Take a weekend course in Lasik or cosmetic surgery and go in to private practice. Is that a possibility?

Become a dentist or orthodontist.

I instructed plenty of rich teeth doctors in their nice planes.

SkyHigh

This is of course assuming the industry keeps it's current hiring craze, which frankly will taper off, then restart again. It's very cyclical, and can happen at a moments notice.

I'd personally say get your ratings as you're working your current job, see if you even like flying, go from there. Keep the stable income, use the hobby to keep you sane!

Hi Exdoc,

I absolutely hate when people say "go buy yourself a small plane". Many times they don't realize 2 things:

1. The average doctor doesn't make tons of money any more

2. Some people won't be content flying little planes. We need the heavy metal.

I'd say go get your PPL, then your instrument rating. Those will benefit you if you decide to fly light aircraft only. If you still feel the need to fly big jets, you can continue up the ladder, but that's a good start.

PS. I'd like to send you a private message, but I think you need at least 10 posts first. Bump up your post count so we can talk

It's amazing how many of you talk about the poor treatment from management, and that is scary. But for those of us that are considering the career change, please remember, there is plenty of poor treatment in office jobs as well, so there isn't much difference.

Exdoc,

My wife left medicine after 10 years as a solo practice OBGYN. She was tired of fighting with insurance companies, nutty patients and lazy employees. I'm sure you can relate!

Depending on the speciality you currently practice, make sure you purchase tail end insurance coverage before you leave the profession. This was her big mistake. After she felt intellectually weak after only two years of "retirement" she was keen to re-enter medicine again. We had a hard time getting malpractice coverage because we did not have the tail coverage. I can not stress this enough!

Have you looked into Locum Tenens positions?

EAHINC

Why don't you do this. Take $200.........ball it up and flush it down the toilet...............then have your wife kick you in the balls..........then sit back and think about how that just felt. If it felt ok, then by all means get into aviation now. If not, keep taking care of those patients.

You guys crack me up, thanks for all the good advice, you're right, I can't afford to wait 10 years to start making 70K, I should have thought of this harder 10 years ago.

Well you may be in demand with all the 60 plus guys flying around now. Seriously its a hit and miss profession with boom and bust cycles. If you spend a long time doing it you may go through a few furloughs. Every job you start will be on first year pay and bottom seniority.
You could probably find a good niche at the right corporate outfit. Having friends in the right places really can make a difference.