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The end of a dream?

Old 07-16-2009, 12:29 PM
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Default The end of a dream?

Hey guys. Some of you may remember, I got my PPL in January after 8 months (2 of them on layoff status) of slaving away trying to make a $9-10 per hour ramp job pay an $8,000 flight training bill. By the grace of God, I made it thought and achieved my goal. After a few months, I had another $3500 saved up and was ready to takle my multi-engine rating. Then I woke up.

I havent flown since the last day of Feburary and, after a summer of partying with friends, I've still managed to keep that same $3,500 in the bank. That $9 per hour job became $10 and is a month away from being $11. I went from just a bin rat to being break-ride qualified on A320s and 757s. I'm 5 classes away from an AA in Business. Yet, somewhere in there I lost my desire to be an airline pilot. After 20 years of dreaming about earning my wings and wearing those 4 stripes, it seems as if everything ended before it even began.

It hurts not being current anymore. Not being able to grab a friend and run down to ORL for a quick hour of fun. I first have to spend $110 to make the 3 takeoffs and landings needed to carry passangers. I make that much in two days, yet hesistate to spend the money. It hurts looking at the pilots I see every single day knowing I probably wont be among them. I wonder if I made the right call, or if I'll go back to my passion and have a successful career.

I turn 20 tommorow (7/17) and expect to have a BS in Business Administration within the next 3 years. My other desire is to become a corporate executive at Delta, the airline i technically work for as a result of the merger. I'm not exactly sure how to accomplish this. Maybe earn my MBA and work my butt off through the lower levels of management for a decade before earning the big bucks CEOs and VPs make. It's who you know, i guess.

I love flying, but it seems almost impossible for me to live the life I want to live if I do it professionally. Have any of you been in the situation I am? What did you end up doing? I've never felt so confused before, and it's really eating me up inside.
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Old 07-16-2009, 02:51 PM
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Default Many of us

I was 17 years old and working at a gas station to make my aviation dreams come true. I worked long into the night to save up for each hour of flight. Slowly and over several years of sacrifice I eventually made it to my commercial and CFI. I took a short breather and then began to climb the next long series of hills. Once I reached the top I realized that there was nothing there.

Get a real job. When you are older you can save up and buy a small plane of some kind. You have got the rest of your life to try and make this dream come true. A better plan is to try and figure out how you can make a living first.

Another idea is to get a four year degree then join the military.

Skyhigh
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Old 07-16-2009, 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by SkyHigh View Post
I was 17 years old and working at a gas station to make my aviation dreams come true. I worked long into the night to save up for each hour of flight. Slowly and over several years of sacrifice I eventually made it to my commercial and CFI. I took a short breather and then began to climb the next long series of hills. Once I reached the top I realized that there was nothing there.

Get a real job. When you are older you can save up and buy a small plane of some kind. You have got the rest of your life to try and make this dream come true. A better plan is to try and figure out how you can make a living first.

Another idea is to get a four year degree then join the military.

Skyhigh
Do I hear a violin playing? Nobody cares. If your not an airline pilot or an aspiring pilot quit posting. You couldn't make it in this industry...move on.
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Old 07-16-2009, 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by dashtrash300 View Post
Do I hear a violin playing? Nobody cares. If your not an airline pilot or an aspiring pilot quit posting. You couldn't make it in this industry...move on.
Considering some of the morons that I've seen go to work for regional carriers and even majors over the last 5 years, I have to say that your sanctimonious attitude is pretty ironic.

Also, the fact that you somehow took enough offense to make the above post leads me to believe that you are not exactly happy with your career choice.

If your spelling and grammar is an example of the perfect specimen who "made it" in this industry, you can keep it.

Oh, and one more thing.....when, exactly, did flying a Dash become considered "making it in this industry?"
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Old 07-16-2009, 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by RmTrice View Post
... I'm 5 classes away from an AA in Business...
Great! No matter what you decide to do in regard to aviation later this is the right thing to do. Finish it up asap.

... Yet, somewhere in there I lost my desire to be an airline pilot. After 20 years of dreaming about earning my wings and wearing those 4 stripes, it seems as if everything ended before it even began...
If you are meant to be one it will come back. Just finish the degree and keep earning flight ratings for now.

