Nurse anesthetist
03-30-2013, 06:29 AM
#31
Bracing for Fallacies
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: In favor of good things, not in favor of bad things
Posts: 3,543
Originally Posted by Buck227
I started flying in 1989 after finishing an enlistment in the Air Force. I went to a flight school where you pay up front and they teach you all the way to CFI/CFII and MEL. I left school with about 250 or so hours and got a job at a 141 school that was connected with a college.
I instructed there for about 4 years and worked on my degree at the same time. By 1993 I had about 1500 hours, I was out of money and no jobs where to be had. I couldn't afford to buy multi time and I was unsuccessful and finding anyone who would let me build it. I tried to go for C208 jobs but they were hiring military that had just gotten out of Gulf War 1.
Frustrated, I went to RN school. I originally planned to use my RN to get work while still building my aviation career but I started to enjoy the pay and the unlimited overtime. You can make 100k as a RN but you will work hard for it. 12 hour shifts where you are lucky to get a 30 minute break. Night shifts 7p-7a pay more and thats where you start untill you get enough seniority to get on days.
Being an RN has some advantages over being a pilot like no risk of furlough, and working in a field where there is a true shortage. People beg you to come work and treat you pretty well while they work you like a hickory slave.
CRNA is a good job and can be done if you want to put in the tiime. I was put off by it when every CRNA I know will talk about how much they make in the first or second sentence when asked if they like what they do. It is a job that pays well but is otherwise without glory imo.
It's not about the money guys, do what you love. I wish I could have found a way to stay in aviation but I lost my focus. Don't jump into another career unless you do it for the love of it. If you love flying, stay flying!
I instructed there for about 4 years and worked on my degree at the same time. By 1993 I had about 1500 hours, I was out of money and no jobs where to be had. I couldn't afford to buy multi time and I was unsuccessful and finding anyone who would let me build it. I tried to go for C208 jobs but they were hiring military that had just gotten out of Gulf War 1.
Frustrated, I went to RN school. I originally planned to use my RN to get work while still building my aviation career but I started to enjoy the pay and the unlimited overtime. You can make 100k as a RN but you will work hard for it. 12 hour shifts where you are lucky to get a 30 minute break. Night shifts 7p-7a pay more and thats where you start untill you get enough seniority to get on days.
Being an RN has some advantages over being a pilot like no risk of furlough, and working in a field where there is a true shortage. People beg you to come work and treat you pretty well while they work you like a hickory slave.
CRNA is a good job and can be done if you want to put in the tiime. I was put off by it when every CRNA I know will talk about how much they make in the first or second sentence when asked if they like what they do. It is a job that pays well but is otherwise without glory imo.
It's not about the money guys, do what you love. I wish I could have found a way to stay in aviation but I lost my focus. Don't jump into another career unless you do it for the love of it. If you love flying, stay flying!
03-31-2013, 05:42 PM
#33
Bracing for Fallacies
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: In favor of good things, not in favor of bad things
Posts: 3,543
Originally Posted by Buck227
I haven't flown since I quit in 1993. Just haven't had a reason to. I miss it and I may get back into it but I am unsure.
I hope you get back into GA flying soon! Buy something cheap, or get a partner.
05-17-2013, 01:25 PM
#34
New Hire
Joined APC: Apr 2011
Position: Outside Looking In
Posts: 7
I also left aviation in '94 when I left the Navy. United was hiring minorities and the commuters were charging $10K for your training and paying $15K for the first year. I went into pharmaceutical sales. Good pay and lots of bonus opportunities. Management at the major companies ran the business model into the ground by hiring too many reps and it wasn't much fun after a few years. I now work for a dialysis company in business development. I consider myself lucky as I have always landed on my feet.
05-20-2013, 05:44 AM
#35
Flies for Fun
Joined APC: May 2012
Position: CE-172 Heavy
Posts: 358
Originally Posted by MedDown
I also left aviation in '94 when I left the Navy. United was hiring minorities and the commuters were charging $10K for your training and paying $15K for the first year. I went into pharmaceutical sales. Good pay and lots of bonus opportunities. Management at the major companies ran the business model into the ground by hiring too many reps and it wasn't much fun after a few years. I now work for a dialysis company in business development. I consider myself lucky as I have always landed on my feet.
