Are things any better?
 

I am a former flight instructor CFI, CFII, MEI with about 925 TT and an aeronautical studies degree (still owe about $75 K on). I left flying just over 2 years ago after I could not stand being broke any more and saw my debt spiraling out of control (using plastic to help make ends meet) and my credit rating being destroyed. This coupled with a constant barrage of bad news coming from the industry and any hopes of getting to a regional pushed further and further out of reach. This was after moving half way across the country to take a job flight instructing at a college making less per hour (when all face time is considered) than a guy stocking shelves at Wal-Mart. All this while my sizable student loans entered repayment, rent prices went through the roof, and my wife was suffering along with me to trying to make ends meet. Not to mention the fact I had a very tough time just getting through college because my parents could not really afford to help.

Even considering all this it was the hardest thing I ever did because I love flying and have always dreamed of flying for an airline. I guess there just came a day when I realized that this career is a money pit, and if I continue down this path I could end up pennyless and possibly divorced. It is so sad what has happened to one of the greatest careers in the world, and to think how many people besides myself have worked so hard to train, and for what, to make less than many Americans with far less education and training. It is a tragedy that the dreams of so many hopeful pilots have led them to a race to the bottom. It seems today that the "paying your dues" period is lifelong.

It is so discouraging to hear the people actually flying the heavy metal deciding to leave the career because they have all ready made it. It seemed to me insane to continue chasing a dream job that no longer existed when the people that already have it do not even want it (and to go broke doing it). Sorry for the bitter tone but I cannot help this seeing what has become of this once great career. Over 2 years later I have not even rented a plane because after leaving it all behind it is very hard to even be around planes. I am afraid to catch that bug again as flying is very addictive.

That being said there is some faint glimmer of hope still in me, and for this reason I have decided to maintain my instructor licenses. Can anyone still in the trenches let me know what the industry is like for instructors today. Is there any hope in sight or have things gotten even worse?

For all of you students and instructors still struggling to make this career work (and ends meet) my heart goes out to you, and I wish you the best of luck. Comments welcome. :(

As a current flight instructor, I can tell if I could do it all over again I would go to some major aviation college to teach. Not to learn. For example Daniel Webster in Nashua has their flight instructors on annual salary and there is always plenty of students. There does not seem to be enough students at local flight schools to maintain a decent pace ad make any money. That is just my two cents. PM me if you want any more info on Daniel Webster I know a few folks there.

Flybye
 

FB,

Pass your tale along to FlyerJosh and the rest of the cheer staff. They maintain that I am nuts when I have a slightly negative opinion of aviation.

SkyHigh

It is disrespectful when you speak ill of it.

When you are so blunt about how you hate it and how the world is ending you don't ever seem to take the time to think that you are treading on our dreams. Eversince I was a little child I wanted to be a pilot. I went to college and majored in aviation to be a pilot. I am being hired tomorrow as a CFI where I plan to continue until I obtain my main goals. I would not had made it this far were it not for dreams. If you don't like it. Don't do it. Don't come to the forum, don't get in a plane, don't persue it any further. Do something you do like. This is what we like and we will defend it. You don't chose to be an aviator. It sounds like you chose.

flybye & TD,

Check your Private Message Boxes. ~J

the current state of the industry spurred me to do something i've always wanted to do but never could quite start: my novel. it's about one third written and it's really good. this from someone who is incredibly self-critical and knows crap when he sees it.

the point is that everyone has talents that lie outside of this job; a job that used to be the best in the world.

a few years ago, i truly believed the death spiral the airline industry was and is currently in could be corrected. i no longer believe that. the industry itself will survive and thrive at some point, of course, generating huge bonuses and obscene compensation packages for management. sadly, the pilots will be forced to endure smaller and smaller total compensation until, finally, we're making what an assembly line worker makes... or less. and guess who did it to us? we did... by allowing ourselves to put "flying" before profession. NW just took a 24% hit, DL will follow, the next airline, probably AA will follow, then us at CO again, then NW will be back again, then DL... and on and on and on. when all is said and done, we'll be making about what a McDonald's manager makes... without the free meal.

i asked my son tonight at dinner what he wanted to be "in a few years" (never, "when you grow up", of course). he still wants to be a pilot. thankfully, he has incredible entreprenurial skills even at his age and will make a ton of money; it just won't be in flying and this makes me sad.

my best advice is to look within yourself; a real and deep soul-search. if you must fly, i wish you the best.

