Crap!!!

P

parmandjack

New Member
:banghead:

....DELAYED!!!!!

So there I was, sitting minding my own business working away last Monday, when my boss emails me a nice polite reminder that I MUST get my PMP certification soon. The PMP is a "Project Management Professional" designation that is pretty much the be-all-and-end-all glory ticket for project managers. Anyway... I have to have it by Feb 26th!!! :crazy: ... and I really have no choice... This job and the good income it provides is what I'm going to be taking advantage of to get the certs and min times as fast as possible... so I have to do it if I wanna keep this job until I'm ready to depart on my own time...

SO... every night this week since finding this out I have had to hit the books to prepare. My test is scheduled for 1pm Feb 26th ( as late as I could get it), 'cause the exam is 4 hours long and a killer... apparently only a low percentage of people pass it the first time... so considering that I'm still taking care of a wife recovering from surgery, and 4 small kids, while also working full time at my job, and I now also have to cram for 3 hours every night up until the exam date... there is absolutely no way I can fit in flight training/ground school studies too....

So thats the puts the kia-bosh on my ground school and flight training beginning on Jan 7th !:banghead: Now I have to wait until March!! ARRRGGG!!!!!

This blows! plus my wife is also giving me a lot of guilt/grief over the low-pay for flying, and desperately wants me to keep my IT job - so this is giving me a mental pounding! ... I posed to her that after I have the PMP in my pocket, and I have all the min hours for the Regional accumulated, that I could go to a Regional (and try to fly RJ's), and do it for a year to "feel-it-out". Then, after that year, if either I feel its not for me and my SJS is all gone, or she is not comfortable, then I could go back to IT Project Management and just fly for fun... she seems to be ok with this, so that might be the trade-off for now. Funny thing is though... She is completely 100% behind me doing this if I go to an Asian carrier and hang out in Hong Kong flying big boys, if that were possible.... hmmm..

So... for now I just hafta sit around dreaming about flying and just be jealous of all you guys-n-gals until March... For Pete's Sake, My Cat 1 Medical will have expired by the time I start my training!! :cwm27:

Cheers.
 
Can you change the PMP to "Project Management In Professionalism?" At least that way, you'd be a PIMP!

Ok, so maybe you've heard that one already. All I can offer is a "hang in there" from a stranger and maybe make ya smile.

So... hang in there, smile, and keep flying!!!!!
 
wildfreightess said:
Can you change the PMP to "Project Management In Professionalism?" At least that way, you'd be a PIMP!

Ok, so maybe you've heard that one already. All I can offer is a "hang in there" from a stranger and maybe make ya smile.

So... hang in there, smile, and keep flying!!!!!
Click to expand...

LOL
 
Stick with it. I'm sure you will make it work. Plus now you will have another feather in your cap for your backup plan. Thats always a good thing.
 
I'm scheduled to take the classes online as well. My cubemate finished before Thanksgiving, and yes, she's braindead. Those classes are no easy task, and you're right. . .the test is no joke.

You're right; forego the flying until March. If you wish to successfully pass, you've got to bust your behind.

So, are you taking it online or at one of the universities?
 
Well, do whatever it takes to clear that obstacle and pass the test. It may test your determination to make it as a professional aviator. Like the other comments made, I say hang in there! Continue to embrace your passion and your dream by keeping the faith. After all, once you start flying commercially you can say, "Yes I paid my dues!".

I too am in the project management business but my company has not forced us to be PIMPs yet..oooppps scratch that! I meant Project Management Professionals.Question?? Do you ever feel like transistioning to another career is just another BIG project to conquer?

Whenever you take the BIG leap of Faith, I think it will be another test of how bad do you want this dream. I said I think, I may be taking the leap soon myself. So let's see if I can follow my own advice.

Be well...good luck on your test!
 
You have a backup plan, and that is the best thing of all. Too many people make the leap without any "life-preserver" and figure out that it isn't the life they want. It takes a huge sacrifice and just having a plan "B" will make it a little easier.

As for the 1st class "expiring" it will revert to a 2nd and then a 3rd class, so as long...oh hell, here is the FAA reg:

  1. First-Class Medical Certificate: A first-class medical certificate is valid for the remainder of the month of issue; plus
    • 6 calendar months for activities requiring a first-class medical certificate, or plus
    • 12 calendar months for activities requiring a second-class medical certificate, or plus
    • 24 calendar months for activities requiring a third-class medical certificate, or plus
    • 36 calendar months for activities requiring a third-class medical certificate if the airman has not reached his or her 40th birthday on or before the date of examination.*
 
I believe that is the same year your physicals will make you feel alot less friendly with your Doc!

