I'm out

John,

Stop being such a chode!

I'm sorry all that quality training I gave you is going to waste.:) J/k man

Just remember those CFI certs are a great asset to have in your back pocket no matter what your life choices are. I dont want you thinking that you wasted time and money on them. You and you only can decide what is best.

I am personally glad your going back to MI, I might be moving there in the future for a Lear job. Wanna roomate??:)
 
Sorry to hear this JH, and I know it must of been hard to accept. I would agree with the stay and make some money until school begins.

Best of luck, and I agree, expect to see you at NJC2006!!!!
 
I wish you the best as well John. I haven't contributed anything to where you are right now but I certainly did learn lots from you and I'm sure many others did as well. Good luck with whatever you carry on to do!:)
 
BCTAv8r said:
I wish you the best as well John. I haven't contributed anything to where you are right now but I certainly did learn lots from you and I'm sure many others did as well. Good luck with whatever you carry on to do!:)
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:yeahthat: I wish you the best of luck in life.
 
Glad you were able to face your decision and not be scared, but leaving after only one week? That's burning a bridge big time, especially if that other instructor just left. If your still around at least instruct until they can find someone to fill your slot
 
pullup said:
Glad you were able to face your decision and not be scared, but leaving after only one week? That's burning a bridge big time, especially if that other instructor just left. If your still around at least instruct until they can find someone to fill your slot
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Loyalty to an employer like a ho to a trick!

;)
 
Wow, I am in shock! Well, not in a negative way. I believe your decision is wise if that is what your heart tells you. You can always come back to a flying career in the future - just remember that. You're still young and perhaps some day you'll find an aviation-related job that'll allow you to live the lifestyle/work schedule/financial aspirations that you expect (such as management perhaps?)... remember there are many aviation jobs that aren't in the cockpit! :)
 
John, like I said to you today, you did not burn any bridges with me at all. I would recommend you for any job you were to pursue.

This is NOT the type of career for everyone. There is a lot to deal with and I give John a ton of credit for his willingness to pack up his belongings, move halfway across the country, to pursue the dream of being paid to fly. Every person flies for different reasons. The reason I fly is completely different than someone elses. John, YOU are the one who looks in the mirror each day, YOU are the one who YOU have to answer to, you don't have to answer to me or anyone else for that matter. YOU made your decision, that you thought would be best after experiencing the prospect of a career in aviation. Did you give it enough time? Sometimes you just know right away you made the wrong choice. If you went with your gut you made the right decision.

My BIGGEST fear when I was making my way up the ranks is if I would hate my job after spending all my time and money with it. I LOVE my job, LOVE it, couldn't imagine doing anything else. But I am a single 23 year old dude who has very little ties. In 10 years it will be different. I plan on pursuing other options and business opportunities that will allow me to expand myself, if I grow sick of this career.

Don't worry about burning bridges. You didn't with me. What is loyalty to an employer? They can get rid of you tommorow if they go under. Loyalty between people is different. You were honest with me, truthful, and forthcoming. You didn't ruin my reputation with the flight school. Trust me on this.

John, like you said you have my support and recommendation not matter what you decide to do. If you decide that you want to get back into flying, then I will be in your corner backing you. If you go into law, I will support you, but I want free law fees ;) You are the one who you have to answer to. Make the decision on which would be best for John.
 
Wow John, good luck with your decision, I wish you all the best and I can't say I blame you.

I kinda feel like I am in a similar situation. I just made the move across the country back to Denver to instruct. Things just didn't work out too well for me in the DC area as far as instructing goes. Fiance is still in DC but at least it looks like I get to see her every few weeks or once a month or so.

Wishing you luck!
 
Good luck John. Your not the first person I know who has made that decision, and its been a tough road for me too, and I have thought of doing the same. I just dont have the cahoonas to admit that pilots are in a nice catch 22.
Good luck.
 
Here's my $.02 for someone with a couple of hundred hours right now. Taking 8 - 10 years to find that dream job is not all that unrealistic and should still provide you with 25 to 30 years of high quality flying. When I was learning to fly and getting my time up...the industry was in the pits. Many of my classmates just gave up on aviation and went on to other things. It will take a few years for the industry to get on its feet...and in another 10 years there will be another robust round of retirements...so right now...what a great time to get out there and beat around and build some time. Just get ready when the jobs start to appear again...albeit maybe 8-10 years from now. Also, it doensn't mean you can't pursue another career at the same time. When I was instructing...the airline career didn't look too promising...so I went to school and earned a MS in education. Then all of a sudden things changed...lots of hiring...and there I am glad I stuck it out.

Early on my friends who left made better money than me, and had nicer things than I did...however...as I crawled my way up to better jobs...my friends who quit would confide in me that they wished they would have stuck it out. I don't really blame anyone who wishes to leave aviation, as it is a very cut throat, highly competitive industry. But, for the most case, this is really true of all industries. I know a few of my friends wished they had stuck it out...even amidst the industry turmoil...but they were unwilling to spend the time necessary to get qualified for the good jobs out there (at that point in time a commuter wouldn't touch you under 2000/300).