There comes a point where you have to laugh and say "is this worth it?" Well is it? You have put this much time and effort and MONEY (apparently 75k worth) into this career. If you truley wanta be an Avi8ter then stick it out.

You have probably seen the worst of things. But the truth is its only gonna get tuffer. Any job you take (cfi, commuter, frieght) is gonna leave you strapped for cash at the end of the month. The bills are going to keep rolling in and with the co-signer you probably used and the new backrupcy laws coming into effect- bankrupcy may be out of the question.

I'm not trying to be a jerk when I say this- just truthful- you made your bed now you have to lay in it. But if you truley want to stay in the industry- there are things you can do.

First off, I know people that spent the money you spent for education on a car- yea thats right- a car . Now there is debt over a stupid shiney car. Puts things into perspective huh?

Second- There are many options, Military, Air National Guard or start networking at you local airports for a right seat job with a salary.

Third, get a part time job work nights- work on the line at the airport (another way to network for a job.)

I think you have spent a lot of time and cash to just hang it up. Just stick it out a bit longer and you may be surprised.

Keep the blue side up.

T-Duck
 

TD,

I am sorry if I come off as disrespectful. My aim is to slap some reality out there. Aviation is like a disease or addiction. What else could make a capable and gifted person throw 150K at a career (4 years of university plus 45K in flight training) to get a job someday that pays less than the post office.
Aviation isn't a dream anymore it is a fantasy. I have no doubt that in ten years all of us on this forum will be flying on the weekends and doing something else for a living. If I can help someone to make a clean break sooner then I have done my job.

SKyHigh

Party
 

Guys,

If Kill Bill says the party's over then it MUST be true.


Bill if you are out there I would really appreciate a signed copy of your book when it comes out.

SkyHigh

I appreciate all the responses.
 

The fact is instructing was not my first flying gig as I worked on many seasonal jobs also. As far as having a second job I actually had a third job to try to make ends meet.

I can remember the propaganda of aeronautical schools "Now is the best time in history to train!" If the flying industry is bad at the time they tell you: "You should train now because then you will be prepared for the turn around that is right around the corner. When the industry is good they tell you: "You should train now because the industry is better now than it has ever been."

What is happening in the industry is the "Wal-Mart effect" combined with pilots love to fly. This is the recipe for exploitation. This industry is moving to a low-cost model and once it proceeds down this path there is no turning back. Passengers love a deal and the days of the gravy train (1st-class corporate travelors) are done. This means the race to the bottom of the low-cost model has begun. Like Wal-Mart the lowest cost players will likely win out.

My advice to anyone considering entering this field is to have a realistic backup! A few extra classes is not enough. Get a degree in something else (anything else) because you will likely need it. Pursue this career only if your love of flying is stronger than all the instinct and logic you have in you. The sad truth is we are in many ways worse off than the starving artist because flying demands huge outlays of money to enter the field, continue training, and to maintain currency and qualifications. That is what makes aviation so different is the enormous investment both financially and mentally. The reward should reflect this, but it doesn't because people will do anything just to continue flying.

