Ultrasweatproof

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.

N9373M

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.

Cubdriver

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.

rickair7777

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.

desertsteve

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.

Hrkdrivr

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.

dspilot

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.

Walkeraviator

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...

Ultrasweatproof

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.

9kBud

I found a bit of irony here. No offense.