my current pipe dream

bLizZuE

bLizZuE

Calling for engine starts en français
Every time I think I know where I'm going to be in the next 5 years of my life, I find I'm never where I thought I would be.

You'll probably have to re-read that sentence a few times, as did I.

Five years ago, I decided to quit my job, move to Florida and start flight training. I thought for sure in 5 years' time, I would be at an airline or something other than flight instructing. Yet here I am, still flight instructing. Now I'm not complaining, it's just not exactly where I thought I or the industry would be at this time. I have arguably one of the best instructing jobs out there, lots of flying, decent pay and good benefits. So this is in no way a complaint.

Now I'm thinking about quitting my job in Florida and moving back to Idaho.

When I was 17 years old, I was stupid. I decided it would be a good idea to drop out of high school. My parents were stupid because they let me do it. I got my GED shortly thereafter and went to work full time. I had a short stint in community college before I got another job that required me to be there 9-5 and that ended my college career. Until now.

A few months ago I sent in the application for Boise State, I've been working on getting everything sorted out that I feel would be required for this to work. My parents still live in state, so I got residency status for cheap tuition. I got financial aid approval to help pay for tuition until I can either find a job in the area or strike oil. Everything seems to be falling into place for this to be doable.

It's been 10 years since I dropped out of high school.

Now I'm at another cross-road of my life I never wanted to face, but knew at some point I would have to.

Do I leave my wonderful instructing job and go back to school now? I mean the industry is at a stand still. It has been for me for over a year. Last September I was hired and then never given a class date for 4 companies. I've spent the last year in limbo just 'hanging out' still instructing. It was a good year, I got my ATP done recently, and crossed the 2000 hour threshold. But what will another year do for me?

Ok so here it is finally.

I can quit my instructing job, go back to school, hopefully find a flying job to do part time to keep currency.
or
Keep instructing and keep waiting.

Comments, complaints, concerns?
 
I'm sure other people are thinking it too, but why not go to school locally where you work? That way you wouldn't have to give up a good job, and you would finish your degree. I commend you on going back to school. My college degree is one thing I've never regretted in my life.
 
I'm currently working for U.P. railroad, or at least I hold a job with them. I've been furloughed for about a year now. I think the railroad industry has a lot in common with the airline industry from what I hear.

From where I'm standing, I'm waiting on of course the economy but also for the old foggies to either die or retire. Once these baby boomers get out of our way, our generation will get to finally get a piece of the pie. I think TIME magazine had it right when they deemed this a decade from hell.

You've put a lot of time and dedication in your flying, I would keep it as my priority if I were you. You will find yourself in the right seat before long.

About college, nothing wrong with a degree but if I were you, make sure you get something you can put to work upon graduation. e.g. nursing, any healthcare, teaching, something that will guarantee a decent paying job.

DO NOT get a pos Finance, Business, Liberal BS or something along those lines, I'm learning the hard way that in today's world, just because you have a degree, you are not entitled. Everybody has a damn degree.

As you said though,you already had flying jobs lined up w/o having a degree so, I wouldn't worry about it. College loans are no fun and going to school is a huge investment of time and money.
 
Whether or not what I'm about to say makes any sense at all depends entirely on how you're wired as a person.

If it was me, in your place, I'd go the school route, either locally or in Boise - you can always instruct for a few bucks, but this isn't about instructing.

It IS about stasis, and keeping momentum. It's about continually striving to improve yourself in manifold ways and keeping your eye on the prize.

Yeah, man. Go to school. Instruct if you wish, in whatever capacity, but yeah, go to school.

Contrary to Hack's note above, not everyone has a damn degree. But those of us who don't are getting there. :D
 
I would either get a job instructing back in Boise if you can and go to school there, or go to school near where you are currently instructing...either way take this opportunity to get your education.
 
Why don't you continue flight instructing and do an online university such as, University of Phoenix or something similar?
 
Me, I'd go home go to college and live it up while instructing part-time.

You already have the hours and like your certificate a degree won't expire.

hmm, I should go back to school too, it is stagnate.
 
Why don't you get an A.A. degree at a local community college (I think Vero has one somewhere), then try to find a local college for a B.S. (or do it online? Will the school work with you around a schedule for classes? If they know ahead of time, they may be willing to let you schedule students around your classes.
 
Pick up a copy of the book " Life Entrepreneurs" by Gergen and Vanourek. It will help you answer this and many more important questions.
 
