nice house, a car, maybe a motorcycle and a vacation once in a while. (Maybe a weekend here and there down Atlantic City =) ) Any more than 2 days a week off to myself. Doesn't seem like enough anymore. I used to work 7 days a week while in school and i felt like I had more time to myself than I do now only working 40 hours a week. Maybe it's the stress level and not actual time that matters...