For those of you that have already made it my hat goes off to you. Just be sure to hold on with both hands and appreciate what you have. The advice I offer is mainly for new entrants and people struggling with no end in site. Keep your witts about you and know when to fold them because this industry will never be the same again. :(

some of you are going to jump all over me for this but......

i know a mexican kid that grew up poor. he did well in school and always tried his best. grade school thru high school above average student and still poor.

i know a mexican kid that was about to start college when his dad left his mom for another woman. he never went to that college, but he started the local CC.

i know a mexican kid who joined the National Guard to get the GI Bill so one day he could attend a university. he never got that chance. while his mom worked at Mcdonalds....yes Mcdonalds(and went to nursing school) he worked various restaurant jobs to help pay the bills. he failed at attempts to start car washes, lawn cutting serrvices and even management.

i know a mexican kid who was working as a water delivery guy driving and G-DAMN truck around all day sweating 6am to 7pm. he finally went home one evening and told his loving wife he was not happy with his job(s). she asked him "what would you really like to do?" and the mexican kid said i always wanted to fly an airplane.

i know a mexican kid that picked up a phone book and began calling airports to find out what you had to do to get a certificate. then he managed to scrape some savings, donations(from that hard working mom) and a small loan.

that mexican kid got his ratings and then became an instructor and now is upgrading and his current regional. not exactly that conventional airline pilot career track.

my point is.....it is a matter of perspective.....i am that mexican kid and for me at least....i "made" it. whatever that is. im happy, have nice home and family. i'll never know what it is like to make $300,000 a year, but for me its like i already do.

some might say that it is people like me who are bringing down this profession, but i say im bringing some people up.

Efforts
 

FOTGTD,

We were all that same kid. It is a hard road for all. My question is, Just think of where you could have been by now if you had directed all those efforts towards something with a better return.

SkyHigh

SKyhigh,

I think you are missing my point. I will not argue with you about some with a better return. For me, this is the better return.

I tried a few business ideas and can wait the hell out of some tables, but for me it was a dead end. I never finished that 4-year, work got in the way and quite frankly...im not that smart. I lost interest quickly. Aviation gave me the motivation to study and I loved it. Now im trying to finish college slowly at my pace.

Everyone is different. This is the path that has worked for me. You cannot make a blanket statement that "this industry sucks, look eleswhere". Im sorry it sucks for you. You seem much more capable than myself to make another career move.

I'll Always remember....

Doug Flutie was too short.

it's yours. i'll let you know when it's published. even if i can't sell it, i'm still going to publish it myself. but i honestly think it will sell.

Bill
 

Thanks Bill I am looking forward to it.


SkyHigh

Well said, FOTGTD!

Hey Guys
 

Hey Guys,

There is a common denominator to us all and that is that we need to be able to make a living at it. If you can't and are being supplemented by a rich wife or parents then it isn't a job anymore and becomes a working hobby.

Somebody's got to to it I guess.

Best of Luck,

SkyHigh

How much should we make?
 

I still dont understand? People say how bad things are in aviation right know, but how much should we make? If you were a 5 year captian at Skywest you would make $63.00 an hour. That's around $63,000 a year. With per diem you can throw in a little more. $63,000 a year( minus taxes) will be a good living if you live in SLC. That's still much higher than the average income in the US. I'm a lucky one with no debt at all; so I can live on $63,000 a year. I'm young enough, I dont know what the "good old days" were like. I'm not trying to fight. ( there's another forum for that) If stuff sucks now, I would have loved to be a pilot 20+ years ago. Sorry, it just doesn't seem that bad?

i am wondering from the same people who complain, sky high and kill bill, what has got you guys hating this career so much. you make six figures a year and still complain. i worked for seven years in a warehouse were i made 45k a year for seven years. yet in those seven years i bought two cars, a house, furnished it and went to college. i understand that you guys are upset about losing alot of pay in the last few years but reaching mc donalds manger pay is a little low. give up the crying about how you use to make over 200k. you are still considered the rich by the standerds in this country even at 130k a year.

