Melissa2832

Hi everyone,

I am looking for some honest advice here. I am 19 (almost 20) have my PPL, and am wrapping up my IFR in the next week or so. I LOVE flying with a passion and it's the only time I'm truly happy. However, I am going to be wrapping up college in the next two years with a Mechanical Engineering degree. Although I don't necessarily enjoy Engineering, I thought it would be a good backup plan.

Now, my mom is supportive of my love for flying and me wanting to eventually fly for the airlines, but the rest of my family is not. They keep encouraging me to go to law school because I am good at debating, etc.

I know that this is my life, but they have some good points; being a lawyer or Engineer, I'll make a lot of money, be home a lot and be able to own my own company one day, thus making more money. However, I think of all the airline pilots out there, and just the thought of the travelling, the flying, etc. makes me decide against being a lawyer/engineer.

However, I am very worried about the pay at regionals and the airlines. Some say that QOL will improve in the next years, but in aviation, there is no "always". I live outside of DTW, so if I could end up working there, I think my QOL would increase immensely. However, I am worried about being away from my future husband and kids for many days on end. I am fortunate, however, that my family lives near DTW as well, and would watch the kids every once in a while.

Any advice from the pilots out there?

say again

Do what you want to do, not what your family wants you to do. (Though I do agree with them).

Melissa2832

Thanks for the answer! If you honestly had to redo everything over again, would you become a pilot or would you have become something else?

Slick111

No you're not.


(Sorry. I couldn't stop myself)

biigD

You didn't ask me, but I'd absolutely become a pilot if that's what you truly want to do. It hasn't always been easy, but I wouldn't change a thing given the choice. I love what I do. But it also demands things of me personally that although they don't bother me, might bother you. So just go in with your eyes open. Ask the questions, learn how to separate the wheat from the chaff on the internet, and follow your instincts.

And don't forget to have fun along the way. It's easy to forget that while you're dreaming about the 777, some of the most fun you're going to have is in that 172 you're flying right now. Enjoy the process.

Cubdriver

I would advise go into engineering first and while doing that build flight tickets and flight hours as a hobby. Take your time and enjoy it. Engineering is the better industry by and large, and you have an early enough start that a career change in your twenties to airlines will not hurt you very much if you eventually decide to do it. While in engineering, I would avoid the bizjet sector if you were thinking about going there except for Gulfstream or a military contractor, because they have had terrible sales for the last 6 years and it looks like more bad times lie ahead. LearJet for example is laying off a thousand in Wichita and the bizjet portion of aircraft manufacturing never recovered from the Recession.

eman

If you can keep your finances in check, stay out of debt as much as possible all around, prepare for the rough times ahead and adopt a good attitude about going through some trying times then do it! It is fun, rewarding and you will be happy anywhere with the right attitude.




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Xdashdriver

I started out flying, then left, and I'm now back. Although I have no regrets, if I did have the chance to start over I would have not left flying in the first place.

If being a lawyer does not interest you now, I would not pursue it because some in your family say you are good at debating. Making verbal arguments is a very small part of even the most accomplished trial lawyers out there. Most of the time is spent doing legal research and writing up legal documents etc etc.

If I were in your shoes I would finish up the engineering degree and then pursue your flying career. I would second the notion of going in with your eyes wide open. Be ready for anything but try not to set your expectations too much on other people's experience.

spank

My .02...

Become a lawyer/engineer. Buy your own plane or a share of one and fly for fun.

No matter who you talk to, after a while flying is just another job. There are some great days that I think, "Wow, I get paid for this?"...

Then there are the days where I've been on the road for 12 out of the last 14 days, I've missed my wife's birthday, my best friend's wedding, and my nephew's 5th grade graduation.

I had an opportunity to join a family business out of school that would have more than covered any financial burdens, and I would be spending every night in my own bed, with a regular schedule, and a "normal" life outside of work. I pursued aviation because I couldn't see myself doing anything else. I now realize that it doesn't take a genius to fly a plane. In the corporate side of things smarts and personality can get you quite far. However, in the airlines, once you're in the door you're nothing more than a number on a seniority list... I've seen both sides with a regional and a solid corporate department. Do I rule out jumping to a major at some point? No, but I have to get the call and hope that in 5 years I'm not furloughed wishing I would have stayed corporate or took that offer from the other major...

Do I hate my job? No, but the fluidity of my schedule? Absolutely.(good corporate Job, not great, but good)

Do I love my job? Sometimes. But those days are few and far between. I show up, do my job, make the best of my time on the road, and look forward to getting home to see my wife and friends.

Do I miss a lot of things and events I wish I could be a part of? Quite often... Even those with "a great schedule" might be half way around the world when something happens and all they want to do is be home.

20/20 hindsight, I would join the family business. Fly for "fun", and envy those that get to "fly for a living". I would have already started a family of my own, avoided a boatload of unnecessary debt, and have been in a much more advantageous position financially both now and in retirement.

I have no regrets, but I'm a realist. Few people that enter the profession end up with the "dream" jobs these days. There aren't as many as there used to be. It takes a lot of luck, great timing, networking, and the perfect career progression to reach the pinnacle.

I could talk good and bad all night. In the end, you'll have to make the decision and it won't be an easy one. Good luck in whatever path you choose, cheers!

TallFlyer

First, you need to do some more research, particularly with people who have done the daily grind of engineering. I suspect it will not be as good a lifestyle as you would expect. I know for myself, the thought of a 9-5 M-F, vs what I have now, well, no thanks.

Also, regarding pay, you also have to keep in mind that a lot of guys are dealing with regional pay while carrying around a lot of debt, and servicing that debt while on 1st year regional pay, while also trying to eat is not the easiest.

My recommendation would be this: finish the engineering degree, get a job that lets you pay for your remaining training out of pocket. At that point, you're going to have a decent idea of the engineering world and if you like that track, vs aviation.

Secondly, join Women in Aviation and find yourself a mentor.