Career Change to Pilot... too Old?
12-01-2011, 06:46 AM
#11
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Hate?
Originally Posted by SteveCostello
Really? Do you hate your job? Do all of you on here with professional flying careers hate your job? If so... why keep doing it?
It definitely looks better from the outside than from within. Skyhigh
12-01-2011, 06:52 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Position: Flying a desk, for good.
Posts: 208
I was going to write something profound, but every time I started, I found I was convincing myself to quit flying and go back to computers where I had a decent life and salary.
So dont look to me for guidance.
So dont look to me for guidance.
12-01-2011, 07:14 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: FO - 757/767
Posts: 1,228
To answer steve's question about "if I hate it, then why do I still do it?"
Although this is an idealists question, I will still respond: what else am I supposed to do? I have no other skills or specialties. That was all wasted on aviation.
Although this is an idealists question, I will still respond: what else am I supposed to do? I have no other skills or specialties. That was all wasted on aviation.
12-01-2011, 08:54 AM
#14
Respek
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,603
Originally Posted by HotMamaPilot
To answer steve's question about "if I hate it, then why do I still do it?"
Although this is an idealists question, I will still respond: what else am I supposed to do? I have no other skills or specialties. That was all wasted on aviation.
Although this is an idealists question, I will still respond: what else am I supposed to do? I have no other skills or specialties. That was all wasted on aviation.
Make sure you don't back yourself into this same corner. Keep your skills up in your current job maybe do it part time when you get into charter flying and you will have the best of both worlds. Flying and Money!
12-01-2011, 09:09 AM
#15
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Web Designer/Developer
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by Cruz5350
Make sure you don't back yourself into this same corner. Keep your skills up in your current job maybe do it part time when you get into charter flying and you will have the best of both worlds. Flying and Money!
I'm definitely taking notice of the jaded and scorned people around here, though. It's completely understandable... being a pilot today is nothing like it was 30+ years ago, and that's a shame. I suppose a discussion of how it got to this point and if it will ever be good (or even decent) again is better posited elsewhere (actually, I'm sure it has been ad nauseum here). I would like to avoid loathing my career choice, if at all possible
, but at the same time, I would like to do something I find rewarding, challenging, and gets me out of this damned jail cell of a cubicle.
12-01-2011, 11:20 AM
#16
Respek
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,603
Originally Posted by SteveCostello
Sounds like the general consensus. Means it will take quite a while longer to get there, but that's life, I suppose.
I'm definitely taking notice of the jaded and scorned people around here, though. It's completely understandable... being a pilot today is nothing like it was 30+ years ago, and that's a shame. I suppose a discussion of how it got to this point and if it will ever be good (or even decent) again is better posited elsewhere (actually, I'm sure it has been ad nauseum here). I would like to avoid loathing my career choice, if at all possible, but at the same time, I would like to do something I find rewarding, challenging, and gets me out of this damned jail cell of a cubicle.
I'm definitely taking notice of the jaded and scorned people around here, though. It's completely understandable... being a pilot today is nothing like it was 30+ years ago, and that's a shame. I suppose a discussion of how it got to this point and if it will ever be good (or even decent) again is better posited elsewhere (actually, I'm sure it has been ad nauseum here). I would like to avoid loathing my career choice, if at all possible
, but at the same time, I would like to do something I find rewarding, challenging, and gets me out of this damned jail cell of a cubicle.
12-01-2011, 12:01 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,177
Hate that cubicle? Did you ever sit in the front end of plane for 12 hours?
Download a picture of an instrument panel, spend a couple nights staring at it, have wife, girlfriend bring in some coffee every few hours and wait for the dawn. Go check in to a hotel, do NOT go home or any of your familiar things, repeat for a couple of days. The cubicle that lets you go home at 6, have a lunch out will look good.
GF
Download a picture of an instrument panel, spend a couple nights staring at it, have wife, girlfriend bring in some coffee every few hours and wait for the dawn. Go check in to a hotel, do NOT go home or any of your familiar things, repeat for a couple of days. The cubicle that lets you go home at 6, have a lunch out will look good.
GF
12-01-2011, 04:16 PM
#18
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,261
Originally Posted by SteveCostello
Ah... one thing I forgot to mention. I suppose that in the midst of all of this, I am going to have to get a piece of paper to hang on my wall, too, right?
12-01-2011, 04:24 PM
#19
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,261
Originally Posted by SteveCostello
I have no aspirations to work for a major. I'd never get into the left seat, if I could even get hired in the first place... I can't imagine a major investing someone who, by the time I had enough hours to get there, would only have around 10 years of employment left. Of course... the way things are these days, some pilots are luck to work 10 years at a major...
Originally Posted by SteveCostello
The regionals seem like they might be okay, but I see enough horror stories on here to really dissuade me from that track. I understand the irregular schedule and more of the 'hands-on' work that charter and biz flying involves, and that doesn't bother me too much. Also, while a lot of folks focus on cracking six figures, I realize at this point I'd just like to get back to my current income level as quickly as possible. That's one reason I pointed out the King Air, as it seems that most of those pilots are pulling down about what I am making now.
Originally Posted by SteveCostello
I'm actually starting the process of career counseling right now to see what other alternatives there are. At the same time, I'm trying to figure out how to finance getting everything through MEII. That's going to be crazy expensive...
12-01-2011, 04:51 PM
#20
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Position: Turboprop guy..
Posts: 96
I did exactly what you are talking about. About 20 years in the gov. Got my ratings while working. Summer VFR 135 job in Alaska. Hired to drive a C208 doing night freight, then to one of the Fedex feeders where I became a capt on the ATR in my late 40's, 2 years and counting in India logging lots of pic and positioning myself to finish my last 10 years at somewhere like Southern or Omni. Maybe make capt there if the upgrade time isn't more than 5 years. Flying for me is a hobby and remains so to this day. And with the Indian salary I hope to buy an old Cessna or Piper :-). Don't give up on the dream.
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