Should I go for it? 21 years old
08-13-2013, 09:57 AM
#11
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Transferable skills
Originally Posted by UofIflyer
I personally think that if you can pursue a career in aviation, and not accumulate a huge debt you'll be paying off for years if it doesn't work out, why not try it and see what happens? Other than jobs where you need to have advanced education ie. medical, law, etc. You can pick up a job in let's say sales or management, and not be too far behind the eight ball 5-7 years down the road if you decide it is not worth the commitment and time to build hours and connections to land a top paying aviation job. I agree that I would rather be 28 and say " I tried and it didn't work out" than 55 and say " I wonder if I could have done it". It is obviously a big decision that nobody on here will be able to answer for you, but that is my two cents.
As pilots we are nearly useless to employers outside of aviation (and nearly useless to employers inside of aviation too as evidenced by how hard it is to get a job). We have highly specialized knowledge in a specific area and few job skills that hold much value to others.
It is best to regret not trying it instead of regretting the lost decade or two and fortune down the drain.
Skyhigh
08-13-2013, 10:16 AM
#13
Beats a cubicle
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 25
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
As mentioned other careers also have pitfalls however most other careers have residual value in other areas. A medical or law degree has many applications outside of their practice.
As pilots we are nearly useless to employers outside of aviation (and nearly useless to employers inside of aviation too as evidenced by how hard it is to get a job). We have highly specialized knowledge in a specific area and few job skills that hold much value to others.
It is best to regret not trying it instead of regretting the lost decade or two and fortune down the drain.
Skyhigh
As pilots we are nearly useless to employers outside of aviation (and nearly useless to employers inside of aviation too as evidenced by how hard it is to get a job). We have highly specialized knowledge in a specific area and few job skills that hold much value to others.
It is best to regret not trying it instead of regretting the lost decade or two and fortune down the drain.
Skyhigh
08-13-2013, 12:10 PM
#14
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Sure
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
Aviation is chock full of transferable skills.
To believe otherwise is to devalue yourself.
To believe otherwise is to devalue yourself.
Whatever your interpretation is the situation employers do not see many transferable skills. Pilots are an unknown quantity and not in demand with the outside world.
As an experiment try and get a job with a grocery store or in banking with nothing other than pilot jobs on your resume.
SKyhigh
08-13-2013, 12:18 PM
#15
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
You bet
Originally Posted by UofIflyer
I agree pilots are a very special base of knowledge, however just because you are in aviation doesn't mean you ONLY know about aviation. Not specific to avaition but to the point, I know someone who went to school for meteorology, why? Wanted to be a weatherman? I don't have a clue. Ended up starting a cement business and is incredibly successful and wealthy now. Another example, my dad has a degree in education, taught and liked it for maybe 5 years (28-29 years old). Changed his mind ended up being an air traffic controller ( not a teacher) for 25 years and loved it. I'm just saying at 21 you are allowed to go try a career path and change it if it doesn't work out without having an incredible amount of regret. Provided you don't wait 20 years to do it, unless you invent something that changes the world. Just because you focused on one thing doesn't mean that's the only thing you can do.
UofIflyer,
I agree, if you are ever sidelined from flying it will be your other skills that come to the rescue. Your aviation training and experience will mean nothing to the outside world.
Lastly in most things in life it is a good idea to try different things especially if the opportunity cost is low. In aviation however you need to invest a small fortune to become trained and educated to then start life as a starving flight instructor (now until you have 1500 hours) before you can even apply as an airline pilot. After that it might take five to ten years before you are competitive at a major airline.
It is a considerable and important chunk of ones life. What if you get there and hate it? What if you have to run up a huge debt to only discover that you are not a good fit or that things did not turn out as you would have liked? Some say to work three jobs to pay your way through training and that is a good option but what if you were to spend that money buying a house instead? No matter how one justifies it trying aviation is still is going to cost you a lot.
In your dads case all it cost him to switch careers was to apply. It only takes passing the civil service test and a high school diploma to become a mailman. To try your luck at firefighting it usually takes an EMT, being in shape and most of a day to apply.
Skyhigh
08-13-2013, 01:09 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
Sure like what? The ability to sit for long hours while staring out the window? The ability to accomplish the same tasks over and over again? It is not an overly creative job with unlimited opportunities to better yourself. As a pilot you don't have to be good only good enough.
I'm sorry that YOU don't see any transferable skill set.
I think you are wrong - and on all of the other stuff you are just an person who feels the need to blow everything out of proportion
Whatever your interpretation is the situation employers do not see many transferable skills. Pilots are an unknown quantity and not in demand with the outside world.
