firemedic

Hey all, newbie here! Seein if I could get some feedback on my current situation. I work as a career firefighter/medic (decent pay, benefits, pension), and have my private along with a good portion of instrument training. Few years back was hard core lookin to do a career change. Looked into all the academies, visited DCA when they still operated....but in the end decided to stick with the current job.
Two of my old CFI's are at Eagle, along with a neighbor as well. Them, along with other guys I talked to highly advise I not career change...but instead get 20 years in and secure the pension first. Thats kinda where Im at......I have 9 years left, in which time I plan to finish ratings, get CFI, and spend the remaining years getting the time needed. I'll have my full 20 years in 2023, and I'll be 43 years old. Whats your thoughts on this ? I see it as a good thing because I'll have the secure pension, and a paramedic cert for side work. As opposed to throwin it all away now !

emb145

Get your instrument, commercial, multi, CFI, CFII then instruct on your off days over the next 9 years. Build time and network. You might get a Part 91 or 135 break by knowing people at your local airport and get yourself into a King Air or similar on off days. If you want an airline opportunity by the time you retire, it will be there for you. Under no circumstances do NOT quit your current job till you retire. You will still have 22 years of Part 121 eligibility.

firemedic

yep emb, thats the plan.....I was lucky to get on the FD really young, so I'll be younger than most when I hit retirement age. the only possibility of a monkey wrench into the deal would be if somethin happens with the city.....which isnt out of the question.....they have financial problems, and theres always the rumors and talk of downsizing and/or contracting our services out......never know unfortunately

galaxy flyer

2023 should be perfect, hired at the end of huge hiring boom, F/O for a career.

GF

firemedic

theres that problem also yes

Rama

You have a good job with decent pay and are 9 years from retirement. You can still have a 20 year career after that and will be better off financially during the low paying and lean years. Career decisions are not easy, but this seems to greatly favor retiring from your current job.

VanHalen

I retired in 2010 after 20 years as a medic/chief of a municipal EMS organization. Love collecting a pension and flying. It was worth the wait. Good luck!

firemedic

nice ! Ive know a few pilots that were medics / fire on the side, or that flew after retirement. One guy that is a part timer I work with (very part time) flies for republic

JamesNoBrakes

Regionals, 135s, fractionals, and others have enough pilots to feed to mainline for them to be all stocked up for decades to come, everyone is just waiting for this huge "pilot shortage" (airline surplus) and as soon as it happens, ranks of regional pilots are gone. Then what happens? Well, not much, the regionals scramble to fill their ranks. So basically he could jump ship right now and be a career regional pilot, or wait to 2023 and be a career FO (according to you). Then factor in possibly losing medical, airline merging, airline going out of business (especially regionals), etc. And then what are you left with if you gave up on 11 years towards retirement as a firefighter? Nothing.

I think the idea above about getting all your ratings and certs on the side, instructing, making contacts, while still working towards that pension is about the best idea in the world. Then if some crazy opportunity came along, he could go for it, but all the while he's making GOOD money, going to get a PENSION, and eventually getting some hours and certifications, heck, maybe he'll figure there's more money and fun to be had in some other form of piloting along the way. Jumping ship right now though and getting in line for the "huge pilot shortage of 2023" is a bad idea...

firemedic

yea, I mean if I had only 5 years in......like I did back when I considered it before.....maybe would consider it. but 11 years.......thats to much to just throw away. Basically, would get penalized for withdrawing and loose a lot