kjm7217

So a little back story first. When i was really young, id say between 4 and 6 years old every weekend my mom would take me to the regional airport and we would watch all the planes take off and land and i was absolutely fascinated by it. My grandad also had a small Cessna that he would fly down south every Sunday with my grandma.

I am currently 22 and enlisted in the Marines (first and last contract) and i get out next year. I have no flight training at all. The past few days I have been researching and digging up the good and ugly truths about being a pilot. The largest deterrent for me becoming a pilot is the cost. But my desire to fly is still as strong as when I was younger. I do not know if i want to fly for major airlines or if i would be perfectly happy with regional. I am sure at some point i would want to progress my career. I am looking for similar personal situations if there are any so i might follow that general path. Thanks in advance!

e5casey

Would you be happy if you worked at McDonald's and made the single cheeseburgers for $10/hr and found out the guy making the double cheeseburgers made $30/hr?

kjm7217

If I was perfectly happy flipping that one burger then I wouldn't mind, so that guy making the double cheese burgers can flip all the patties he wants. It really does depend on how much I enjoy flying when it comes to it. Who knows maybe i will only like it as a recreation or maybe i would want to turn it into a career in which case I might try to go major. But I don't know yet.

Flatspot89

I taught for a while and it seemed the military guys and girls had it made. Their training was all paid for and they even got money for cost of living, so long as you went to the right flight school. If its what you want to do, than do it. There's bad things about every job. The airlines have sometimes more than other. Being a recreational pilot can be fun, however very costly. If you want a 152 to do touch and goes its probably within reach. If you want a plane that goes over 90kts and you can go some where in it then your talking serous money. Do what you want and don't get discouraged by the horor stories, it can be a fun and rewarding career if you keep the right mind set (and have a bit of luck).

block30

Thanks for your service, first off. I'm a Chair Guard guy , forgive me. If you have any questions, PM me. I definitely encourage you to fly for fun. Beyond that, flying is a big investment, even with military benefits, so the decision isn't so cut and dry in my mind. This is not to say I discourage you from flying professionally either.

globalexpress

The Truth About the Profession - Home

mexipilot84

If there were any flying clubs on post or within the area you could get a start on some flying before you ETS. Your GI Bill should help tremendously with the new version of it. I had to do a 60/40 program for flight school when I got out so a bit harder financially, now it seems it's better? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. With the new ATP mins I'd prolly recommend doing it through an FAA approved college program for the reduced mins. While an aviation degree is not the most practical route the new law seems to make it a the only short cut to the new mins.

kjm7217

@mexipilot84 With the new Post 9/11 Bill, the cap on the payments is about 12k per academic year. I'm not sure if there are any loopholes where i can get the full benefit for it. I have been researching it for the past couple nights. Do you have any recommendations? And i have already looked up a few airports around my next duty station since my time at this one (currently in okinawa) is up.

@flatspot89 Where did you teach at? And the Post 9/11 gives students a sergeants BAH pay with dependents. And that is per month while the student is at school, not including summer/winter break. And it varies on the location. it can be anywhere from 1k to 2400 (rough estimate) in expensive areas.

@globalexpress Thanks I just read the entire site start to finish. And as many uglies that it has, I'm still going to shoot for it. Even if I was stuck at a regional airport as a captain, I would be content (for a mid-range goal in life)

@block30 Don't worry, no forgiveness needed and thank you. We all come from different walks of life and choose different paths. And as big of an investment it may be, its my passion like i said before. I have a lot of questions, though I know a lot of them I can find the answers to with a little digging on the faa website. But if I am stuck i will definitely send you a pm or post it.


Now I do have one quesiton. Is having a bachelors required or preferred when going for a piloting position at a regional airport?

block30

Bachelor's degrees are preferred, not required for any regional (I can think of.) I'm not sure what your free time is like, but if you can take or CLEP some classes towards even an associate's degree I would. I know the Air Force offers a two year degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Once you start flying for a job you can finish a four year degree online.

Also, I'm not insinuating you have done anything, but be a good person legally....i.e. avoid things that may *seem* trivial, such as speeding tickets. So obviously, anything more than that is a no-no. I just know what my military experience is like--a bunch of young folks with lots of pent up energy, go drink and party hard from time to time.

kjm7217

Okay, I am looking into college for the last 14 months that I am on active duty. And I'm not worried about any record. No speeding tickets or trouble with the popos. However, I do enjoy to drink and have a good time. But I know when to cut myself off.