As an experiment try and get a job with a grocery store or in banking with nothing other than pilot jobs on your resume.
I like my job.If I can provide you of examples otherwise - will you admit you are wrong? I didn't think so.
TOOT TOOT!
Keep blowing that same old horn Sky.
The converts will answer your call I'm sure.
08-13-2013, 01:11 PM
#17
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Everyone has made some decent points. There is no problem with asking the question in this forum or any other forum. To not question a major life decision would be foolish. It is smart of you to take the time to think these things out.
If it is real estate, railroads, or flying you need to figure out what it is that you will enjoy doing on a daily basis. I love flying and it removes me from the stresses of every day life. For others it may just be a job. The nights on the road are tough. Time away from family, lack of control over your schedule, constant travel are a few negatives.
Depending on who you would end up flying for the uncertainty of a merger or company acquisition could change your future in an instant. That could go with most jobs, but is particularly noticeable in today's aviation environment.
I think the future is bright if you could get with a major in the next few years. None of us really know so keep some other opportunities in your back pocket.
If it is real estate, railroads, or flying you need to figure out what it is that you will enjoy doing on a daily basis. I love flying and it removes me from the stresses of every day life. For others it may just be a job. The nights on the road are tough. Time away from family, lack of control over your schedule, constant travel are a few negatives.
Depending on who you would end up flying for the uncertainty of a merger or company acquisition could change your future in an instant. That could go with most jobs, but is particularly noticeable in today's aviation environment.
I think the future is bright if you could get with a major in the next few years. None of us really know so keep some other opportunities in your back pocket.
08-15-2013, 01:32 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2013
Position: CEO
Posts: 193
Originally Posted by iPilot88
Yes, another one of these questions. 
I am 21 years old, about 1.5 years away from a bachelors degree in Health information management. I currently have my private pilots license which I received after 41 hours of flight time. My dream is to fly and actually get paid descent for it lol. Hopefully a major in the future.
I should be able to pay for all flight training without accumulating any debt. I'm thinking about purchasing an airplane to help cut down on costs and then instruct out of it once I become a CFI. I also have minimal debt from college that should be easy to pay off.
I work as a janitor at the high school I graduated from lol but it works out good as all my classes are online so I can live at home and work and save money. My new fiance whom I proposed to in the plane and wrote marry me? in a field (so romantic I know
) works as registered nurse and is fully supportive of me doing this and makes enough to support us both. My flight instructor is a first officer for American and should have some connections for me I hope.
So if you were in my situation, what would you do? I feel like I am in a good position, just hard work and a lot of flying ahead.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I am 21 years old, about 1.5 years away from a bachelors degree in Health information management. I currently have my private pilots license which I received after 41 hours of flight time. My dream is to fly and actually get paid descent for it lol. Hopefully a major in the future.
I should be able to pay for all flight training without accumulating any debt. I'm thinking about purchasing an airplane to help cut down on costs and then instruct out of it once I become a CFI. I also have minimal debt from college that should be easy to pay off.
I work as a janitor at the high school I graduated from lol but it works out good as all my classes are online so I can live at home and work and save money. My new fiance whom I proposed to in the plane and wrote marry me? in a field (so romantic I know
) works as registered nurse and is fully supportive of me doing this and makes enough to support us both. My flight instructor is a first officer for American and should have some connections for me I hope. So if you were in my situation, what would you do? I feel like I am in a good position, just hard work and a lot of flying ahead.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
When I was your age, I had a similar dilemma. I wanted to fly so bad, I couldn't stand it. I had my instrument rating at 17 and was ready to go. My father talked me into going to college and I got a Computer Science degree. I still wanted to fly so after I graduated, I joined the Air Force and flew B-52's. Unfortunately, my eyes went bad in 1976 and couldn't pass the flight physical. Nothing major, just not up to specs. After 7 years, I separated and went to work for a large computer company and focused on making money. That wouldn't have been possible without my degree.
My point is that I never considered I would have a problem that wouldn't allow me to fly. Not when I was 20 or 21. Just something to consider.
BTW, our corporate flight department only hires pilots with degrees.
In any event, I wish you the best of luck with your decision.
Last edited by Lucky8888; 08-15-2013 at 01:46 AM.
08-15-2013, 12:08 PM
#20
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Position: Professional gear swinger.
Posts: 65
I would think twice
I have been flying for about 6 years and don't get me wrong, I love flying. I just wish it wasn't my career. I have seen friends die, I'm always broke, and Im never home. They say there is a pilot shortage and there is, for the crappy jobs people don't want. If I could do it all over again I would take the 100k I'm in debt and get my masters in a stable career field.
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