I 2nd this notion

You Guys
 

Guys,

60K per year is nothing. The average median house price is 380K in SEA right now. I don't know what it is in SLC but it can't be to far behind. Most of you are thinking in terms of your needs today. By the time you make it to that 63K you will probably have a wife and a few kids in tow. That 63K will disappear like water. 63K is a good chunk if change but it is nothing compared to the investment of 5 years in college and 150K in cash and a few years of earning poverty wages it takes to get there. At 63K/year if you do the math it would take the rest of your career to break even. Sure you could make your wife work or you could ask your parents for help, but most of us spend the time in college and extra investment so we could enjoy a better life than others. In today's world it takes at least 100K to fully power a middle class family of four. Busting your can for 5 years in college then another 5 years building time so you can get to Skywest and another 5 years till you upgrade only then to make less than a 20 year old new hire firefighter is pretty disappointing. It might be hard to see now but in 15 years you will be screaming mad.

SkyHigh

Skyhigh, Im not trying to be an a$$ but let me ask you a few questions. Since i know nothing about your personal background please correct any wrong assumptions that may be made.

What is your latte factor? Where does your money go? And i dont care if you make 60 grand or 150 grand. I have plenty of friends that make more than I. its not that hard to do. And a majority of them are in serious debt. 10 grand or more on credit cards and increasing everyday. they only pay the minimum payment. everytime a new "gadget" comes out they just HAVE to have it, NOW! Lease or buy a new car every three years....what a waste! they tend to buy the best clothing and eat out two/three times a week....i wish i could do all that. but you know what? i dont allow myself to live on borrowed money anymore. i used to be one of those guys when i was younger(im 33).

there is an old saying in texas "Big Hat, No Cattle". if you just scratch the surface of most peoples financial lives....they are a mess. the sad part is that our school system doesnt prepare students for the financial world. we only learn about money management from our parents/family. we probaly all can see our parents within ourselves.

point is....most people get a raise and the money is already spent....bigger house, new boat, huge vacation.....

i would encourage any of you who would like a good place to start to learn about money read David Bach's "Automatic Millionare" it will get you thinking.

now dont assume that i live the life of a hermit. my wife,son and i enjoy vacations and a nice night out every month or so. we plan for it. my son plays soccer and basketball and what im most proud of......we all talk about money together. i tell why we are unable to buy X product, but maybe we can save for it. we have bought stocks together now.....he's 7 .....i ask what are some of your favorite toys. after he names the first 100 or so we look up what companies make the games and then we buy stock in that company. he loves to see how much money he "made". plus its fun and hes learning.

i dont want him to grow up the way i did. scared to even talk about money. it was always NO! and we cant afford it.......now i say how CAN we afford it.

remember im just sharing my thoughts about money and salaries. airline pilot, school teacher, garbage man.....it really doesnt matter how much you make, its how much you SPEND.

Nice post...You're right about the spending / living on borrowed money...I was lucky to have parents that took the time to educate me on finances. I'm proud to say I've done well for myself on an enlisted , now commissioned salary in the military...When enlisted, I invested my extra money on an education to get that commission so i could have the extra money to put into investments / property...It takes self-control , discipline, and a healthy dose of wanting to improve to make changes for the better in ones life...

Financial knowledge is lacking in the USA...I don't understand why - with all the resources available to individuals...

-LA

I understand about how the running the debt throught the roof while you try to go to college, but running up 300k in school debt is a little outragous. If you want a career in something you research, plan, and find the best possible means to achieve that goal cheaply. There is not very many jobs out there today that you can walk into paying for school loans, new house, and new family. Most jobs will hire you at 40-50k a year and it will take time to move up. I have been researching airline pilot stuff for three years now and I have been planning for the 20k first year. And what is suprising is you guys talk about how good it use to be. I read a book a few years back titled "How to become an Airline Pilot" written in 1981. The author was explaining about his experience of starting from no time and working up to a pan am FO job in the end. He even stated that his first year at pan am was less then 20k a year. My question to you is how does that differ from now with the first year FO at a major. If I remeber correctly it is around 40k. My ten year plan is to live very modest with my two kids and wife until I get enough time in the airline industry to make better money. In five years I should be able to make more then my last job which took three years to get up to the 45k mark. If you subtract training time it is the same amount of time to move up, but i am doing something i enjoy so that when i come home to my family I am smiling. People who come into an airline "career" that plan on becoming rich in five years have no idea what there getting into. Being young I have talked to many people who have been through different industries and they all, I say all, told me when you change careers expect to take a pay cut. I guess the sum of my long babbling is that you can and will be disappointed in this industry while it takes it first serious down turn if you come into it and plan on making 200k in the first few years.