My point is...that for highly motivated, successful, type A persons...the type that typically defines a professional pilot...you want to be hired at that dream job....like yesterday. I was like that. I felt if I wasn't at a major by age 25...I was a failure. (Actually I was hired at TWA at 26). Now at age 35, with my 20's behind me...I can offer the point of view taking a few years in your 20's to early 30's to get prepared for good jobs out there is not at all unreasonable...and still provides 30 good years ahead to fly professionally in various capacities.

If you really don't think that flying is for you....I would suggest another career as well....because you just won't be happy in such a topsy turvy environment. But for those who want to pursue it...even though things look bleak...I would encourage you to hold on...especially if you have lots of years ahead...because most likely things will turn for the better. They will...just how long will it take?
 
John, I'm impressed with how well you are learning about yourself, especially considering your age. Many people don't begin to sort out their priorities until much later in life, and some never do. True Quality Of Life is determined by the complete package of relationships, family, friends, career, self-worth, and personal beliefs. Career is but one small part of the whole. Kudos to you for developing the ability to mentally step back from your situation and try to analyze what is important to you, and adjusting your path to match. Never forget to do so on a continuing basis - you will be much, much happier throughout your life!

I know how much you enjoy flying, and I encourage you to continue strongly networking in the aviation community. You may be suprised at the doors that will open for you in completely unexpected ways in the future. Wherever you end up, spend time at the local airports and get to know the FBO operators, charter companies, flight schools, and even the corporate operators. If you end up back in west Michigan give me a holler. The offer stands to do what I can to introduce you around.

I'll offer my Best Wishes for wherever the road may lead you. I'm confident that you'll create your own Good Luck!
 
tonyw said:
John, I would say this -- same thing I said to you via IM. Stick it out for the summer, since you've got until the fall before grad school starts and you'll need cashola for grad school.

Apply for school during the time you're teaching, and build up cash reserves. You're gonna need that regardless, man!
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I'm 100% with Tony on this JH. And I agree with what Stan said too. I know you feel like you have thought it out but don't do the quick bailout. Call me if you want. -C
 
John-
Enough of that tail-between-your-legs crap! It takes balls of solid clanking brass to accomplish what you have accomplished, and then say "Enough's enough! This is bollocks!". You'll have this experience to look back on for the rest of your life. And here's the beauty of it- commercial cerificates and logbooks don't expire! Should you decide to, you can always pick up where you left off. Kudos to you for having a fall-back degree! You're a pretty fart smeller!
So we're all proud of you, and consider you a friend. Everyone that's encouraging you to keep-on-keeping-on just means well for you. Stand-up dudes like you always land on thier feet, so I have every confidence that you'll be sucessfull no matter what you do. So best of luck, and keep us updated on your next adventure!
-Jim
 
Excellent post!

Like Mr Creepy said:

With age comes wisdom.

All you out there take note...do not be hatin' on him for figuring things out, because it is much better to get this stuff figured out as a 20 something, than a 30 or 40 something.

Life is about so much more than what you do to make money. It's about love, friends, family, and doing things you love on YOUR terms.

Like John said he can get his flying fix from other forms. Drilling holes in the pattern on a beautiful day, doing laid back flight instructing on the weekends, flying himself and his family and friends for a $100 Hamburger, and to be honest that sounds like a LOT more fun, compared to flying into Poodunk Arkansas day in and day out.

Learn from this post (and other's like Iain), who figured out that they loved flying, but not flying for a living.

Good on you John for being honest with yourself. Your a far wiser man than I was at your age.

Naunga
 
It sucks ... but you ultimately weigh your priorities and decides what is more important. At times we want to fight our head and heart when ranking priorities, but in the end know what matters most to us.

I really wanted/want to fly for a living. More so than anything, I wanted to fly for the USAF. I had a C-5 slot with my ANG unit, and life was fantastic. The Air Force told me I had what amounts to a lazy eye and I lost my slot.

Wanting to fly, I looked into flight schools. I got brochures from many places, and visited ATP in Manassas, VA. While persuing a waiver with the Air Force, I got married and not too long thereafter (two-three months later) we were pregnant.

I had always envisioned stability when I had a family. Solid income, house with yard, living comfortably. Much to my disappointment, I put the career flying aside because I did not want to spend in upwards of $20,000-30,000+ and the time involved chasing a career that would barely, if so, pay enough to support my family with a place of our own, good/healthy food, and decent vehicles to get around with all the while of having the expenses associated with having a child.

I still fly often, and will continue to fly as a hobby. Soon I will begin my instrument rating. I look forward to a time when my son can truly appreciate going on flights with his daddy (he's already logged over 3 hours -- most around when he was 2 months old). I look forward to using an airplane to take my family to fun destinations, possibly own a plane ourslves.

I still seek to one day have instructor ratings to bring in supplemental income, build hours to perhaps help ferry planes, occasionally fly a friends/acquaintance/etc. twin, etc.

And I think to myself ... in the end I may be able to enjoy aviation more as a hobby than if it were my job.

Best of luck with your new beginnings! May the path be as fun, but the outcome more fruitful.
 
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