Sounds like you are stuck with the PMP thing. My company was starting that BS a few years back. I studied for a month, and then they decided against it. Apparently even the higher-ups thought it to be too hard. I thought it was dumb personally, but not hard.
 
At my old job all of the PMs (Project Managers) were required to be PMPs. Really it seemed to be just another title, as I sure didn't notice any stellar differences between PMs without the certification. Luckily I was just a lowly cubicle peon and didn't have to take it. We were required to take the PE (Professional Engineer) exam, but I got out before any ultimatums were given to me. Good luck and do whatever you have to. Just one more reason you'll be happy when you're out of that industry and flying an airplane for a living.
 
MFT1Air said:
I'm scheduled to take the classes online as well. My cubemate finished before Thanksgiving, and yes, she's braindead. Those classes are no easy task, and you're right. . .the test is no joke.

You're right; forego the flying until March. If you wish to successfully pass, you've got to bust your behind.

So, are you taking it online or at one of the universities?
Click to expand...

neither actually. i've been a project manager for a little over 5 years and currently work for IBM. I did all the course work a little over two years ago, and was approved by PMI to sit the exam last Feb, but personal issues kept my preparation for the exam on the back burner. My boss though, forced it to be moved to the front, so now I'm sitting the PMP "exam", not a course, on Feb 26th...Hopefully it'll go well! :panic:

Cheers.
 
:D
bigcat said:
Well, do whatever it takes to clear that obstacle and pass the test. It may test your determination to make it as a professional aviator. Like the other comments made, I say hang in there! Continue to embrace your passion and your dream by keeping the faith. After all, once you start flying commercially you can say, "Yes I paid my dues!".

I too am in the project management business but my company has not forced us to be PIMPs yet..oooppps scratch that! I meant Project Management Professionals.Question?? Do you ever feel like transistioning to another career is just another BIG project to conquer?

Whenever you take the BIG leap of Faith, I think it will be another test of how bad do you want this dream. I said I think, I may be taking the leap soon myself. So let's see if I can follow my own advice.

Be well...good luck on your test!
Click to expand...

Thanks BigCat!

Once the PMP is behind me, the only other obstacles was my wifes resistance to the low pay, and my own apprehension about being away from my 4 kids for days and days at a time...

But, it looks like the wife may be helping me to make the jump after all, as a divorce appears to be looming on the near horizon (for reasons other than flying), and the kids'll be with her ! HEY HEY!!! this year is turning out ot be terrific! :banghead:

Well.. break the large task in to numerous smaller tasks/hurdles, and overcome them one at a time eh?

So things look to be shaping up :whatever:
 
parmandjack said:
:banghead:

....DELAYED!!!!!

So there I was, sitting minding my own business working away last Monday, when my boss emails me a nice polite reminder that I MUST get my PMP certification soon. The PMP is a "Project Management Professional" designation that is pretty much the be-all-and-end-all glory ticket for project managers. Anyway... I have to have it by Feb 26th!!! :crazy: ... and I really have no choice... This job and the good income it provides is what I'm going to be taking advantage of to get the certs and min times as fast as possible... so I have to do it if I wanna keep this job until I'm ready to depart on my own time...

SO... every night this week since finding this out I have had to hit the books to prepare. My test is scheduled for 1pm Feb 26th ( as late as I could get it), 'cause the exam is 4 hours long and a killer... apparently only a low percentage of people pass it the first time... so considering that I'm still taking care of a wife recovering from surgery, and 4 small kids, while also working full time at my job, and I now also have to cram for 3 hours every night up until the exam date... there is absolutely no way I can fit in flight training/ground school studies too....

So thats the puts the kia-bosh on my ground school and flight training beginning on Jan 7th !:banghead: Now I have to wait until March!! ARRRGGG!!!!!

This blows! plus my wife is also giving me a lot of guilt/grief over the low-pay for flying, and desperately wants me to keep my IT job - so this is giving me a mental pounding! ... I posed to her that after I have the PMP in my pocket, and I have all the min hours for the Regional accumulated, that I could go to a Regional (and try to fly RJ's), and do it for a year to "feel-it-out". Then, after that year, if either I feel its not for me and my SJS is all gone, or she is not comfortable, then I could go back to IT Project Management and just fly for fun... she seems to be ok with this, so that might be the trade-off for now. Funny thing is though... She is completely 100% behind me doing this if I go to an Asian carrier and hang out in Hong Kong flying big boys, if that were possible.... hmmm..

