Have you thought about flying in the military? Fighters in the AF, attack RW in the army? I'm a military guy about to hit 20, and leaving is VERY hard as my job is to fly and blow stuff up. That's kinda fun. But make no mistake, it ain't always great. Sometimes it's about all you can do not to (insert suicide example/metaphor here) due to boredom or BS.

BUT, I can say with little doubt, this career has the highest highs.....but damn, some of the lowest lows.

Yes, I have. I have applied to several ANG squadrons but no bites. Since I'll be 29 soon I figure the military option is out since I am nearing the age limit. So, the civilian path it is.

I just wanted to update this thread for anyone who was/is in a similar situation as me.

I took a handful of lessons towards the IR but haven't finished and at this time I don't have any plans on finishing in the near future.

It was disappointing to not enjoy the flying as much as I thought I should have. I was getting in the same routine as during my PPL where I was getting bored during flights. The whole ordeal was uninspiring and after the flights I was very fatigued. Some of the landings were cool but that was about it. I also did not enjoy the instructor putting me through the wringer (I know it is part of the training process but I just did not want to deal with it after already dealing with the stress from my day job). Furthermore, I could not stay focused white study the IR material and honestly it was purely due to a lack of interest. I tried a LOT of coffee, watching aviation videos on youtube for motivation, looking at airline salaries, etc. But...the interest just wasn't there. After looking at the mountain of work and sacrifices in front of me which was required to get to the majors, it was obvious that I would burn out way before crossing that finish line...and even then the prospect of getting to the majors didn't do much for me after realizing the lackluster-ness I was feeling this early on in my career.

I also found that my focus was constantly being at least partially detracted by how lopsided and cutthroat the industry traditionally has been towards pilots. I think it is appalling how many people go into this profession due to their passion for it and the airline companies exploit them with low salaries, career insecurity, and sometimes career stagnation. The industry perhaps should be nationalized somehow because the supply and demand structure does not do justice for the sacrifices individuals have to make to attempt to succeed in the industry. Perhaps this was the wrong approach, but I approached my training with somewhat of a chip on my shoulder even though the industry hasn't done anything to me personally...yet. I found it offensive how I am being expected to pour everything I have into my own training and yet the industry can change overnight with some kind of unforeseeable crisis in the world and I could be out on the street with no income. I could not shake this dull nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I was a fool. I realize many who took the plunge will find that offensive, but it's the truth. For those who do, I hope they find solace that the industry is booming right now and they will likely find their preferred job placement within the next few years as layoffs at the major increase. I hope they get the last laugh here, I really do.

Perhaps I should of pulled the trigger on this when I was in my late teens/early 20's when I was more gung-ho and naive.

Perhaps military aviation would of been more interesting due to the tactical flying aspect and fact that weapons systems are involved. Also, going the military route is very justified in my eyes due to the paid-training and seeming preference military pilots get when it comes to airline jobs. This is the definitely the path I would recommend to someone who knows for sure they want to be a career pilot.

Anyway, that's my update. I'll likely always keep an eye on aviation and will def go flying here and there, but only as a hobbyist. I'm glad I got as far as I did and it is unfortunate that all it did was rule out the career for me. 10 years on this forum and all I have is my PPL so I guess the writing is on the wall based on that fact as well. As far as careers go I started reading a great book by MJ Demarco about being an entrepreneur and I find it much more exciting than the FAA handbook. Not to mention, the prospect of succeeding as an entrepreneur and the associated economic freedom from that seems much more worthy of my efforts.

I hope this is somehow helpful to others thinking about the career.

Good move
 

Congratulations on your early discovery that aviation is not the right career for you. Some people reach that conclusion only after spending a lot more time and money than you did.

7thgear,

I don't mean any offence by this, but is it possible you have other issues going on like depression? You keep mentioning stress, fatigue and lacking motivation a lot, and seeing people as "arrogant" or "putting you through the wringer".

Whatever industry you work in, there will be those who put you through the wringer, whether it is a pilot, doctor, your line manager in an office job, or a customer.

I appreciate you asking that. Funny, I have thought about it. Unfortunately going to see a doctor might disqualify me from holding a medical if I'm diagnosed with depression.

I am in a much better mood when I'm on a vacation. Perhaps i'll take some time off work and give flying another shot and reassess at that point. Next time around I think I would just resign from my job and do ATP's "all in" program.

I am currently a CPL student, here's my experience so far. Granted, I love flying and haven't really experienced boredom aside from long XC's, but hear me out.

Get your IR. The studying sucks yes, but I guarantee when you finally get to fly into imc, it will be exciting and everything you learned will make sense. It's an entirely different style of flying and is fun in its own right.

For your CPL XC Solos, group them together into multiple day trips. Go to cool airports! Bring a tent and camp overnight, or get a hotel in a fun place and explore. Land in class B airports, and also go land at uncontrolled fields. Aviation is about adventure and exploration, you can't let it become monotonous. Not in GA anyway. Sure, maybe airline flying will get boring, but hey you have free flights to anywhere in the world.

If you aren't an adventurous person at heart, then yeah maybe aviation isn't for you. But maybe it's just an issue with your training. Does your school let you take planes overnight? If not, find a new school that will allow it. I just got back from a 3 day xc solo all around the Rocky Mountains, and it was awesome!

Sorry to hear about it all, but if you try again, keep this all in mind.

QUOTE: " I am in a much better mood when I'm on a vacation. Perhaps i'll take some time off work and give flying another shot and reassess at that point."

To the OP, this is perfectly normal! Vacations are alot more fun than work. That is why work is a 4-letter word. Think of work as an 8-hour-per-day necessary inconvenience that hopefully allows you to do what you want to when you are not working. Fly G/A for fun! It's a whole lot more satisfying, kinda like a mini vacation on your own terms...

If you found the PPL boring there is no way that you would make it through the Instrument. You made the right choice to pick something else. If the PPL was boring, then you would not enjoy military flying either. There are plenty of pilots with children who have limited interest in aviation. It is not a career for everyone and even when someone is extremely passionate about flying it is hard to recommend it as a career choice with the QOL issues that come with it. There is a good reason why so many pilots are divorced and it has to do with the job not being an everyday 8-5 schedule. Most women want stability in their lives and it is hard to offer that when you are a pilot.