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Concerned

Old 07-08-2008, 07:58 PM
  #1  
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I'm sorry, this may not be the right thread to post this in but it seemed like the best choice...

I started flying just a couple months ago, and love it so far. I'm 19 and for once in my life I'm motivated to go to class, I'm getting all A's, and find myself doing related work that the teacher hasn't even assigned. I also have about 5 hours of flight time under my belt and hope to have much more by the end of summer.

Seeing some of the posts on this site does have me concerned though. I want to hear honest opinions from those people reading this who have been professionals in this industry on whether or not they think that an up and coming pilot still has a fighting chance to earn a decent living?

What could help is that I'm open to anything flying related. Including military, flight lessons... even crop dusting. I don't really care, just as long as I don't waste my money getting an education that I'll never use.

I know that the industry is hurting right now, but I've also heard that it isn't just aviation. I've heard all industries are suffering, so if thats true I figure I might as well just go for what I want and risk being unemployed. Because if I go for a more stable job, I still may run that risk.
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Old 07-08-2008, 08:17 PM
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"I want to hear honest opinions from those people reading this who have been professionals in this industry on whether or not they think that an up and coming pilot still has a fighting chance to earn a decent living?"

What do you consider decent? What sacrifices are you willing to make?

I'd do if over, even today, if I had it to do over. Not sure what else I can tell ya.....

Those that feel the industry/career has dealt them a crappy hand seem to be very vocal here at APC. All I can say is somebody gets my job in 12 years. Will it be you? Will it be some a current regional F/O facing furlough who sticks it out? Who knows.

I can tell you who it won't be. It won't be the guy that walks away....not that there is anything wrong with that....
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Old 07-08-2008, 08:58 PM
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Default What is it worth to you?

Like DE727UPS says "what is a decent living mean to you"?

How much do you like having control over your life?

Would you mind living away from your friends and family?

Some people are custom made for this profession. Are you willing to give whatever the profession asks? Is it worth it to you?

There are plenty of jobs out there. Some are not doing well while others are the key to the future. Aviation has seen its heyday. What is left are crumbs but to some it is still a prize. Only you can answer that.

There is nothing wrong with keeping flying a hobby and not letting it become a hobby job.

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Old 07-09-2008, 06:17 AM
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To me answering those questions would be extremely easy and optomistic... if I were to answer them today. I mean, I'm 19 haha. Right now I'd be happy making 50,000 a year, and of course I'd be willing to do whatever the career asks because I have nothing keeping me here.

Looking into the future though, one day I probably will have a family. And providing for a whole family would obviously call for a much more lucrative salary. Plus, once I have the family and a place to live in with them I might not be as quick to say that packing everything up and moving is a good option.
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Old 07-09-2008, 06:26 AM
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Plus, Somebody mentioned that the Airline industry has seen its "heydey." I'm not so sure about that. Right now it IS looking that way but it is impossible to predict the future.

Right now the baby boomer generation is getting older. I'd say in another 5-10 years they are going to start retiring, and one of the things that retired people have stereotypically been known to do is travel alot.

Also, the nation is freaking out about gas prices, which has a lot of future entrepreneurs tweaking around with cars in their home garages trying to find the best alternatives.

If all of a sudden one of these alternatives is worthwhile, and all of the major car manufacturers start adopting it... The demand for gasoline, as well as the prices will drop way down. If this happened, right as the baby boomers are retiring and setting out on their quest to see the world, I think the world of Aviation would be at an all time high.

(Yes, I'm being ETREMELY optomistic but just want to put out that it is impossible to know for sure what the future holds)
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Old 07-09-2008, 06:42 AM
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Sounds like your doing well in school and its because of your love to fly. I'd keep at it. If you want to be a professional pilot you will. Just be realistic about the industry and what you may/may not achieve. In other words, don't look at the jet with the brown tail as yard stick of you being successful. If it is you may be disappointed if you never get there.

Skyhigh is right, are you willing to give what the profession ask? Only you can decide if the holy grail of flying for this or that company is worth the sacrifice and effort? And yes, there are some people that are just cut out for this profession and willing to sacrifice all for it and it may be you... or not.
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Old 07-09-2008, 06:51 AM
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Default Heyday

Aviation has seen its heyday in regards to pay and working conditions. Airline pilots make half of what they did 20 years go and have to work much harder to get it. At one time pilots were as respected as doctors and lawyers. Today airlines are cutting wages and will continue to do so.

If you are 19 then you could have as much as 46 years ahead of you in this industry. If you were to take a look back at how far the profession has fallen over the last 46 years and then project that trend into the future it does not look good at all.

There will be continue to be planes to fly and companies who will pay people to do it, but to me it seems unlikely that it would be a job that is worth having by the time you are 45. Aviation is a huge investment. Get the private and wait to see how this oil thing unfolds. The industry could be on the verge of a total meltdown. If you have other interests pursue them as well.

Even if you choose aviation you will need a strong back up plan. A good strategy would be to develop a solid profession outside of aviation first and keep flying as your back up.

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Old 07-10-2008, 03:59 AM
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Im sorta in the the camp that I would still do it all over again....

My path was different that many... military then 121 then QUIT for many years then back to 121.. and now 91/135..... but all by choice.....

I started flying at 15.... and many many many thousands of hours later I still love flying.... I sometimes dont like the BS demanded but that really goes with any job. In my time away from aviation I was both a manager at the corporate level for a very very successful real estate company in NC AND owned my own business for nearly 10 years...... bottom line every job has crap you dont like about it....

This is a DIFFICULT business and not for the faint of heart.... ONLY YOU can answer the questions moving forward..... good luck
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Old 07-10-2008, 05:47 PM
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I'm 49 and if I was your age again I'd be jumping right back in.
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Old 07-10-2008, 06:06 PM
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Do some research and make a decision that you will be happy with. Get a degree in something other than aviation that you can fall back on if you have no other options (industry, health, family). Good luck!!
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