So... for now I just hafta sit around dreaming about flying and just be jealous of all you guys-n-gals until March... For Pete's Sake, My Cat 1 Medical will have expired by the time I start my training!! :cwm27:

Cheers.
Click to expand...

PandJ,

Hang in there man, March is just around the corner....

I'm in IT as well, so I know how you feel about trading it in for aviation....

My training is going painfully slow due to my day job...but its moving nonetheless...now flying G-1000s and then commercial training.

I'll be rootin for you cause I know how it feels man.

Keep us posted.
 
Hey PJack,
There is no need to worry. Just look at my situation and feel great:
  • Talking (perhaps even thinking) about aviation was banned in my family during I was growing up. Even my father is a retired pilot with almost 20.000 hours under his belt.
  • I grew up with the pressure that I should not even be thinking general aviation, military aviation, or even model aircrafts.
  • I got married. My wife does not talk to me days if I play Flight Simulator on my computer. Just think about it if I say "I want to be a pilot someday."
  • I earned my Ph.D and I am a college professor now. As any college professor, I am underpaid.
  • I am not a U.S. Citizen; at least not yet, so I cannot get any "low rate" federal financial aid.
  • I am now 30.
On top of those, I am still dreaming about being a pilot. I cannot think other than aviation. I even think myself as a pilot when I am driving a car. Perhaps, if I make a solo in one day, I will have the most intensive orgasm ever.

I made everything planned out... I will sacrifice everything when the time comes. Even if the ultimate price will be to loose everything I have. Maybe this summer, maybe closer than that.

Just keep your dreams bro... Do not forget that:

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things." (Shawshank Redemption) This movie changed my life. Whenever I feel hopeless, I watch this movie to recharge...

Thanks...
 
Yep, that is a crap... but luckily not a full blown #####. A couple month delay, but all will work out from the sound of it. You have many options which puts you in an ideal situation (current plan, ideal plan, back-up plan, etc.). So all is well from what I see.

Only potential challenege may be the wife. Sounds like she may not fully be prepared for you to commit to a flying career which brings in low pay for a solid 3 to 10 years pending your career path choice within flying (that'd be the time making $20k to $50k a year which is flat broke pretty much). So that can be tough since if you do not have the support of your spouse things could become tough in your personal life. It's takes both personal life and professional life satisfaction to really be happy! So fingers crossed she comes around and supports your dream fully.

I have my own novel on how I left my prior life to get to be just finishing up my last couple hours of commercial and moving onto the CFI route soon... it's been an interesting 8 month journey of leaving behind good friends, a great girlfriend, and a six figure income to pursue the dream.... flying is my passion and my poison. Overall though, I'd change nothing. New friends and relationships form, and flying has calmed me down and given me peace by eliminating the stresses of my past life.

So best of success to you :rawk:
 
Hang tight.

I am a fan. I went to Flight Safety right out of school in '92 got all the ratings and became broke quickly. Went back to the Bay Area and worked as a PM for VISA & Charles Schwab in SF and have missed flying every single second. Have about 450TT, but have not flown in over a decade. I would be in agony if I went back to the cube life SF.

I've watched you're thread closely because we are in similar scenarios. And particularly with the wife. I have an over-achieving type-A wife who has basically told me that she'll plunge a knife into my skull if I get back into cockpit again. Still, despite this I went and got the medical out of the way and routinely prowl the FBO's around my area. Just tying to work out the financial plans in order that my family won't starve (sound familiar?). Maybe we're just nuts, but I gnash my teeth when I hear the argument that,"...drop those childish dreams, find a job with good pay because your only responsibility is to your kids & family." Being a pilot (low pay or not), can co-exist with being a good dad. My wife is not convinced.

So now I am watching your quest closely. Deal with that PMP. It won't hurt you at all other than the time delay. Yes, Yes I know how that feels too. I'm 39 staring at the big 40, in a job I hate, constantly tortuted by Brasillias & Beech 99's flying over my house hear in Merced, CA. Just do it so I (and many others) will finally get the guts to follow in your footsteps.

No pressure dude.

S.:rawk:
 
Dear Doug,

It's 2:29 PST and I just finished both your blogs. How cool. I'll adjust my dreams for the moment as I would love just to be PIC on the Ameriflight BE99 that lives at my home airport:KMCE.

I may have missed it but there was no bio/background link on your blogs. Are you former military (Delta, ran with that assumption) or did you FBO/Freight dog-it?

Keep posting.

Cheers,

Call99
 
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