A-9er
Well-Known Member
Hi Guys,
Years ago, I wanted to be a professional pilot. I obtained my commercial/instrument in pursuit of that goal. However, before I could work in the 'front office' of an airplane, I lost my medical. To lose my dream on the cusp of achieving it was painful, to say the least. I fueled airliners for a couple of years at STL, and then walked away from aviation altogether. I thought it was the best thing to do at the time. In retrospect, it was the wrong decision, but I can't change the past.
After walking away from aviation, I did other things. I went back to school and got a bachelors in electronics, a hobby I pursued as a kid. While in school, I worked as a TA. After school, I worked in offices at a couple of Fortune 500 companies, then worked in the electronics industry, where I'm presently employed. Though the job is secure (my company is growing and has regular overtime), I feel like I'm in a rut. I've heard it said that a rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out-how true it is. I don't want to LIVE like this any longer! By hook or by crook, I am going to change my situation.
That said, I never really lost my love of airplanes and everything aviation. I've been a regular reader at Airinsight.com, Aviation Week, and Aviation-History.com. The last website is a MUST SEE for any aviation buff!
While reading an aviation website recently, I read about dispatchers. When I was training to be a professional pilot, I'd heard about them but didn't investigate them; after all, I wanted to be a pilot, and that's all that mattered. After finding out more about it, I think that dispatching would be an IDEAL career for me; I think I would love it! That said, I am 54 going on 55. If I were to enroll at Sheffield next year, I would be 55. Though I'm a young 54 going on 55 (I still skate, go kayaking on the river, and surf when I can), I'm still 54 going on 55. There are folks (i.e. hiring managers) who WILL hold that against me. My question to you is this: would I be able to find a JOB after completing the course at Sheffield? Though I've read this forum for months, I've never found a post or thread that would really apply to me; the closest I found was this one: http://forums.jetcareers.com/threads/pursuing-a-flight-dispatcher-career.79796/. The gentleman there (who made the OP) was 50, not 54 going on 55.
I know that, based on reading the many threads (especially the helpful new dispatcher FAQ!), that I will probably take a pay cut; since I'm totally debt free, I can handle that. I know that I will have to relocate; one has to go where the jobs are. Since I no longer have family nearby (mom died in 2012); since I'm single; since there's nothing here for me anymore; that's okay too. Finally, since I worked at STL fueling planes, I'm aware that aviation is a union oriented business, and as such, my life will be chained to my seniority number. IOW, I have a good idea of what I'm getting into.
Before I close, let me tell you something else. Though I'm not rich (I drive a 2006 Nissan), I have enough in the bank & mutual funds to qualify for a retirement visa in countries south of the border. In some countries, I could live well with what I have. I thought about early retirement, but I don't know if I'm READY for that! As corny as it sounds, I need a reason to get up in the morning; I need to have a mission in life, as it were. I hope that makes sense.
I wish that I'd found out about dispatching sooner; oh, how I would have LOVED to have spent the last 2-3 decades of my life doing that! The career seems to be a good fit for me. Unfortunately, none of us can change the past; what's done is done. That said, I can change my future, and I would like to enjoy whatever years I have left. I think I could work to 70 and beyond if it were something that I enjoy, if I worked at something that lit me up. Since I have to get up in the morning, I would like to look FORWARD to doing so.
Guys, I'm not worried about passing Sheffield's course. I got a degree in electronics, which entailed the study of calculus, physics, and other heavy duty material; even at my age, I still have sufficient brainpower to handle anything Sheffield can throw at me. That said, will I be able to get a job when I finish? Will I be able to work in aviation after all? Or should I just think about early retirement? All I know is that I'm in a rut, and I don't want to be there any longer. Thanks in advance to any and all responses, guys...
Mark
Years ago, I wanted to be a professional pilot. I obtained my commercial/instrument in pursuit of that goal. However, before I could work in the 'front office' of an airplane, I lost my medical. To lose my dream on the cusp of achieving it was painful, to say the least. I fueled airliners for a couple of years at STL, and then walked away from aviation altogether. I thought it was the best thing to do at the time. In retrospect, it was the wrong decision, but I can't change the past.
After walking away from aviation, I did other things. I went back to school and got a bachelors in electronics, a hobby I pursued as a kid. While in school, I worked as a TA. After school, I worked in offices at a couple of Fortune 500 companies, then worked in the electronics industry, where I'm presently employed. Though the job is secure (my company is growing and has regular overtime), I feel like I'm in a rut. I've heard it said that a rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out-how true it is. I don't want to LIVE like this any longer! By hook or by crook, I am going to change my situation.
That said, I never really lost my love of airplanes and everything aviation. I've been a regular reader at Airinsight.com, Aviation Week, and Aviation-History.com. The last website is a MUST SEE for any aviation buff!
While reading an aviation website recently, I read about dispatchers. When I was training to be a professional pilot, I'd heard about them but didn't investigate them; after all, I wanted to be a pilot, and that's all that mattered. After finding out more about it, I think that dispatching would be an IDEAL career for me; I think I would love it! That said, I am 54 going on 55. If I were to enroll at Sheffield next year, I would be 55. Though I'm a young 54 going on 55 (I still skate, go kayaking on the river, and surf when I can), I'm still 54 going on 55. There are folks (i.e. hiring managers) who WILL hold that against me. My question to you is this: would I be able to find a JOB after completing the course at Sheffield? Though I've read this forum for months, I've never found a post or thread that would really apply to me; the closest I found was this one: http://forums.jetcareers.com/threads/pursuing-a-flight-dispatcher-career.79796/. The gentleman there (who made the OP) was 50, not 54 going on 55.
I know that, based on reading the many threads (especially the helpful new dispatcher FAQ!), that I will probably take a pay cut; since I'm totally debt free, I can handle that. I know that I will have to relocate; one has to go where the jobs are. Since I no longer have family nearby (mom died in 2012); since I'm single; since there's nothing here for me anymore; that's okay too. Finally, since I worked at STL fueling planes, I'm aware that aviation is a union oriented business, and as such, my life will be chained to my seniority number. IOW, I have a good idea of what I'm getting into.
Before I close, let me tell you something else. Though I'm not rich (I drive a 2006 Nissan), I have enough in the bank & mutual funds to qualify for a retirement visa in countries south of the border. In some countries, I could live well with what I have. I thought about early retirement, but I don't know if I'm READY for that! As corny as it sounds, I need a reason to get up in the morning; I need to have a mission in life, as it were. I hope that makes sense.
I wish that I'd found out about dispatching sooner; oh, how I would have LOVED to have spent the last 2-3 decades of my life doing that! The career seems to be a good fit for me. Unfortunately, none of us can change the past; what's done is done. That said, I can change my future, and I would like to enjoy whatever years I have left. I think I could work to 70 and beyond if it were something that I enjoy, if I worked at something that lit me up. Since I have to get up in the morning, I would like to look FORWARD to doing so.
Guys, I'm not worried about passing Sheffield's course. I got a degree in electronics, which entailed the study of calculus, physics, and other heavy duty material; even at my age, I still have sufficient brainpower to handle anything Sheffield can throw at me. That said, will I be able to get a job when I finish? Will I be able to work in aviation after all? Or should I just think about early retirement? All I know is that I'm in a rut, and I don't want to be there any longer. Thanks in advance to any and all responses, guys...
Mark