I think some people are missing the point.
 

For some that have already "made it" this career is probably worth holding onto depending on your particular situation. For those that are just beginning training or are struggling to move past the instructing part this career can be a financial and mental nightmare. Achieving this career goes way beyond being broke for a couple of years (the way it used to be). Lets not kid ourselves! It has also gotten much worse since then. I think what Skyhigh is saying is there are much easier ways to make this kind of money and the struggle may no longer be worth the reward. If you live only to fly and do not care other aspects of life than none of this may apply to you.

Since I have left flying behind my income has increased 4x and that is working only part-time as a web designer/consultant. I taught myself to do this in about a year. Compare this to working 55-60 hours a week as an instructor plus commute and time away from home. I now have no commuting costs (I am self-employed and work at home), I can care for our newborn daughter (no daycare expense), and my stress level is about 1/4 what it was flight instructing. I am also my own boss and can make my own schedule. So in my case it was a smart move. That being said, I do miss the actual "flying" part and that is something money and freedom cannot replace.

Lets face one other fact. This career is difficult and stressful even in the best of times. My concern is the direction the industry is headed towards a low-cost model. This is not a temporary change. Of further concern is the rapid pace of advancement in cockpit automation. Soon learning to fly will be a simple matter and this will further add to the intense competition.

Flybye, I must respectfully disagree with the above statements. A fact is an absolute. It appears that your opinion is that you think this job is difficult and stressful.
This is the easiest job I've ever had. Beats landing on a pitching, heaving carrier deck at night in a rain storm and working 18 hour days on a ship. Beats a high speed pursuit or a building search for an armed suspect. Beats Marine OCS boot camp. Apparently you've not experienced stress. Your point about the low cost model is what? I make more flying a 737 than most heavy drivers....darn the low cost model.

FOTGTD excellent post. I use 10% to the LORD, 20% to Uncle Sam, 20 retirement savings, 50% household budget including short term savings. Used this model all my life. Basically pay God, Pay yourself (investment) and don't spend more than what's left over.

Finances
 

Guys,

Most simply said. It is crazy to spend 150K in college and training plus 5 years in college and then 10 more years to finally reach a point that pays only 60K per year. Most people who sacrifise that much earn quite a bit more. If you are comfortible with that then have at it. What I am trying to say is that there are much easier ways to make a lot more with less efforts and that anyone who is smart enough and determined enough to make it in the airlines could have had an easier life and better income if they had focused that power else where.

Just like FlyBye I was forced out a few years ago and have been shocked by how much better we are doing while self-employed.


SkyHigh

SWAcapt,

Respectfully, your background and experiences are uncommon and are not very relevant to this topic. The rest of us have had to self fund our flight training and have had to suffer years of wages less than 10K per year before making it to a regional. Any one of us would love to trade places with you. I would even give the lord 12% if he could secure me a sweet position at SWA. You have had a dream career that has always paid well. We are poor and facing a career without the SWA pay scale and that is the stress that Flybye is referring to. The stress of having a crushing debt load erase your dreams and endanger your financial life. I would you suggest you try walking a mile in these shoes before you criticize.


SkyHigh

SWAcapt, this is GOD! STANDBY FOR PAYPAL INFO!

Respectfully
 

SWAcapt if I was in your position right now I would still be in flying. That is the whole point. There are the "haves" and "have nots". For those that got in before the burst and managed to build up some seniority in a stable airline congratulations. You are very fortunate. For everyone else that is either on furlough, live in fear of furlough (or having their pay and benefits slashed), or have not even made it yet (like myself) we are not so fortunate. This has given myself and many others pause as to whether this career is still worth the sacrifice. Incidentally, I also served on active duty and also have quite a bit of civilian aerobatic experience so I can handle stress. Not to mention working 3 part-time jobs at once during college to help cover the staggering cost of an aeronautical degree. My congratulations on your SWA job. Now that is a well run airline!