...It hurts not being current anymore. Not being able to grab a friend and run down to ORL for a quick hour of fun. I first have to spend $110 to make the 3 takeoffs and landings needed to carry passengers. I make that much in two days, yet hesistate to spend the money.
Been there brother. Not affording to fly is one of the most torturous things I have ever known. It gets better as you gain your CFI and Commercial certs though because paying opportunites start to emerge. I have not paid for a flight hour since over a year ago and I have logged hundreds of hours since then.

...It hurts looking at the pilots I see every single day knowing I probably wont be among them. I wonder if I made the right call, or if I'll go back to my passion and have a successful career.
Absolutely you might be among them. There's a lot to do in the meantime however. Keep the faith. Keep studying the art of flying.

...I love flying, but it seems almost impossible for me to live the life I want to live if I do it professionally. Have any of you been in the situation I am? What did you end up doing? I've never felt so confused before, and it's really eating me up inside.
Aviation is along road for most and you had better not enter it wanting to live like an accountant, or at least to live like one before you are thirty something. It's ok to want some money but the typical airline path takes a decade or more to finally pay off. It's really not an issue for you now though. You should just continue with your flight training and continue getting ratings. The future is bright whether you end up going professional or not. Good luck!
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Old 07-16-2009, 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Cubdriver View Post
Aviation is along road for most and you had better not enter it wanting to live like an accountant, or at least to live like one before you are thirty something.
Working on my CPA right now, that is funny.

To the OP:

Just keep on keeping on. Try to better yourself in every way you can. Inside aviation and out. If that means a slower pace on both fronts, so be it. It includes finishing your degree, doing your best to keep flying, and never burning bridges. I'd recommend a degree in something mechanical. By mechanical I mean in something that leads to a certification or a specific credential to DO something. A general business degree will do almost nothing for you. If you like business, choose accounting or finance. The other disciplines are useless.

Aviation as a career will always be a tough road. It will never give security or be easy on family. But it does offer things others jobs don't. It is matter of finding out what works for you.

I would at least keep striving for the CFI. Once you get that, you can make some money flying or at a minimum, fly for free. On that token, if you want to come down to Winter Haven airport (GIF), I can get you current again for the price of fuel and a little lunch money for my time. I've got a C150 we can fly. You mentioned ORL, so you musn't be too far north.
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Old 07-16-2009, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by sqwkvfr View Post
Considering some of the morons that I've seen go to work for regional carriers and even majors over the last 5 years, I have to say that your sanctimonious attitude is pretty ironic.

Also, the fact that you somehow took enough offense to make the above post leads me to believe that you are not exactly happy with your career choice.

If your spelling and grammar is an example of the perfect specimen who "made it" in this industry, you can keep it.

Oh, and one more thing.....when, exactly, did flying a Dash become considered "making it in this industry?"
Well sorry I couldn't keep the spelling and grammar perfect. I had only been on duty for 11 hours and thought during my 3 hour sit before my last flight that I could surf the web. Nothing better than a 15 hour day with 6 legs of flying to make your spelling and grammar perfect. But at least I have a job right so I can't complain. BTW, the Dash is definitely not a career goal but I will take it over being a weekend pilot or Cessna captain any day.
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Old 07-16-2009, 08:12 PM
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RmTrice, I started flying 3 yrs before you born so maybe a little advice from an "old timer" will be helpful. Whatever you do, do not make flying your primary goal. If it comes your way,fine. Keep pursuing an education that will prepare you for something else that you can make a lateral move in. I have 11,000 TT, several type ratings, have never failed a checkride or had an incident/accident and all that amounts to nothing now. It is all about luck and timing. Don't put yourself in that position. I have lost jobs to 2 bankruptcies, (1 airline, 1 corporate) 1 buyout, 2 downsizings and a lost contract back when I flew freight. Starting at the bottom every time is no life. Trust me, the best things in life have nothing to do with airplanes anyway. Best of luck to you and yours.
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Old 07-16-2009, 09:13 PM
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Timing is everything! Commercial aviation is a cyclical industry. These are dark days in aviation. We all know it will get better. The question is where will you be when it improves. That is where timing comes into play. You're 20 years old with a potential forty plus year career in aviation. Without a doubt get a degree now rather than later. Better to be 20 years old wondering what the hell you're going to do with your life than two or three decades from now! You still have time for a career in aviation.
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Old 07-16-2009, 09:58 PM
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Keep on truckin....


Finish your degree....


***** when your in a position to *****

your 20 you should be worrying about school, stop being a whiner with your ramp job life sucks get a helment.

Last edited by Herb Flemmming; 07-16-2009 at 10:16 PM.
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