05-20-2024Quote:
Anyway, I still do believe (and maybe it's just wishful thinking) that aviation can make a successful career. I mean let's take my situation for example... I've had a good amount of time to save some coin while working my IT job over the past 7 years... I got my Private VFR 4 or 5 years ago, and am now just about finished my 4 yr degree (BSIT).. My company funded a good chunk of change toward that degree, as did the tax credit.. And it's not an overly pricey school, (and it's 3 block's from my building) so it couldn't have worked out better. Yea I wanted to be flying all those years instead, but I think this worked out better for the long run, because now I got a degree for practically nothing. All of this while surviving the recession (Almost... My department was literally on the list for cuts, and we survived by a thread). So now in my late 20's, with a cheap degree, money in the bank, money in the 401k, and no debt aside from like 10 grand left on a low interest car payment - I could be in a position to knock out my ratings over the next 6 or so months at a fast paced flight school (yea that's another flame bait, sorry)... Anyway I don't see how it's possible for me to get all of those ratings on top of the hours my job takes up - there just isn't enough time in the day, much less mental energy. Everyone is different, but I think I earned myself a training "break" from working a full time job considering that I haven't been unemployed for a single second since age 14... Worked 2 part time jobs (making up over 40 hours per week) thru highschool, my first 2 yrs of college (not just summer, but the entire time), and full time thru my Bachelor's (full time student as well.. night and weekend classes, some online). With no kids or mortgage, I can afford to do the training now. Would I recommend this to someone 18 yrs old with no education (beyond highschool) or career experience in another field? Heck no. I have a backup plan, and it took me many painful years to build that backup plan. But to me, the thought of being a CFI in 6 months, and sticking it out on 2 grand a month for another year or less as a CFI, then hopefully landing a regional job for 30k doesn't seem too bad. If I can get back up to 50k a year within 5 years, then I'd be ok with that, because it's only up from there. I know you can get laid off and don't get lateral job options and all, but I guess I just am risking the bet that it won't happen to me. If it does? That's where my IT career will come in handy. I can pick up a job or side work if I really had to. Sounds like you can pick up a trucking gig if you had to as well. It all depends on how bad you want to fly. I still love the prospect even post SJS, and many years agonizing about throughout my 20's. I guess that's saying something about how important it is to me to at least give it a try.
Bottom line, you have a well thought-out plan. Go for it and enjoy the journey... You'll do fine.Originally Posted by Dan64456
LOL, Occam's razor at its finest. I love it. Anyway, I still do believe (and maybe it's just wishful thinking) that aviation can make a successful career. I mean let's take my situation for example... I've had a good amount of time to save some coin while working my IT job over the past 7 years... I got my Private VFR 4 or 5 years ago, and am now just about finished my 4 yr degree (BSIT).. My company funded a good chunk of change toward that degree, as did the tax credit.. And it's not an overly pricey school, (and it's 3 block's from my building) so it couldn't have worked out better. Yea I wanted to be flying all those years instead, but I think this worked out better for the long run, because now I got a degree for practically nothing. All of this while surviving the recession (Almost... My department was literally on the list for cuts, and we survived by a thread). So now in my late 20's, with a cheap degree, money in the bank, money in the 401k, and no debt aside from like 10 grand left on a low interest car payment - I could be in a position to knock out my ratings over the next 6 or so months at a fast paced flight school (yea that's another flame bait, sorry)... Anyway I don't see how it's possible for me to get all of those ratings on top of the hours my job takes up - there just isn't enough time in the day, much less mental energy. Everyone is different, but I think I earned myself a training "break" from working a full time job considering that I haven't been unemployed for a single second since age 14... Worked 2 part time jobs (making up over 40 hours per week) thru highschool, my first 2 yrs of college (not just summer, but the entire time), and full time thru my Bachelor's (full time student as well.. night and weekend classes, some online). With no kids or mortgage, I can afford to do the training now. Would I recommend this to someone 18 yrs old with no education (beyond highschool) or career experience in another field? Heck no. I have a backup plan, and it took me many painful years to build that backup plan. But to me, the thought of being a CFI in 6 months, and sticking it out on 2 grand a month for another year or less as a CFI, then hopefully landing a regional job for 30k doesn't seem too bad. If I can get back up to 50k a year within 5 years, then I'd be ok with that, because it's only up from there. I know you can get laid off and don't get lateral job options and all, but I guess I just am risking the bet that it won't happen to me. If it does? That's where my IT career will come in handy. I can pick up a job or side work if I really had to. Sounds like you can pick up a trucking gig if you had to as well. It all depends on how bad you want to fly. I still love the prospect even post SJS, and many years agonizing about throughout my 20's. I guess that's saying something about how important it is to me to at least give it a try.
