frog_flyer
FredFlyer
If I could do it again, I'd do it the same.
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What would you tell your younger self before deciding to start a career in aviation?
- Thread starter ktsai91
- Start date
If I could do it again, I'd do it the same.
chrisreedrules
Master Blaster
Instead of spending all the money on learning to fly I think I would of rather pursued a degree in an engineering field. Electrical, chemical, or nuclear would of been my choices. But hey, hindsight is always 20/20 and I've enjoyed the ride so far.
ZapBrannigan
If it ain’t a Boeing, I’m not going. No choice.
Go to law school. Buy a small house and pay for your cars with cash. Never carry credit card debt. Live in a small town. If it flies...______... or floats, rent it.
Bozzles
New Member
I 2nd that man, makes it all worth it!
Autothrust Blue
“If you jump on my shift, that’s just rude, man.”
Probiotics.
ShyFlyer
CAP Member
I would have told myself to go ahead and enlist right out of high school. It's ok not to do ROTC, become an Officer, then try to land a flying slot. Let Uncle Sam pay for school. Civilian flight training will still be there waiting for you.
Also, don't get a degree in Management. It sounds like a good idea, but it might as well be a Liberal Arts degree. Even if you start at the bottom with a company, you'll get passed over for advancement constantly and instead work for someone who brown-nosed their way into the job.
I know some here dislike "pilot mills" but I would also tell my younger self that should be the route to take. If I had done that, say right after college, I'd be complaining about reduced-rest overnights, how crew scheduling seems to hate me, or how I long for the days of being a senior FO verses a junior Captain. Instead, I chose an FBO that, shortly after finishing my Private, decided it didn't want to be in business any more and the only other FBO (at the time) seemed more interested in selling fuel to BizJets and now I'm working a job that barely affords me the opportunity to fly twice a year as a passenger.
Also, don't get a degree in Management. It sounds like a good idea, but it might as well be a Liberal Arts degree. Even if you start at the bottom with a company, you'll get passed over for advancement constantly and instead work for someone who brown-nosed their way into the job.
I know some here dislike "pilot mills" but I would also tell my younger self that should be the route to take. If I had done that, say right after college, I'd be complaining about reduced-rest overnights, how crew scheduling seems to hate me, or how I long for the days of being a senior FO verses a junior Captain. Instead, I chose an FBO that, shortly after finishing my Private, decided it didn't want to be in business any more and the only other FBO (at the time) seemed more interested in selling fuel to BizJets and now I'm working a job that barely affords me the opportunity to fly twice a year as a passenger.
GypsyPilot
Mohawk Town
Engineer here, it's not as great as you guys apparently think it is... In fact I thought it sucked. But if you have the personality for it, I guess you might find it a satisfactory way to make a living. If your goal is to poop out a couple kids and live a very structured 8-5 life, than I suppose it would be quite desirable.
Going on my eighth year of professional aviation, and still glad I made the career switch (despite my subpar pilot career). I had more scheduled days off in DEC than many 8-5 people have for vacation...
Avalon781ML
Well-Known Member
Option B would have been a better decision...
web265
Well-Known Member
chrisreedrules
Master Blaster
My dad had his masters in Electrical Engineering along with a degree in thermodynamic flow, and one in satellite communications. He worked for the DoD and some other agencies on really cool stuff and got payed really well to do it. If I were to do the engineering thing, I would try my best to work for the government.
Autothrust Blue
“If you jump on my shift, that’s just rude, man.”
I have discovered the problem.Or middle names of "Lynn". Ted opened my eyes!
Groundpounder
Quitter
Don't ever look back, keep looking forward.
Pilot Fighter
Well-Known Member
Wear sunscreen and take better care of my knees.
Career wise, I'd tell myself that it's a long life, don't take yourself so seriously, and accept setbacks, rejection, and failure with grace.
I think of the events that almost crushed my spirit and now realize that those events just opened up other opportunities.
No nomination to the Naval Academy, crushed. Knee injury prevented me from attending Coast Guard Academy, crushed. Eyes not good enough to be a Navy pilot, crushed. Service related injury led to early military retirement, crushed. Disappointing interviews, crushed. Mediocre check rides, crushed. Layoffs, crushed. Missed promotions, crushed.
I'd tell myself to lighten up a bit.
Career wise, I'd tell myself that it's a long life, don't take yourself so seriously, and accept setbacks, rejection, and failure with grace.
I think of the events that almost crushed my spirit and now realize that those events just opened up other opportunities.
No nomination to the Naval Academy, crushed. Knee injury prevented me from attending Coast Guard Academy, crushed. Eyes not good enough to be a Navy pilot, crushed. Service related injury led to early military retirement, crushed. Disappointing interviews, crushed. Mediocre check rides, crushed. Layoffs, crushed. Missed promotions, crushed.
I'd tell myself to lighten up a bit.
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Pietrantonio
Well-Known Member
The grass really isnt greener on that side of the fence. Can't attest for law school, but healthcare isn't what it's portrayed to be; and it's certainly not a decision you want to make based on salary. You'll be asking the same question, "what would I tell my younger self....."
Ajax
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And then in that life I would tell myself to chase my dream of being a pilot