Prologue
Thank you so much Doug and Kristie for what you do. I've always wanted to fly for a living and for whatever reason, during and after college I went into business (pharmacist recruiter). After 10 years I realized that if I spent much more time on the phone, in meetings, and smoozing I'd go insane. A few years ago I found pilot related websites, including JC, and decided JC is where it's at for me. I used JC as a source for information and motivation to help get into this industry.
Meat and Potatos
I had made my decision to change careers during one of the high times of the aviation industry. Lots of new hires, regionals hiring at low times, etc. I started at ATP with the goal of becoming a Horizon FO (I know some FOs at Horizon, heard good things). I used JC and networked with a member that works at a flight school in my area, I liked what I heard, interviewed, and was hired within a week of interviewing. Completed my flight training during this 'high' (no busts, thank you very much) and was excited to start instructing somewhere and get to Horizon ASAP.
Hard Times
So I start instructing early this year as the industry goes into recession (or whatever you call it). I instruct my students, fly 6+ hours a day 5 days a week and keep tabs on JC when I can. I read about aspiring pilots deciding to get into debt for flight training (I was lucky I saved some scratch and was able to forgo the debt thing) and get flamed for wanting to fly for a living. I read about low time pilots applying to MAG and get flamed. I read about current FO's at many airlines write about getting furloughed, going back to their old jobs, finding new jobs and so on. I started to have doubts. I didn't like what I was reading on JC (and other boards) because I didn't want to think I was foolish in changing careers. I stayed away for months.
Today
So with the current situation my time frame may change for Horizon, I'll keep flying. I feel smarter and more informed for being a JC member and everything it has to offer. Thanks to PCL, Velociraptor and others who might at times be tagged as negative. You've helped straighten out a future airline pilot with realistic goals and expectations. I learn something new almost every time someone is 'flamed', whether it's for apply with MAG, going into debt for flight training, or who knows what else. I learn something new almost every time someone gets an 'atta boy' after completing a milestone.
With all that is going on, everyday I wake up and drive to the airport (whether it's 4:30am or 8:30pm) to start my day, I have to pinch myself when I think I'm not driving to some cinder block building for a meeting, I'm driving to an airport to fly for a living.
My goals have changed. I don't have to fly for an airline. I'll try and balance QOL (married, 2 kids) along with flying. I've found some options thanks to JC. If that's at Horizon, great! That's still my main goal. Minimums go up, I understand that. If I end up having to stay in the Phoenix area, that's fine too. I'm earning pretty good money, a couple days off a week, and oh ya, I'm driving to an airport to fly for a living.
Thank you all for the information you've shared on JC.
Jeff
Thank you so much Doug and Kristie for what you do. I've always wanted to fly for a living and for whatever reason, during and after college I went into business (pharmacist recruiter). After 10 years I realized that if I spent much more time on the phone, in meetings, and smoozing I'd go insane. A few years ago I found pilot related websites, including JC, and decided JC is where it's at for me. I used JC as a source for information and motivation to help get into this industry.
Meat and Potatos
I had made my decision to change careers during one of the high times of the aviation industry. Lots of new hires, regionals hiring at low times, etc. I started at ATP with the goal of becoming a Horizon FO (I know some FOs at Horizon, heard good things). I used JC and networked with a member that works at a flight school in my area, I liked what I heard, interviewed, and was hired within a week of interviewing. Completed my flight training during this 'high' (no busts, thank you very much) and was excited to start instructing somewhere and get to Horizon ASAP.
Hard Times
So I start instructing early this year as the industry goes into recession (or whatever you call it). I instruct my students, fly 6+ hours a day 5 days a week and keep tabs on JC when I can. I read about aspiring pilots deciding to get into debt for flight training (I was lucky I saved some scratch and was able to forgo the debt thing) and get flamed for wanting to fly for a living. I read about low time pilots applying to MAG and get flamed. I read about current FO's at many airlines write about getting furloughed, going back to their old jobs, finding new jobs and so on. I started to have doubts. I didn't like what I was reading on JC (and other boards) because I didn't want to think I was foolish in changing careers. I stayed away for months.
Today
So with the current situation my time frame may change for Horizon, I'll keep flying. I feel smarter and more informed for being a JC member and everything it has to offer. Thanks to PCL, Velociraptor and others who might at times be tagged as negative. You've helped straighten out a future airline pilot with realistic goals and expectations. I learn something new almost every time someone is 'flamed', whether it's for apply with MAG, going into debt for flight training, or who knows what else. I learn something new almost every time someone gets an 'atta boy' after completing a milestone.
With all that is going on, everyday I wake up and drive to the airport (whether it's 4:30am or 8:30pm) to start my day, I have to pinch myself when I think I'm not driving to some cinder block building for a meeting, I'm driving to an airport to fly for a living.
My goals have changed. I don't have to fly for an airline. I'll try and balance QOL (married, 2 kids) along with flying. I've found some options thanks to JC. If that's at Horizon, great! That's still my main goal. Minimums go up, I understand that. If I end up having to stay in the Phoenix area, that's fine too. I'm earning pretty good money, a couple days off a week, and oh ya, I'm driving to an airport to fly for a living.
Thank you all for the information you've shared on JC.
Jeff