After college I had planned on finally starting my flight training. Then I found out that real life doesn't care what you want to pursue. Been working 40+ hours a week (Mon-Fri) and commuting a total of 3 hours per day all while possibly being the lowest paid A&P mechanic in the universe. Been beating my head off the wall trying to figure out a way to fit my training in somewhere... and I'm convinced it's not possible with that kind of schedule. I've been feeling lucky enough just to find work. It seems like no one is hiring!

However, I managed to get hired at a regional airline working nights thanks to an internal source. I'll be on four 10 hour shifts from 10PM-8:00AM, Fri-Mon. Plus $6/hr pay raise, which may be some indication to how poor I am now. Also getting some decent benefits with this job. So that leaves open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to get some sessions in. Not to mention approximately 2 years of A&P experience on the aircraft that I could possibly be piloting for my first flying job (CRJ/ERJ). May come in handy on the resume?

Anyway, probably not thread worthy material here but it's an exciting new future for me. Also a possible plan of action for any pre-college kids looking for ways around big debt. Just make sure you really like airplanes!

 

Good luck Mr. Jones. A lot of the value found in reaching a particular destination is derived from the cost and quality of the journey required to get there.

 

+1 !

I was 47 years old when I got my "first" pilot job. Hang in there!

 

Many moons ago, I washed 99's and Metroliners for Wings West to pay for flight training and hour building.