Flybye, it's not an easy road regardless. This industry has gone through ups and downs many, many times and it seems it doesn't learn from it's mistakes. Some decide it's not for them, others like me decide to slug it out.

SWAcapt, like many others on here paid his dues too. They may not have been the same way you were, but the road isn't easy no matter which way you go.

I think there are two truths in this industry. The first is that there is no easy road. The second is you better be prepared to do this because you enjoy it, not because you expect to get rich quick.

Pilotpip, Very well said. Yes, I have paid my dues. I lived in a doublewide mobile home making 28K as a Deputy Sheriff waiting for the industry to heal in the early 90's. Got hired by AA Feb 94 and laid off 3days later.
Flyby & Skyhigh, I realize there are many that are in extremis right now and don't disagree. My point was very specific about two points in Fly's post. Stating an opinion as fact and trying to figure the problem with the low cost model. Otherwise I feel for you guys and wish you all the best. Were all in the brotherhood of aviation. I count my blessings everyday. Sky, I reread my post and still can't see where I criticised Fly, Just the two listed misstatements.

No Biggie
 

SWAcapt,

No biggie man. We are all friends here. I just thought you were bagging on my friend Flybye.

SKyHigh

Obviously, some people luck out on timing, and some don't. Let's not forget that some people research a career move before they make it, and some don't. Some people are dedicated enough and have enough sticktuitiveness to ride out the tough times, and some don't. Im sure SWACapt doesn't own the goose that lays golden eggs...I'm sure he made the necessary sacrifices, networked, and busted his hump to get where he is. Good for him! That means there's a precedence...if he can do it, so can I. While some of you gripe about what you don't have now, or you used to have, or you may never have, I'll be building my resume and trying to get that job you're giving up on. Nobody is going to come looking for you to hand you a job. I'm glad to hear that some of you want out of the industry, because that means less competition for those of us that really want it.

FlyBoymatthew
 

Matt,

Keep it up buddy. American Eagle needs more guys like you out there. With that kind of thinking we might just see the day of the 12 year regional FO. Stick to it. Your day will come. You might be in your 50's but hold on to that dream man. Believe and your magical ferry princess will come.

It is comforting to think that our own efforts can effect changes like; the economy, upgrade times, hiring practices and preferences or the success or failure of a company. We can help those things however the reality is that most people luck into those good jobs. Most of those SWA heroes back when they first got hired might have been lamenting that they didn't make it with Eastern. No one can tell the future, and it is difficult to tell who the next rising star will be. Despite what SWA says you could get hired there tomorrow and end up spending the next 20 years as an FO. The hot companies of today usually are not so hot tomorrow.

Keep believing and telling yourself that stuff though hold off the reality that our careers are just blowing in the wind. It makes things much more difficult when you realize that you are placing your career dreams in the hands of a business executive. You could be a hero one day and a zero the next.

SkyHigh

I think FLYBOYMATTHEW may have a point.
 

Maybe I did not want it enough. I decided to cash out my chips instead of allowing my debt to spiral beyond control, declaring backruptcy and getting divorced a year down the road. Maybe I should have just sucked it up and moved for the third time across the country to accept a job making .50 above minimum and a few more hours a month of multi time. Maybe I should have begged my wife's parents for a loan that I cannot hope to repay to buy some more multi time, or even get that type rating that does me absolutely no good except make my resume look like everyone elses. Better still I could have paid someone to work for them so I get to fly their planes and occassionally wash them. Maybe I should have used my network of pilot friends that are either on long-term furlough, unemployed, or have already left the industry for the same reasons I have. Maybe getting a fourth job (I already had three) to help pay the rent would have been the thing to do during the time I was wasting on sleep. Maybe I also could have stopped reading the newspapers, watching the news, and ignored reality to help me keep a positive frame of mind as the statistics do not apply to me.

