To Do It? (Am I too old to be a comm. pilot?)
 

Well, here I am at 31 years of age contemplating a career change. I was brought up in the aviation industry and my father was a 121 guy. I have seen the ups and downs of this industry and I know how difficult it can be. I also know that I dislike being in the corporate world, after 8 years of corporate sales, I will not go back. So I am now looking at entering the field, at a late age.

I have a decent job, which I enjoy. I'll probably never make more than 50K at the position and I have to pay for my own benefits. That being said, I am able to take time off when I need it, I get to enjoy my hobbies to the fullest and the people that I work with are enjoyable to be around. The job centers around the hobbies I enjoy and I get to play with toys (ie: guns, bows, dogs, rods and reels) every day, but I won't ever make any decent money.

I have been think about my long term goals and my future (retirement) and lets face it, a limit of 50K will not provide much of a retirement if living a "normal" life (house, wife, truck, etc.). I keep coming back to being a pilot, as it has never left my blood. If I choose to do it, I will earn my ratings while working, become an instructor (finish my degree while instructing) and then look for a 91 or 135 career. I live in Phoenix so I know there are flying opportunities here (or will be).

With this in mind, would you all (those with years of experience in the aviation industry) think about becoming a pilot or stay where I am, doing what I am doing. I know that I have to decide, just trying to get a feel for what the general feeling is. I appreciate all insight and thank you all in advance.

8 years of corporate sales, so could you transfer to a different company for more money since that is what you are looking for. The pilot thing is like las vegas....play the right slot machine, at the right casino, at the right day, at the right time and jackpot(maybe). In other words, the pilot career is a big gamble and only do you know if it worked out when your 65 and looking back.

No one else has anything to add..........................?

Third option
 

Aviation is a big risk. No delusions about it. 50K and control over your life is better than most flying jobs out there.

Try an different career entirely and fly for fun.

Skyhigh

Retirement
 

Think about how far 80K in training costs would go towards your retirement? Don't look to aviation to being a financial benefit. Most likely you will lose much more than you will gain.

Skyhigh

31 isn't that old and I'd say your chances of eventually equaling your current salary are excellent. How fast that happens depends on the general economy and your willingness to move around as you seek your way up the ladder. I would suggest you train part time while keeping your current job rather than jumping in with both feet at this time. Try to keep your training costs low and pay as you go. Join a flying club or find a partnership in an airplane. Arizona is a great place for flying.

I appreciate the responses. The plan would be to fly three or four days a week while I continue my current job. I have the luxury of making my own schedule, so I would be able to fly in the mornings, go to work and then study in the evenings. Once my ratings were obtained, I would look at instructing part-time while I maintained my current job as well. The goal would be to be in my first 135 or 91 job in 5 to 7 years. That would put me at 36 - 38 years of age. This would give me almost 30 years as a pilot, if all goes well. After that amount of time, even with a hardship or two, I would imagine that I would be well above the 50K mark!?!

Given the way aviation has gone over the last 20 years I would hope that you could best 50K after a decade as a professional pilot but I would not count on it.

Skyhigh

I can understand where you are coming from. Yes, after a decade in the career, I would expect that on the low end. The thing that I have learned in this economy (and from my previous career) is that the career field does not matter with regards to pay. No field is currently paying what it used to. Computer Science majors are coming out of school making 40+ these days, not the mid 50's that they were two years ago. Accountants and Lawyers, same thing. Wages and opportunities across the board are down!:( What more and more individuals are realizing is that it is better to do what they want and enjoy, rather than chase the money, regardless of what that is.

What do you base this statement on? Speculation?