Paul,

I had to change my career from airline pilot to home builder due to the fact that I have a growing family and they need money to live on and a secure life, so change is possible. I also considered becoming a teacher. You should look up the thread "teacher salaries". It might be of interest to you. Every day I have to supress my longings for flying, but that is what a father does to provide for his family. A tuff choice but I know that I have made the right one for myself.

SkyHigh

 

Me. I have a wife with a good income and a military reserve career (no work conflicts per federal law).

I spent the last two years at my old job saving up, then spent the first five years of flying with basically no disposable income for myself. My wife was able to cover the bills, and stuff that she wanted. Remodel the kitchen? Yes! New Motorcycle? No!

It has been quit an adventure and now that I get to fly and get paid more than the average american I'm glad I did it. But there were basically seven years when my life was somewhat cramped. I paid for my ratings with savings, so I front-loaded the financial pain.

Also I had at least a one year setback after 9/11.

 

Thanks Rick for sharing.

 

I agree with SkyHigh. Search for my posts on this forum to get an idea of what could happen if you go through one of these fast track programs. I don't have a family like you to worry about, but my present day situation would be devastating if I have a family.

My recommendation is to keep the day job, and enjoy the flying on the side.

 

I went for my dreams. My dreams turned into a nightmare and over $100K in debt. If money isn't a problem, I say dive right in!

 

Are you saying it's not even worth trying?

What's your story Flying Ninja?

 

Paul,

Anything is worth trying and there is always a chance but what are you willing to risk? What are you consigned to loose at this point in your life? There is no doubt that unless you are financially independent you and your family will suffer if you take this path. It would be a given that your home would be gone and you would have to reduce to an apartment. You might never be able to afford a home again. Most likely you would have to move around the country for a most of a decade following the dream. Strange towns few friends little contact with your extended family. The question isn't if you will have to endure hard times moreover the question is for how long? A conservative guess is 5 to 10 years from now you could regain what you are earning now as a teacher and another 5 to 10 years beyond that to recover what you will have lost financially. And, lets not forget that if the industry turns you might never be able to get a livable job. Just stop and consider that the day after you quit as a teacher you and your family could be left uncovered for health insurance? Flight schools don't offer benifits.

Anything is possible but the odds are that what you will have left when it is all over is not worth the effort. By the time you get anywhere in aviation you would be close to retiring as a teacher. There are a lot of impoverished pilots criss crossing the country in broken down old cars that are stuffed with the entirety of their worldly possessions. Chasing down another empty employment lead. What is it all worth to you?

SkyHigh

 

SkyHigh I am not going to quit my job and start flightschool. I am just considering taking flight lessons on the side while I keep my teaching job. I don't see any thing wrong with that.

 

Paul,

That sounds great !! Perhaps you could buy a 150 and fly the heck out of it for much less than renting? By the way do you live in Weatherford?

SkyHigh

 

Where do you live Sky High?