Just as I do not judge people for staying in you should not judge me for getting out as I am definitely not alone. I also have a beautiful wife and daughter that I cherish my time with, and I can finally contribute to her upbringing instead of taking from it. Maybe someday this industry will once again turnaround, then again, maybe it wont.

Obviously this career and lifestyle choice is not for everyone. Who knows, maybe one day I too will decide that the cons outweigh the pros, and I too will leave the industry. However, I know for a fact that in the off chance that I do decide to turn in my wings, I will not be in an APC forum attempting to dissuade others from pursuing their dreams and goals. If it sucks so much...just leave it behind and walk away...don't talk about it anymore, don't read about anymore, don't write about it anymore, and please don't condescend to those of us who are determined to stick with it. If you hated it so much, why do you still allow it to consume so much of your life? I know you aren't here with the altruistic belief that you can "save" the next generation of pilots from a life of misery...aviation is in your blood, and you can't get it out. Some of you have realized that this life is not for you, and you made a clean break, and it has worked out well for you. That's great...different strokes for different folks. I am certainly not going to look down my nose at you for doing so.

Just because the industry is all doom and gloom now doesn't mean it will always be that way. People will always want to go from point A to point B, and at least in my lifetime, their will always be a demand for pilots to move them. Why can't it be me? It may not be as good of a gig as it was in the "good ol' days", but then again, I'm still having a blast doing it, and I'm getting paid to do something that I love. Call me stubborn, but I'm all in. If it doesn't work out in the long run...so be it. Thank you, but I'd rather find out for myself.

Matt
 

Matt,

No one wants to stop you. Our aim is not to dull your enthusiasm. However, one of the biggest crimes in this industry is that those who do quit usually disappear, as you mentioned, and never pass on their experiences to others. I believe that for every one pilot who is gainfully employed at a major or other good position there are 20 more who had to give up somewhere along the way. The only voice left is that of Flying Magazine and from the deluded cheer staff. You have been briefed. You are aware of the risks and sacrifices ahead. Go forth and take your stab at the world. As for future generations hopefully there will be more like Flybye to inform others of the hazards. Not only would it save many fortunes and avoid thousands of wasted lives but it could save our very profession as well.

SkyHigh

Follow Up
 

I am not trying to dull anyone's enthusiasm. If I did not care greatly about this career field I would not be here today. In fact, there is nothing I love to do more. I just decided that this love was ruining every other aspect of my life and that is too high a price. The fact is this was the hardest descision I ever made because I also believed that people would still want to travel, and they will always need people to move them.

I would agree with Skyhigh that nobody wants to give you a straight answer about the enormous challenges of this career for fear of curbing your enthusiasm. Like I said before for some it works out great and they achieve the career of their dreams but for far more it is struggle to survive. It is kind of like buying scratch off tickets. A few win the jackpot but for most you win just enough to entice you to spend more.

flybye,

I see where you're coming from and what was mentioned above is true; everyone's situation is different. Aviation is a very selfish career path as it wants all of your money and time during college, and some of your money and a great majority of time afterwards. Your situation is much different as you have a wife and kid and pursuing an aviation career at the same time. It might not be the best thing to do to have a career where you're never home, especially when you have a really young kid. I have a hard enough time paying bills, going to school and work as it is so I can't even relate to the stress that must have been placed on you. I've been in a really bad financial situation as well and I know what it's like to lose sleep because of it.

I was a web designer/developer as well (still am, sort of, to a lesser degree) but after getting laid off and having carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand before the age of twenty and staring at things like < ? $error = 0; } all day every day I started looking at my other options.

Before people jump on me for having aviation as one of my other options, it's not my only one. One of which is a startup web design firm which I'm launching next January. If anything, the decline in the industry should persuade more people to exercise their other options financially.

All that said, I wish you the best of luck in whatever path you choose. :D