Physician to airline pilot
10-16-2017, 10:55 AM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 116
Trust me, just stay doing the radiologist thing and keep pulling in 400-500k for at lest the next 10 years. Pay off your debt, buy a Cessna 182 to learn and build time. Heck, get your CFI and teach on the side. Step up to something bigger if you can afford it. Around 50, once you've made enough to retire on, then think about it. I'm married to a EM doc and I saw what she went through(school and residency and of course OUR debt) to get there, don't throw that away just to fly planes for less money.
I wish I could remember where I saw this article, but it was by a retired surgeon that currently flies a Citation part 91 and loves it. Don't rule out that, airlines aren't the only flying to be had out there. The beauty of your situation is that you can still be a full time doc and fly on the side. Just don't quit your med career to start from the bottom in aviation. Yes money isn't everything, but for everybody it IS something at various points in life. Think 10-15 years down the line, get yourself a nice nest egg, which will take away an element of stress. You can have your ratings, hours under your belt, and money to retire on. THEN consider making a big move.
I wish I could remember where I saw this article, but it was by a retired surgeon that currently flies a Citation part 91 and loves it. Don't rule out that, airlines aren't the only flying to be had out there. The beauty of your situation is that you can still be a full time doc and fly on the side. Just don't quit your med career to start from the bottom in aviation. Yes money isn't everything, but for everybody it IS something at various points in life. Think 10-15 years down the line, get yourself a nice nest egg, which will take away an element of stress. You can have your ratings, hours under your belt, and money to retire on. THEN consider making a big move.
Last edited by geosync; 10-16-2017 at 11:22 AM.
10-16-2017, 10:58 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 490
Originally Posted by PotatoChip
...I'm typing this from a Holiday Inn next to I-95 next to a gas station and a Cracker Barrel. I've lost all my savings three times in my career, and I started with $110,000 in student debt.
10-16-2017, 08:00 PM
#24
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
Originally Posted by RWFTG
Go for it man.... you only live once. Don’t let internet opinions decide whether you chase a dream; Even if it is something that “doesn’t make sense”.
10-16-2017, 08:53 PM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2012
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by geosync
Trust me, just stay doing the radiologist thing and keep pulling in 400-500k for at lest the next 10 years. Pay off your debt, buy a Cessna 182 to learn and build time. Heck, get your CFI and teach on the side. Step up to something bigger if you can afford it. Around 50, once you've made enough to retire on, then think about it. I'm married to a EM doc and I saw what she went through(school and residency and of course OUR debt) to get there, don't throw that away just to fly planes for less money.
I wish I could remember where I saw this article, but it was by a retired surgeon that currently flies a Citation part 91 and loves it. Don't rule out that, airlines aren't the only flying to be had out there. The beauty of your situation is that you can still be a full time doc and fly on the side. Just don't quit your med career to start from the bottom in aviation. Yes money isn't everything, but for everybody it IS something at various points in life. Think 10-15 years down the line, get yourself a nice nest egg, which will take away an element of stress. You can have your ratings, hours under your belt, and money to retire on. THEN consider making a big move.
I wish I could remember where I saw this article, but it was by a retired surgeon that currently flies a Citation part 91 and loves it. Don't rule out that, airlines aren't the only flying to be had out there. The beauty of your situation is that you can still be a full time doc and fly on the side. Just don't quit your med career to start from the bottom in aviation. Yes money isn't everything, but for everybody it IS something at various points in life. Think 10-15 years down the line, get yourself a nice nest egg, which will take away an element of stress. You can have your ratings, hours under your belt, and money to retire on. THEN consider making a big move.
10-16-2017, 08:57 PM
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Volleyball Player
Posts: 3,978
Originally Posted by Fliestoomuch310
Thanks for all of the helpful replies. It’s not entirely a grass is greener (my aunt is an instructor for a legacy and I got pretty early exposure to the work) but more of a long standing dream. My early career goal was to fly for a major airline. However, I came out of college in 2006 when furloughs were common, which is why I never pursued it.
I will look in to my options. I am very lucky with radiology in that I have a lot of flexibility (I can switch to a 7 on/7 off and be full time with the caviat that this would be night work).
Once again, thanks for your feedback.
I will look in to my options. I am very lucky with radiology in that I have a lot of flexibility (I can switch to a 7 on/7 off and be full time with the caviat that this would be night work).
Once again, thanks for your feedback.
10-17-2017, 11:19 AM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 867
Dr Mrs Deadstick35 said “is that person nuts?!”
Here’s the thing about getting time instructing on the side. Do you have a retirement funded? A nest egg? A nice house? In today’s society of lawsuits being filed at the drop of a hat, if your student has an accident and that student’s lawyer hears you’re also a radiologist — game over. They see deep pockets and fountain of cash coming their way.
Here’s the thing about getting time instructing on the side. Do you have a retirement funded? A nest egg? A nice house? In today’s society of lawsuits being filed at the drop of a hat, if your student has an accident and that student’s lawyer hears you’re also a radiologist — game over. They see deep pockets and fountain of cash coming their way.
10-17-2017, 11:44 AM
#28
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,224
Originally Posted by deadstick35
Dr Mrs Deadstick35 said “is that person nuts?!”
Here’s the thing about getting time instructing on the side. Do you have a retirement funded? A nest egg? A nice house? In today’s society of lawsuits being filed at the drop of a hat, if your student has an accident and that student’s lawyer hears you’re also a radiologist — game over. They see deep pockets and fountain of cash coming their way.
Here’s the thing about getting time instructing on the side. Do you have a retirement funded? A nest egg? A nice house? In today’s society of lawsuits being filed at the drop of a hat, if your student has an accident and that student’s lawyer hears you’re also a radiologist — game over. They see deep pockets and fountain of cash coming their way.
Entry-level commercial pilots can safely instruct because they typically own nothing, and can just BK out of any judgement (so the lawyers may not even bother with them).
10-17-2017, 07:20 PM
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 454
How would you like to fly with this guy?
10-18-2017, 05:33 PM
#30
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by Fliestoomuch310
Hello. First time poster, long time lurker.
I am a 33 year old Radiologist. However, since about the age of 6, I wanted to be an airline pilot. I just got sidetracked.
On a whim, I applied to the JetBlue candidate program and was slected for the assessment (I think that most people are selected for the $160 testing fee. As a doc, my scepticism of getting fleeced with educational testing is pretty high). Is this program the best way to go or is there a better path?
Hypothetically, is it even worth thinking about this switch? I know there are a bunch of negatives to the career, but I can still have my backup job if things don’t workout.
Also, are most pilots in training able to hold a second job outside of flight instructor (or maybe even in more senior roles) or is training/working so all-consumig it’s impossible. My job can be done remotely and in off hours. It would, financially speaking, make things a bit easier.
Please feel free to slap as much reality into my head as possible.
I am a 33 year old Radiologist. However, since about the age of 6, I wanted to be an airline pilot. I just got sidetracked.
On a whim, I applied to the JetBlue candidate program and was slected for the assessment (I think that most people are selected for the $160 testing fee. As a doc, my scepticism of getting fleeced with educational testing is pretty high). Is this program the best way to go or is there a better path?
Hypothetically, is it even worth thinking about this switch? I know there are a bunch of negatives to the career, but I can still have my backup job if things don’t workout.
Also, are most pilots in training able to hold a second job outside of flight instructor (or maybe even in more senior roles) or is training/working so all-consumig it’s impossible. My job can be done remotely and in off hours. It would, financially speaking, make things a bit easier.
Please feel free to slap as much reality into my head as possible.
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