Hey guys, I'm 18 years old and really confused on whether or not I should continue to pursue a career as a pilot. I keep looking back at an article from june of 2011 stating the next 10-20 years are going to be explosive in regard to pilot hiring, but then again the industry is very cyclical.

some background info.

- attended ERAU for ONE semester before realizing that I didn't want to be 200K in debt

-currently working a part time job and going to school ( IN VIRGINIA, yes i transferred)

- Only have 12 hours logged, but have my written taken care of

Im pretty much at the very beginning. I come on this forum a lot for advice but most of the time I just get discouraged by all of the threads I read.
I know flight training is expensive ( from private to CFII it would be around 50-60 K where i live) and regional pay is beyond horrible (at least starting out) so I'm really confused as to what I should do....


Option 1) should I take out the loans to continue my flight training, get it done within a couple of years, CFI and work my way up like everyone else ( I would still be pursuing my degree)

OR

Option 2) just focus on my degree in comp. engineering, get a desk job out of college, make money and forget about flying......


Just like all other pilots out there, I want to be seated at the left seat of a 737 or some other big jet, but I know the path to get there is very expensive and seldom direct.

Please respond and help me out guys, I don't want to sit around for months just pondering my life. Thanks

There's a flaw in your option 2.
Replace "forget about flying" with "fly for fun"

Not only expensive and seldom direct, the path often dead ends without an airline seat. Thousands, for no fault of their own, don't get hired. It has always been a gamble. Get a degree in something that will provide a chance at a good career, then figure out flyin.

GF

You have what is referred to as Shiney Jet Syndrome (SJS).
When you learn that isn't WHAT you fly ("some other big jet), but where you fly, how much you fly, how much you get paid to fly, how many days you have off, how much you commute, and a variety of other considerations that fall into the ever grey area of QOL - you'll find what you really want to do in my opinion.

Believe me - NOT every pilot wants to be "seated in the left seat of a 737 or some other big jet"

USMCFLYR

Thanks for the quick replies

USMCFLYR i guess that was a bit ignorant

anywhooo, I don't know what this says about me, but I really want to just fly as a career....flying for fun doesn't come across my mind often
anyone care to pick at my mind

Building on what USMC laid out for you, why don't you take 'Option 2' and use the funds from your "desk job" to finance your flight training?

Once you get to the COMM/CFI crossroad, you'll be at a much better place in your life in which to make some very important decisions.
Maybe you'll have decided that flying for fun is more for you, maybe the military, maybe corporate, and so on.

You made a smart move not investing $200K or so at this stage in your life. It could've worked out or it could've devastated you financially. Too rich of a gamble for my blood.

Seriously consider getting an engineering degree and position and do the flight training part-time and without significant loans.

I suggest you get the engineering degree first. By that time, you will be less young and less confused. Then, if you still want a flying career, apply to the military. If they say no, be an engineer and make enough money for more flight training. That way, you will always be "free to choose". Good Luck!

USMCFLYER is 100% correct ( and thats hard for me to admit.... ), it is not about what you fly. QOL is everything. The two best jobs, (and incidentally the best paying) I have had in aviation were flying a piston twin and a medium sized turboprop as a contract pilot in the 135 world. If you can realize like I finally did (five years too late) that flying a jet isnt necessary to the goal, you can and likely will have a very rewarding career. Good luck and always remember 98% of this aviation thing, is pure luck, timing and contacts.

You have been lucky enough to get some Grade A, gold standard advice from guys (gals?) from every corner of the biz. You have the controls now.

GF

I am of the opinion that to be a great aviator (career or otherwise) flying has to have a primal appeal to you. If you don't see yourself flying for the simple pleasure flying brings, then I don't see how you could be happy years into your career as a professional pilot.
But that's just my personal opinion.