The old saying, "Want to make God laugh...make a plan!" comes to mind.

In all seriousness, nobody knows what tomorrow will bring in this crazy career field. I'll echo what others have said. If I were you I think I'd keep my current flt instructing job if it's paying the bills and look at a local college or take online courses to finish up.

Keep your head up. I've seen too many folks give up in life and aviation and for all they knew they could've been only one day away from that big break. ;)
 
hack1982 said:
DO NOT get a pos Finance, Business, Liberal BS or something along those lines,
Click to expand...

Thats not true. If you get an finance/econ/math/etc, the world of finance will open up to you a lot easier than if not. Just be sure you want to do that. Of my friends that ended up in finance, all but one of them are so depressed with their jobs that they have turned to drugs. On the flip side, they are also buying $80,000+ cars at 24.


For the OP, I don't think having a degree is ever a bad idea, but also where does it stand in relation to what you want to do? Are the aviation jobs you're applying to requiring a degree? Will that help you get hired? Sure the industry is in a slump now, but it will correct itself.
 
DO NOT get a pos Finance, Business, Liberal BS or something along those lines,
Click to expand...

I would have to disagree with this as well. I have a bachelors in Business Admin with a minor in Finance and I am going for my MBA right now. The earnings are some the highest with these degrees. So i'm not sure why you would call them POS. I would call a teaching degree POS. My sister is a teacher and she makes ok money but no where near what a four year college graduate should be making. Accouting and finance will be two of the fastest growing jobs over the next 10 years due to the high number of 50+ workers in these areas.
 
hack1982 said:
About college, nothing wrong with a degree but if I were you, make sure you get something you can put to work upon graduation. e.g. nursing, any healthcare, teaching, something that will guarantee a decent paying job.

DO NOT get a pos Finance, Business, Liberal BS or something along those lines, I'm learning the hard way that in today's world, just because you have a degree, you are not entitled. Everybody has a damn degree.
Click to expand...

(AMEN TO THAT)^100

I started college as an Mechanical Engineering major then switched to a worthless Psychology Major. Although I could do something if I got a Master's or PHd, I switched because it was the shortest major at my university and I'd be able to get out into the world of aviation sooner. I have little interest in psychology. I'm currently trying to figure out how to get an MS in Mechanical Engineering. Not an easy task, I wish I put off flying for a bit longer and got a degree that was worthwhile.

My advice would be to do it right from the start. Good Luck
 
AndrewT said:
Thats not true. If you get an finance/econ/math/etc, the world of finance will open up to you a lot easier than if not. Just be sure you want to do that. Of my friends that ended up in finance, all but one of them are so depressed with their jobs that they have turned to drugs. On the flip side, they are also buying $80,000+ cars at 24.
Click to expand...

That's not good. :rolleyes:

Blizzue. I resigned my flying job at one of the companies you interviewed with in order to further my education. I don't regret my decision. It's tough not to fly every single day when that's what one loves to do, but I believe that education opens up doors that aren't otherwise available to you.
I have a stable job that I do enjoy for now, plus the time available to do many other things. Getting a degree now does not discredit all of the things that you have done in aviation in the past - and there's always the opportunity to get back in (or stay in instructing as others have suggested) if you really find that you can't do anything else but fly. Above all, I highly encourage you to trust your instincts and get a college degree; Good luck in your decision.
 
I was in a similar situation at the beginning of summer. I had been in the right seat for a 135 company for a couple years, no upgrade at all in sight, crappy pay and treatment. I have my GED, but had no college under my belt yet. I decided that I was going to give flying a break for school, so I went part time at my company and moved up to Coeur d'alene from Vegas.

I love the area and had a great summer... but looking back on things I made some bad choices. If you are sure flying is the career you want I wouldn't quit a good flying job. I should have stayed full time flying and taken online classes. The mountains will always be there..
 
vheissu said:
If you are sure flying is the career you want I wouldn't quit a good flying job.
Click to expand...

Florida has the cheapest in-state tuition in the US. Take classes here part time and keep the good job you have. Just try to schedule 2 days a week for classes, and fly the other 5.
 
I doubt that very many of us are where we thought we would be 5 years ago.

I know I didn't see myself punching a clock for $12/hour as a mechanic and still in TX.
 
There are over 6000 unemployeed pilots right now. So that next flying job or break you are looking for will be there in 4 years. Get the degree, stay current, maybe do a little instruction. Then you will be more competitive, no one will fault you for the education.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top