Decision Point
 

Fellow aviators,

I'm writing this here because I'm sure many of you will understand my dilemma better than non-aviators.

I've been through broken relationships and family deaths but this is the hardest thing for me mentally by far. For the first time in my life I'm directionless.

I'm 24.5, have a PPL, graduated this year with a four year degree in business management, and have absolutely no debt (I worked through college to help pay some of the tuition and received some federal aid). I don't have a family or anything to support. I'd love one at some point though.

Flying...

Since I was five years old I wanted to be an airline pilot. I can remember the day I decided to pursue this career like it was yesterday. To me, astronaut, surgeon, navy seal, and airline pilot were all some of the most professional professions I could think off. I've always thought that I could exceed in flying and become a great professional doing something that I'm obsessed about. I was/am really looking forward to learning, teaching, and eventually putting in some time at a regional airline to have a reasonable QOL. I wanted to be at an airline by the time I was 24 so as to give the profession a good effort by the time I was 30.

Business...

I got a business degree in general management as a back-up plan. I really had no interest in business throughout all of school and in-fact it was almost torturous. Not that it was hard, it's just that I had no interest whatsoever. The thought of working in an office scares me. In this economy, jobs that pay $30-40K are requiring 2-5 years previous experience in their respective fields. I'm afraid that if I was in the business world, I'd either be the most incompetent one surrounded by a bunch of motivated business savvy people or I'd be stuck with a bunch of incompetent people myself. Also, it seems, at least in this economy, that mid-career business salaries are only around $50-70K on average.

My problem...

I come from poverty and I don't qualify for any loans and can not get a co-signer. I never made enough money at the mom-and-pop shop to qualify for a loan either. This makes fast-tracking my ratings out of the question. I am going to have to pay for my IFR-CFII out-of-pocket. This is fine, I don't mind working 1 or even 2 hourly jobs to finance 1 or 2 lessons a week. By the time I get all my ratings though, the 1,500hr ATP rule will be in effect and I might be able to get hired at a regional by the time I'm in my early 30's, probably after the "hiring boom."

I'm afraid that if I roll the dice and lose, the opportunity costs of not having pursued a business job will come back to haunt me. At the same time, if I find myself in a dead end business job making regional pilot pay, and being miserable well that can be unpleasant to.

I've put together a few plans.

A.) Take whatever jobs I can get and finance my flight training over the next several years. Don't worry about my age. Have fun. Be content with making a career as a regional captain or a major career FO. All I want is to have a modest house and a decent QOL one day (like everyone, right?).

B.) Go into the business world now and just try and make the best out of something that is so unfamiliar to me. Maybe take a job at a small regional bank and hope to be a district manager one day.

C.) Go back to school and get a Ph.D in history. History is another passion although its not as high on the chart as aviation. I'd only want to lecture in a college. I'm not even sure I like lecturing.

I've already written to much. I'd appreciate anyone's advice whether you've been through what I'm going through or are in the same predicament. I see so many people say that they took one look at the salaries and QOL of regional pilots and went immediately to a desk but I'm finding this a much, much harder decision to make. I need to make a decision soon though because right now I'm directionless. Thank you for reading.

Congrats on the degree, the PPL, and being debt free. That is quite an accomplishment.

In reading your post, you have a lot on your plate, - being an adult can be tricky :) I would suggest seeking some professional advice, be it a life coach, a career adviser, or even a psychiatrist. I say that because you've put quite a few personal dilemmas on the table that go beyond just aviation.

Best of luck in your future endeavors, whichever path you choose.

I think you are young enough to pursue an airline career and have the basic prerequisites to do it. No one knows how things will turn out, but if you like flying at least you would have a fighting chance of making a go of it. Pay your way through flight ratings working at Kohls and Home Depot, and do not accrue any debt for flight training. It will be a long uphill battle. Also, look very seriously into military flying. Consider National Guard, army chopper pilot, Air Force, etc., and spend some serious time studying whether any of their programs sounds remotely workable because the advantages of coming to the airlines from a military background are night and day compared to being a civilian from scratch. Good luck. I changed career paths about 14 times before hitting anything very good so I know how you feel.

