Originally Posted by
jcool411
(It's always easy for people to say have a back up profession if you like aviation so much, but who in the world can go to school for a 6 fig profession and pilot training you have to be focused as hell and have wealthy parents med school is not cheap...)
Med school is way too much. I would recommend nursing, pharmacy, PA, or maybe computer science.
If I could chose (I have more than one backup career, but that all happened accidentally) I would go with pharmacy. This job is extremely portable, not as stressful as nursing, and requires minimal on-going "proficiency" training. PA would be a close second (I'd rather do sick call than change bed pans).
Computer science (programming) has several advantages...
- You can get a 4-year BS and be employable without extra schooling.
- It's very portable and flexible in that you can do it anywhere, even on the road whenever you want (just meet the project deadline).
- If you move, you don't necessarily have to switch employers.
Downsides to programming would be that your income and work opportunities depend on your natural ability and the effort you put in. You also need to stay current because this field changes rapidly.
The ideal path to an aviation career would be to start out in one these flexible "backup" fields as your plan A. Obviously pick one you like or can at least tolerate which has good pay and lifestyle. Do flight training on the side as you can pay for it, then become a part time CFI. General aviation is a blast, so that in and of itself would be enjoyable.
Build some time and watch the airline industry...if it looks good at some point you can give it a shot. Remember to try to get in at the beginning of the hiring wave...if you wait too long out of caution or uncertainty, you will either get furloughed or stuck on reserve for years. If you make the jump your "backup" career warm on the back burner...it will help cover the substandard income and leave you an escape route.
The simple fact of life now is that aviation is totally unsuitable as a reliable career from an economic perspective (except for those who already CA's at FDX/UPS/SWA) ...if you want to partake, you need to take responsibility for your own financial well-being.
Might the industry improve someday? Maybe, but it's hard to say. There's nothing to indicate that any positive change will be forthcoming, but there are many potential hurdles. Fuel costs and rampant environmentalism are the big boggiemen IMO...hopefully some of the promising green fuels can be brought online quickly and affordably when the time comes.