Hey guys, I'm looking for any insight into my future flying career. Thanks in advance for taking the time to review and respond, I truly appreciate it.

After a couple long, insanely boring years of business school, I gave up my future 9-5 desk job, and decided to chase my dreams of becoming a pilot (stop with the eye rolling, best decision I've ever made). For what it's worth, I'll end up with a degree in Aviation Management. I left the university and began flight school in January of '09, where my passion for aviation quickly morphed into addiction. I'm 21, have my PPL, am working towards my instrument rating, and completed a flight ops internship this summer with a major carrier.

As far as my future career in flying, I'm at a loss. Prior to the internship, I was mostly interested in flying for an airline, however, after numerous jumpseating opportunites, I'm not sure the airline lifestyle suits me. I understand the industry is currently at a low, and being that the cost of flying is so expensive, I've been considering other options. My ultimate goal is to fly, but at this point, I've also been considering joining the ANG (not to become a pilot). I've been in contact with a few friends who work in avionics at our local fighter wing, so I'm learning the pros and cons of joining the military. What I'm asking, is, from my standpoint, is it better to go the civilian, or military route? I hesitate to mention that I'm a woman, but I've been told it may make a difference, ha ha.

Many thanks if you got through that. I realize my timing in entering the world of aviation isn't perfect, and I know many of you will warn me, and I thank you for your truth. In reality, though, I cannot see myself working in any other industry... so I may end up broke, I know. I assure you, I've got a plan-- to marry rich (you can learn to love anyone, right?!). Only kidding, of course

 

First off, the most important advice anyone is going to give you is get a NON-aviation degree. This will be your financial fallback in case the industry doesn't work out for you and during periods of unemployment (due to furlough, bankruptcy, medical issues). Get a degree in something useful (even business is more useful than aviation).

Aviation employers do not care what your degree is in, or what flight school you attended (unless it was military flight training).

Since you don't have a degree yet, enlisting in the ANG or other reserve component might make financial sense. Presumably you are interested in serving your country (probably overseas). Possible downside is that if you get mobilized, your college education is not protected...if you have to leave halfway through a semester you will get incompletes and have to repeat it all when you get back. They are working on a law to change this, but that's deal for now. I don't think any school would give you failures.

However, if you are close to graduation (within a year or so) you might want to just consider becoming an officer.

If you are so inclined, military flying is actually the best start to a civilian flying career. Military pilots always get first pick of the best civilian flying jobs. The fact that you are female will make it somewhat easier to get a flying slot, especially if you go active duty. The best plan IMO is to get into guard/reserve flying at a young age so you can have a military career in parallel with your civilian career. When the time comes to apply for the most desirable civilian jobs you will have the best of both worlds, experience-wise.

If you are interested in military service but cannot or don't want to fly in the military, consider becoming a non-pilot officer.

If you stick with it, it will provide that financial backup to civilian aviation as well as a retirement at age 60 or so (there are very few retirements plans left in aviation, and there won't be any when you get there). Also, as an officer, your military professional development will keep you in the game for the corporate world if you ever need to go back.

Sounds like you are somewhat informed about professional aviation...keep doing your research, especially regarding non-airline careers. Like the airlines, that is a mixed-bag...some great opportunities and plenty of not-so-great jobs.

 

Pretty much what Rick said.

Right now being the down-turn in the economy, and your current situation, you "could" be lucky enough to be picked up fairly low-time for a job after you complete all your ratings and maybe build 500hrs. It could happen, it probably won't. I though that after 9/11, when I graduated in 04' that things would be recovered enough that they'd be hiring low-timers out of college again. I was way wrong. It worked out for me, but it finally did happen in 07' (additional 2.5yrs) when the airlines got that desperate.

So my point being is the future is a big unknown for everyone, prepare yourself for what could be the worst situation possible(lots of debt and no job), but hope for the best.

Good luck

 

If you have the option, I'd recommend that you go military for that flying job. Civilian flying jobs don't really seem to compare/match military flying jobs when you look at the compete package of pay, benefits, quality of life, etc. Plus, veterans are still looked upon highly when competing for a civilian job in almost every job sector I know of, flying included. Just so you know, I've done time in the military and am currently flying for an airline.

As far as an "airline lifestyle" goes, I can't see what you saw being much different in times of good OR bad, but I'm not really sure what you saw, and what you did or didn't like about the airline lifestyle. Of course, every airline company is going to be different, as well as the dynamics of the job (e.g. international flying vs. domestic).

The fact that you're a woman could also be a big plus, from what I've heard, for both military AND civilian flying jobs, but I don't have any first-hand knowledge in that department--not a woman. Besides, I couldn't care less the sex of the pilot I'm flying with; I'd want you to be professional, knowledgable and competent. Just my two-cents there.

Your timing could very well be perfect, but only time can tell.

Best of luck to you!

 

Ditto what rick, Ewf, and X have said. I would also encourage you to look at the business side of the airline industry. You have aircraft acquistion/fleet planning; on the corporate side you have aircraft sales and marketing.

Just like "X" said, your timing could very well be perfect.

Good luck to you! All the best.



atp

 

Joining the business side of the industry could be great, but one word of caution. Don't become a scheduler for an airline...schedulers are not humans...they are mini-versions of Satan.

In all seriousness though, if the actual flying part of things gets too expensive or doesn't work out...think about dispatching. You still get your daily hands on aviaition fix...work directly with the guys on the line...can still jumpseat with some restricitions...etc.