You may already know this, but as bad as aviation is even that is probably a better financial bet than trying to to get a decent job with a Phd in history.

I am kind of in the same situation. Same age, from "humble" background with a ppl. On top of that I have a wife and two kids. I am planning on pursuing my flying dream the same way, by staying out of debt and eating away at hours and ratings over the next few years in hopes that when I reach my early to mid 30's there will be a job for me. Good luck!

BTW... My BA is in History and I love that area of study. Feel you there.

Option A, no doubt.

You have no debt, no family to care for and are a college grad; you are in a uniquely flexible position not many people ever achieve. You can chase the dream wherever it takes you.

If this is something you've always wanted to do, set out to make it happen. If it works, great! If not, at least you went down swinging. Don't end up being a middle-aged person in a job that you just tolerate wondering what might have been.

I've said this a lot to family and friends, but it fits here too. Being a pilot isn't something I "DO," it's what I "AM." A little dramatic, perhaps, but to me it's a distinction with a difference. I can't imagine having done anything else with my life. Like you, as far back as I have memories I knew I was going to be a pilot.

Make it happen, but +1 on not going into debt along the way.

Buy an IFR certified 152, find a freelance CFI, fly the wings off of it, and sell it when you get your ratings and time. Those little machines seem to hold their value very well. If I was doing it over, this is what I would do. As a matter of fact, if any of my children express an interest in learning to fly, I will likely buy an airplane for them to train and build time in, and sell it afterward.

I know you never mentioned it in your Original Post, which probably means it is not an option. But seriously consider Military Aviation. I am partial to Army Aviation. Go take the ASVAB and AFAST tests just to see how you score. Talk to a Recruiter. There is no obligation involved if you simply talk to a recruiter. You have the 4 year degree so you can go Warrant Officre or get a commission. Get some training, serve your country, and get out with a good looking resume. This will allow you to constinue being debt free.

Who knows, maybe a career in the military is teh purpose you seek in life and just dont know it yet...

N9373M - I'd really enjoy talking to all three of those people actually. I like to confer with as many people as possible about as many different things as possible. Pretty sure they charge though.

Cubdriver- I didn't put it in there, but that is certainly an option I am just now begining to explore. I appreciate your advice.

rickair7777- Not to mention having to possibly move in order to continually chase teaching jobs.

desertsteve- A wife and kids are a very special thing and sometimes I think that if I was in that position things would be a lot clearer. I'm an amateur military historian but I love any kind of history and took as many history electives as possible. Let's get it done.

Hrkdrivr- You bring up a lot of my exact thoughts on the situation. "...a distinction with a difference." I take it you went the military route?

dspilot- A 172 (I'm a 200+lb weightlifter) is def not out of the question depending on whether I could finance it though is yet to be seen. The flightschool I train at is my best bet though. About 20 guys, many I know, are now at Skywest, Eagle, etc.

Walkeraviator- It is an option I am really researching. I'm a military historian and had a grandfather who flew B-25's in combat. All cards are on the table.

I really thank all of you for having taken the time to read and respond to my post. I got some applications in at Penske, Lowes and a few other places. Have to get hired and see how the paychecks look. I've decided that I'll pursue a career flying until the mountain I have to climb is no longer worth the goal of being a professional pilot.

I found a bit of irony here. No offense.

U have a business degree, U can easily get a job for 60-80k start, I'd get that business major degree job for now; If U don't get that job where U live, move to a place where U can get a job, keep expenses low by sharing w/roomates.

There on, U have 2 options:

1) U can work your primary job, earn decent money & fly at the local FBO/school on the weekends or even qualify for a loan with those nice looking paystubs from the job...

2) Option 2: Save for a down pmt on a IFR cert 152 or 172 or any 4 place airplane or buy Cash or seller carry financing........... U are a business major, think outside the box & make things happen......

