Originally Posted by
SkyHigh
People need to know what a long shot this industry really is.
Everyday people are out there blowing a fortune on a fancy aviation college education and flight training on what really amounts to a thin hope that they will ever be able to earn the investment back. I can not believe that most pilots who sign on the dotted line to take out a 100K loan for flight training really know what they are getting into. When given all the facts what kind of logic would permit such a foolish commitment?
Universities and flight schools are not out there spreading reality. They are selling a lie and that is exactly my mission here and elsewhere. I believe that everyone has an interest in self preservation and if they are presented with the cold hard facts up front by people who are in the trenches they would make a different decision.
Everyone who signed a loan for flight training over the last five years expected to be flying for SWA within a few short years after flight school. How else could the accept such a punishing payment schedule and honestly expect to be able to pay it back?
Skyhigh
Sky I appreciate your comments, I really do.
However, it seems you make the assumption that every college age kid jumps into debt, not knowing the truth about the Aviation biz.
Some make poor decision, yes. Not all.
I am also in debt, for flight training. No where near 100k, mind you... Yes the Flashy Flight schools, ALL ATP, COMAIR, etc etc... Are over priced. We have beat that horse till is is thoroughly dead.
You use yourself as a prime example of why not to into aviation...
Let me ask you this, Are you happy now? And honestly, if Aviation, had not worked out the way it did would you be where you are today?
Now, take me for example... College graduate, Double Major, Organic Chemistry and Physics. Scored in the 97% on the MCATS, and my GRE score was pretty darn good aswell... My IQ tested in the top 5% of the Nation, and I am a member of MENSA. I said all of that to say this, everyone wants something different out of their careers. Sure, I could go to Med school... I have had offers for interviews with just about every top school in the country, and the ones in the Bahamas are practically begging me to go there. Sure, I could go on and get my Masters, and the PHD. Go teach at a University somewhere. (I am getting my Masters Either way, but that is a side point) BUT, I love aviation. That is where I am happy. I took the courses I did in college, because they interested me. I dont love it, im interested in it.
I love aviation. No I am not selling myself short, it is simply what I want out of my career. You have done so many things that I am just alittle envious over, Bush flying, being the number one.
So, I will endure, the Ups and Downs, The never ending *Downward Spiral* the industry as a whole is in. I will take the 3am shows, and the Scheduling woes... I do this because it is what I want. America is the Land of oppurtunity, and everyone sees oppurtunity is different things.
Sure your dump supervisor may make more money, but at the end of the day, he still smells like, and works with trash. We use a saying in the Army, "If it looks like ****, smells like ****, well buddy.... It is ****." So yea, I would rather, put on my nice clean uniform shirt, with my three bars, my silver wings, pull down my Uniform Cap square, and low. Then I can walk into public, and say yes, I am a pilot. Go to the Airport, and say yes, I am a pilot. To me, the simple fact of being a pilot, is better than being a Garbage man. Who wants to be the dad, whose kid is ashamed to bring him to school? Not me. So what, if I may never have flashy cars, a huge house, or a supermodel for a wife... Monetary, and financial possesions, can buy alot, but not happiness... If anyone truly believes that, Then they are simply, and truly messed up.
I am very happy with my current Fiance and do not intend to trade her in... Yea her cyclinders may mis fire from time to time, sure she has some leaky seals... And Burns through oil like you wouldnt believe... But I love her.
What do I expect you to take from this? Well, Its up to you really. I know things did not work ou like you wanted. They may not for me, or anyone like me... But wouldnt you rather have tried? I mean you said yourself, you liked the Alaska flying, and never cared much for the big stuff.... Then why give it up? Find where you are happy, and Stay there...
In the end, thank you for not being, the "Aviation is great, easy and you make a ****-ton of money." guy.