Pilot or dentist? Can't decide
04-11-2008, 11:30 AM
#31
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Joined APC: Feb 2007
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Posts: 149
Originally Posted by pilot125
Dentist. Plain and simple.
I think about this all the time. I've finally made it to a company where I am very happy at and that I can lead a very successful career and retire from, but I still would do it differently if I could turn back the hands of time.
I'm 34, an FO at a top fractional, have a ton of school loans STILL, ton of credit card debt (that I had to live off of so I wouldn't starve those first 5-6 years out of college), drive a piece of crap car, have very little savings, and dream of the day 15 years from now when I'm debt-free!!!!!!
A high school buddy of mine is a dentist. Has his own practice that is growing at a fantastic pace. He works 32 hours each week, has a ton of free time, has plenty of hobbies, drives a new Land Rover, has a nice house, a boat, and lives a GREAT LIFE! Makes about $250,000 now, more as practice grows...........
Is there really a choice here?
I think about this all the time. I've finally made it to a company where I am very happy at and that I can lead a very successful career and retire from, but I still would do it differently if I could turn back the hands of time.
I'm 34, an FO at a top fractional, have a ton of school loans STILL, ton of credit card debt (that I had to live off of so I wouldn't starve those first 5-6 years out of college), drive a piece of crap car, have very little savings, and dream of the day 15 years from now when I'm debt-free!!!!!!
A high school buddy of mine is a dentist. Has his own practice that is growing at a fantastic pace. He works 32 hours each week, has a ton of free time, has plenty of hobbies, drives a new Land Rover, has a nice house, a boat, and lives a GREAT LIFE! Makes about $250,000 now, more as practice grows...........
Is there really a choice here?
Absolutely agree with this post.I have a friend who has a practice that was established some time ago, he took it over and is now making $300k+, working on avg. 3.5 days a week. His practice is established and is huge. If you get intodental school I highly recommend you try getting an Orthodontist spot after school. Real money there with the same hours and less tediousness (drilling, crowns, etc.), plus the fact that you can see your work progress through to completion.
04-11-2008, 04:21 PM
#32
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I am still having a difficult time deciding. You would think that with the HUGE difference in lifestyle, it wouldn't be hard. Obviously, I really think I'd enjoy both, however, aviation has a slight lead there. I completely understand that salary isn't everything, but the median for orthodontists (what I would want to do) is around 400k.
Is there anyone that would recommend aviation over dentistry?
Is there anyone that would recommend aviation over dentistry?
04-11-2008, 05:15 PM
#35
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Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 57
Originally Posted by whythereis
For a long time I've had a love for aviation and dentistry. I can't decide which I'd like to do and it is really bothering me. I love dentistry almost as much as I love aviation. On a scale of 1 to 10, I think dentistry would be a 9 and aviation would be a 10. Obviously, there are big lifestyle differences.
Could anyone help me out? Pros? Cons?
Thanks!
Could anyone help me out? Pros? Cons?
Thanks!
Dentist make their own schedules, the ones my wife has worked for live very comfortably and they have no boss. You decide your work rules and pay scale. Two of them owned their own planes. BE YOUR OWN BOSS!!!
04-11-2008, 05:32 PM
#36
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I would recommend aviation over dentistry if you love to fly. If you are trying to compare guaranteed income over the course of a career and are in flying for the money, I'd suggest you stay away from an aviation career.
04-11-2008, 05:39 PM
#37
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Originally Posted by de727ups
I would recommend aviation over dentistry if you love to fly. If you are trying to compare guaranteed income over the course of a career and are in flying for the money, I'd suggest you stay away from an aviation career.
04-11-2008, 05:39 PM
#38
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Well, If you're anything like me, and interested in a totally different profession, you'll always be looking out the window as an airplane passes, wondering why you're on the ground and not in the air. I'd say fly if you're not only looking forward to the great aspects of flying, but also looking fwd to experiencing some of the bad ones- just to say you've been there. As a pilot, you leave your work at work- not so easy as a dentist.
You hear folks on these boards ***** and complain about flying, but the truth is that EVERYBODY complains about their careers. Read the medical forums and you'll notice that even doctors complain about exactly the same things that pilots do. EXACTLY the same things.
Lastly, everybody will say to be a dentist and fly a Cessna. Fact is, I'd never be happy with that. GA aircraft simply aren't enough. I need to get into a big jet one day. Who knows, maybe it's just a bug that needs to leave the system, but I know that I need to fly a jet one day. When people say "why don't you just get rich and fly a small plane?", I tell them that's like telling a Nascar driver to drive a Honda.
By the way, make another 3 posts, I'd like to send u a PM.
You hear folks on these boards ***** and complain about flying, but the truth is that EVERYBODY complains about their careers. Read the medical forums and you'll notice that even doctors complain about exactly the same things that pilots do. EXACTLY the same things.
Lastly, everybody will say to be a dentist and fly a Cessna. Fact is, I'd never be happy with that. GA aircraft simply aren't enough. I need to get into a big jet one day. Who knows, maybe it's just a bug that needs to leave the system, but I know that I need to fly a jet one day. When people say "why don't you just get rich and fly a small plane?", I tell them that's like telling a Nascar driver to drive a Honda.
By the way, make another 3 posts, I'd like to send u a PM.
04-11-2008, 05:40 PM
#39
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Originally Posted by de727ups
I would recommend aviation over dentistry if you love to fly. If you are trying to compare guaranteed income over the course of a career and are in flying for the money, I'd suggest you stay away from an aviation career.
Whew
04-11-2008, 05:42 PM
#40
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Posts: 13
Originally Posted by Senior Skipper
Lastly, everybody will say to be a dentist and fly a Cessna. Fact is, I'd never be happy with that. GA aircraft simply aren't enough. I need to get into a big jet one day. Who knows, maybe it's just a bug that needs to leave the system, but I know that I need to fly a jet one day. When people say "why don't you just get rich and fly a small plane?", I tell them that's like telling a Nascar driver to drive a Honda.
By the way, make another 3 posts, I'd like to send u a PM.
By the way, make another 3 posts, I'd like to send u a PM.
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