Take your office & other buddies to the 100 dollar burger trips & make sure they are 50 miles away.......... Bulid those x-country hours for cheap & make money on your primary job.....

Get a freelance CFI to give U Instrument & then for commercial, just rent the complex from a school for the 10-20 hrs

Repeat the steps for CFI & CFII & 12 months later U will be a full commercial pilot CFI & CFII

If U buy your own plane, then repeat the steps by becoming the freelance CFI yourself & with your plane & rent it cheap, so U work the job on weekedays & fly on the weekends....

9kBud - I'd much rather move or commute to do something I really enjoy than to move entirely to teach at some small town JC in a place I've never heard of.

bcpilot - It's not so easy. I've been looking at a few job markets since may. I have friends with business degrees in economics, finance, and accounting who are working at places like Target. Lowes wasn't my first choice, trust me.

1987 was a good year. By the way, you might be my long lost twin, although I don't have the guts to share my story and I'm glad you're reaching out here, hopefully you'll get advice from many people/places. The advice that I've been given was to get a job in the field that I got my BS in in order to fund my training. Easier said than done, but don't give up. You are in a pretty good place, having a degree without debt or dependents. That being said, you might have to enter the suck for a year or two in order to get your ratings. What I mean is, you might have to get a job you don't like, maybe even hate. I understand that cuts it close, but you might be surprised how quickly you can build time. If you can survive off ramen and cereal while living in a pop-up trailer at the drop zone while you build your time (not unlike someone I know...), then do it! Look all around for flying gigs. Last but not least, get a plan. Learn all you can about how and where to get the ratings you need, grab a calendar and write down the goals. I love the sky, I'm only happy when I'm flying. That fuels me when I go into work at JCPenney.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

grecoaj- Good news is the flightschool I fly at is great (little pricey but thorough) and they hire the CFI's they train fulltime. My CFI back in 05 is now a captain at Skywest. Heck, the guy I did my BFR with a year or so back just got hired at Skywest. Bad news is I still haven't landed a "lowly" hourly job.

Nice to know that there are still some other guys out there taking the long road to a potential flying job while our peers are already in the right seat.

BTW- I'm still waiting to here back from JCPenney...

Figure I'd bump this thread and give anyone in a similiar situation an update as to what it is like "paying as you go" to finance training.

Shortly after begining this thread, in October 2011, I got a job in a quality department of a railroad component manufacturer. I've felt fortunate to come into this job where I have 2 to 3 hours overtime per-day.

It's taken me since October, 2011 to get through all my ratings up to just begining the flying portion of the CFI. I've accomplished everything in around the minimum amount of hours required and it still took my 8 months to get my instrument rating and over a year to get my commercial. I think the multi took about 8 months as well. Since March, 2014 after the multi check-ride, I've been working on ground for the CFI. I am currently waiting for my flight school to find a replacement complex airplane since someone had damaged the last one so I can begin preparing for the check-ride.

Overall it has been a long journey to this point. At this juncture I am just committed to earing my CFI since I am so close and then it might be time to re-evaluate, like I did in 2011.

I still need 1200hrs to meet ATP mins and my written is only good until July 2016. Not sure I'm going to be able to meet those hours and get a class date at a regional by that point.

My back-up plan which might become a real possibility is to apply for the train crew at Union Pacific and go that route.

I'm married now, want to buy a small house, and my wife ultimately wants kids in 3 or so years so that changes the outlook of things. Also need to start saving for retirement....

Anyways, sorry for a quick and not very well-written post. Am posting this quickly on my lunch break.

I play around with a blog, off-and-on at flightlevel065.blogspot.com. Feel free to check that out if you'd like.

National guard/reserves Id say is a great route, you have the degree you can be a CO as long as you qualify medically. There is also the warrant officer option in the army, less BS to deal with, but you will most likely be RW, however you can always do the add ons quickly for FW.

