OK, Am I insane?

ColeyF

ColeyF

New Member
Here is the whole sordid story...

As I type this I am sitting in Afghanistan. I just turned 39.

I have worked in the Army (10 years active, 8 years Guard) as a Huey and Black Hawk Flight Engineer. I have worked as IT director in Casinos, I have worked as a commercial truck driver. Always wanted to be a commercial pilot. Problem was, that the schools were always just too expensive.

Currently I am working as a civilian helicopter door gunner making about 200k a year. Probably not the safest job in the world, but I am good at it, and the money is real good.

I am seriously thinking about banking a bunch of cash, and attending the ATP school.

Not sure I would be the person for a Regonal, and pretty sure by the time I get my commercial I would be too long int he tooth for even making a Major. I could see myself doing some bush flying in Alaska or something. Not saying I would not give regonal's a shot, just not sure how much I would like that.

Anyway, am I geting too old to change gears here? I have my PPL, and have worked in a job flying (inthe back) of helicopters since 1985. Wondering also about giving up my current job for one I can maybe expect to make $1,500 a month.

What say you? Too old, or give it a shot?

CF
 
Don't think the door gunner gig is gonna last forever...

I'd bank as much as you can and come back and see how it goes. If you want to be a bush pilot in Alaska, I'd say just head up there to do your training. There are flight schools up there and the networking your could do would serve you better than going to ATP. They probably laugh at zero to hero six month wonders up in Alaska...

I was a flight engineer once. Shooting machine guns wasn't part of the training....hehe.
 
I assume most of your expenses are paid in afghanistan, so you are banking most of that $200k/year. If you have those means you should first buy a house in the city that you eventually want to live in (someday you can commute from there). Rent it out to help cover the mortgage.

With the remaining savings, you do have the options of going to some fast track type program like ATP. I usually wouldn't recommend this but you are a unique case since you will not need to take out any loans and that you are 39, so higher date/seniority will make a huge difference. I wouldn't do any kind of transition/guaranteed interview training though since you probably would be in a good position if you just instructed there for a while and gained experience. Use that extra money toward the house.
 
How long with a regional should a guy expect to work for almost nothing? Do not want to make it seem like I am focusing ONLy on $$, but I would like to afford to live.

Also, if a person decided to head North first and get rating up there and build time flying bush, would a regional look at him like a "cowboy" or do they value experiance like that?

Thanks for the help!

CF
 
BrettInLJ said:
I assume most of your expenses are paid in afghanistan, so you are banking most of that $200k/year. If you have those means you should first buy a house in the city that you eventually want to live in (someday you can commute from there). Rent it out to help cover the mortgage.

With the remaining savings, you do have the options of going to some fast track type program like ATP. I usually wouldn't recommend this but you are a unique case since you will not need to take out any loans and that you are 39, so higher date/seniority will make a huge difference. I wouldn't do any kind of transition/guaranteed interview training though since you probably would be in a good position if you just instructed there for a while and gained experience. Use that extra money toward the house.
Click to expand...


House thing is all taken care of, and yes, my stuff is in storage. Total monthly bills are int he $300 range or so.

Would prefer regional in the Twin Cities area. Looks like Pinnicle (sp?) is the deal there.

CF
 
To answer your original question.... yes!

Now, 200k is a pretty nice number... Now divide it into 8 and that's what you'll be making at a regional the first year. I think its only the first year that's tough, as far as money goes.



Note- I'm not a regional pilot and probably won't be because I'd hate to live with that first year pay.


... Oh, one more thing.... you're not too old
 
ColeyF said:
How long with a regional should a guy expect to work for almost nothing? Do not want to make it seem like I am focusing ONLy on $$, but I would like to afford to live.
Click to expand...

here is what I made first year and expect to make second year:

http://forums.jetcareers.com/showthread.php?t=30439

Although with your background, why do you want to fly for a regional? It sounds like you probably want more adventure then what we do.

If you go to a regional, you would probably have a harder time going back to alaska and flying then if you did the bush thing first.
 
If you wanna fly in Alaska you really need to do your training there. Every place I've ever seen wanted some sort of Alaska time. Networking, it seems, is key to a small plane job in Alaska. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

you working for blackwater?
 
I'd try to strech out that tax free $200k a year for as long as you can. When you get back, just buy a plane. You can get a used high performance aircraft for around $100k and fly when ever and where ever you want.
 
Low_Level_Hell said:
I'd try to strech out that tax free $200k a year for as long as you can. When you get back, just buy a plane. You can get a used high performance aircraft for around $100k and fly when ever and where ever you want.
Click to expand...

Ding! Ding! Ding! If you want to fly in the bush, go to Alaska, by whatever plane you are willing/capable of buying, get your instrument and then have the time of your life flying on your schedule where ever you want. That would be my dream, and that is what it will remain to be for me. But for you, damn man! You got it made. A dream that's good.
 
I've heard reserve/guard retirement is horrible and I don't understand the point system and everthing; but since you were AD for 10 wouldn't you get your kick ass retirement after 20? Why didn't you stay on for 2 extra years?


I can't offer any advice to you, sorry. But you made a good step by coming here; there is a ton of info on here and you can learn a bunch of stuff just by lurkin.

see ya, good luck, be safe. air force rules, sorry. ;)
 
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