Looking Forward, But Nervous
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: I only fly multi-winged airplanes.
Posts: 321
Looking Forward, But Nervous
I am leaving my job to go back to school...
I am sitting in an FBO awaiting my last flight (Merry Christmas btw), and I am excited. I will be making my last freight run in a C-402. I will be leaving the BEST job I have ever had. My company is great, the line guys are great, and the pay is pretty good with a cheap rent.
The only problem...My wife and house are out of state. She is in grad school getting a PhD. I lost my job over a year and a half ago that was back home. I then picked up work out of state. Of my 2.5 year marriage I have spent 2 years on the road working living like a bachelor hobo, in small living quarters sometimes with roommates. I couldnt ask for a more supportive pilot wife. She understood what I was trying to do. Sacrafice everything early to have it easier down the road.
The time has come however to put things in perspective. I have sacraficed too much of my LIFE, health, and sanity, chasing this "dream." I did everything I was supposed to. I instructed to ATP mins (when 250 hr aero-studs were going to fly "THE JET"), did the 135 freight dog thing, and was willing to move anywhere to get to the next level.
I have had a long road, and I am tired of being a victim to this rapist of an industry. I am going back to school to get a degree in biology and education so I can be a highschool science teacher. Benefits, job stability, and a decent schedule sound nice. When I get done in 3-4 years my wife will be finishing her PhD., we may be getting a more business friendly president, and there may be more options. I will then be able to pursue flying or a job as a teacher, while not worrying what happens if I lose my job, medical out, get into trouble with the FAA. I am currently 26...I hope that at 30 I can pick up with out much damage to my flying career due to the current stagination of this industry.
Some things to aspiring pilots:
*Do NOT get a degree in aviation.
*CFI for a while, you will learn a lot!
*135 Freight is the toughest and most proven test of flying.
*Experience, Knowledge, and skill do not matter when it comes to getting a job.
I am looking forward, but I am damn nervous. I am comforted by the fact that I know I am at least in control of the situation. I have been checking this site out for 7 years now. Thanks to everyone for all the insight. I have grown up on APC from a young solo student pilot, up to a dirty freight dog who can get it done. It has been fun, but the fun has been expensive in more than just money. Again Thanks all and I will let you all know how it turns out in a few years. Take care!
I am sitting in an FBO awaiting my last flight (Merry Christmas btw), and I am excited. I will be making my last freight run in a C-402. I will be leaving the BEST job I have ever had. My company is great, the line guys are great, and the pay is pretty good with a cheap rent.
The only problem...My wife and house are out of state. She is in grad school getting a PhD. I lost my job over a year and a half ago that was back home. I then picked up work out of state. Of my 2.5 year marriage I have spent 2 years on the road working living like a bachelor hobo, in small living quarters sometimes with roommates. I couldnt ask for a more supportive pilot wife. She understood what I was trying to do. Sacrafice everything early to have it easier down the road.
The time has come however to put things in perspective. I have sacraficed too much of my LIFE, health, and sanity, chasing this "dream." I did everything I was supposed to. I instructed to ATP mins (when 250 hr aero-studs were going to fly "THE JET"), did the 135 freight dog thing, and was willing to move anywhere to get to the next level.
I have had a long road, and I am tired of being a victim to this rapist of an industry. I am going back to school to get a degree in biology and education so I can be a highschool science teacher. Benefits, job stability, and a decent schedule sound nice. When I get done in 3-4 years my wife will be finishing her PhD., we may be getting a more business friendly president, and there may be more options. I will then be able to pursue flying or a job as a teacher, while not worrying what happens if I lose my job, medical out, get into trouble with the FAA. I am currently 26...I hope that at 30 I can pick up with out much damage to my flying career due to the current stagination of this industry.
Some things to aspiring pilots:
*Do NOT get a degree in aviation.
*CFI for a while, you will learn a lot!
*135 Freight is the toughest and most proven test of flying.
*Experience, Knowledge, and skill do not matter when it comes to getting a job.
I am looking forward, but I am damn nervous. I am comforted by the fact that I know I am at least in control of the situation. I have been checking this site out for 7 years now. Thanks to everyone for all the insight. I have grown up on APC from a young solo student pilot, up to a dirty freight dog who can get it done. It has been fun, but the fun has been expensive in more than just money. Again Thanks all and I will let you all know how it turns out in a few years. Take care!
Last edited by CaptainTeezy; 12-25-2009 at 09:34 AM.
#2
Good Luck!
Captain Teezy,
It sounds like you are making a prudent decision, but I also think you were wise to pursue flying when you did. You won't regret having "been there, done that", and will probably be a better high school teacher because of your experience. At age 26, you have plenty of time to watch developments in the aviation industry and possibly return to it.
It sounds like you are making a prudent decision, but I also think you were wise to pursue flying when you did. You won't regret having "been there, done that", and will probably be a better high school teacher because of your experience. At age 26, you have plenty of time to watch developments in the aviation industry and possibly return to it.
#4
Captain Teezy- sounds like you are making a well thought out decision and although your flying may be ending you should still consider your accomplishments a success. I also have a wife who will finish her PhD this spring, it is a long road but very much worth it. I moved on a few years back myself and it was a great decision, still like airplanes but love my life outside of flying. Best of luck to you.
#6
Stethoscope
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 308
When I get done in 3-4 years... I will then be able to pursue flying or a job as a teacher, while not worrying what happens if I lose my job, medical out, get into trouble with the FAA. I am currently 26...I hope that at 30 I can pick up with out much damage to my flying career due to the current stagination of this industry.
Good luck by the way.
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: I only fly multi-winged airplanes.
Posts: 321
I plan to try and be a pilot as my number 1 job, but I am not going to take low pay, bad treatment, or sacrifice everything I have just to do it. I will see what is going on in the aviation world...if it is good pay with quality of life I will do it. If not I will have other options. Thanks!
#8
Sounds almost verbatim like my story, last year. I quit 12/15/08 from a regional in the face of a furlough to go back to school to get my CPA. Fast forward 12 months and the school part is done (only 1 year extra beyond the 4 yr I had) and 3 of the 4 CPA exam sections are passed. I'll reach my goal on 2/11/10 when I sit for a pass the last one.
Still flying all this time though, in a non career capacity. Flew 126 hours this year primarily as a part time CFI. I also recently got back into R/C airplanes and am enjoying what they offer.
Good luck!!
Still flying all this time though, in a non career capacity. Flew 126 hours this year primarily as a part time CFI. I also recently got back into R/C airplanes and am enjoying what they offer.
Good luck!!
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Posts: 185
Good for you and good luck my friend. I admire that you are able to do that. I am too old to make the official change and the stress of work/work disappearing and family time weighs on my mind heavy everyday. I would say that you are lucky. You have a good family, are young, have a level head, a base of flying experience to pick up from down the road, and a very admirable new career goal. Best of luck!
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