Find a unit in your area and get to know some people. Really a rewarding path in the end, more than anything not paying for training.

To the original poster; many of us, myself included, came indigent circumstances, and paid our way, working off each rating as able. To b where you are at this stage, degree and free of loan debt, holding your ratings and clear, speaks highly of your dedication. If there's any question as to whether you have the sticking power to see your goals through, I suspect you've clearly put that to rest. You can.

Marriage does change the equation somewhat, but your wife should understand where your goals lay when she met you; you've been working through the difficult end of learning to fly and paying as you go, all along, and there is some light at the end of the tunnel. No matter what you do in aviation, however, there's going to come a time when you jump off the proverbial cliff and spread the wings. It means a pay cut and tightening the budget. You can work part time as a flight instructor, you can do all that you are able part time, but to fullly commit will require a lifestyle change, which may be perceived as a step backward. It's the leap of faith.

Your step may be to something other than the airlines; night freight, for example You may find that instructing for now provides some supplementary income, and you may elect to use that at some future time to make a move. Many of us have done it, and fully understand your position. I've been there myself.

Your effort and your present position does portray you in a very good light. You're clearly someone who sets goals and achieves them, and who believes in his ability to do so. If you need hours quickly, you may want to think about a busy season flying banners or some other work that keeps you moving a lot.

You were wise to seek qualifications outside aviation and to keep your day job, and to have the patience to see things through at a slower pace. It's not easy, but you're in a much better position than those who tried to fast-track themselves and are now saddled with debt.

I believe that if anyone is capable of achieving the goal, you are, but you're right that you do have decisions to make. You do have the power of choice at this point, which is in your favor. Good luck.

John,

My wife is entirely understanding and in full support of my life's ambitions as much as I am of hers. She's from a small town in central Europe and is giving up everything she's known to build a life with me in America. I tried to scare her off with the realities of aviation but alas, we are married.

I guess at nearly 28 years of age, I am feeling old and anxious, ready to make that leap.

As I mentioned, I am grateful for a job at a good company that allows me to choose to pursue something so fulfilling to me. It's also provided me the opportunity to learn an entirely different industry (re-manufacturing/rail products) and business systems (quality management). Not to mention also meeting some great people. But I am bored of doing something entirely non-fulfilling 11 hours a day. However, I couldn't imagine having an 80,000 dollar loan around my neck so I don't think I would change anything. I stress to anyone thinking about taking on debt to reconsider, hard.

My intent is to work full-time and instruct during the nights and on weekends and see how things looking going into 2016, depending on my housing situation.

As this point I really enjoy the process of teaching and look forward to it but Ameriflight, or Aperature Aviation would be fantastic also; Skywest would be a dream.

Thank you John, for your kind words of encouragement. I appreciate it.

Thanks for returning to the forums and sharing your story thus far. Flying is a lifelong journey that very rarely falls into the norm of "instruct, get your 1500, go regional, upgrade, go major, upgrade, -------> retire." There are always twists along the way. Sometimes the twists even take pilots completely out of the profession, but I like to think that the journey continues.

Kudos on sticking in there and keeping yourself debt free. You are actually able to pursue the dream with your limited resources whereas others with the same resources cannot due to their debt load.

As another future company, consider SeaPort. They're a scheduled 135 passenger-carrying op based in Memphis flying Caravans with a two-man crew. I've seen them guys with 300 hours, provided the applicant knew somebody in the operation and was sharp enough to impress the interviewers. They will more often hire around the 500 - 1000 range. Any of my friends who have worked there have been happy with the pilot group, got some good PIC turbine time quickly, and easily got hired at their regional of choice.

Good luck!

Forget about the PhD in History. Its harder to get a college teaching job than a major airline job.

Ever consider the military route?

Thank you for bringing SeaPort to my attention! Funny enough, my wife and I had talked about wanting to move and live in TN but I completely forgot about SeaPort. Guess I will start looking into creating a professional resume. Thanks again.